59 Health Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Don't dismiss these important cues from your body that could signal huge health problems. Your life may depend on it.

Close up view of woman scratching her neck.
triocean/Shutterstock

Pressure or tightness in the jaw, neck, or arms

Believe it or not, you might be having a heart attack—particularly if you’re a woman. Women under 55 who have had a heart attack are actually more likely to have experienced lesser-known symptoms like this. According to a study published in Circulation, they are also more likely to have experienced three or more cardiac symptoms other than chest pain. These signs often accompanied with chest pain. But, for 13% of women, they’re not. The problem is, these symptoms are often misinterpreted or ignored, even by doctors. This puts women at an increased risk of dying compared to men of the same age. So be aware, be smart, and be your own best advocate.

9 Sneaky Female Heart Attack Symptoms Women Might Be Ignoring

Mature man suffering from leg pain
Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Leg pain that occurs only on one side

The likely culprit is a pulled muscle. If the area is also swollen and warm, however, and symptoms get worse even after you elevate your leg, it could be a life-threatening condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It’s a blood clot that forms in an interior vein, usually in the lower leg or thigh. The good news? It’s treatable. The bad? If not caught in time, DVT can be fatal if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. Risk factors include not moving around on a long plane ride, recent surgery or illness that caused you to be sedentary, and taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

Young businessman taking off glasses feels eye strain tension tired of computer sitting at cafe table with laptop, millennial guy has bad sight vision problem massaging dry eyes after long laptop use
fizkes/Shutterstock

Sudden flashes of light or an increase in floaters

A few flashes of light and even a couple of floaters—dark squiggly lines in your line of sight—are normal. According to Harvard Health Publishing, around a quarter of people in their 60s have floaters. That number rises to two-thirds by age 80. They’re also more common if a person is nearsighted or has diabetes. However, if the symptoms come on suddenly—or increase—you should see a doctor as soon as possible. They could signal a torn retina, which could then lead to a detached retina and permanent vision loss. Early detection and treatment—usually with lasers or cryotherapy, which utilizes extreme cold to reattach the retina to the back wall of the eye—is crucial to avoiding blindness.

Woman in headphones with headache sitting beside computer and holding glasses in hand.
Look Studio/Shutterstock

Persistent headaches

Don’t assume the worst if headaches are plaguing you. You might just need glasses or some antihistamines. “Persistent headaches can be a sign of something as simple as chronic allergies or sinus pressure,” says Kay Durairaj, MD, who specializes in head and neck surgery as well as facial plastic surgery. “Or they could be as complex as a brain tumor or stroke.”

How can you tell the difference? Try some reading glasses or allergy medicine first to see if that solves the problem. But pay attention to all of your symptoms: “Anytime a headache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or visual changes, it’s a serious sign that it must be evaluated immediately,” Dr. Durairaj adds. “If it’s related to a stroke, symptoms like facial asymmetry, arm weakness, and slurred speech are also warning signs.”

Here’s How Kristin Chenoweth Overcame Years of Chronic Migraine Headaches

Man with abdominal pain
Albina Glisic/Shutterstock

Sudden groin pain

Men, pay attention: If you feel as if you’ve suffered a kick to your private parts without actually getting kicked in your private parts, you might need surgery ASAP—like, ideally within the next four hours. It could be testicular torsion, a rare condition that occurs when one of the spermatic cords gets twisted, often as the result of a common congenital defect or from an infection of the epididymis, where sperm is stored. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you delay treatment for longer than 12 hours, there’s a 75% chance you could lose your testicle.

Toilet bowl in modern bathroom
mariakraynova/Shutterstock

Excessive urination

How much is too much? According to the Cleveland Clinic, you’re peeing excessively if you have to go more than eight times in 24 hours. Before you head to the doctor, try consuming fewer liquids, especially those with caffeine or alcohol. If your lifestyle doesn’t seem to be an issue, though, excessive urination could be a symptom of diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, a urinary tract infection, a kidney problem, a mass pressing against your bladder, an STD like chlamydia, or prostate problems.

