Health symptoms women shouldn’t ignore

Studies have shown that while many women are aware that diet and exer cise, in addition to regular Pap tests, mammograms and physicals, are important to good health, when they experience symp toms such as a persistent sore throat or fatigue, they tend to dismiss these as being symptoms of a common cold or virus when they are warning signs of a serious health problem.

Sudden weakness

Sudden onset of weakness in the face or limbs may indicate a stroke. Additional symptoms include sudden confusion, slurred speech, blurred vi sion, and difficulty walking. In addition to your family and friends, you should be aware of these symptoms as it may be difficult to recognize them and receive immediate assistance on your own.

Frequent shortness of breath

Some women experience shortness of breath when exerting themselves when their hearts do not receive suf ficient blood supply. However, most silent heart attacks occur in women, where breathlessness and extreme fatigue are the more common symp toms, rather than chest pain. Anae mia and lung disease are also com mon causes of shortness of breath in women.

Vision problems

As you age, your vision may blur, but if you suddenly have difficulty see ing or notice blurred vision in one or both eyes, it could be a sign of a stroke. Likewise, those suffering from migraines may experience flash ing lights or even coloured auras. Nevertheless, remember that the same symptom could also indicate that your retina has been torn or detached. The problem may result in permanent blindness if not ad dressed promptly.

Chest pain

If you are experiencing chest pain, rapid heartbeat, pain in your arms, shoulders, or jaw, and/or shortness of breath, these symptoms may in dicate a heart condition. In addition, there is a very rare condition known as spontaneous dissection of the arteries supplying the heart muscle. This condition can affect young peo ple and occurs more often in women than men.

Snoring and excessive drowsiness

You may suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea if you fall asleep at work and other places, which is a condition in which you cease and restart your breathing throughout the night and snore loudly. If left un treated, it can lead to cardiovascular problems and weight gain.

Abnormal breast lumps

It is normal for the female breast to have a few lumps and bumps. How ever, do not delay in seeking medical advice if you notice any lump that sticks to the chest wall or skin, chang es in the overlying skin, or changes in the appearance of the nipple. Such changes may indicate the presence of breast cancer.

Excessive stress & anxiety

Stress is a part of life. However, this does not mean that it should be ig nored. If you find that the stress levels are too great to handle and are inter fering with your day-to-day function ing, you should see your physician as soon as possible.

Sudden weight change

The sudden loss of weight without any specific effort could signify a health problem. An overactive thy roid, diabetes, psychological disor ders, liver disease, or cancer are the most common causes. Alternatively, suppose you have gained weight without changing your diet or activ ity level. This could indicate an under active thyroid, depression, or other metabolic diseases.

Changes in menstruation

It is normal for your period to change throughout your life, but if you notice something different, see your doc tor. Sudden changes in the quantity, duration, flow, and amount of pain need to be investigated. Symptoms of these changes may be related to normal menopause or might be indicative of benign conditions like polycystic ovaries or uterine fibroids. Occasionally, they may indicate serious conditions such as pelvic infections and gynaeco logical cancers.

Changes in skin

You should be alert to any changes in your skin. Darkened skin in your arm pits or behind your neck and multiple skin tags could be signs of diabetes. Crusty, scaly growths may indicate a precancerous condition such as actinic or solar Keratosis. Please be aware of changes in the size, shape, or colour of existing moles and any new spots that may appear.

Excessive tiredness

A variety of factors can cause exces sive fatigue. However, if you feel con stantly tired, it could indicate some underlying metabolic disorder or a serious inflammatory condition such as cancer, dementia/ Parkinson’s dis ease. Note: If you experience symptoms that don’t feel right, consult your physician. You know your body the best and know when something isn’t right. It is important to seek medical attention and to receive the cor rect treatment ad vice from a qualified physician.