Red flags are high alert indications that highlight concerns of an unhealthy change in your body. You may not notice or discern warning signs at the early stages, as minor and severe healthcare complications can have overlapping signs and symptoms. But you do not need expert knowledge to evaluate your health and fitness. When your body cannot manage and heal from underlying complications, warning symptoms worsen over time. So, if self-care and medication do not work, head to a doctor. It is dangerous to ignore severe and lasting symptoms.
The following sections discuss some red alert signs you should not ignore and visit a doctor at the earliest.
- Breathing difficulty and persistent cough
Breathing hindrances and cough are common symptoms of cold, flu, allergic reactions, or other respiratory tract viral infections. These issues subside in a few days once your body triggers an immune response against the pathogens, or simple medications can also heal your complications. But if breathing difficulties prolong and accompany a persistent cough, the problem is beyond the control of your immune system.
The lasting pattern of these symptoms can be an indication of a more complex health issue. Mostly, chest and lung diseases like mesothelioma and tuberculosis exhibit these symptoms. These conditions also present other signs like weight loss, face and neck swelling, fatigue, appetite loss, and night sweats. You can also visit mesotheliomahope.com to read more about your symptoms and the likelihood of chronic lung diseases and malignancies. But whatever the condition, you should get through a medical examination and consultation. Your health will suffer more if your complications last longer or worsen over time.
- Chronic fatigue, weakness, and dizziness
Feeling tired and weary is common after a physically intensive activity or workout. Your body consumes reserved energy while working out, so you will feel exhausted until you recharge yourself. But if such a condition continues for days and interferes with your daily life chores, it is not normal. Fatigue, dizziness, and weakness are also some side effects of anemia. It’s a condition where your body lacks the production of red blood cells (RBC), or RBCs undergo more than reparable destruction.
Since red blood cells carry oxygenated blood throughout the cellular structure, a lower RBC count cannot satiate every cell of their required oxygen supply. That is why you feel exhausted. You can repair mild to moderate anemia with iron supplements and a nourishing diet. But if your condition persists and worsens over time, it may indicate more severe complications. For instance, internal infection and bleeding, kidney disease, autoimmunity conditions, or cancer can also cause rapid red blood cell loss. Hence, do not ignore the symptoms and consult a healthcare practitioner.
- Restlessness, hyperventilation, and high heart rate
Everyone can feel anxious, alarmed, and nervous in several fight and flight situations. Unpredictable circumstances or losses can also cause disturbance and panic. Restlessness, rapid breathing, or a higher heart rate are immediate body responses to get ready and maintain composure. And these are transitory responses and last for a few moments. If you experience these irregularities quite often, your body is undergoing some impairment. It’s an unhealthy indication to experience recurring episodes of restlessness, uncontrolled heartbeat, and rapid breathing in routine situations.
In severe cases, these symptoms may indicate a psychological healthcare condition like anxiety, panic disorder, phobia, chronic stress, or depression. Therefore, these are not temporary irregularities since their impact can last longer. For instance, such an episode before bedtime can disturb your mood and sleep. Other short and long-term side effects include hormonal imbalance, irritation, impaired memory and focus, digestive tract problems, and gloominess. The chances of developing coronary heart conditions also increase when your heart keeps pumping at an alarming rate.
- Lower back pain
Lower back pain is one of the frequent health complications around the world. Studies estimate the consequences of lower back pain as the leading cause of disability. It can occur if you spend too much time in a sitting position. Any static and uncomfortable position can fatigue your muscles and skeletal structure, leading to pain. Mostly, office workers experience lower back pain due to long duty hours.
Long hours of traveling and intense physical workouts can also cause lower back pain. Pain can recur if you do not spare time for enough rest or continue with the same uncomfortable body postures every day. And if self-care, rest, or home therapy does not work, it can signal a chronic health challenge. Common underlying reasons are ligament or muscle strain, rupture or bulging of vertebral disks, osteoporosis, and arthritis. However, psychological health conditions can also cause back pain due to fatigue and weariness. It’s also one of the symptoms of colorectal, ovarian, or spinal cancer. So, if you experience persistent lower back pain, it is a cause of concern. If pain lingers over a week or gets severe and accompanies symptoms like tingling or numbness in the legs, or weight loss, see a doctor immediately.
- Unexplained weight loss
Minor weight fluctuations can happen with anyone. Food choices, eating patterns, and physical workouts can affect your weight. Pregnant women also go through a noticeable weight shift throughout their pregnancy tenure. But if you do not have any predictable factors behind your weight loss, your symptoms may point toward a different background. Unexplained or unintentional weight loss is a common side effect of many chronic health conditions. If your body is engaged in an endless fight, it wastes more energy in breakdowns than in storing it. It also lacks nutritional supply when health complications affect your metabolism, appetite, and taste.
Thus, common reasons for unexplained weight loss may include cancer, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, overactive thyroid, irritable bowel syndrome, or other digestive tract complications. In addition, psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, compulsive disorder, or anorexia (eating disorder) also cause drastic changes in your eating habits and weight. Weight loss without any effort may be a positive sign for diet-conscious individuals. But it comes with serious complications. Sudden and unintentional weight loss can promote hair fall, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, irritation, and nutritional deficiencies.
Conclusion
Many minor and severe illnesses can have overlapping symptoms. Your health issue may heal without further complications, even if you experience any of the above symptoms. But bodily symptoms indicate that your body is adjusting or fighting an unusual change. It is better to consult a healthcare practitioner than wait and watch if your symptoms do not subside in some time. Delaying health complications can put you in a more challenging situation.
