18 Signs and Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
If you’ve ever ignored signs or symptoms thinking they would just go away, this post is for you.
Everyone is different. Some individuals will schedule an appointment with a doctor at the first sign of a sniffle. Others will postpone medical attention even when the symptoms could be linked to dangerous conditions.
Is it a sign or symptom?
In the medical world, a sign is something that can be seen by others. For instance, a rash may be a sign of a skin condition, while an elevated blood sugar level may indicate diabetes. It can be observed or measured by others, including your family and doctor.
Symptoms, on the other hand, are only apparent to the person who is experiencing them and cannot be seen or measured. A ringing in the ear may be a symptom of tinnitus – but no one else can hear it. Symptoms indicate when something is wrong in your body. It could be an illness, injury, or medical condition.
Doctors refer to symptoms in three categories.
remitting – symptoms that improve or go away completely
relapsing – symptoms previously experienced and resolved, but return again
chronic – symptoms that are long-lasting
Symptoms that require immediate medical attention
The following is a list of symptoms that may indicate the possibility of a dangerous or life-threatening condition. If you experience any of these, seek immediate medical attention.
Chest pain or pressure and pain that radiates to your jaw or upper back
These are classic heart attack symptoms and require immediate medical attention.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
If you feel like you can’t breathe, or can’t get enough air in your lungs, you should call 9-1-1. Known as dyspnea, this could indicate several dangerous conditions, including asthma, heart issues, pneumonia, or a blood clot in the lungs.
Intense headaches
While headaches are common in some individuals, any sudden onset of an intense headache, “the worst headache of your life,” or headaches accompanied by other neurological symptoms (weakness on one side, confusion, or seizures), are reasons to seek immediate medical attention. Severe, sudden headaches could indicate a stroke, aneurysm, or head injury.
Allergic reactions/anaphylaxis
A severe allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis and can include symptoms of swelling, hives, a drop in blood pressure, or sometimes what is known as shock. It is the body’s reaction to an allergic substance, such as a bee sting or peanut. This life-threatening condition requires immediate medical attention.
Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without trying, especially a significant decrease in weight or over an extended time, can be the symptom of something more serious. In general, doctors recommend that any loss of more than five percent of your body weight without trying is reason for concern. There are numerous underlying conditions that may be associated with unintended weight loss, including diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, overactive thyroid, cancer, heart conditions and more. If you experience significant unintentional weight loss, talk to your doctor about it and other symptoms you may be experiencing.
Unusual bleeding
We need blood to survive. But there are some places you should never see blood. If you do, it should be taken seriously. Call your doctor immediately if you experience blood in your urine or stools or are coughing or vomiting blood. Blood in the urine may indicate any number of conditions, including bladder cancer, kidney disease, urinary tract infection, injury, or anemia. Blood in the stools could indicate trauma or hemorrhoids, or something more serious such as colon cancer, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. Vomiting blood could indicate an ulcer or a tear in the esophagus, while coughing blood could be associated with lung cancer.