In many cases and incidents, we have seen in our life a serious illness can seemingly come out of nowhere with little to no warning at all. Being conscious and vigilant of what to look for and noticing the warning signs early on could mean the difference between life and death. The intention of this article isn’t to scare you or give you anxiety and apprehensions about relatively insignificant and trivial health issues. This article is simply meant to inform about what may indicate a serious illness or disease so you may be able to detect and understand these symptoms as soon as possible.
Let’s get to it.
Chest Pain.
Well, this is something we have heard a lot…
Chest pain or ache could be caused by a number of different causes ranging from muscle tenderness to a heart attack. It’s best to monitor the severity or the intensity of the pain as well as how quickly the pain becomes aggravated. If the pain is severe, sharp and sudden, get medical help instantaneously. Long-term pain, no matter how severe or mild, could be an indicator of heart disease. Chest pain is not something that should be ignored until it goes away, it needs attention immediately. If it persists for more than a couple of days, go see a doctor.
Abdominal Pain
Alike to chest pain, abdominal pain can have many different causes, this makes it tricky and complex. It could mean something as harmless as an upset stomach brought on by a portion of certain food or dairy. On the other hand, unfailing abdominal pain, It could be a sign of something much more severe, like gastrointestinal disease or even cancer. Be alert of the length and severity of your abdominal pain and respond and get treated accordingly. Sometimes, abdominal pain can go together with bowel issues, so keep an eye out and check for that as well. Such as sudden weight loss or gain.
A rapid, unexplained change in weight carries significant health risks in most cases. It could indicate a number of serious illnesses and diseases, including diabetes, thyroid concerns, and heart failure. Severe weight loss is also a symptom of many cancers. However, this symptom is usually combined with several other issues in cancer patients. Make sure you consult with a doctor if you experience a sudden change in weight.
Changes in Appetite
A plate of spaghetti (noodles) with sauce and cheese on top, closely related to variations in weight, immediate ups and downs in appetite are also a red flag for your health. The appetite is classically affected by how quickly the body is digesting and breaking down food, and a significant change in this is usually a sign that something isn’t quite right in the body. Keep in mind and remember that there is nothing to worry about if you happen to become unexpectedly and strangely hungry or full for just a day or two. The issues have to do with long-lasting changes to the appetite, which directly impact weight changes.
Fatigue or Weakness
Fatigue, or feeling “dilapidated”, results from an extensive variety of conditions. Something as harmless as a lack of sleep or rest can raise mild forms of fatigue. Generally, exhaustion is brought on by a lack of sleep will only last a short time, provided that the sleep schedule eventually goes back to ordinary. If you are really fatigued that no extent of rest can help, it could be a sign of a serious illness like heart disease, diabetes, or sleep apnea.
Shortness of Breath.
This does not have to do with shortness of breath brought on by exercise that a person does. Rather, this refers to low, rapid breathing that can be an indicator of heart or lung disease. The imminence of the shortness of breath can point to what is triggering it. For example, if the shortness of breath comes on all of a sudden, it can be a sign of asthma, low blood pressure, or pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). Continuing, or chronic, shortness of breath might be symbolic of COPD, pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs), or other lung diseases/illnesses.
Nausea or Vomiting
Please remember that No, you should not overreact every time you get the stomach flu or feel a little queasy. As with most of these warning signs of serious diseases, only worry if nausea or vomiting persists for a long period of time. This can be caused by certain gastrointestinal diseases. Once again, don’t worry if these symptoms happen for a day or two. There are all kinds of factors that cause nausea and vomiting, like food poisoning or the flu.
Difficulty Swallowing
Difficulty swallowing is generally caused by some sort of damage to the throat. This damage can take many different forms, with cancer being the most severe. This particular warning sign characteristically occurs in concurrence with other symptoms, so you don’t essentially need to be extremely watchful regarding it.
