Online Health Tips Health Blog
Although hypochondria is a legitimate mental disorder, we’ve all experienced a bout or two. However, even though not paying attention to a symptom that you’re experiencing isn’t classified as a mental disorder, ignoring it can sometimes do much more damage than overreacting. This can especially be problematic if the symptoms are minor. With this in mind, we’ve outlined 6 of these you should definitely not ignore.
1. Sudden and unexplained weight loss
Sudden weight loss may sound like a dream come true and if you did it without even trying, well, you might be thrilled at how your metabolism has suddenly changed pace. Unfortunately, these things never happen on their own. If you’re not obese and yet you’ve lost more than 10 pounds over the course of the past six to 12 months without changing any habits, it is more than likely that you have an underlying health problem somewhere. This can be caused by a variety of conditions – from hyperthyroidism, diabetes and liver disease, to depression, cancer and many other malabsorption disorders.
2. Changes in vision
Even if you’ve been gifted with the best eyesight in the world, as you get older, it is going to start deteriorating at some point. However, your age might not be the only reason behind this – changes in vision may be a sign of a serious problem. These changes can be the result of an injury, such as a blow to the head, which is a clear sign of brain trauma – everything could end up just fine, but without proper treatment, brain damage just might occur. Changes in vision can also be caused by allergies or infections, so if you start experiencing loss of vision or blurred vision, it’s time to visit a medical professional.
3. Frequent urination
The causes for polyuria, or frequent urination can be drinking too much liquid, especially those containing caffeine and alcohol. Additionally, diabetes is also a known culprit. Frequent urination is also common with pregnant women, as a result of an enlarged uterus. In middle-aged men, however, this is usually caused by prostate, in which case Dr Haddad, one of the leading professionals in the field, recommends that you visit your doctor as soon as possible.
4. Loss of appetite
If you are looking to shed some pounds, loss of appetite may sound like a dream, but in reality, those suffering from actual loss of appetite probably have bigger things on their minds. This symptom can easily be associated with chronic depression, which can be caused by a traumatic event, but also by chemical imbalance, which is a clear sign of an underlying physical problem.
5. Feeling full after eating very little
Not to be confused with loss of appetite, this minor symptom has nothing to do with the human psyche – it is a completely physical issue. If you consistently feel full sooner than normal or after eating less than you usually would, it might be the time to consult your doctor. This feeling is known as “early satiety” and has a tendency of being accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloating and general weight loss. Possible causes of early satiety range from GERD and peptic ulcers to pancreatic cancer.
6. Confusion and personality changes
Sudden inexplicable changes in personality and confusion are not to be disregarded. Migraines are a well-known cause of this symptom, but the problem may be even more serious, ranging from stroke to a brain tumor. Other possibilities include reactions to new medicine or combining pharmaceuticals with alcoholic beverages, as well as an abnormal blood pressure, low blood sugar and dehydration. Regardless of what may cause this symptom, visiting your doctor as soon as possible goes without saying!