These Common Symptoms Are Actually a Sign of Serious Illness
It’s easy to disregard your body’s minor aches. We’ve all had a twinge of pain we’ve managed to get over, and a cold doesn’t usually warrant a doctor. This doesn’t mean you should overlook your symptoms, however. Many minor signs could actually signal a serious health issue. Do you frequently feel cold? One serious condition may be the culprit (on page 10).
1. Eye discomfort that won’t go away
Sign of: a detached or torn retina
You can recognize a condition like pink eye fairly easily, but pain that’s invisible to the naked eye is tougher to acknowledge. Don’t ignore specks or flashes of light in your eyes — it could be a sign of a detached or torn retina. When the light-sensitive layer of your eye tears or pulls away, you can go blind, according to the National Eye Institute. See an eye doctor ASAP.
Next: Do you do this while you’re sleeping?
Sign of: sleep apnea, cardiovascular problems
If you’re just snoring occasionally (or while you have a cold), that’s totally normal. But more consistent, frequent bouts of snoring may be a sign of issues to come. WebMD explains this nighttime habit can lead to obstructive sleep apnea that can cause you to stop breathing repeatedly while you’re sleeping. This can lead to a lack of oxygen to the brain over time, putting major strain on your heart that can lead to high blood pressure and disease.
Next: Make sure you visit a dentist regularly.
3. Sore or bleeding gums
Sign of: heart problems
Reader’s Digest explains there’s a bigger link between your mouth and your heart than you think. A study from the University of Florida found the bacteria that can cause your gums to become swollen and inflamed can also negatively affect your heart. And even more research suggests that having high levels of certain types of bacteria in the mouth could also be linked to having thicker carotid arteries.
You should pay your dentist a visit every six months. Both your teeth and your heart will thank you.
Next: Maybe you just stood up too fast?
4. Dizzy spells
Sign of: iron deficiency or a neurological disorder
Best case scenario: You stood up too fast. Worst case: You have a neurological condition, like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. Another possibility is that you could be iron deficient. As Healthline explains, “Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen around the body.” If you experience dizzy spells, you should see a doctor.
Next: No water bottle is big enough for this condition.
5. Persistent thirst
Sign of: diabetes or kidney failure
Salty snacks or takeout are often the culprits of intense thirst. However, if it seems like you can’t fill your system with enough water, your body may be struggling to absorb water. Diabetes mellitus is a rare condition that causes excessive thirst through hyperglycemia. And kidney failure can often show itself as relentless thirst and frequent bathroom breaks.
Next: This is one of the earliest signs of cancer.
6. Unexplained weight loss
Sign of: various cancers
You may be one of the millions attempting to lose some body fat, but if you’ve suddenly lost weight without any idea how or why, this is cause for concern. Cancer.Net explains those who have cancer of any kind often experience weight loss as their first symptom. The publication notes 40% of those diagnosed with cancer said they experienced unexplained weight loss, and for those with advanced cancer, up to 80% reported they experienced this symptom, too.
In addition to weight loss, you may also have fatigue, weakness, or a lack of energy when you develop cancer.
Next: If you’re always tired, you should pay attention to this symptom.
7. Excessive sleepiness
Sign of: kidney disease
It may seem like you’d know for sure if something was wrong with your kidneys, but like so many other diseases, it’s not always so obvious. The National Kidney Foundation notes it’s very common to experience extreme tiredness when your kidneys aren’t functioning optimally. This is due to toxins building in the blood or anemia, which can also cause bodily weakness. As for other symptoms to watch out for, having dry skin, seeing blood in your urine, and swelling around the ankles or feet are all common.
Next: It could just be a cough — but it also could be this deadly disease.
8. A persistent cough
Sign of: chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder
It may start as just a tickle in the back of your throat, but if you find that your cough just isn’t going away, it could be a sign of something worse. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD, describes all progressive lung diseases that can turn deadly. Whether you have the beginning stages of emphysema, non-reversible asthma, or chronic bronchitis, these all fall under the COPD umbrella term.
While smoking is a major risk factor, it’s not the only way you can develop this disease. Be wary of a phlegmy or dry cough with breathlessness or wheezing.
Next: Your dry skin could mean something more.
9. Dry, cracked skin
Sign of: hypothyroidism
If you’re using up bottles of lotion faster than you can buy them, yet your skin can’t seem to retain moisture, this might be more than just general dryness from the weather. Your thyroid actually controls a lot of bodily processes, including skin health. Rough, dry skin could mean your thyroid is sluggish, explains Dermato-Endocrinology.
Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough necessary hormones. While there are many symptoms you may know of, such as weight gain, watch out for dry skin, too.
Next: If you can’t regulate your temperature, you could have this condition.
10. Constantly feeling cold
Sign of: anemia
You may think you just run colder than the rest of your family, but in truth, feeling chilled constantly could be an indicator of anemia. WebMD explains this condition occurs when you don’t have enough red blood cells to bring your body necessary oxygen. This can then cause you to feel tired, weak, or extra cold.
If you think you may have anemia, a simple blood test can determine this. And dietary changes or adding supplements in can make a huge difference.
Next: As you age, you may be worried about this disease.
11. Difficulty recalling information
Sign of: Alzheimer’s
If Alzheimer’s runs in your family, you’ll want to stay extra vigilant in knowing the symptoms of the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association explains this disease causes a decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning — and the early signs aren’t always very noticeable. If you do find you can’t recall words, phrases, or peoples’ names that you should know, this could be an early indicator that something’s off. Additionally, take notice if you’re having problems completing everyday home tasks or if you’re misplacing things.
Next: Pay attention to your skin.
12. Having a sore that won’t heal
Sign of: skin cancer
Even if you’re a stickler for sunscreen, you should be aware of other skin cancer signs. WebMD explains skin cancer often just starts with a change in your skin’s texture, so you may not notice it at first. Additionally, if you have a sore that won’t heal, this can also indicate you have a cancerous growth that needs removal.
Skin cancer is often treatable when found early, so don’t delay. If you notice any abnormal changes in your skin, contact your doctor.
Next: This cancer often comes with no symptoms, so know this one.
13. Chest pain
Sign of: lung cancer
The American Lung Association notes there aren’t many symptoms of lung cancer until it’s reached its late stages — and that’s one of the reasons it’s incredibly deadly. If you’re a smoker or cancer runs in your family, you should be extra vigilant in keeping track of any possibly signs. If you have chest pain that seemingly never goes away, this is a sign things are amiss. Additionally, pay attention to a constant cough, hoarseness, or frequent lung infections that compromise your ability to breathe.
Next: Shaky hands could mean you’re developing this disease.
14. Hand tremors
Sign of: Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease affects your central nervous system and causes tremors in up to 80% of patients, the American Parkinson Disease Association notes. Not all bodily shakes are associated with Parkinson’s, of course. But if you notice that you’re experiencing hand tremors when you’re at rest more often than when you’re actually moving, then this is a sign you should take note of. In the case of this disease, the tremor is typically just on one side, too.
Next: This early-morning symptom is easy to forget about.
15. Stiff joints in the morning
Sign of: rheumatoid arthritis
Feeling stiff in the morning could just be a sign you’re getting older. But in the beginning stages of rheumatoid arthritis, it’s common to experience this symptom, WebMD notes.
When joint pain first starts, it’ll often feel most noticeable in the morning hours — and by the afternoon, you may not notice it at all. Just because you’re not in pain all day long doesn’t mean you should ignore it, however. If it’s arthritis, the pain will worsen over time when left untreated.
16. Changes in your bathroom habits
Sign of: prostate, bladder, or colon cancer
It could be your food or drinking habits that are influencing how often you head to the bathroom — but it could also be a sneaky disease that comes with few other symptoms. The American Cancer Society explains bladder cancer can cause changes in how often you urinate, and prostate cancer can cause a slower-than-usual urine stream.
And if you haven’t been checked for colon cancer and you’re over the age of 50, you should be getting screened. This common cancer is also incredibly preventable. A change in bowel habits can also indicate you may have developed it.
Next: Do you need new glasses?
17. Worsening vision
Sign of: diabetes
Diabetes affects millions, and you can develop it any age. While there aren’t too many obvious symptoms of the disease, one you should pay attention to is if your vision start to blur out of nowhere. Healthline explains blurry vision is one of the first symptoms of hyperglycemia, a sign of diabetes that occurs when sugar builds up in the blood. If your blurry vision is left untreated, it can turn much worse. Visit a doctor at the first sign of eye problems.
Next: Don’t ignore this sign that a stroke is coming.
18. Numbness in the limbs
Sign of: stroke
You may know a drooping face or having trouble understanding others are common signs of stroke. But if you’re experiencing numbness in your limbs, this is also something that should never be ignored. WebMD says a stroke can occur gradually, and before one strikes, you may find your arms and legs are weak, especially on just one side of your body. Try this test: Raise both of your arms and see if one drops down automatically. This is a sign something worse is to come.
Christine Skopec also contributed to this article.
Meg Dowell also contributed to this article.
Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!