If you’ve ever ignored signs or symptoms, thinking they’d go away, this is for you.
People react differently. Some see a doctor at the first sniffle. Others delay medical help, even when symptoms might signal danger.
Sign vs Symptom
In medicine, a sign is visible to others. A rash can be a sign of a skin problem; high blood sugar may point to diabetes. It can be observed or measured.
Symptoms, though, are only felt by the person. Ringing in the ear (a tinnitus symptom) can’t be heard by others. Symptoms show something’s wrong in your body, like an illness or injury.
Doctors group symptoms into three types:
- Remitting: Symptoms that get better or disappear.
- Relapsing: Symptoms that return after going away.
- Chronic: Long – lasting symptoms.
Symptoms Needing Immediate Attention
The following symptoms may signal a dangerous or life – threatening condition. Seek help right away if you have any:
- Chest Pain or Pressure with Radiation: These are classic heart – attack symptoms.
- Shortness of Breath: If you can’t breathe well, call 9 – 1 – 1. It could be asthma, heart problems, pneumonia, or a lung blood clot.
- Intense Headaches: Sudden, very bad headaches or those with other nerve symptoms (weakness, confusion, seizures) need quick attention. They might mean a stroke, aneurysm, or head injury.
- Allergic Reactions/Anaphylaxis: Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) with swelling, hives, low blood pressure, or shock are life – threatening.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight without trying, especially a lot or over time, can be serious. Losing over 5% of body weight without trying is worrying.
- Unusual Bleeding: Blood in urine, stools, or from coughing or vomiting is serious. Blood in urine can mean bladder cancer, kidney disease, etc. Blood in stools might be from colon cancer, etc.
- Sores/Wounds that Won’t Heal: If a sore or wound doesn’t heal in three months or keeps coming back, see a doctor. It could be an infection, cancer, or diabetes.
- Intense Light Flashes or More Floaters: A sudden increase in eye floaters or light flashes may mean a detached retina.
- Leg Swelling without Injury: Leg swelling can be from heart, vein, or kidney problems.
- Sudden, Severe, or Recurring Abdominal Pain: Abdominal pain may be from appendicitis, gallbladder issues, etc. Seek treatment if it’s severe or sudden.
- Fever: A body temperature above 103°F or a lower – grade fever lasting over seven days or recurring needs medical care.
- Sudden Confusion: Sudden confusion (delirium) can be from carbon monoxide poisoning, stroke, etc. Get help right away.
- Severe Dizziness: If you’re very dizzy or have other symptoms like high fever, numbness, seek medical help.
- Chronic Fatigue: Ongoing fatigue could be a sign of something serious.
- Changes in Bowel Movements: Changes in stool color, texture, or frequency may be due to cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Talk to your doctor.
- Weakness, Numbness, Tingling, Facial Droop: These are stroke symptoms. Don’t ignore them.
- Breast/Nipple Changes: Breast lumps, skin changes, nipple discharge may be signs of breast cancer or other issues.
- Suicidal Thoughts: If you have suicidal thoughts or feel worthless, talk to someone immediately.
Know Your Body
Understanding symptoms is helpful, but not all conditions have them. Some cancers and infections show no symptoms until late. You may also have symptoms with no serious cause.
So, know your body. Notice when something’s different. Talk to your doctor about any changes, no matter how small. Your body is trying to tell you something. Listen to it.