But what may seem like nothing to you could, in fact, be an indicator of a serious, even potentially fatal, health issue. Here are seven health symptoms that require action:
1. Irregular menstrual periods. Check with a doctor if your periods are very heavy or contain large clots, or if they last more than seven days or two or more days longer than usual. Spotting between periods is another potential sign of trouble. Bleeding after intercourse is another issue to note. “Frequently these symptoms are left unquestioned and untreated for an inordinate amount of time,” says James A. Simon, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
But these symptoms could be the result of a hormonal imbalance, thyroid disease, uterine fibroids, uterine polyps (noncancerous growths in the endometrium) or even cervical or uterine cancer, which is the most commonly diagnosed gynecological cancer. Get the right diagnosis, which is mandatory to avoid unnecessary procedures such as a hysterectomy. A Pap test, a transvaginal ultrasound, an endometrial biopsy and a hysteroscopy are the procedures to determine the cause.
Another condition associated with menopause is hot flashes, which involve sweating profusely, heart palpitations and sleeplessness. But these symptoms could mask hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid produces excess amounts of thyroxine and overstimulates the organs, speeding up many body functions. If this is the case, treatment is recommended to prevent loss of bone mineral density, which can cause osteoporosis, stroke or heart failure.
2. Mild pain or discomfort in the chest. Don’t hesitate to call 911 because you might be having a heart attack. Perhaps you feel pain in the shoulder, neck or jaw. Do you have nausea and vomiting? Are you sweaty, lightheaded or feeling faint? Severe anxiety or confusion may be another indicator of a heart attack, a condition that presents itself differently, depending on your gender, age and type of heart disease.
3. Hair loss. Older women may assume that losing hair is a natural part of aging. But the true cause may be something serious, like an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. Women ages 20 to 50 are most typically affected by hair loss. It is estimated that 10 percent of women age 40 and older have undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Make an appointment with the doctor. Ask for a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test, which the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends for all women older than age 40.
Left untreated, hypothyroidism could lead to an increase in cholesterol and a greater risk of heart disease. Other ill effects are a decline in memory and concentration.
4. Unexplained changes in bowel habits. Maybe you are producing bloody or black stools or suffering from persistent diarrhea or constipation. Or you have unexplained urges to have a bowel movement. See a doctor to determine the cause. It might be a bacterial infection like salmonella or a viral or parasitic infection. Your changed bowel habits might be a sign of irritable bowel disease or even colon cancer as well.
5. Severe abdominal pain and bloating that occur suddenly, especially if accompanied by nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may indicate a bowel obstruction or a tumor pressing on the bowel. Immediate medical attention is needed to avoid complications like a painful bowel perforation.
There are many causes of serious bloating including cancer of the ovaries, uterus, colon, pancreas (a very aggressive cancer with a low survival rate), or stomach. Or the cause could be liver disease, diverticulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease or Crohn’s disease.
6. Sudden onset of a severe, unbearable headache. Call 911 immediately as it could be a burst aneurysm. Time is of the essence.
7. Unexplained weight loss. You may feel buoyed up by the fact that your clothes are fitting more loosely, but don’t disregard what could be the root cause. Something serious might be going on, like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, depression, cancer, liver disease or disorders that interfere with how the body absorbs nutrients. Or there might be a tumor pressing on the intestines. If you feel full after eating a small amount of food, the reason may be substances secreted by tumors that suppress the appetite. If early satiety occurs with nausea, vomiting or bloating, the reason could be GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), a peptic ulcer or even pancreatic cancer.
8. Shortness of breath. This might be caused by a panic attack after you experience intense anxiety, or something more serious could be going on. You need to seek medical attention to determine if the cause is obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia, a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung), or another heart or lung problem.
In this era of the empowered patient, it is incumbent upon individuals to form an action plan. Prevention is key. Whether you do so individually or with other family members, it is important to know your family history and identify the genetic risks for certain conditions and diseases. If two generations of your family’s women died of breast cancer, yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 should be mandatory. If colon cancer is a worry, schedule a colonoscopy.
Check your body mass index and keep it to less than 25. Overweight and obese people are prone to a constellation of problems, including heart disease, high cholesterol, depression, strokes, diabetes, sleep apnea, gout and gallstones. With these factors in mind, losing weight and consuming a diet heavier on fruits and vegetables than red meat and fast food are wise choices to decrease the onset of a health problem that cannot be reversed.