If You Notice These 8 Health Signs In Your Body, Quickly Consult Your Doctor.
_Precious Osadebe Writes_
_Recognising signs in your body that requires doctor’s attention is crucial_
There are some signs your body will give that should necessitate you to go see a doctor. Recognising these signs is crucial for maintaining good health and addressing potential medical issues early.
While some symptoms might seem minor or manageable on your own, others can indicate serious underlying conditions that require professional attention.
Here are eight signs that it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor to ensure you stay on top of your health.
1. Weight loss
While losing weight without effort might seem appealing, it can be a sign of underlying health issues. For weight loss to occur, your body must burn more energy than it consumes. If you haven’t changed your diet or exercise routine, something else might be at play.
Possible causes include digestive problems, infections, or mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Unexplained weight loss can also indicate serious conditions such as undiagnosed cancer. If you notice unexpected weight loss, it’s crucial to see a doctor promptly.
2. Always Tired
If you constantly feel exhausted, even after a good night’s sleep, or frequently doze off during the day, it’s time to see a doctor.
3. Understanding Chest Pain
TV shows often dramatize heart attacks with characters clutching their left arm and collapsing from chest pain. In reality, chest pain can vary greatly, and not all severe pains are heart-related.
Heart attack or angina pain usually feels dull and heavy, like “an elephant sitting on your chest.” It worsens with exercise or stress, can spread to either arm, and may be accompanied by sweating and breathlessness. If you experience these symptoms, call for medical help immediately.
Life-saving clot-busting drugs are most effective within the first hour, so don’t delay. Every minute counts.
4. Persistent Cough
Coughs are common, but a cough lasting over eight weeks is considered chronic and shouldn’t be ignored. A dry, tickly cough might result from blood pressure medication, acid reflux, or mild asthma. If a cough persists for two weeks or produces blood, see a doctor immediately. Smokers and ex-smokers should be particularly vigilant about long-standing coughs.
5. Yellowing Skin
Noticing yellowing skin? Speak to a doctor as it could be jaundice. Jaundice occurs when the liver isn’t functioning properly, causing bilirubin to build up in the blood and turn the skin yellow. This can be due to various conditions, some serious. Other symptoms may include yellow eyes, itchy skin, dark urine, and pale stools.
6. Headaches
Headaches are common; however, are different. The most common type, tension headaches, feel like a tight band around the head and are caused by lack of sleep, stress, hunger, dehydration, or too much caffeine. These could be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Severe throbbing headaches, often migraines, require prompt medical attention.
Seek medical help for headaches that follow a serious injury, worsen over days, persist, or are intensified by lying down, coughing, or sneezing. A sudden, blinding headache needs immediate attention.
7. Altered Bowel Habits
Keeping an eye on your bowel movements can be important for your health. While most tummy bugs resolve quickly, a persistent change in your regular bowel habits lasting more than a few weeks should be reported to your doctor.
8. Back pain
Back pain is a common issue and a leading cause of work absence. Typically, it isn’t serious and improves with time, staying active, and stretching.
For persistent back pain, consult a GP or physiotherapist. However, seek immediate medical advice if your back pain doesn’t improve with rest, worsens at night, or is accompanied by chest pain or fever.
This article was said to be culled from Benenden Health