Here’s How Much Liquid Your Bladder Can Actually Hold, a Urologist Reveals

woman with bad chronic neck pain
file404/Shutterstock

Flulike symptoms accompanied by a stiff neck

When you have the flu, it’s normal to feel achy. But if you have extreme discomfort in your neck and you have trouble touching your chin to your chest, you need to see a doctor right away. Meningitis attacks the membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord. In fact, the bacterial form of it can be deadly—sometimes killing within just a few hours. Other symptoms can include increased sensitivity to light, confusion, and a rash. But sometimes meningitis symptoms don’t look like meningitis. By the time the rash appears, the disease is often in a very advanced state and may not respond to treatment.

A medical consultation at the Removal of nevus / birthmark
damiangretka/Shutterstock

Moles that itch or bleed

The body is a wonderland, made up of freckles, beauty marks, and moles. Most of these pose no threat. But if any start to itch or bleed, they need to be checked out immediately, because it could be a symptom of melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology says to follow the ABCDE rules when it comes to moles: Asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving. Changes in any of those categories can be red flags.

The Scalp Skin Cancer and Brain Connection, Plus 6 Quality Scalp Sunscreen Products

glucometer
Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

Fruity-smelling breath

It sounds innocuous and even kind of sweet, but it could be a sign of undiagnosed diabetes. It’s one of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, and it means your blood sugar is spiking because your body doesn’t have enough insulin. As your body tries to deal with this problem, it starts breaking down fatty acids. Acidic chemicals called ketones start accumulating and one, acetone, is responsible for this distinctive fruity smell. If you’re also experiencing fatigue, dry mouth, or labored breathing, get to the ER right away.

9 Surprising Foods That Can Wreak Havoc on Your Blood Sugar

Young woman having period cramps or period pain sitting on bed
Nixx Photography/Shutterstock

Less time between menstrual cycles

“One of the most important signs that a female reproductive system is declining is a subtle and slow reduction in the number of days between menstrual cycles,” says Shahin Ghadir, MD, an ob-gyn and a founding partner of the Southern California Reproductive Center. “For example, normal menstrual cycles are 28 days apart, but if they start to cycle every 27 days and then 26 days apart, this is the first signal that there is a reduction in fertility potential.” If this happens as you’re trying to get pregnant, you might want to start IVF sooner rather than later. If pregnancy isn’t yet in your plans, Dr. Ghadir suggests looking into freezing your eggs. Whatever your particular situation, talk with your doctor. Cycles that are shorter than 20 days could also signal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as well as uterine polyps or a thyroid disorder.

Eye Doctor examining a young patient
Jose Luis Carrascosa/Shutterstock

Sudden vision changes

Don’t write off a sudden sight issue—such as double vision, blurred vision, or loss of vision in one eye—as a sign that you just need to rest your tired eyes. Sudden eyesight problems could be a sign of a stroke (when a clot or rupture reduces blood flow to the brain). Experts warn that you shouldn’t wait if you experience any sudden, significant vision problem; call 911 immediately. Certain treatments, such as medications that counteract clots, need to be provided three to four hours after the onset of symptoms in order to be effective.

woman hospital leg bruise necrotizing fasciitis
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Skin-color changes, accompanied by rapidly worsening pain

If a wound site looks and feels much worse within 24 hours—at first very red, then purple and blistered—head to the emergency room immediately. This could be a sign of necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria. Another early sign is pain that seems too severe for the type of injury incurred. “A delay in a diagnosis of this bacteria can lead to amputation or even death,” says Vijay Rajput, MD, chair and professor of medical education at Nova Southeastern University. “Surgeons need to immediately remove the pus and the dead tissue to prevent further spreading of infection, which tends to spread rapidly within hours or a few days.”

The Real Reason You Bruise So Easily

Woman using a pressurized cartridge inhaler
catinsyrup/Shutterstock

Shortness of breath

You should expect to be huffing and puffing after working out. But if you become breathless while doing everyday activities, there could be a problem with your heart or lungs. According to the American Lung Association, shortness of breath is associated with chronic conditions like asthma, tuberculosis, pulmonary edema, fibrosis, lung cancer, heart disease, and obesity. It’s also linked to some acute conditions, such as heart attack or heart failure, pulmonary embolism, Guillain-Barré syndrome, anemia, pneumonia, an allergic reaction, and even carbon monoxide poisoning. The list of possibilities is long, but what you should do is clear. Don’t take breathing problems lightly, especially if you’re also experiencing other troubling symptoms. Just go see a doctor—possibly right away.