Ankle or Leg Swelling
Two feet on a wooden floor. One of the feet is swollen in many cases; ankle or leg swelling is usually caused by some sort of injury. However, if the swelling can’t be directly linked to an injury, it may be a sign of something more severe. For example, puffiness or swelling in the legs could indicate a leg infection or poor circulation. Also, it can be a symptom of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. All three of these conditions produce an additional amount of fluid in the body, which causes swelling. Call your doctor if you already have one of these conditions and the swelling worsens. It could be a sign of complications.
Skin Staining/yellowing
According to a research study conducted by the doctors, the skin may actually indicate what is going on inside the body beneath the skin in certain instances. For example, changes in the skin’s colour can be a signal of internal disease. In the most well-known example, yellowing of the skin can signify liver disease.
Unexplained Rash or Growth on Skin
An infrequent rash that appears on the skin could signify some sort of internal issue or infection as well in the body. For instance, a person can develop a rash that is due to an allergy to a new medicine. Make sure to consult with your doctor/physician if you do develop an unexplained rash soon after starting on a new prescription. If the rash is supplemented with other indicators, like dull pain or a fever, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Also, new unanticipated growths on the skin could be an indicative sign of skin cancer as well. If any of these growths do come up out of blue, be sure to get them checked out by the (skin specialist) dermatologist. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Mental Illness
Just like physical diseases, mental disorders also have some early warning signs. They aren’t the types of illnesses/diseases that just pop-up out of nowhere. In most of the cases, the cautioning signs are present and they need to be observed early on before things get worse. Remember to ensure that mental illness is a full-fledge disease and shouldn’t be taken lightly under any circumstances.
Mood Changes
Radical and sudden mood swings are one obvious indication of a mental issue. Any type of extended mental instability should be noted and taken very seriously. Notice when the person’s mood to shift’s from one mood to the exact opposite mood at a moment’s notice, you can even say in a blink of an eye. Also, pay close attention to your own feelings and moods (be vigilant). If you notice anything out of the ordinary/routine, seek help immediately, before the condition and situation further deteriorate.
Unusual Behavior
Keep an eye out for any type of eccentric behaviour. Look for the person to seem “out of his usual behaviour” and unlike their usual self.
Problems Thinking
People with mental illness often have a difficult time concentrating. In addition, they can experience issues with logical thought and memory. This can sometimes be coupled with illogical and over-exaggerated thinking. The words ‘mental health’ spelt out in scrabble tiles. Just one or two mental health symptoms cannot predict a mental illness. If someone suffers from many symptoms to the point where it interferes with day-to-day life, then there is most likely a problem.
Also, understand that stress can be a factor and a triggering element in many mental health-related symptoms. As luck would have it, stress can be managed more easily than many mental illnesses.
A Note about Cancer
If you have been following the article closely and attentively, you probably must have noticed that a lot of the warning signs listed above can be ascribed to cancer. It’s imperative to understand that in general, one single indication is not symbolic of cancer. Cancer usually brings forward a lot of different warning signs and symptoms instead of just one or two. NEVER we mean NEVER diagnose yourself regarding the illness that you are facing or Google your warning sign in an attempt to self-diagnose. This will only lead to unnecessary anxiety. Go see a healthcare professional if your indicators are bad enough and you need medical attention, They are healthcare professionals for a reason.
Mind Your Medications
A group of multicoloured pills
One thing that we would like to mention here is that certain medications can cause similar symptoms to those of a serious illness. Make sure to go over these side-effects with your doctor before starting the desired medication. That way you will know the exact cause of these indications if they do really manifest themselves.
It’s best to stay worry-free!
Now that you know what to look for, be sure to make your health a priority and pay attention to what is going on in your body. If a serious illness is diagnosed early on, it can be dealt with much more effectively.
There’s no need to panic every time something minor goes wrong. Simply listen to your body and go see a doctor if there is a persistent problem.
Get Medical/Health Insurance
While talking about all the signs and symptoms it is important to realize that if God forbid, you face any of these issues or may feel like that you are facing any. The cost of medical and health expenses have sky-rocketed. A day procedure of a simple illness like conjunctivitis has increased many folds, a simple procedure which used to cost around PKR 35000 has gone up to PKR 70,000 to 75,000 which is double or more than double of the previous expenses.
