Good health is the most valuable asset one can possess, especially in today’s day and age. Besides, having good health warrants a longer life expectancy with minimal to zero chronic illnesses.
In today’s era where almost every other person is battling some form of health issue, maintaining well-being seems like an arduous task. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive to live a healthy and active life.
Moreover, poor health invites many diseases and infections to attack the body due to its incompetent defense system. Ailments contribute to further fragility of the body and immunity, predisposing individuals to more conditions.
Fortunately, before any severe illness presents itself, some telltale signs are given out by our body to warn of deteriorating health. If caught early, urgent medical intervention can halt or reverse the disease or illness.
So, let’s discuss some of the common signs that indicate a serious underlying health issue.
Chest Heaviness
The feeling of a burden or weight over your chest with associated heavy sweating and nausea often signifies that you might be having a heart attack. Nonetheless, there are many more causes of chest pain, including GERD, panic attack, aortic dissection, etc.
If you experience chest pain or the heaviness of sudden onset lasting more than 30 minutes, call an ambulance right away to rule out any serious underlying issue.
Avoiding such signs is never a viable option, so whenever your chest feels heavy or tightens, seek help immediately.
Shortness of breath
Breathing problems can be due to a wide range of causative factors. The most alarming ones that mandate emergency care arises from cardiopulmonary issues relating to the lungs and heart.
In an acute asthma attack, congestive heart failure, panic attack, or even Covid-19, patients may experience shortness of breath alongside other specific symptoms.
In this situation, your healthcare provider gives you a high flow of oxygen alongside your respective treatment regime. Other causes of shortness of breath could be lung issues or rare disorders such as pleural mesothelioma.
However, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include cough, chest pain, alongside shortness of breath. So, if you experience all three, we’d suggest you approach a professional.
Chronic Cough
If you’ve been coughing non-stop for more than a week or two, it’s a chronic cough. The causes of chronic cough could be multifactorial based on duration, severity, and associated symptoms. A chronic cough with associated blood in the sputum and significant weight loss could be due to tuberculosis or lung cancers.
A nocturnal chronic cough could be due to asthma or GERD, a digestive disorder.
Chronic cough requires urgent evaluation by a pulmonologist to ascertain the underlying cause. Some diseases are treatable, like tuberculosis, while the prognosis of others like cancer depends on the severity and stage.
Excruciating Headache
Excruciating, unbearable headache that you may regard as the worst headache of your life suggests thunderclap headaches. An emergent CT scan is required to rule out subarachnoid hemorrhage, that is, bleeding inside the brain.
A one-sided throbbing headache with vomiting could signify a migraine attack. When severe headache with agitation and dizziness occurs, blood pressure must be checked to see if it is hypertension causing the trouble. Whenever you experience a severe headache, rush to your nearest emergency facility.
Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
Pin Pricking sensation or numbness after sitting for prolonged periods in the same position usually resolves after a few minutes. Nonetheless, if it lasts more than an hour, it becomes a matter of concern. It could mean that you might be experiencing signs of impending stroke.
But stroke is usually accompanied by arm or leg weakness and slurred speech besides numbness.
Other diseases could be untreated diabetes mellitus or vitamin B complex deficiency. Numbness in the dominant hand after using the wrist joint for prolonged periods of typing suggests carpal tunnel syndrome.
Therefore, persistent numbness or tingling must not be taken lightly and needs an evaluation by an expert.
Vaginal discharge
Discussing women’s health was once considered taboo. But with increasing awareness, women are stepping forth to ascertain the causes for their gynecological issues. Some amount of vaginal discharge without odor or color is considered normal.
A foul-smelling, curdy white discharge could be due to yeast infection. Yeast infections are common in pregnant, diabetic, and immunocompromised women. A course of antifungals is used to treat these infections.
A fishy green or yellow discharge suggests bacterial vaginosis and, if not treated, can be transmitted to sexual partners. Sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia also produce foul vaginal discharge. In cases of STD, partners should be treated as well, and the use of barrier contraceptives is advised.
Fatigue
After exhausting physical activities, lack of energy is quite normal. But fatigue and tiredness with minimal activity could be due to anemia or heart failure. A practitioner may run a few tests to find out the underlying cause.
Some individuals, however, feel a lack of energy before attempting any task and lack interest in activities. Such patients must undergo a psychiatric evaluation to rule out depressive disorders as they are at risk of developing psychological issues.
Conclusion
Many signs and symptoms given out by the body indicate that something is not right. And that an expert evaluation is the need of the hour. The earliest intervention could improve the prognosis and provide symptomatic relief in debilitating illnesses. It is essential not to disregard these messages to prevent lifelong conditions.
So, while a cough may seem normal at first, approach a doctor immediately if it lasts for more than a week. Alongside this, take note of other signs mentioned above and seek medical advice to overcome any health issue.