Lung Cancer Is Worst in These 8 States, New National Report Says

old man coughing
sebra/Shutterstock

Coughing up or vomiting blood

This symptom will likely send you running to the nearest doctor—and it should. The most common and non-life-threatening cause is acute bronchitis. Another relatively benign source can be bleeding outside the lungs and airways, such as from a bad nosebleed. It can also point to much more serious problems, though, such as lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, congestive heart failure, and tuberculosis. TB is rare in the United States, but it is highly contagious. For treatment, you will need to be on antibiotics for at least six to nine months.

man with abdominal pain
Seasontime/shutterstock

A dull pain around your belly button

When you think of appendicitis, you probably think of sharp, shooting pains in your midsection. While those pains will come later, dull discomfort around the navel is an earlier warning sign. Other symptoms may include a loss of appetite, fever, nausea, and vomiting. If it is appendicitis, you’ll likely need surgery—and quickly—because if your appendix bursts, it could cause a serious infection throughout your abdomen.

Woman with severe abdominal pain
Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

Sharp abdominal pain

Depending on where—and how severe—the pain is, the cause could be relatively normal or deadly. Gas pains or food poisoning could be the culprit. More serious conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, appendicitis, gallbladder issues, bowel obstructions, colitis, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, kidney stones, and stomach ulcers. The bottom line, according to Dr. Rajput: “It is a big deal when you have any type of pain that is progressing rapidly and not getting better. If it hurts more when you move, you need to go to the doctor to find the true nature of the pain.”

5 Subtle Signs Your Back Pain Means Something Serious, from a Spinal Surgeon

Man with severe headache migraine.
Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

A “thunderclap” headache

“Sudden” and “severe” ae the best descriptions for this type of head pain. Thunderclap headaches reach maximum force within 60 seconds. They last for at least five minutes, according to the American Migraine Foundation, and they seemingly come out of nowhere. This might just be a simple—but painful—headache. But it could also signal a brain bleed or clot, leaking cerebrospinal fluid, a spike in blood pressure, a stroke, or a serious infection like meningitis or encephalitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Don’t wait around—see a doctor right away.

Woman with tinnitus
Image Point Fr/Shutterstock

Ringing in your ears

The fancy word for this very common affliction is tinnitus, and it affects one in five people. While annoying, it’s generally not dangerous. It’s often just the result of age-related hearing loss, noise exposure, or even a buildup of earwax.

However, as the Mayo Clinic explains, it can also be a symptom of other conditions, such as a blood vessel disorder, a tumor, or Meniere’s disease. If you have the ringing in only one ear, that could be more problematic. “Asymmetric tinnitus can be a sign of an acoustic tumor or an aneurysm, and it should be further evaluated with an MRI,” says Dr. Durairaj. “Ears are sensitive predictors of central nervous system health, and any drastic changes in hearing function should not be ignored.” Talk to your doctor if your tinnitus doesn’t go away or returns, or if you’re concerned.

pregnant woman
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

During pregnancy, you feel decreased movement from the baby

First, see if you can get your baby moving by drinking some juice and lying on your left side. If you still don’t feel any movement, head straight to the hospital, advises Carolyn Alexander, MD, an ob-gyn at Southern California Reproductive Center. “Time is of the essence because the umbilical cord supplies blood to the baby,” she says, “and if it is compromised, the baby may need to be delivered immediately.”

Pregnant woman with swollen feet
comzeall/Shutterstock

Abnormal swelling while pregnant

You may feel as if you’re swollen everywhere when you’re pregnant. That feeling is a problem, however, when the swelling is visible and extreme—and localized in your face, hands, and feet. That could be a sign of preeclampsia, which happens when your blood pressure skyrockets and your kidney function is compromised. Preeclampsia is dangerous and potentially fatal when not treated. If diagnosed with it, you will be monitored closely by your doctor, who may prescribe blood pressure medication and recommend rest. Depending on the severity of your case and how far along you are in the pregnancy, you may also need to deliver before your due date.

pregnant woman
Syda-Productions/Shutterstock

Extreme itchiness during pregnancy

Some itchiness is normal when you’re pregnant, especially as your skin expands over your growing belly. Intense and constant itchiness isn’t. It could be a symptom of  intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), which can harm the liver and triple the risk of stillbirth. According to the American Liver Foundation, ICP affects one out of every 1,000 pregnancies. In addition to the itchiness, those affected may have dark-colored urine, light-colored bowel movements, and yellow-tinted eyes or skin. But even if you only have the itchiness, see a doctor right away to have your liver function tested.

