5 health symptoms you should never ignore
Will that tingling foot pain go away by itself, or could it be the sign of something far more serious? We look at five symptoms you should never ignore
We all know when our health is good. We have great energy, we feel good and our body works well for us, whether we ask it to do a long-distance walk, play with toddlers all day or put in long hours at the office.
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Experts agree there are five top symptoms for which patients should seek medical help as soon as possible. While they might not be serious, the threat they pose is too great for them to be ignored.
SPREADING CHEST PAIN
Coronary heart disease occurs when the heart’s blood supply is interrupted by cholesterol-containing deposits, known as plaque, which build up in the arteries. A heart attack happens when that blood supply is completely blocked. Other symptoms include sweating and a feeling of impending doom.
What it might be: Milder diagnoses include stomach problems such as indigestion or muscular problems, especially if you have been doing something out of the ordinary the day before.
“Someone who has been doing a lot of push-ups or a new physical exercise or even some heavy lifting may find they have pains in their chest,” says Dr Aundhekar.
TINGLING FOOT PAIN
What it could be: Numbness and tingling in the feet could be a sign of diabetic neuropathy, says Dr Aundhekar.
This condition can occur in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A tingling like pins and needles happens when the nerves have been damaged by high blood-sugar levels associated with diabetes.
Over time diabetic neuropathy can cause a diabetic foot ulcer. If the ulcer becomes infected, there is a risk that the foot tissue will begin to die.
“This gets very serious if the foot gets gangrene because then you need to amputate,” says Dr Aundhekar.
SEVERE HEADACHE
“A headache could be an initial symptom of a transient ischaemic attack (a mini stroke) or a cerebrovascular accident (a stroke),” says Dr Aundhekar.
“If a patient presents with a headache and tinnitus (ringing in the ears), there is a chance that they are suffering a bleed because of a rupture of an artery in the brain, known as an aneurysm. This is potentially life-threatening.”
It may be something as simple as you are straining your eyes and you need reading glasses or you may have inhaled some chemicals you’re allergic to,” says Dr Aundhekar. Also, dental disease and upper respiratory tract infections can lead to headaches.
Dr Deniszczyc believes this type of headache may be caused by tension.
“A tension headache feels like a tight band around the head and it often comes on later in the day. It would be worth looking at your posture and head position if you get a lot of tension headaches. Otherwise, painkillers and relaxing will help to ease them.”
LOWER BACK PAIN
“This can cause intense pain because of the compression of the nerve that passes through the spinal canal,” explains Dr Aundhekar. “If left untreated the gait will collapse and you will be unable to stand. A prolapsed disc can make people bedridden.”
Dr Deniszczyc says this injury can often be traced back to trauma, such as a sudden jolt in a car crash, or an accident playing football.
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“You know when this pain is musculo-skeletal because you feel completely well everywhere else. Massage will help ease it, as will a hot water bottle or cold treatments like an ice pack.”
LEG PAIN WITH REDNESS AND WARMTH
“The danger comes when the clot dislodges. The next organ for it to go to is the lungs, and if this happens, it could be fatal. This is worth getting checked out immediately, especially if you have no idea why it’s happened.”
