We often ignore the signals our bodies give us about more serious issues, brushing them aside as if they were unimportant. However, that can worsen other health problems if we disregard these warnings.
For example, you may have a pain in your leg that you chalk up to too much walking or over-exercising. While those are likely reasons for leg pain, other signs, such as swelling, throbbing, discoloration, redness, or feeling warm to the touch, could be signs of a blood clot called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg. Because the clot can dislodge, travel through the blood vessels, and enter the lung, it could be a life-threatening concern.
How do you know when a symptom is more than a short-term concern, such as a pulled muscle or weight gain due to overeating?
If there is no logical reason behind the symptom, and it does not go away, it may be wise to delve deeper, do some online research, and then seek the expertise of the appropriate medical specialist.
What Should You Pay Attention To?
It may not seem clear to know what to pay attention to when the body constantly changes. Should you worry if you are dizzy or lightheaded when lunchtime comes around, and you haven’t eaten all day? No, that is not a concern unless it continues to happen even after eating.
Our bodies always talk to us; paying attention is just up to us. If you are under a lot of stress, you may feel tired, forgetful, develop frequent colds, lose your hair, or feel jittery. Stress antagonizes the body in many ways, including by increasing the production of cortisol (stress hormone), which interferes with the secretion of two vital hormones – testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH).
Hormonal imbalance, which can occur in any adult at any time, is often behind many of the symptoms we ignore. Of course, changes in the body can occur for many reasons, including cancer, aging, cardiovascular problems, and more.
Let us take a look at a few symptoms you may not realize are warnings from your body:
- Dandruff – it is easy to assume that dandruff flaking is due to dry skin, but there is more to it than that. Those unwanted dandruff flakes can be a sign of any of the following conditions that might require treatment:
- Allergic reactions
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- HIV
- Parkinson’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Ringworm
- Weakened immune system
- Dry, sagging, and peeling skin
If your skin is peeling, it may be due to a sunburn – no need to worry if that is the cause. However, if there is more to it than that, it is time to look deeper. As you age, your body decreases certain hormones, including HGH, which plays a role in cellular regeneration.
Collagen and elastin production decline, causing the skin to become thinner and drier and show signs of wrinkles and sagging. According to https://hghtherapydoc.com, such skin problems often are signs of hormonal changes associated with HGH deficiency. If you notice a poor skin condition, consult a hormone doctor to see if that is the cause.
Heredity, hot and cold climates, dehydration, weight loss, illness, and improper skin care can also lead to changes in the skin, as can some medications.
The white plaque on the tongue
Noticing a white coating on your tongue can indicate poor oral health, smoking, mouth breathing, fever, yeast infection due to certain medicines, oral thrush, oral cancer, dehydration, or excessive alcohol use.
Bacteria, debris, and dead cells can become lodged between inflamed and enlarged papillae (fingerlike projections on the tongue), causing the white coating. See a doctor if the situation persists for more than a few weeks or if your tongue hurts.
Swollen ankles
While sitting or standing too long in one position can cause swollen ankles and feet, so can excessive salt consumption, being overweight, pregnancy, injury, insect bite, certain medications (including steroids), a blood clot, infection, or problems with your kidneys, heart, or liver. Hormone imbalances can also cause fluid retention, edema, and swollen ankles.
Contact a doctor if you have diabetes, have a high temperature, experience chills, if the swollen area feels hot or looks red, or if the swelling is painful or severe. These can be signs of serious health issues.
Excessive bloating
The most common causes of excessive bloating are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eating too fast or too much, food intolerance, carbonated beverages, swallowing air, PMS (hormonal issues), intestinal bacterial overgrowth, carbohydrate malabsorption, visceral hypersensitivity, and functional digestive disorders.
Cancer, bowel obstructions, pancreatic problems, and inflammation in the stomach can also cause bloating. Contact a doctor if the problem persists for more than a week, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms, including fever, vomiting, or bleeding.
Eye dryness
Dry eyes can come from many causes, including sarcoidosis, thyroid disorders, allergic eye disease, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Graves’ disease, menopause, lupus, vitamin A deficiency, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Certain medications, nerve damage, and contact lens use can also cause eye dryness. Looking at a computer screen for a long time, dry air, and not blinking enough (especially when reading) can also cause dry eyes. See a doctor if artificial tears do not help or if the symptoms persist.
Shedding hair
While it is normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs daily, more than that can be due to numerous factors, including:
- Stress
- Hormone changes
- High fever
- Significant weight loss
- Birth control changes
- Undergoing an operation
- Pregnancy
- Genetics
- Some hair care products or hairstyles
- Certain medications
Contact a doctor if there is a rash on the skin, redness, itching, pain accompanying the hair loss, or any other concerns about excessive hair loss.
Constant thirst
The most common medical cause of constant thirst is diabetes. Consuming salty or spicy food, pregnancy, certain medications, excessive bleeding, sickle cell anemia, and dehydration are other causes. Contact a doctor if you experience ongoing thirst.
Listen to Your Body and Pay Attention to the Signals it Sends
Rather than ignoring the pain, pushing through the fatigue, or overlooking changes in appearance, take some time and take stock of the situation. Research the symptom to see if it is part of a bigger problem. You might find that it goes along with something else you did not realize was an area of concern.
Your body sends you signals when it is unwell or tired. It may be time to slow down, rest, and focus on self-care. Stress can lead to significant health issues. The warning signs are there, so know them and be aware.
Persisting symptoms are often signs of an underlying problem, so contact the appropriate doctor to get the help you need.
Conclusion
Listening to your body when it is speaking to you can help you stop problems before they become more significant than they are. Seeking medical help, when needed, can reverse those unwanted changes and help you enjoy a healthier, happier life.