Pregnant and Itching? An OB-GYN Who Experienced This Says It Could Mean a Certain Liver Condition

man with abdomen pain and bloating.
sutham/Shutterstock

Bloating

Bloating is uncomfortable and annoying when you’re trying to button your pants, but if it lasts more than a week, you should be evaluated by a physician. According to Dr. Alexander, bloating can be put into gynecological (hormone imbalance, ovarian cysts or cancer, pelvic infection, fibroids), gastrointestinal (irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), and genitourinary (bladder) categories. “It may signify an ovarian cyst or fluid that can be natural during ovulation,” she says, “but if it is persistent, it is concerning.”

Arm tingling
HelloRF Zcool/Shutterstock

Tingling that radiates down your arm

We always see people clutching their chest when they’re having a heart attack on TV. While severe chest pain or pressure is a classic sign, a strange, numb feeling that starts in your chest and moves down your arm is another common symptom. If this feeling persists for more than 30 minutes and you also start experiencing dizziness or nausea, you need emergency medical attention.

If, however, the tingling subsides when you change position, it could be a pinched nerve. Other possibilities include angina, bursitis, a herniated disc, a torn rotator cuff, and vascular thoracic outlet syndrome.

Exhausted man rubbing bridge of nose.
Mangostar/Shutterstock

Fatigue

It’s easy to think of fatigue as a natural symptom of life. But as busy as we are, it’s not normal to be bone-crushingly tired and devoid of energy all the time. Serious causes include sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, diabetes, and clinical depression. If some R&R doesn’t make you feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, you should talk to your doctor.

Female patient having consultation with gynecologist
Chinnapong/Shutterstock

Nipple discharge

Statistics suggest that nipple discharge is the third most commonly reported breast-related concern, but it’s not always serious. Women can experience a milky discharge for up to three years after they stop nursing. It could also be a side effect of taking birth control pills or other medication. A green-tinged discharge could point to a cyst underneath the nipple or areola, and bloody discharge could be caused by a papilloma, a benign tumor. Bloody discharge or clear discharge from one breast could also indicate breast cancer.

8 New Breast Cancer Treatments Some Oncologists Are Calling ‘Mind-Blowing’

Doctor going over mammogram image with patient
Chompoo Suriyo/Shutterstock

Dimples on your breast

Dimples in your smile are cute; on your breast, they could be a symptom of breast cancer. What you’re seeing might be the result of a tumor growing in the breast tissue and pulling the skin toward it, or of tumor cells blocking the breast’s lymphatic channels. “Early detection is important,” reminds Dr. Alexander. “Women most commonly come in because they felt something versus catching it on a routine screening.”

woman with GERD
Winzy Lee/Shutterstock

Heartburn that doesn’t go away

If you find yourself popping antacid pills regularly, you might want to take the time to find the source of your discomfort. If you change your diet for the better and take steps to remove stress, but you’re still suffering, it could be a sign of stomach or throat cancer. Alternatively, it could cause the condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, in which your stomach acid damages the lining of the esophagus and, ultimately, could put you at a higher risk for esophageal cancer.

Woman suffering from menstrual cramps
New Africa/Shutterstock

Excessively long or heavy menstrual cycles

While “normal” is different for every woman you should be concerned if your period lasts much more than seven days, or if you’re having two periods a month. According to the Mayo Clinic, that could be a sign of cervical cancer. If this happens more than two months in a row, you should talk to a doctor. Other possible diagnoses: PCOS, uterine polyps, or uterine cancer.

13 Ways to Deal With Menstrual Insomnia

A patient in critical condition in the ICU ward
sfam_photo/Shutterstock

Sudden confusion or change in mental status

“Whenever someone has a change in mental status that is not caused by substance abuse, intoxication, or withdrawal of medications, they should immediately see a doctor,” says Dr. Rajput. “In addition, if the confusion occurs while the person has a fever, they are at a higher risk of infection of the brain, such as meningitis and encephalitis.” Sudden confusion can also be the result of a head injury, a reaction to a new medication, dangerously low blood sugar, or a neurological problem, such as a stroke. Whatever the root cause, immediate medical attention is necessary.

