Don't ignore chronic fatigue or headaches
As a cardiologist/internal medicine specialist, Dr. Patricia Davidson frequently sees patients who are concerned that their minor symptoms might be heart-related. "Acid indigestion, lumps in their throat or chest, why they can't walk up the stairs any more or why they're tired all the time -- they want to know if those things might indicate heart problems."
Many medical symptoms often resolve simply and without complication, but it's important to recognize that seemingly simple symptoms may have more serious implications for your health.
Prevent illness by understanding your risks
"What we should be concerned about -- more than each symptom -- is going to our doctor to assess our risks for heart attacks, strokes, or cancer," says Dr. Davidson, who practises at the Washington Hospital Center. She suggests taking a preventative approach to tackling major health risks to increase your chances of detecting illness.
"You want to visit your doctor to find out what your body mass index is, if your blood pressure is high, what your cholesterol levels are, and what your fasting blood sugar is," she explains. "Everything should be about prevention."
Depending on your test results and other factors, including age and family history, you and your doctor can determine risk areas to screen and monitor.
What kinds of common symptoms might be linked to more serious health problems? Below is a small sampling of possibilities but if you feel you have any reason to be concerned about your health, see your doctor.
1. Chronic fatigue: When you feel tired all the time
Do you have trouble sleeping? If you're repeatedly unable to get a good night's rest, it's time to investigate the causes.
Hypersomnia (excessive drowsiness during the day), loud snoring during sleep, waking with a dry mouth or sore throat and morning headaches may be symptoms of sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder that could lead to heart problems and other complications. Although sleep apnea can affect anyone, factors that increase your risk include: smoking, family history, obesity, high blood pressure, and age (risk increases two to three times in people who are older than 65).
2. Headaches
Almost everyone has an occasional headache and it's a relatively minor concern, but chronic headaches might indicate a more serious condiditon you should discuss with your doctor.
Sudden, severe headaches -- when associated with confusion, vision changes or numbness -- indicate you need to take an immediate trip to the doctor.
Click to continue and learn more about joint pain, heartburn and changes in urination...
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