When people people have a headache or just feel sick, the instinct of most is to hide in bed until it goes away. Sometimes, that is the right thing to do. Others, it very much is not. How to tell if a symptom is just annoying or a sign of something worse is difficult for most to determine, however, and no one wants to be the hypochondriac annoying an emergency room nurse. Some symptoms should never be ignored though and here are five to address immediately.
- Abdominal Bloating: This does not refer to the normal discomfort after eating fast food. No, this means a constant feeling of discomfort or mild pain, and it really only pertains to women. Why is it important? For some women, this could be a symptom of ovarian cancer. It may be rare, but that does not mean the possibility should be ignored.
- Fatigue: If you have a hard time getting up in the morning because you did not go to bed until dawn, local doctors are not going to offer you much help. However, if you have a persistent lack of energy no matter how much rest you get, that deserves medical attention. This can be a sign of any number of ailments, including cancer, so it might be best to pull into that walk in clinic on the way home and get a professional opinion.
- Swollen Leg: If your leg is noticeably swollen for no obvious cause, seek immediate medical attention. No emergency room nurse will be annoyed at this visit, since a swollen leg could be caused by a blood clot, and can be fatal if not treated quickly.
- Chest Pain: Most people do not need to be told why this might need medical attention, the symptoms of heart attack are well known. However, some people, especially women, have a hard time believing they might be at risk. So, if you have chest pain, especially if it radiates out to the neck, jaw or arms or if it presents with shortness of breath, go to the emergency room.
- Blood in Urine: This is never a normal event and should be brought to the attention of a medical professional. If you have no other symptoms, a visit to a walk in health clinic will be sufficient.
There is always a need to believe that any physical ailment will pass quickly and a belief that bad things only happen to other people, plus no one wants to be perceived badly, even by an emergency room nurse they have never met. However, that belief is not reality and should not prevent you from taking appropriate care of yourself. If there is something wrong, go to the doctor instead of regretting it later.
