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7 Warning Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

01 - May - 2021 Navarro Medical

A woman measuring her weight on a physician scaleAre you wondering if you should seek medical attention for a new or persistent symptom? You have likely been taught to ignore certain medical concerns that often go away on their own like occasional muscle cramps after a long run. However, these seven warning signs could be indicating something more serious is going on.

High Fever
Sometimes, we all get a mild fever from time to time for various reasons. That said, if your temperature continues longer than three days or your fever rises to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or above, contact your physician immediately. This could be a sign there is more infection than your body can handle on its own.

Sudden Unexplained Weight Loss or Weight Gain
Weight can naturally fluctuate and changes in diet, sleep, and exercise can bring about weight gain or weight loss. On the other hand, if there is no change to your daily routine in these areas and you are not taking a new medication, a noticeable increase or decrease in your weight should be reported to your physician. An example might be more than three pounds within 24 hours or five pounds within a week.

Sharp Unexplained Pain
Although you may experience a sharp pain in your stomach from dietary changes or a headache from sinus pressure or eye strain on occasion, unexplained sharp pains or persistent pain should always be checked out by your primary care physician. This includes, but is not limited to, pain in your chest, back, neck, abdomen, left arm, breast, under the breast, or side. Remember to note the duration, frequency of occurrence, and pain level to help your physician diagnose and monitor your symptoms.

Bright Flashes
If you are seeing bright flashes of light, notify your doctor. This could mean there is something changing with your eyes or it could be linked with a migraine or other seemingly unrelated medical condition. However, ignoring this symptom could lead to a more progressive state of the underlying cause as well as spark the onset of new symptoms.

Mood Swings That Impact Your Relationships
We all go through a series of emotions throughout each day. Also, when a traumatic event has taken place or you have recently suffered a loss, there may be an understandable period of time when you feel out of sorts. Even a lifestyle shift such as a job change or new stressor could have a noticeable impact on your mood swings and your relationships. On the other hand, extreme mood swings or obvious changes in your mood that are not associated with a significant life event may be a warning sign your body is unable to restore a natural balance on its own. This could be due to a wide variety of reasons and a medical professional should be contacted to help you determine the cause.

Changes in Urination or Bowel Movements
This may sound gross, but it is critical to your health to pay attention to changes in your urine and bowel movements. If you notice a pungent odor in your urine, see blood in either your urine or stool, or the color looks different for either urine or your bowel movement, it is time to contact your physician. Generally speaking, your bowel movements should be log-like, intact for the most part, soft to firm in texture, medium to dark brown in color, and painless to pass. Healthy urine typically presents as pale to amber in color without a pungent odor, froth, or pain.

New Skin Growths or Growth Color and Size Changes
As we age, you can expect some skin changes or new skin growths to appear. While most will likely be harmless changes, all changes or growths should be reported to your primary care physician or dermatologist. This is another area that pays to be observant as it is far better to treat the early signs of skin cancer and other conditions as opposed to waiting until the disease develops.

In short, symptoms are your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong. Although some aches, pains, and changes are normal to experience, it is always a good idea to keep track of such symptoms and changes to update your physician at your next appointment. If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your primary care physician immediately to find out if further testing or treatment is required. For Lake Wales, Florida residents, Dr. Navarro welcomes new patients and offers in-office appointments, virtual visits, or hospital visits as needed. Contact Navarro Medical today to make an appointment and learn more about the Navarro care difference.