15 Stroke Symptoms in Women We Too Often Ignore, Say Neurology & Heart Doctors

Boy coughing on bed
kwanchai.c/Shutterstock

Extreme lethargy after inhaling water

You might assume that having a near-drowning experience would be physically and mentally exhausting, and you’d be right—but extreme lethargy after a situation like this is not normal. Even an incident that doesn’t seem particularly dramatic can be problematic, especially in children, and cause dry or secondary drowning. While rare, these conditions can cause death hours or even days after an incident, causing the vocal cords of an affected person to close up in the case of dry drowning, or causing fluid buildup in the lungs in the case of secondary drowning. Other signs after a near-drowning that should get you to the hospital right away: coughing, chest pain, trouble breathing, fever, and irritability.

12 Water Safety Tips Adults Don’t Follow—but Should

Close up fingernails
meow wii/Shutterstock

Abnormal-looking nails

They’re not just for biting or for covering with the season’s trendiest nail polish: Your nails are a window into your health, and different nail conditions can indicate various conditions. Pale nails could point to anemia, congestive heart failure, liver disease, or malnutrition; bluish nails could mean that you’re not getting enough oxygen and may have a lung or heart problem; a dark line under the nail could be melanoma.

This Specific Fingernail Mark Could Be a Melanoma Symptom

A woman coughing in bed
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

A regular nighttime cough

If you’re not recovering from a chest cold or battling allergies, yet you’re coughing every night in bed, you could have an early sign of congestive heart failure. The Mayo Clinic explains that this happens because fluid builds up in the chest and heart when you’re lying flat for an extended period of time; that fluid can cause you to cough. While this doesn’t mean that a heart attack is imminent, your condition will worsen over time if you don’t address it.

If Your Cold Lingers, Here Are 13 Things It Could Mean

Toilet in a bathroom of a private home.
Roman Tiraspolsky/Shutterstock

Blood in your stool

While frightening to see, blood in your stool is usually not serious. The two most common culprits are hemorrhoids and anal fissures. If the symptoms don’t go away on their own or get better with treatment, however, you might be looking at a more serious problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease. “Another link to blood in your stools is a risk of colon cancer,” Dr. Rajput says, “especially if it runs in your family and if you’re over 50.”

8 Symptoms of Colon Polyps

Toilet paper
Chayapak Jansavang/Shutterstock

Abnormally colored stool

Weirdly colored poop may not just be a result of what you’ve been eating. Black stool, for example, could result from taking iron pills or certain medications (like antidepressants or codeine)—or it could be a sign of bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract. What you’re seeing might be blood that has been processed through your digestive system. On the flip side, very light-hued stool could mean that your liver isn’t functioning properly, and yellow stool could point to a malabsorption disorder such as celiac disease.

Types of Poop and What Your Stool Can Tell You About Your Health

Woman rubbing upper back
michaelheim/Shutterstock

A sharp, “tearing” pain in your upper back

If this severe pain comes on suddenly, there’s a very serious possibility that you have an aortic dissection. This condition most commonly occurs in elderly people with uncontrolled blood pressure. It happens when the inner layer of a weak artery tears and blood starts gushing through the new hole, causing the inner and middle layers to “dissect” (or separate). Up to 20% of people who suffer an aortic dissection will go on to have an acute rupture, and that could be fatal within seconds. Pain also sometimes starts in the chest and presents much like a heart attack. Either way, you’ll want to see a doctor, because you’ll likely need emergency surgery.

Woman suffering from vertigo and dizziness
9nong/Shutterstock

Vertigo

If this freaky, spinning, dizzy feeling happens regularly for more than 30 seconds at a time, talk to a doctor. “Vertigo is complex and generally signifies an inner ear problem,” says Dr. Durairaj. “It can happen from an acute infection when there’s pain and a ruptured eardrum, or it can happen suddenly from dislodging inner-ear calcium particles responsible for balance.” Less common reasons for vertigo are a stroke, a brain tumor, new medication, and migraines.

