What is more important than your health? Not much. If you don’t feel well you can’t do the simple things that we all take for granted when we’re full of energy and raring to go.
There are some health symptoms and signs you should be aware of – if you suffer from any of these on a regular basis it might be time to go and see your Doctor to make sure you’re in A1 condition.
Frequent headaches
We all get headaches from time to time, and a good sleep or making sure you’re properly hydrated can combat them. If you’re having them more frequently and they’re not responding to pain relief or are debilitating you for days at a time, it might be worth having a health check. In many cases it will simply be a case of resting more and relaxing, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Sleeping too much
Who doesn’t love a lie in at weekend? However, if you’re finding that getting up is simply too exhausting, or that you’re sleeping longer than you used to without feeling refreshed, it might be time to see if there’s something wrong with you. Sometimes sleeping a lot can be a sign of anaemia or even depression. It’s worth seeing your Dr if so.
Not sleeping enough
Sometimes we can’t sleep at all! The opposite problem. If you’ve been having persistent issues with insomnia or are finding that you can’t sleep at night and then want to sleep all day, see your GP. You might simply need some help to relax and unwind.
Acne
Many of us will experience skin outbreaks from time to time, but they can sometimes be indicative of something wrong in the body. If you have spots and they come and go randomly, that’s not a problem – but if your face is red and blotchy all the time and it doesn’t respond to over the counter treatments, it can sometimes be a sign of inflammation or problems with your digestion. A simple blood test can let you know if you have any hormone issues that need to be rectified.
Pelvic pain
Women will all experience pelvic pain at some point in their lives, but if the pain becomes worse suddenly or more persistent you should talk to a Gynaecologist. Conditions like Endometriosis, PCOS and PMDD can cause problems with severe pain and a simple ultrasound, blood test or scan will help diagnose any problems.
Feeling bloated all the time
From time to time we might all feel bloated and “full”, without explanation – after a day or two this might pass. If you feel persistently bloated and full, and find that you cannot eat properly or feel stuffed after a few mouthfuls of food, you should see a GP. In women, it can be an early warning sign of Ovarian cancer.
Needing to drink more frequently
Making sure you’re hydrated is very important, but if you’re suddenly drinking much more and not peeing, or you frequently want to drink sugary drinks like Cola or Lemonade then you might need a check up to see if you have diabetes.
New moles or freckles
If you suddenly develop new moles on your skin, or the ones you have turn darker or change colour, you should get them checked out. The same goes for if you notice your freckles changing colour or becoming raised and sore. This can sometimes be a sign of melanoma – but if dealt with quickly by your Doctor you can have them removed quickly without any further problems.
Persistent stomach pain
If you’ve had persistent stomach pain that won’t ease up, or if you’ve had intermittent pain that comes and goes, it can sometimes be worth making a note of what you’re eating and see if that has any bearing on it. If the pain is getting worse and not responding to relaxation or pain relief, see a Doctor. Conditions like IBS will give symptoms like persistent stomach pain, bloating, gas and bowel problems.
Chest pain
Chest pain can be triggered by stress, by smoking and too much fatty food (dyspepsia and indigestion). A few lifestyle changes can help stop it. However, if the pain comes on suddenly with no explanation, you MUST go to A&E or see an emergency Doctor. Sometimes panic attacks can cause pain like this – but it can often be something more serious. Persistent chest pain should not be ignored.
Severe head pain
Not a headache, but sudden pain over the eye, on the side of the head or near the neck should be looked at straight away. This can be indicative of a stroke, of migraine or of a tumour.
Pain after you’ve exercised
If after you exercise you notice you’re in pain or it takes a long time to recover, then you should see a doctor. If the pain is in your extremities or in your chest, seek help straight away. Pain after any sort of exertion can mean a serious medical condition which needs to be treated.
