8 Subtle But Serious Symptoms No Woman Should Ignore
Let’s be honest – women are expected to serve in all of life’s roles all the time.
We are daughters, wives, mothers, caregivers, businesswomen, leaders, volunteers, and athletes, always called to give our all. It’s what’s expected of us and, if we’re being totally honest, it’s a pretty unreasonable “ask” that comes with almost no acknowledgment.
Serving all these roles can not only be exhausting, but it can also draw our focus away from our health and physical limits.
If you have ever experienced the “man flu” with your spouse, you know how strong women are when dealing with health issues, but that strength can sometimes cloud our recognition of serious medical problems.
The following list contains eight easily ignored symptoms that could be disastrous to your health if left unchecked. Pay close attention to your body and alert your doctor of any changes in your health.
8. Frequent or severe headaches
The occasional headache from crying over a sad movie or an incredibly stressful day is normal, but if you are having frequent or severe headaches, it is time to talk to your doctor. Headaches could be an indication of the following:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Hypothyroidism
- Infection
- Brain tumor
7. Unexplained weight gain or loss
It is normal for your weight to fluctuate between 2-4 pounds a day, but if these little fluctuations are adding up to weight loss or weight gain, it may be time to talk to your doctor. If your weight is changing by 10 pounds or more within a few months without diet or lifestyle change it may be a sign of the following:
- Thyroid disorder
- Digestive problems
- Celiac disease
- Fluid retention
- Cancer
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
6. A new or evolving mole
Keeping track of moles on your body is crucial to your overall health. Become familiar with all your unique beauty marks so that you will notice if any begin to grow, sheer, scale, or bleed. New or changing moles could be a sign of skin cancer. Use the following to inventory your moles mentally.
- Shape
- Edges
- Color
- Size
- Diameter
5. Stomach pain and bloating
Abdominal bloating is common during certain times in the menstrual cycle, and after eating certain foods, so it is easy to take an antacid and forget about it. Stomach pain and bloating should go away quickly; if they persist for a week or more, they could be indicating a more severe condition like the following:
- Ovarian cancer
- Celiac disease
- Diverticulitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
4. Vision Changes
As we age, it is normal for our vision to change. The newspaper needs to sit farther away, and the grandkids need to sit closer. However, drastic or non-symmetrical vision changes are a big warning sign for women of any age. If you have vision changes that only affect one eye, sudden double vision, or blind spots, you may have the following:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Shingles
- Thyroid disorder
- Multiple Sclerosis
3. Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Abnormal vaginal bleeding occurs after between periods or after menopause and should be discussed with your doctor. Abnormal bleeding from the vagina could be due to the following:
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Endometrial polyp
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
2. Persistent fatigue
If you frequently can’t seem to get out of bed in the morning and continue to feel sluggish throughout the day, it is time to talk to your doctor. Many of us struggle with getting to bed at a decent hour, let alone sleep. But if you are getting sufficient sleep and still feeling tired and lethargic it could be from one of the following:
- Sleep disorder
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Depression
- Cancer
- Anemia
1. Chest Pain or discomfort
We all know that chest pain is a serious warning that something is wrong and may mean a heart attack. But do not dismiss chest pain or discomfort even if you have ruled out a heart attack, it could be one of the following:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Inflammation of the heart muscle or sac
- Gallstones
- Angina