As incredible as the human body is, it is also extremely unpredictable and bizarre. Listen to your body; it will give you all the signs you need to determine that something might be wrong. Many people who have been given dire diagnosis will tell you that they noticed something wasn’t quite right but brushed it off as merely feeling a bit under the weather.
However, it is also accurate that not every ache or pain is a sign of something major! So, knowing exactly what to look out for is essential.
Below are a few general symptoms to watch out for.
Weight Loss
An unexplained or sudden loss of body weight, with no changes in your diet or lifestyle, is a good reason to visit your doctor or clinic to establish the cause. Losing more than 5% of your body weight in this manner is often associated with cancers, such as pancreatic, stomach or lung cancer. It is also linked to thyroid issues, poor nutrient absorption in the gut and stress.
Damaged Teeth
We are all aware that not practising good oral hygiene habits like brushing, flossing and using mouthwash can result in yellow, broken and damaged teeth. However, acid reflux is in fact a major cause of enamel erosion, particularly affecting the teeth at the back of your mouth. There are other subtle symptoms of acid reflux that include a chronic sore throat, coughing, wheezing and a constant foul taste on the tongue. Your dentist, upon proper consultation and examination, will refer you to a Gastroenterologist.
Skin Conditions
Various skin reactions like rashes and dandruff, which often break out on the scalp, elbows and knees, could easily be incorrectly diagnosed as eczema. However, more critical conditions, namely autoimmune disorders, could trigger rashes all over the body.
Lesser-known culprits are osteoporosis and cancer in the small intestine.
Irregular Urination
Irregular urination, whether it is a case of you needing the loo more or less than usual, could indicate a weak bladder. However, it might also be a symptom of prostate cancer. If this symptom continues for a week, consult your doctor immediately. Try to monitor your water intake; has it increased or decreased?
Haemorrhoids
Crohn’s disease often gets mistaken for haemorrhoids because of the manner it manifests. Although Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disorder, the symptoms are sores, ulcerations or fleshy growths outside the anal area, which are very similar to haemorrhoids. In the event that your haemorrhoids do not respond to the standard treatment, see your doctor immediately.
Crohn’s disease can lead to bowel obstruction and even colon cancer if it goes untreated.
Handwriting
The most telling sign of Parkinson’s disease is the erratic change in handwriting. Before the tremors, difficulty in balancing and walking sets in, as Parkinson sufferers’ handwriting becomes smaller and wording becomes crowded.
Parkinson’s disease occurs when the nerve cells in the brain become damaged, and the chemical that sends signals to the brain to encourage movement, called dopamine. [WHAT DOES THE CHEMICAL DO? THE SENTENCE IS NOT COMPLETE.] Other early signs of the onset of Parkinson’s disease are also a loss of smell and intense dreams.
If any of these symptoms last for more than a week, see a neurologist. It is possible to have a better quality of life if it’s diagnosed it its early stages.
Coughing
Coughs are rarely a sign of a serious condition unless you suffer from allergies or sinus problems. It is also just a way the body removes dust from your lungs or nasal passages. However, if you have never had any of the above problems, a cough that does not disappear is early signs of lung disease.
Simple Calculations
Although a math problem and a simple one at that does not necessarily mean trouble, as everyone experiences “senior moments”. However, struggling for a minute or two by doing a simple calculation is a huge red flag for most brain-ageing diseases.
If this goes untreated, simple planning and memory loss become evident, and that is when patients are typically diagnosed.
Loud Snoring
Snoring has long been a common symptom of sleep apnoea or other sleep disorders. Another common cause of snoring is sinus infections, and this is how self-diagnosis normally happens.
However, snoring is also linked to the thickening of carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain and this can cause a stroke and/or heart attack.
It is essential to take charge of your health, and this can be done by having regular medical check-ups. Not only will diseases or health concerns be detected earlier but also other potential health issues could be managed. The benefits of regular check-ups are:
- It reduces your chances of becoming ill often;
- Receive updated medical information that is available;
- Increase your lifespan, health and general quality of life;
- Early detection allows for proper planning, monitoring and ensures a good partnership with your medical doctors;
- Reduce healthcare costs, as early treatment avoids long-term medical services and care; and
- Limiting risks in complications and increases chances for cures.
Need medical advice?
Give The Medical Society a call and set up a consultation. The Medical Society is passionate about proper health and nutrition for both children and adults. The Medical Society covers you and your family for whatever unforeseen illnesses may come your way, offering affordable healthcare for adults.
Starting from R89 a month, members are covered for unlimited nurse-room visits, as well as dietary advice from professionals.
