We all experience fluctuations in our health on a daily basis. Whether it is a moderately sore throat and complementing cough, an upset stomach, or the occasional rash, these common symptoms are something most of us tend to overlook. Surely, it cannot be that serious. However, is ignorance really bliss in this case? Unfortunately, ignoring these symptoms can sometimes cost you because some of the most serious ailments known to man initially depict common symptoms only.
Following is a list of some common symptoms most of us experience day in and day out. Here is why you should not ignore them.
- Unintended Weight Loss
Your weight is an excellent indicator of your health and wellbeing. If you experience sudden weight changes, you should be alerted. Weight loss is more worrisome than weight gain in most cases. If you lose more than ten pounds of weight without introducing any modifications in your diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle in general, you must schedule a visit to your physician at your earliest convenience.
There is an array of ailments that lead to weight loss. Cancer is one of those deadly ailments that silently destroys you internally. Unexpected sudden weight loss is a common presenting symptom in the stomach, pancreatic, lung, as well as esophageal cancer.
- Tooth Damage
Your teeth are an essential part of your life. Not only do they make your aesthetic outlook better, but they also play an integral role in your nutrition, digestion, as well as the overall quality of life. In cases where you notice your tooth enamel – the outermost white layer of your tooth – changing color or eroding, you need to make sure to book an appointment with your dentist as well as your physician as soon as possible.
Tooth erosion is a common presenting symptom of heartburn and acid reflux. Another reason behind tooth erosion is excessive consumption of fizzy drinks. This habit, paired with acid reflux, can cause significant damage to our teeth resulting in them feeling more sensitive and prone to cavities. If you consult any US health group, you will notice that they stress on the importance of common symptoms such as acid reflux, so people start directing their attention towards it.
Other symptoms of reflux include coughing, wheezing, sore throat, and a foul taste in your mouth. Acid reflux, if left unattended, can increase your risk of developing ulcers and esophageal and stomach cancer.
- Itchy Rashes
While common rash breakouts on your knees, elbows, scalp, or back may seem like eczema, in reality, the issue might be a little more serious. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that prohibits your body from ingesting gluten. If you take in even the slightest amount, your body starts to attack its own intestines. Many people with celiac disease surprisingly show no digestive symptoms. However, 25% of the people who have celiac disease develop a rash called dermatitis herpetiformis.
When a person with celiac disease ingests gluten, their body releases an antibody known as IgA, which not only attacks the intestines but also collects in the blood vessels underneath the skin. This accumulation triggers the formation of said rash. Once the patient stops ingesting gluten, the rash goes away. Celiac disease may not seem like a serious issue to some, but its long-term repercussions can be quite severe, including small intestine cancer and osteoporosis.
- Bladder or Bowel Changes
If you notice wanting to use the restroom more than often, you have a problem on your hands. Frequent urination could point to various issues, including diabetes, as well as bladder or prostate cancer. When it comes to bowel movements if you have been experiencing issues with your digestion, such as experiencing diarrhea or constipation frequently, get it checked because they could point to ovarian or colon cancer. Similarly, if you are experiencing frequent stomach cramps, gassiness, and bloating, consult a gastrointestinal specialist at your soonest.
- Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a rather common finding. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disorder of the GI tract, which presents itself in the form of ulcers, sores, fleshy growths near the anal region, and more. These fleshy outgrowths are often mistaken for hemorrhoids. This variant of Crohn’s disease that just affects the anal area has the worst prognosis and is the most painful of them all. If left unattended, this condition may lead to bowel obstruction, fissures, and even colon cancer in some cases.
If you think you have hemorrhoids; however, your treatment does not seem to be working, consult a GI specialist at your earliest. The specialist will be able to differentiate between hemorrhoids or any other serious ailment with the help of blood tests and checking the white blood cell count, inflammatory markers, and C-reactive protein levels.
- Changes in Handwriting
Parkinson’s disease arises when nerve cells in the brain get damaged and stop producing dopamine. Dopamine is a substance that signals the brain to instigate movement. The lack of dopamine in the body results in muscle stiffness in the hands, which results in changes in handwriting.
According to the findings of an Israeli study, handwriting analysis diagnosed Parkinson’s disease in its early stages in more than 97% of the time. In the study, patients were told to write the same sentence over and over again. Every successive sentence exhibited smaller handwriting and words getting more crowded.
Parkinson’s disease is a disease best caught in its early stages because it makes managing the ailment much easier.
- Unexplained Fits of Anger
Depression does not always express itself as sorrow. Depression presents itself as anger in many. In fact, those patients who exhibit more signs of anger and irritability point towards a more lasting form of the ailment. While women have been studied to experience depression in greater numbers, men generally exhibit it in the form of random fits of anger. From road rage to reacting to minor issues violently, if you notice similar symptoms lasting for weeks at a stretch, talk to a therapist and sort the matter urgently.
- Coughing
Coughs are pretty routine, but prolonged coughing can point to something serious like tuberculosis, allergies, asthma, sinus problems, or more. In extreme cases, coughing can signal lung or throat cancer, especially paired with voice hoarseness and frequent coughs.
- Snoring
Snoring is a commonly known symptom of sleep apnea, which is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart disease. According to the outcomes of a 2013 study, snoring was linked to the thickening of carotid arteries in the neck in patients without sleep apnea as well. This damage in the form of thickening of arteries has been noted to be an active precursor to strokes as well as heart attacks. In fact, snoring does more damage in this regard than high cholesterol, smoking, or obesity.
- Unexplained Bleeding
When there is blood involved, you must head to the hospital without even thinking twice. If you experience incidences of unexplained bleeding such as coughing up blood (lung cancer), unusual vaginal bleeding (endometrial or cervical cancer), blood in your stool or urine (colon, rectal, kidney or bladder cancer), or bloody discharge from your nipple (breast cancer), refer to a doctor as soon as possible.
- Inflamed Gums
Inflamed gums are a common finding in those who are not particularly meticulous when it comes to oral hygiene. However, research suggests inflamed gums and heart disease are interrelated because of the bacteria that cause it. According to studies, people with a higher level of this bacteria in their oral cavity had thicker carotid arteries, which could lead to strokes and heart attacks.
- Forgetting Names
Forgetting names is a regular occurrence; however, sometimes, forgetfulness is related to your thyroid hormone levels. In the case of an underactive thyroid gland, patients often feel symptoms such as feeling cold, feeling tired even after prolonged rest, weight gain, low libido, and changes in taste perception. Since these symptoms are quite vague, it is not surprising to look past them. For this reason, if you are experiencing similar symptoms, consult your physician and get your thyroid hormone levels checked.
- Parting Thoughts
Health is truly wealth. Your wellbeing should come first and foremost against everything. Do not sleep on any of these symptoms because they might cause some serious damage in the long run. If you are not healthy, what are you even working towards? Learn to prioritize and love yourself by scheduling regular appointments with your doctors from time to time. Your body is a temple; therefore, you must treat it like one.
