7 Symptoms of Health Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore

Don’t miss these 7 signs of serious health conditions, to ensure your health and overall wellbeing.

1. Red rashes on the cheeks

There are many causes of red rashes on the cheeks. It can be a symptom of seborrheic dermatitis, skin irritation, allergic reaction, and atopic dermatitis. The most unpleasant causes of rushes on the cheeks are lupus and psoriasis. Both psoriasis and lupus are autoimmune diseases. Psoriasis is a disease that makes your body too fast causing red scaly patches. While psoriasis often appears on the forehead or legs, it can also affect your face.

Lupus makes your immune system mistake part of your body as something foreign and attacks them. The rash associated with lupus is often shaped like a butterfly. The treatment usually includes anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid drugs, and medication to relieve joint problems. The doctor may also suggest medications to reduce the number of antibodies and relieve symptoms.

2. Changes in handwriting style

If you noticed major changes in your handwriting style(words look more crowded together or much smaller), it can be an early symptom of Parkinson's disease. Handwriting test is one of the ways doctors diagnose Parkinson's disease. If you have this condition, then each sentence you write gets smaller and smaller and words become more crowded together. Along with handwriting changes, you may experience that you've lost your sense of smell or have more vivid dreams.

If you experience the symptoms for more than several weeks, you need to schedule an appointment with your general doctor and neurologist to get it checked. The sooner Parkinson's disease is diagnosed, the easier it will be to manage the symptoms.

3. Heartburn

Heartburn is a widespread issue that causes a burning sensation in the throat or chest. It happens when the acidity in your stomach increases. Occasional heartburn can be caused by consuming decadent products, spicy foods, or alcohol. People with obesity and smokers are also prone to heartburn. But if you experience heartburn frequently, this can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

While GERD isn’t a life-threatening condition, it may contribute to more severe health problems. For the treatment of GERD and heartburn, your doctor may suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. If these treatments appear to be ineffective, your doctor might recommend surgery.

4. Skin becomes pale

In the autumn and winter, your skin naturally becomes paler. But if the skin suddenly becomes paler than usual, it indicates problems with blood flow in your body. Lighter skin tone is a symptom that your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells. If skin lightening is accompanied by abnormal weakness or fatigue, anemia can be to blame. Anemia means your blood has trouble carrying enough oxygen throughout your body. This condition can be potentially life-threatening.

If you suspect you have anemia, let your doctor know about it to get some blood work done. If it’s anemia, the doctor may recommend dietary changes and supplements to manage your condition.

5. Sudden weight loss

Weight loss can be normal if you have made changes to your diet, increased your exercise regimen, or were exposed to severe stress. But if nothing except your weight hasn’t changed and your weight is still falling, it can be a symptom of a serious health problem. If your weight decreased by more than 10 pounds without a clear reason, it can be a symptom of adrenal insufficiency, diabetes, celiac disease, and even cancer.

It is important to visit your primary care doctor ASAP. The faster you get a diagnosis, the sooner your doctor can start treatment to prevent serious complications.

6. Numbness

Numbness isn’t necessarily indicating serious health conditions. Sometimes it can be a sign that you sat on your foot for too long. But if you experience numbness just on the one side of your body or in your face, arms, or legs it can be a warning symptom of stroke. If numbness is accompanied by sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech you need to seek emergency medical help. Other common causes of numbness are Grave's disease, diabetes complications, and herniated disc.

If you suspect you or your relatives have a stroke, call 911 immediately. If numbness is caused by something else, schedule an appointment with your doctor to get it checked.

7. Sudden weight gain

The most common causes of weight gain are low physical activity and poor diet. But if you eat a healthy diet and do sports regularly, your weight gain can be caused by serious medical conditions. One of the diseases that can contribute to sudden weight gain is hypothyroidism. This is a health issue in which your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones which regulate your metabolism. This can lead to rapid weight gain.

Another common cause of weight gain is polycystic ovary syndrome. This disease affects the function of your ovaries. Along with weight gain, you may experience irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant, and growing excess hair.