Most of us take at least a little bit of care to maintain our health. We watch what we eat, we exercise, we see a doctor once a year, and we monitor ourselves and our bodies for abnormalities and ominous signs. You can absolutely overdo this and slip into hypochondria. But you can also do the opposite and ignore the small signs that could indicate a bigger problem with your body.
No one wants to waste a trip to the emergency room or see a doctor more than is absolutely necessary, so a common response is to ignore changes in our health and hope that they will go away on their own, unless those changes are severe and alarming. But not all signs of declining health are big and bold — some are downright subtle and easy to ignore or overlook altogether.
The things listed here are not Necessary Signs that you’re in serious trouble, and you should be always Consult your doctor before jumping to any conclusions. But if you notice any of these changes, it’s a good idea to at least talk to a doctor about it and make sure it’s nothing serious.
Unusual persistent bad breath
Bad breath happens to the best of us occasionally. A spicy meal, a leisurely brushing of teeth, a late night at the bar—almost everyone has had the embarrassing realization that their breath stinks. It’s not usually a cause for concern, but if it keeps happening it could be a sign of gum disease, diabetes, or even stomach cancer. It’s worth doing a telemedical check-in with your doctor to rule out these things.
Swollen hands or feet
While the occasional swelling in your extremities — called edema — can be caused by too much salt or alcohol, if you’re suddenly dealing with constant swollen hands or feet that’s so hot, it could be a sign that your heart and circulatory system isn’t working , or that you are dealing with undiagnosed liver, kidney, or thyroid disease. If you experience it frequently and lifestyle changes (like cutting out salt and alcohol) don’t help, see a doctor.
Non-stop peeing and constant thirst
If you’re becoming increasingly thirsty and also urinating more or less continuously, you may not only be dehydrated — you may have diabetes. A side effect of the disease is way too much sugar in your blood, causing your body to try to flush it out through your kidneys. When you’ve become little more than a treated water conduit, it’s time for an investigation.
A persistent cough
We cough for many reasons, and the occasional day when you can’t seem to shake yours is probably nothing. But if you cough a lot all the time, and have been for a while, it could be a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mesothelioma, or an ongoing case of COVID-19. This is of particular concern if you also experience chest tightness or other breathing difficulties — but a dry, annoying cough that won’t go away shouldn’t be ignored either.
Persistent fatigue
Some people can thrive on what appears to be a series of naps, while others need or feel logical for fifteen hours of sleep a day. As long as you feel rested and ready when you wake up, the amount of sleep you’re getting isn’t likely to be an immediate issue. If you’re always feeling tired — to the point where you can’t concentrate or even function — despite getting plenty of rest, it’s not just “sleep guilt,” it’s a potential alarm bell pointing to something like sleep apnea , chronic fatigue syndrome or could even indicate heart disease.
A wrinkle in your ear
This is the exact definition of subtle for those of us without medical training: if you have a diagonal crease on your earlobe, it could be what’s known as Frank’s sign (named after Dr. Sanders T. Frank, who first observed it). That odd little detail on your ear is harmless in and of itself — but it’s strongly correlated with coronary artery disease and other conditions. If your doctor hasn’t noticed, point it out, as you may need to be monitored a little more closely.
changes in bowel movements
Like the good book says, everyone poops. And we all poop in different ways, at different times, and with different consistencies. While your feces can tell you a lot about your health in general, most of us don’t think too much about this biological necessity unless something changes. While the occasional bout of diarrhea or constipation affects everyone, most of us are fairly constant in our pooping experience. If you suddenly aren’t, pay attention — if either becomes the new normal, it could be a sign of colon cancer or other problems. And if you see blood in your stool and its source isn’t immediately obvious (eg, a hemorrhoid), see your doctor as soon as possible.
Sudden weight gain – or weight loss
Many of us struggle with our weight, and weight naturally fluctuates over time – gaining and losing a few pounds over the course of a year or even a few months means nothing. However, sudden weight changes are uncommon. It’s easy to assume that a sudden drop is the result of inadvertently eating healthier, or that a sudden increase is the result of a few lazy weeks of pizza and naps, but if your weight continues to change, it could be a sign of a larger health problem.
Unexplained bruising
Bruising is a fact of life, and it becomes more common as we get older. We usually know exactly why we suddenly have a bruise, but if you start noticing bruises that appear out of nowhere, or if you get bruises that don’t fade normally, it could be a sign of an infection or even the early stages of leukemia, which often presents with no obvious symptoms at first.
Broken hair
We’ve put our hair through a lot. Regardless of your gender, lifestyle, or age, we expect our hair to suffer without discomfort from hats, products, frequent washing, and endless styling. Sometimes our hair actually complains, leading to split ends and other problems. But if you notice that your hair is brittle, breaks easily, and/or falls out easily for no styling-related reason, it could be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. This could easily be corrected with better diet or supplements, but if left unchecked, it could have serious consequences.
Grooves on your nails
Look at your fingernails. Are there raised ridges on them? white lines? Do they break easily? There’s a chance this indicates a serious health issue, although it’s more likely a nutrient deficiency — you may need more iron, zinc, vitamin A, or something else. Check with your doctor to rule out anything serious, and then try revising your diet.
bleeding after brushing your teeth
It’s amazing how many people brush their teeth, see some blood in the sink, and then happily go on their way. blood is outside the body never a good sign, although you may see some bleeding if you brush extra hard or if you had your teeth cleaned at the dentist earlier in the day. But if you see blood every time you brush, worry. It could be a sign of periodontitis, which if left untreated can develop into a life-threatening infection.
Persistent snoring
Lots of people snore. And many people suffer their nightly performances in grim silence. But when we realize we snore, we tend to seek treatment for the symptom — nose plugs, raised pillows, separate bedrooms, divorce — rather than asking ourselves why we snore. And the answer might be serious: snoring is linked to heart disease and usually means you also have sleep apnea, which means you stop breathing for up to a minute multiple times each night. Time to get that checked out.
Erectile dysfunction
Men don’t like to talk about erectile dysfunction, but it happens to many of them. ED often has a psychological component and is often rooted in exhaustion, but it’s a mistake to assume it’s a temporary problem that a good night’s sleep or a vacation — or a little blue pill — can cure. ED could be a sign of developing heart disease, since a weakened heart simply can’t pump the blood necessary for an erection.
Dry eyes
When your eyes don’t produce enough tears, they dry out. It’s an uncomfortable feeling that can be temporarily relieved with topical treatments like eye drops. The occasional dry eye can be due to environmental conditions or a late night sleep, but if it’s a chronic experience, that’s it could indicate hepatitis C infection. It’s actually a very common symptom in people dealing with the disease.
slow healing
Do you have a minor injury that just won’t heal? Most of the time, a wound that doesn’t heal or takes a long time to heal is a sign of poor circulation — your body isn’t getting enough blood to your skin. That, in turn, is usually a bad sign for you in general – it can be caused by a variety of things, including diabetes or heart failure. If you have a sore that doesn’t heal after several weeks, consult your doctor to see what’s going on.
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