Woman holding arthritic elbow
Kunlanan Yarist/Shutterstock

Swollen and red joints

While aches and pains may be a sign of injury, if the skin is also red and warm to the touch, it could indicate a serious infection. Bacterial or septic arthritis—caused when bacteria infiltrate the area, according to the Mayo Clinic—progresses quickly and damages cartilage and bone. Getting treatment early is the key to avoiding permanent joint disability and, in the worst-case scenario, sepsis. The two demographic groups most affected by bacterial arthritis are children (who tend to get it in their hips and shoulders) and the elderly (who see it in their arms and knees).

These Gentle Exercises May Be the Key to a Longer Life, Say Experts

swollen lips
Velimir Isaevich/Shutterstock

Itchy lips or throat

You might be experiencing anaphylaxis, an extreme allergic reaction, and you should act quickly. Swelling usually occurs after initial signs like itchiness, hives, redness, and even a general anxiety that something somewhere in your body is “off.” While allergic reactions aren’t uncommon, when they involve your lips or tongue, they can make breathing difficult or impossible. You should seek medical attention immediately in this situation.

An important note: Even after your allergic reaction calms down, see a doctor in case of a secondary reaction and to help avoid future ones.

How to Get Rid of Allergies, According to Allergy & Immunology Doctors

woman sleeping
Stock-Asso/Shutterstock

Night sweats

If this happens once in a while, don’t worry: You might be fighting off a minor infection, or you might have had a bad dream and your body is having a “sympathetic surge.” However if it’s chronic, lasting for weeks or months, it could be the result of hormonal changes or a side effect of certain medications. On the more serious end of the spectrum, night sweats could be a sign of cancer, such as lymphoma, leukemia, or colon cancer. Night sweats could also be a systemic symptom of colon cancer, caused by the immune system trying to fight off the disease.

What Are the Best Foods to Fight Cancer? Here’s What’s in a Cancer Dietitian’s Fridge

Barefoot legs of lovers under a blanket
bezikus/Shutterstock

Painful sex

For women, pain during penetration might result from too little lubrication, injury to the area, inflammation, or an infection. A deeper pain, however, might be caused by ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, or endometriosis. “Endometriosis is one cause of pelvic pain—pain with intercourse and also pain with menses and sometimes painful bowel movements,” explains Dr. Alexander. “It can lead to scar-tissue formation in the pelvis and may need surgery to remedy it.” Bottom line: Sex should be pleasurable, and if it’s not, something may be wrong.

Here’s How Long Foreplay Should Last, a Sex Therapist Says

empty plate and silverware
Evgeny Karandaev/Shutterstock

Feeling full quickly despite not eating a lot

This might sound like a blessing, but if you’re a woman it could signal a deadly problem. According to the American Cancer Society, around 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year—and about 85% of cases are found late, when survival odds dip. A feeling of fullness after eating little food or a general loss of appetite can be early signs of this cancer; so are increased abdominal size, bloating, pelvic pain or pressure, and urinary problems.

Bruises on woman's arm
sruilk/Shutterstock

Increased bruising

Most of the time, bruising isn’t a big deal. However, an increase in bruising could also signify a vitamin K or C deficiency, leukemia, or liver disease. Mention it to your doctor at your next appointment—and get checked out sooner if a bruise doesn’t seem to improve in two weeks or if you are also running a fever or experiencing weight loss.

5 Ways Menopause Changes Your Skin (with Solutions!), from a Cosmetic Surgeon

Mature Woman Experiencing Hot Flash From Menopause
SpeedKingz/Shutterstock

Hot flashes

Older women expect this telltale sign of menopause—that sudden, sweaty feeling that hits you out of the blue—but younger women? It happens, but don’t ignore it: “It’s a very important marker of declining fertility and should never be ignored,” says Dr. Ghadir. “If women are entering menopause at a young age, this may be an early sign of hormonal derangement.” Since hot flashes result from low estrogen, hormone replacement therapy may be recommended.

What Is Vaginal Atrophy? Women’s Doctors Explain

Older man with eye irritation
Quality Stock Arts/Shutterstock

Feeling like something is stuck in your eye

Eye irritation can result from dirty air, allergies, and other temporary causes. But if you have lasting pain or that annoying feeling doesn’t go away even after you’ve rinsed out and rested your eye, you may have a scratch on your cornea, the clear, protective layer that covers your iris and pupil. You may also experience blurred vision, eye pain, sensitivity to light, and difficulty opening your eye. A doctor can safely treat the problem and prescribe antibiotics to avoid infection; these measures, along with possibly covering the affected eye until it heals, can prevent long-term vision damage.

