The Daily Escape

It’s easy to ignore what may seem like a minor symptom, but some symptoms may be indicative of a much more serious health condition lying beneath the surface. Here are some of these conditions and the symptoms that bely them.

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle is blocked. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die.

Possible symptoms:

Unusual fatigue/ low energy
Pain, uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or feeling of fullness in the centre of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back
Nausea/ vomiting

Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives your brain of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause your brain cells to die.

Possible symptoms:

Face drooping
Sudden or rapidly developing problems with dizziness, balance, and coordination
Severe headache with no known cause

Lung disease

Lung diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, can have serious implications for your health.

Possible symptoms:

Coughing up blood
Severe wheezing
Difficulty breathing

Breast disease

Many breast problems may not be cancer-related, but they still require prompt evaluation by a medical professional in case they mask more serious medical issues.

Possible symptoms:

Nipple discharge (milky, yellowish, greenish, or brownish)
Breast or nipple skin changes, such as ridges, dimpling, pitting, swelling, redness, or scaling
Lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area

Bladder problems

Bladder problems can be frustrating and embarrassing, and can be signs of a more serious condition.

Possible symptoms:

Difficult or painful urination
Frequent urination (more than eight times a day)
Loss of bladder control

Mental health problems

Though often not as evident as physical health problems, mental health conditions (particularly among the young or the elderly) should be taken seriously and treatment sought to prevent damage to health.

Possible symptoms:

Anxiety and constant worry
Feeling depressed, empty, sad all the time, or worthless
Extreme fatigue even when rested

Female reproductive health problems

Cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, infertility and sexually transmitted diseases, among others, can affect female reproductive health.

Possible symptoms:

Bleeding or spotting between periods
Pain or discomfort during sex
A change in vaginal discharge (amount, colour or odour)

Stomach and digestive diseases

Diseases affecting any part of your digestive tract can affect your daily life, and should not be taken lightly.

Possible symptoms:

Unusual abdominal swelling, bloating, or general discomfort
Heartburn or acid reflux (a burning feeling in the throat or mouth)
Change in bowel habits or not being able to control your bowels

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancers, and melanoma in particular is often deadly.

Possible symptoms:

Changes in skin moles, such as changes in shape, colour or size
Frequent flushing and redness of face and neck
Small lump on skin that is smooth, shiny, and waxy

Muscle or joint disease

Many different conditions can affect the health of your muscles or joints. While they may not be lethal, their pronounced effect on daily life should make dealing with them a priority.

Possible symptoms:

Muscle pains and body aches that are persistent, or that come and go often
Numbness, tingling (pins and needles sensation) or discomfort in the hands, feet, or limbs
Loss of function of any muscles or joints

If you experience any of these symptoms, take note of them in detail and consult your doctor when in doubt. Since a number of them are shared between more common and non-fatal medical conditions such as the flu or indigestion, it’s important to remember not to succumb to paranoia! Seeking proper medical advice will not only grant you clarity, but will also provide you with a more targeted solution to addressing these symptoms and the illness responsible for it.

References

Health symptoms everyone needs to be on the look out for