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The only reason why the life expectancy of the average human being has soared in modern times is due to the development of science and medicine, and as such, it makes sense that everyone should take advantage of such developments and always see their doctor when they feel as if something is wrong.
Now, with busy lives and the expense and inconvenience of arranging and then attending a medical appointment, many people simply hope their signs and symptoms will go away on their own, which often happens.
There are, however, more unusual symptoms you should always get checked out for, and here are six of the main ones.
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Swollen Legs, Ankles Or Feet
Firstly, at some point in your life, whether having just disembarked from a long-haul flight or after a long day hiking through the woods when you usually work from home, you will have noticed a swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.
This usually tends to disappear after a few hours or even overnight entirely. Still, there are a host of other, more serious, causes of swollen legs, and it is important to have a medical professional ascertain the root cause.
Standing in the same position for a long period of time or, indeed, sitting for hours at a time, can cause the ankles and legs to swell, as will being overweight or obese, being pregnant, taking specific medicines such as certain brands of blood pressure tablets and even eating food containing high levels of salt.
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Chronic Fatigue
In today’s hectic modern world, most adults’ lives are packed full of personal commitments and professional responsibilities. It is little wonder that, upon occasion, you have days whereby you would much rather spend the whole time in bed, resting and recharging.
This, in itself, is entirely normal, but feeling tired all the time, even after a good night’s sleep and experiencing periods of chronic fatigue, could be a sign of something slightly more serious.
Not only can lack of sleep on a long-term basis be a sign of something, but it can also cause a host of new issues, as sleep is vital for your physical and mental health.
Just some of the reasons why sleep is crucial include the following:
- Lack of sleep will mean you are 45% likely to gain weight
- Lack of sleep reduces your energy and motivation levels
- Less than 7 hours of sleep a night can increase your risk of diabetes
- Depression is more likely to afflict those who do not sleep properly
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Intense Headaches Or Regular Migraines
Next, if you have recently been experiencing intense headaches, whether at work, out shopping at the store, or simply when you are at home relaxing in front of the television, then you should make an appointment with your doctor.
There are, as you would expect, a whole host of reasons why you may be having headaches, and if you have never before been someone who suffers from migraines or indeed suddenly develops the worst headache you have ever experienced, the sooner you see the doctor, the better.
Possible less serious causes for your intense headaches could include:
- The common cold or flu symptoms
- Failing to eat regular and healthy meals
- Lack of fluids
- Taking painkillers on a too-regular basis
- Drinking alcohol in excess
- Poor posture
- Issues with your eyesight
In more severe cases, a headache could be an indication of:
- Gum or tooth infections
- Concussion or another head injury
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heatstroke
- Severe dehydration
- Brain Infection
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Random Flashes Of Light
Whether you have recently experienced a physical injury to the eye area or, indeed, your forehead or on another part of your face, or you have simply been skipping too many nights’ sleep, you could start to see random flashes of light, either in the corner of your eyes or across your vision.
Often referred to as floaters, these flashes of light, or the sense in which extra particles float back and forward across your peripheral vision, need to be investigated by your doctor.
You could be experiencing an infection in one or both of your eyes, have an inflammation of the eyeball itself (Uveitis), have a retina tear, or have retinal detachment.
Thankfully, there are different surgeries to treat each of these eye issues, but the sooner you have your eyes assessed, the sooner you should have one of these problems. Can you be treated and cured?
Proper eye care is often overlooked, and many people neglect to give their eyesight a second thought until there is a problem, so make sure you follow these tips moving forward:
- Ensure your eyes are lubricated and never become dry
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
- Avoid excessively rubbing your eyes
- Try and get a good night’s sleep
- Wear sunglasses (and not just during the summer months)
- Take regular breaks from monitors and screens
- Wear prescribed glasses as you should
- Avoid smoking
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Irritated & Itchy Skin
Being the largest organ of the human body, the skin is exposed to the elements daily and is the first point of contact for bacteria, germs, and other poisonous and toxic alien elements.
You would have been exceedingly fortunate had you not already experienced, at least once, a rash or bite on your skin from an insect that looks like nothing but a small mark but causes you intense irritation. When you can explain away, for a fact, why your skin is itching in a specific area, this is usually nothing to worry about whatsoever.
Topical skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, to name just two, are rashes that, while there is no cure, can be managed through creams, therapy, deep breathing, and meditation.
In direct contrast to this, itchy and irritated skin can also be a sign of a more serious health condition, such as Hodgkin lymphoma and other types of cancers.
Leading treatment centers like Moffitt Cancer Center are experts in not only developing personal treatment plans to fight many different types of cancer but also helping to guide you through the emotional journey you will experience during your treatment.
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The Inability To Feel Happy
Feeling as if you will never smile or laugh again is not only solely a symptom of depression or another mental illness but can instead occur simultaneously when you are experiencing another physical illness.
Living in the modern world is stressful for the vast majority of people, and a huge number of factors could be causing you to currently not enjoy the things you used to love. If you feel as if you are starting to withdraw yourself from your friends and family, spending long periods of time in bed, obsessively checking social media, and even neglecting personal hygiene, these are all signs and symptoms of MDD (Major Depressive Disorder).
Unequivocally, if this sounds like you, then do not hesitate to make an appointment with a doctor to see whether or not you have depression and to see what treatment options are available for you. Therapy is a common treatment for depression, and it can help you to talk through your low mood and how to manage it.