Most of us are so busy throughout the week that we forget to take time for ourselves or time to evaluate our health. Neglecting your body, however, can have physical and mental implications, which is why it’s essential to listen to any signs of distress. Some signs are not so obvious as a cold or flu. There are often subtle signs that indicate a health problem, and it’s important to listen to these indicators to improve overall health.
If you find yourself with the following symptoms on a continual basis, it might be time to take a look at your health.
1. Fatigue
Working long hours and taking care of family members can cause relatively normal amounts of fatigue. However, if you are feeling extremely tired throughout the day, even with a regular sleep schedule, it could indicate something else is going on. There are many causes of fatigue, which include stress, poor diet, or hormones. Your doctor will ask you a series of questions about your lifestyle to understand the underlying reasons for feeling fatigued.
Your physician will especially want to know about any feelings of heaviness of the legs, because this may be a sign of varicose veins. In addition to a heavy feeling, it’s important to note any muscle cramping, swelling, itching or skin discoloration, or achiness. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these conditions.
2. Insomnia
Another sign that your health needs a second glance is if you experience insomnia. Commonly caused by stress, insomnia keeps people up at night (often worrying) even when they feel exhausted and ready to sleep. Insomnia, or getting poor sleep quality, wreaks havoc on your health and can make it difficult to function the next day. Insomnia can also be dangerous as your reaction times are slower, and it may put you at an increased risk for long-term conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
3. Fluctuating weight
If you find that you cannot lose weight or your weight goes up and down, it may be a sign that something is wrong. First, if you have been dieting and exercising but not losing any weight, it may be because of an underlying health condition. Track your diet and workout routine so your doctor can better understand your activities.
Second, if your weight goes up and down, it may be from a fad diet that doesn’t allow your body to get enough nutrients. Remember to talk to your doctor about new diets because some are more harmful than helpful to the body. And if your body isn’t getting enough nutrients, then it’s unlikely you’ll lose any weight, as your body will want to hold onto the weight you have. Luckily, there are many healthy tips that your doctor can give you to get dieting and exercising back on track.
4. Constantly sick
Typically at some point in the winter, everyone gets sick. What’s worse is that usually a flu can go around offices or schools, spreading quickly. While this is extremely inconvenient, it’s typically normal, especially in the colder months. However, if you find yourself getting sick more often, it’s time to talk to your doctor. For those that often have flu-like symptoms, sore throats, migraines, etc. on a semi-regular basis, it could indicate another health problem. Your doctor may want to run tests to make sure everything is OK, and you have enough nutrients to fend off illness.
5. Hard to focus
Not being able to focus throughout the day is another sign that something may be a bit off. We all have our days where we feel scattered and forgetful. Sometimes from a bad night of sleep or a stressful time at work. However, if those “off” days become more regular, it’s time to talk to your doctor because there could be an underlying health reason.
If you experience these symptoms on a continual basis, it’s important to speak with your doctor. Stress can be a factor in many of these conditions, so your doctor may give you tips such as these to reduce stress levels. We often forget that little signs could signal something more serious is going on with our health, so be sure to take time to assess how you feel physically and mentally and speak with your doctor about any concerns.
