Contributed by: Healthians Team

Introduction

It might be difficult to decide whether to consult a doctor if you have minor health issues.

You may be tempted to disregard minor symptoms because you just do not have the time to schedule a diagnostic test.

However, many diseases have no troubling symptoms at first. While there is a possibility that your symptoms are common or harmless, there is also a possibility they could be life-threatening.

Keeping this in mind, you should not disregard any of the below five health symptoms:

Unexplained persistent fatigue

We lead hectic lives and most of us know what it’s like to be tired. But if this tiredness is becoming overwhelming and you are too exhausted even to manage your daily affairs, then it’s a sign that something is not right.

Unexplained fatigue can be due to many reasons:

If unexplained fatigue has persisted for two or more weeks despite making an effort to rest, it is best to call for an appointment with your doctor.

Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath—what doctors call dyspnea—is the feeling when you can’t draw a complete breath.

Breathing difficulty that comes on suddenly, is persistent or interferes with your daily activities can be due to many reasons:

  • Overweight
  • OSA
  • COPD
  • Asthma
  • Pneumonia
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Anaemia

Shortness of breath is a symptom that should be addressed. It is not recognised as an issue that requires you to see your physician because it appears gradually.

If you have shortness of breath at rest or have difficulty moving air in or out of your lungs, you should consult your doctor immediately as it may be a sign of a more serious condition.

Frequent headaches

Having headaches once in a while is common, especially if you have a busy lifestyle, and can be relieved by some food or coffee, a short rest or some OTC medicines.

But if headaches are frequent and occur almost every day then that is not normal.

Chronic headaches that occur 15 or more days out of the month and occur constantly include:

If you experience severe, recurrent, or debilitating headaches that get progressively worse over the course of several weeks, it is important to consult a doctor.

Abdominal pain

Most abdominal pains are not anything serious and go away after a few days. The pain may be mild or severe. It may be continuous or intermittent.

It may be acute or chronic. The pain has many potential causes. The most common causes that usually aren’t serious include: 

However, other conditions are most concerning and may require urgent medical attention. If pain in the abdominal region lasts one week or longer, if the pain doesn’t improve in 24 to 48 hours, or it has become severe along with noticeable symptoms, then the doctor should be consulted immediately.

Change in bowel movements

Bowel movements are a strong indicator of your digestive health. Alterations in the colour, shape and texture of your stool over the course of a day can be caused by a temporary infection, taking certain medications, a food allergy or sensitivity.

Some chronic conditions also cause changes in bowel habits, including: 

If you experience severe or persistent symptoms, and if you’re concerned about the symptoms you’re experiencing, speak to your gastroenterologist so that you can work together to alleviate the discomfort.

Final thoughts

If you don’t know the last time you had a thorough health screening, it’s probably been a while.

Being aware of your body is an important factor in keeping yourself healthy.

Get a preventive health check-up, learn about your health status, make informed decisions ahead of time, and enjoy peace of mind.

And if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Lifestyle & Wellness, Preventive Health
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