7 'Normal' Symptoms A Doctor Says You Should Never, Ever Ignore

Though everything from our nails to the colour of our poop can sometimes reveal health issues; often, variants in both are perfectly normal. Besides, it feels like everyone is battling with issues like fatigue and back pain most of the time. So what is “normal”, and what is worth seeing a doctor about? Dr Kaywaan Khan, a GP at Harley Street’s Hannah London, told HuffPost UK about the seven signs you should never ignore – even if you feel fine. 1) Unexplained weight loss If you’re shedding the pounds without even trying, Dr Khan warned that everything from thyroid imbalances to early diabetes, digestive disorders, and even stomach or pancreatic cancer could be to blame. “Unexplained weight loss is typically defined as losing more than 5% of your body weight over a span of 6-12 months, without any changes in diet or physical activity levels,” he explained.2) Constant exhaustion, even after rest Though you probably hear “I’m so tired!” from every adult in your life, Dr Khan said it’s still worth seeing a doctor if exhaustion is affecting your day-to-day. “Persistent fatigue can be linked to conditions such as anaemia, chronic infections like mononucleosis, or even early-stage heart disease... Sleep disorders like insomnia or mental health conditions can also leave you feeling drained and unmotivated on a daily basis, even without physical exertion,” he stated. If adequate rest doesn’t leave you feeling refreshed, see your GP.3) Changes in bowel habits Sudden or long-term changes in your poop can also be worthy of alarm. “Constipation and diarrhoea are typically just side effects of dietary changes, severe stress, or certain medications, but this could also be from underlying conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or coeliac disease (severe gluten intolerance),” Dr Khan told us. And bleeding from your bottom may be haemorrhoids, but it could also be caused by stomach or colon cancers.4) Frequent headachesIf your headaches happen all the time and/or affect your daily functioning, that’s well worth talking to a GP about, Dr Khan said. And “if headaches are accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, debilitating pain, vision changes or thunderclap onset, thisshould prompt urgent GP review,” he added. The same goes if you notice numbness, weakness, or fainting alongside headaches. “In these cases, I would advise asking your GP for a referral to a CT or MRI scan to see if there could be any brain-related causes like tumours or aneurysms that might not be visible through blood work alone.”5) Being short of breathOK, panting after a jog is normal. But if you can’t catch your breath after taking a few stairs or walking around the shops, that’s worth flagging to a doctor. This could be down to “respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which you can get from smoking or long-term exposure to pollution and allergens,” Dr Khan said. Additionally, “shortness of breath can also be linked to heart disease or blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), both of which can reduce oxygen supply and strain the heart, lungs, and blood flow all at once”.If you have sudden shortness of breath alongside chest pain, blue lips, and/or numbness, seek urgent medical help.6) Lumps and swellingsSure, Dr Khan admitted, a lot of these are harmless. “Yes, many lumps are typically benign, such as those that appear consistently in the breast area during menstruation or ovulation due to sudden hormonal changes,” he said, while common conditions can lead to swelling of the glands and abscesses.“While these lumps are easily treatable, others could point to more serious conditions like breast cancer or lymphoma,” the doctor added. So, it’s always worth getting checked out. 7) Skin changes Not only can changes to, or the sudden addition of, moles belie skin cancer, but “skin discolouration can also be a major clue”.Per the GP, “yellowing of the skin (jaundice) warrants same-day assessment and may point to liver issues, bile duct obstruction or even pancreatic problems”. “A bluish skin tinge to the skin could indicate poor circulation, while grey patches may be linked to autoimmune disorders like lupus,” he added.Dry and scaly skin may be a sign of everything from dermatitis to allergies, he ended, which is better investigated than ignored. Related...Doctors Think We Need To Calm Down With Our Obsession With This 1 NutrientMy Doctors Misdiagnosed Me, And It Cost Me Everything. It Took Years To Get My Life Back.Is Walking Enough Exercise? Here's What Doctors Say

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