If you happen to have any of these symptoms, then you shouldn’t ignore them. If you do then you may find that you end up with a serious issue on your hands, and you may even find that it gets worse over time. If you want to prevent all of that, then take a look below to see the biggest health warning signs you shouldn’t ignore.
Unexplained Weight Loss
One of the biggest health signs you really shouldn’t ignore is unexplained weight loss. Losing weight without even trying might sound appealing, but it’s not at all. It can also be a big warning sign, so you should avoid it if you can. If you lose more than 5% of your body weight in six months or less then this is a major concern too. This is a sign that your body is using its fat reserves to try and fight an underlying illness. Unintentional weight loss may also be a sign that you have diabetes. This can affect your body’s ability to break down sugar. This combined with digestive issues shows that your body is not doing very well and that you need to be taking action to identify the source of the issue. Cancer is also a concern. If you have weight loss that is paired with night sweats or even loss of appetite then this can lead to major concerns but in reality, all of this can be avoided if you take the time to speak to your doctor.

Persistent Fever
Another big sign that something is wrong is if you have a persistent fever. If you have a high fever or if it lasts for longer than 3 days then this is something you should try and address. If you have an infection then it may be that you have an autoimmune condition, and if you have a high temperature then it may be that you have undiagnosed cancer. Lymphoma is a big concern, so it’s important to know the symptoms if you can. Other causes of things like this include urinary tract infections. Skin infections and thyroid issues are also very common. If you have been abroad recently and if you have travelled abroad within the last few weeks then you should probably try and seek medical help if you can. This is the best way for you to ensure that you are not struggling needlessly and that your symptoms are not the signs of something much more serious.
Shortness of Breath
If you are out of breath all the time then this could be because you’re not in good shape. You may also feel out of breath if you have been lifting a lot of heavy boxes or if you have been going on an uphill hike. With that said, if you are breathless, and you are doing activities that don’t normally cause you to feel this way then this is a major sign that something has to be done. Some people can develop breathlessness that doesn’t get better regardless of what they are doing. You can also develop it when you are lying flat on your abc as well. The pattern of when you feel this way should be documented so you can make sure that you are diagnosing the underlying cause properly. Breathlessness can also be due to respiratory infections, which should get better on their own. If you have been exposed to asbestos quite a lot in your line of work, or if you have been renovating a house that has asbestos then this is of course, a cause for concern. You may want to contact Mesothelioma legal services to see if you are entitled to compensation here, as this is a good way for you to get the compensation you need.
Bowel Changes
Another big sign that you need to see your doctor is if you have changes in your bowel habits. If your bowel habits change, and you end up having to go to the bathroom more than usual then this is a big sign that you should visit your healthcare professional. It may be that you are being affected by certain medicines you are taking, or that you are struggling with gastroenteritis. This is an infection of the digestive system but most of the time it is short-lived and ends up resolving itself. You may also have coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. If this is the case then you need to go and see your doctor about this, as they can work with you to make sure you get the help and support you need to navigate the issue.
Bloating
Long-term bloating isn’t something you should ignore either. It could be a sign that you have a digestive issue, or it could mean that you have ovarian cancer. Bloating that sticks around for weeks on end could be a sign that you have abdominal issues as well. Unlike bloating that is caused by food, which will come and go, this kind builds over time, and it can also lead to changes in appetite.
Chest Pain
If you are having chest pains then there could be a lot of reasons behind this. Identifying the cause will largely come down to the other symptoms you are having. If you have a pressure-like pain that feels as though it is spreading to your arm, back, or even jaw then this is a big sign that you may have had a heart attack. With that said, you do need to remember that not all chest pain is going to relate to your heart. Sometimes, having a short stabbing pain that is triggered by either breathing or coughing can indicate that you have an underlying lung condition. Chest pain can be linked to respiratory conditions, and it can also be a sign of infection. You may also experience things like inflammation. If this is the case then you need to be mindful of the symptoms that accompany a collapsed lung, or a pulmonary embolism. These are very serious health conditions, and they are often accompanied by shortness of breath. You may also find that you experience lung cancer and chest pain, but this is usually in conjunction with other symptoms. Some of the things that you need to look out for include weight loss, coughing up blood, and a persistent cough that happens to last longer than three weeks If you have chest pain that accompanies any of this then this is a big sign that you need to visit your doctor to see if they can get to the route of the issue.
Swollen Ankles
If you have swollen ankles then you may find that this is caused by sitting around too much. It can also be caused by taking certain medications. Ankle swelling can also be a big sign that you have kidney disease or even heart failure. With that said, this tends to come with additional symptoms. Things to look out for include persistent swelling to one or both ankles, as well as shortness of breath. You may also experience things like extreme tiredness, along with rapid weight gain. If you know that the swelling has come on quite suddenly then there is a chance that this is due to a skin infection, or that it is due to a blood clot. If your symptoms accompany chest pain, redness, difficulty breathing, or if you are coughing up blood then this is a sign of something much more serious. You will want to see a doctor if you can, as they can rule out lung or chest infections.
Dizziness
Dizziness is another symptom that can have several causes. You may also find that it can range from mild to major health concerns. If you feel lightheaded or if you feel dehydrated then your blood pressure might be low. You may also find that the room feels as though it is spinning. This can point to issues with your inner ear, or sometimes your brain. If you feel this way then you should probably try and talk to your doctor to see if they can help. Pay attention to patterns and when your symptoms start as well. It may be that you can identify certain points when you feel better and when you feel worse, and this can help you to make the most out of your care. Pay attention to timings and write them down too, so you can go to your doctor with a solid and comprehensive timeline as to when it began. This is a good way for you to find out if there is anything you can do to help yourself, and it can also help to narrow down the possible list of things that it could be.
So as you can see, you shouldn't ignore these serious health warnings, and if you follow this guide, you should be able to make sure that you not only take good care of yourself but that you also avoid any future health scares.
(0) comments
We welcome your comments
Log In
Post a comment as Guest
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.