4 Things Your Eye Color Might Reveal About Your Health

Man with sore throat, laryngitis and reflux
9nong/Shutterstock

Hoarseness that doesn’t go away

If laryngitis lasts more than a few weeks, it may be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, a condition that causes stomach acids to back up into the esophagus, resulting in irritation. You might notice that your voice sounds worse right when you wake up, since the condition is exacerbated when you’re lying down. Cancer may also be a cause: “A scratchy voice may serve as an early sign of head and neck cancers,” Dr. Rajput explains, “due to the fact that malignancies can directly affect a patient’s voice box or damage the nerves that control it, paralyzing vocal cords.”

Man with sore throat touching his neck
Nik Stock/Shutterstock

Difficulty swallowing

If you feel as if something is stuck in your throat and you’re having trouble swallowing, get it checked out. The medical term for this is dysphagia, and it could lead to weight loss and a nutrient deficiency, as well as aspiration pneumonia, in which liquid or food enters the lungs and causes a bacterial infection. And that’s not even taking into account potential underlying causes, such as GERD or a head, neck, or esophageal tumor; there may also be neurological or muscular causes.

Man standing on scales.
Seasontime/Shutterstock

Unexplained weight loss

If you haven’t made any changes to your diet or exercise routine and you’re still shedding pounds, you might have an overactive thyroid, celiac disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or cancer, to name a few possible causes. People who lose 5% of their body weight in six months without cause should see a doctor.

Do You Have an Under-active Thyroid? This 90-Second Quiz Helps You Find Out

woman with back pain
file404/Shutterstock

Back pain, often with fever and nausea

If you are experiencing this, chances are your urinary tract infection has morphed into a full-blown kidney infection. Not only is it painful, but without treatment, it can lead to sepsis and organ failure. Experts advise skipping DIY remedies like drinking cranberry juice (it mainly works for prevention, not treatment). Instead, head straight to the doctor for antibiotics, which should clear things up quickly.

Woman holding leg that feels heavy
Ton Blackmarine/Shutterstock

Dull cramping in your legs

This type of leg exhaustion is a sign of peripheral vascular disease (PVD); it signals poor circulation caused by narrowing blood vessels. The symptoms get better with rest, and worsen with physical activity. Risk factors for PVD include having atherosclerosis, blood clots, or diabetes, as well as being over age 50 and obese, sedentary, or with a family history of premature heart attacks or strokes, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. If you are diagnosed with PVD, doctors will likely recommend lifestyle changes (e.g., quitting smoking and exercising more) and medication, as well as angioplasty and possibly stenting the blocked arteries.

Woman's mouth
Master1305/Shutterstock

Slurred speech

Speech that’s suddenly unintelligible can be a sign of a stroke in the brain’s language center. “The person may have garbled and mixed-up words or they can’t understand what you’re saying,” says Leanne K. Casaubon, MD, neurologist and director of the Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke Unit at Toronto Western Hospital. Another symptom may be drooping on one side of the face. Any time you suspect you’ve suffered a stroke, call 911 promptly or have someone else do so.

woman with chest pain
GBALLGIGGSPHOTO/Shutterstock

Chest pain

It’s still the most common heart attack symptom, yet people often ignore it, says Peter Bogaty, MD, of the Montreal Cardiac Clinic. It’s true that indigestion, acid reflux, and anxiety can also cause chest symptoms. But you need to be in an emergency room, where blood testing, imaging or other investigations can be done quickly, to know what exactly is going on. “If it is a threatening heart attack, then it can be nipped in the bud. It can prevent sudden death,” Bogaty says.