Procuring health insurance not only makes a little relax on the side that you have the cushion to deal with uncertainties but also gives you the confidence to deal with things head-on. Having insurance is like having an invisible hand of protection and comfort. The health insurance plans at smartchoice start from as low as PKR4000 a month. There are multiple plans varying in their coverage and premiums are available at smartchoice so you can pick and choose the right plan as per your needs and requirements. If you have any confusion or problem during the process of buying health insurance our dedicated health adviser can help you navigate through the entire process. Just contact us on our UAN—021-111-212-212.
Symptoms of twelve serious diseases and health issues problems facts that you need to keep in mind
When is a cough “just” a cough, and nothing else or a headache a sign you should be concerned about? Listed are signs and symptoms that could indicate a serious health condition, and you should see a doctor if you experience any symptoms of concern. Sometimes, a sign in one part of the body may be an indicator of a problem in another part of the body. Moreover, unrelated indications that might be minor on their own could be a cautionary indication of a more serious medical sickness or condition. Listen to your body, note and observe all symptoms, and share them in detail with your doctor.
Signs of a heart attack include pain, pressure, squeezing, or feeling of fullness in the centre of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes once started; pain or uneasiness in other areas of the upper body; shortness of breath; cold sweat; nausea; or lightheadedness.
Sign of a stroke includes instant facial drooping, arm weakness, difficulty with speech, rapidly developing dizziness or balance issue, sudden numbness or weakness of senses and body parts, loss of vision, confusion, or severe headache.
Indicators of reproductive health problems include bleeding or spotting between your each period cycle; itching, burning, or irritation genital area; pain or distress during sex; heavy or aching menstrual bleeding; severe pelvic/abdominal pain; unusual and constant vaginal discharge; feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen; and frequent urination or urinary urgency.
Signs of breast problems include nipple discharge, unusual breast soreness or pain, breast or nipple skin changes, or bump/lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area.
Symptoms of lung problems include coughing up of blood, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chronic cough, repeated attacks of bronchitis or pneumonia, and wheezing.
Warning signs of stomach or digestive problems include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool or black stools, changes in bowel routines or not being able to control bowels, constipation, diarrhoea, spells of heartburn or acid reflux, or vomiting blood.
Indications of bladder problems include difficult or painful urination, frequent urination, loss of bladder control, blood in urine, waking frequently at night to use the washroom for urination or wetting the bed at night, or leaking urine.
Symptoms of skin problems include changes in skin moles, recurrent flushing and redness of face and neck, jaundice, skin lesions that don’t go away or heal, new growths or moles on the skin, and thick, red skin with silvery patches.
Symptoms of muscle or joint problems include persistent muscle pains and body aches that are persistent, for example, numbness or tingling; pain, tenderness, stiffness, swelling, inflammation, or redness in or around joints; and decreased range of motion or loss of function of any joints or muscles.
Symptoms of emotional problems include anxiety, depression fatigue, feeling tense, flashbacks and nightmares, disinterest in regular activities, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, or delusions.
Symptoms of headache problems (not including everyday tension headaches) include headaches that come on suddenly, “the worst headache of your life,” and headache associated with severe dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and inability to walk.
Symptoms of eating or weight problems include extreme thirst, dehydration, excessive hunger, losing weight without trying, binging, vomiting, starvation, preoccupation with food and weight, distorted body image, compulsive exercise, abuse of laxatives or diet pills, and depression.
In the end, it is important to know that “health is wealth” and not only know but also understand its importance in having a good life! once we lose our good health and well being it is difficult to get back to our old-self depending on the age and other factors. So during this situation where the whole world has been exposed to an unknown and unseen virus. which has compelled the world to change their life and act in a different manner. During all this chaos don’t forget to notice any other signs and indicators that you may come across, as it can be a red flag for some critical sickness as well.
