7 unusual signs of health that are easy to ignore
The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi My - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International Hospital.
Some symptoms such as chest pain, loss of vision, sudden speech, and severe abdominal pain require immediate medical attention. However, some other signs are milder, of little concern, but can warn of many dangerous conditions that need prompt emergency care.
1. Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without any exercise or diet can signal a health problem. If you're not obese and have lost more than 10 pounds (4.5 kg), or more than 5% of your body weight in the past 6 to 12 months, see your doctor.
Unexplained weight loss can be caused by various illnesses - including an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, depression, liver disease, gastrointestinal disease, cancer or disorders related to the way the body absorbs nutrients (malabsorption disorders).
Unexplained weight loss can be caused by various illnesses - including an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, depression, liver disease, gastrointestinal disease, cancer or disorders related to the way the body absorbs nutrients (malabsorption disorders).
2. Persistent fever or high fever
Fever is not always an alarming condition. Fever seems to play an important role in fighting infection or the body's response to viral infections, or physiological changes (women's menstrual cycle, pregnancy, etc.).
However, persistent fever can be a sign of underlying infections such as urinary tract infections, tuberculosis, HIV, etc. In some cases, cancerous (malignant) conditions. such as lymphoma, leukemia; Prolonged fever is also a side effect of some medications.
See a doctor if body temperature rises to 103 F (39.4 C) or higher or fever persists for more than 3 days.
However, persistent fever can be a sign of underlying infections such as urinary tract infections, tuberculosis, HIV, etc. In some cases, cancerous (malignant) conditions. such as lymphoma, leukemia; Prolonged fever is also a side effect of some medications.
See a doctor if body temperature rises to 103 F (39.4 C) or higher or fever persists for more than 3 days.
3. Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath can signal a health problem has occurred. Overtraining, extreme temperatures, obesity can all cause breathing difficulties. In addition to these examples, shortness of breath is likely a sign of some other medical problem. If you have unexplained shortness of breath, especially if it comes on suddenly and is severe, seek medical attention for the cause and treatment.
Causes of shortness of breath can include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), as well as other heart and lung problems. Shortness of breath can also occur when panic (suddenly intense anxiety) triggers severe reactions when there is no real danger or obvious cause.
4. Changes in bowel habits
Criteria for assessing normal bowel movements vary widely. Consult your doctor if you notice unusual or unexplained changes such as:
Blood, black or tarry stools (some cases of stool changes due to diet such as: eat black food: chocolate, coffee, blood, ... or take iron tablets). Persistent diarrhea or constipation. Feelings of nausea, vomiting, bowel sounds change. Changes in bowel habits can signal a bacterial infection - such as campylobacter or salmonella - or a viral or parasitic infection, such as amoeba. Other causes include irritable bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancer.
Blood, black or tarry stools (some cases of stool changes due to diet such as: eat black food: chocolate, coffee, blood, ... or take iron tablets). Persistent diarrhea or constipation. Feelings of nausea, vomiting, bowel sounds change. Changes in bowel habits can signal a bacterial infection - such as campylobacter or salmonella - or a viral or parasitic infection, such as amoeba. Other causes include irritable bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancer.
5. Confusion or personality change
See a doctor if you feel:
Poor thinking skills Difficulty concentrating, maintaining or shifting attention Behavior changes These changes are caused by many problems, including infections, poor nutrition , mental health condition, physical disease in the brain (brain tumor, cerebral infarction, brain abscess,...) or medication.
Poor thinking skills Difficulty concentrating, maintaining or shifting attention Behavior changes These changes are caused by many problems, including infections, poor nutrition , mental health condition, physical disease in the brain (brain tumor, cerebral infarction, brain abscess,...) or medication.
6. Feeling full after eating very little
If you always feel full earlier than usual or after eating less than usual, see your doctor. This feeling, known as early satiety, can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloating, or weight loss.
Possible causes of early satiety include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach ulcers. In some cases, a more serious problem such as pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, etc. can be a risk factor.
Possible causes of early satiety include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach ulcers. In some cases, a more serious problem such as pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, etc. can be a risk factor.
7. Exposure to intense light
Shining bright beams of light into the eyes sometimes causes migraines . In other cases, this action can signal retinal detachment. Immediate medical care can help prevent permanent vision loss.
Master. American doctor has more than 6 years of experience as an internal medicine doctor at Hue Central Hospital, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital; Tam Tri Da Nang Hospital; Danang Hospital. Currently, he is a General Internal Medicine Doctor at Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
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Article referenced source: Mayoclinic.org