The Best and Worst Diets for Your Cholesterol, Says UCLA Cardiologist

woman feeling dizzy
fizkes/Shutterstock

Dizziness or fainting

Feeling momentarily faint when you stand up is usually due to a drop in blood pressure. For some folks, that’s their normal physiology, but for others, it’s a sign of a problem. Things like dehydration or medication side effects are easy to correct. But Brett Belchetz, MD, a Toronto ER physician and the co-founder and CEO of Maple, an online medical-care service, says: “You can also have low blood pressure from cardiac problems, infections or neurological disorders.” Light-headedness may be a sign you’re anemic, perhaps from heavy periods or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Eating This Fruit Once a Day Can Decrease Bad Cholesterol, Says New Study

woman sitting on bed holding pillows
Vanilllla/Shutterstock

Loud snoring

Have you been compared to a buzz saw? You could have obstructive sleep apnea, in which the muscles in the back of your throat relax as you sleep, allowing your airway to close. Sleep apnea can lead to dangerously low levels of oxygen in the bloodstream, raising the odds of additional problems, such as irregular heart rhythms, and worsening the effects of coronary artery disease. “The good news is that there are treatments, like CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines, surgical and laser procedures, and oral devices that can hold the airway open,” says Dr. Belchetz.

8 Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea Without CPAP

toilet in bathroom
Ajintai/Shutterstock

Vomiting or diarrhea

There are dozens of causes, including food poisoning, migraines, stomach bugs, and anxiety. Most are short-lived.  But if your symptoms don’t go away after a couple of days, or if they come and go for more than a month, see your doctor. Certain conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and gallstones, need to be treated. Consider it an emergency if you have other serious symptoms, such as severe belly pain, bad headache, high fever, or blood in your vomit or stool.

12 Medical Reasons Why You Keep Getting Diarrhea

doctor checking man's lymph nodes in neck
Albina Glisic/Shutterstock

Swollen lymph nodes

This usually means your body is busy fighting off a minor illness, like a cold. Enlarged lymph node anywhere on your body—the sides of the neck, behind the ears, the armpits, and the groin are common sites—should send you to the doctor if they don’t return to normal after three to four weeks. Autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause persistent swollen lymph nodes; so may infections like Lyme disease and HIV and cancers such as leukemia.

sad man sitting on couch
Anatoliy Karlyuk/Shutterstock

Sadness

If you feel down on a daily basis and it doesn’t improve after two weeks, seek help from your family doctor. Although you may be inclined to tough it out alone, depression can lead to physical health problems and social isolation. Risk factors include having another chronic medical condition, such as arthritis. Get emergency care if you’re thinking about hurting yourself; treatment can help. “Many people go through depression, recover and lead productive lives,” says Ottawa’s Paul Pageau, MD, former president of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.

The Happiness Diet: 7 Best Mood-Boosting Foods, from Nutrition and Brain Experts

woman touching painful leg
GBALLGIGGSPHOTO/Shutterstock

Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms and legs

Call 911 if the symptom comes on suddenly and affects one side of the body. If you lift both arms, does only one stay in the air? “A stroke generally doesn’t affect both sides together,” says Dr. Casau­bon. People can also experience odd feelings in their limbs when they have a neurological condition, like multiple sclerosis, or a cardiac event. “Even someone having a panic attack can get tingling in their hands if their carbon dioxide level is off,” Dr. Casaubon says.

glass of water
stigmatize/Shutterstock

Excessive thirst

This could be a sign of diabetes. When your urine has a high concentration of sugar because your body cannot process it properly, you can become dehydrated. But before you worry, ask yourself if your thirst is truly abnormal. “If you’ve been out on a hot day, or you were out of your routine and didn’t drink enough, that’s normal thirst,” says Dr. Belchetz. Note, too, that carbonated beverages, alcohol, and caffeine won’t relieve thirst. “If your thirst is unquenchable with water, that’s concerning.”

Here’s How Much Water You Really Need in a Day, with Nutritional Scientists’ Latest Wisdom

woman touching lymph nodes in neck
Image Point Fr/Shutterstock

Red streaks under the skin

If red streaks appear and radiate from a wound, that could signal a very serious bacterial infection called lymphangitis. It happens when bacteria—most often strep or staph—enter the lymphatic system and head toward the closest lymph gland. Often incorrectly referred to as blood poisoning, lymphangitis is accompanied by symptoms that include high fever, swelling, redness, and pain at the wound site. While antibiotics should clear this up, it could take weeks or even months to heal fully. If left unchecked, you could develop deadly complications like sepsis.

Sources
Medically reviewed by Michael Spertus, MD, on September 19, 2019