Regardless of the situation that anyone is going through or perceives their health condition as good, there are a series of signs and symptoms that cannot be missed, because they always indicate that something is or is happening.
Ángel Alberto Castro, gastroenterologist at the National University, says that minimal changes in eating or intestinal habits are signals that require investigate, because they can indicate alterations ranging from mild to severe.
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In the same vein, the hematologist Lucía del Pilar Cortés assures that sudden bruises and without apparent cause can alert to damage to the blood vessels or the intrinsic characteristics of the blood that must be examined.
Hence, by the Mayo Clinic and other clinicians, the ten symptoms that merit evaluation by the doctor have been selected, without any kind of excuses. These are:
1. Unjustified weight loss
Germán Maldonado, a doctor at the National University, says that unintentional weight loss is a serious indication of organic or functional alterations. For example, if there is a reduction of more than 5% of body weight in less than a year, it must necessarily be consulted. This because it could be a sign of tumor, endocrinological problems (thyroid gland compromise, or diabetes), emotional illnesses such as depression, or eating disorders, liver compromises, liver damage, anemia or intestinal affectations, among others.
Hence, any unjustified weight loss must be studied in depth., ends Maldonado.
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2. Difficulty breathing
The sensation of shortness of breath, in addition to indicating respiratory problems, can be indicative of other disorders, says Pedro Cifuentes, an expert doctor in outpatient care.
According to Cifuentes, it is necessary to check if this sensation is of long duration or of acute presentation to rule out the presence of obstructive problems in the lungs, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma or the existence of tumors and even heart problems.
In the same sense, its relationship with obesity, poor exercise and psychiatric deficits must be reviewed. Hence, this must always be evaluated as soon as possible.
3. Changes in bowel routine
Although there are no exact patterns to define the normality of intestinal habits, Ángel Alberto Castro, a gastroenterologist at the National University, says that each person has ranges in which their conditions are considered acceptable. Leaving the pattern, suddenly or progressively, can be a bad sign.
For example, chronic constipation, persistent diarrhea, the presence of blood, black stools, or a sudden urge to evacuate should be a reason for consultation, he adds. Also, colicky abdominal pain or sudden change in stool consistency are elements that cannot be missed. All of them require tests to rule out any compromise in the intestinal structures. such as tumors, obstructions, inflammation, bacterial, parasitic or viral invasions.
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4. Persistent fever
Body temperature is one of the most stable vital signs and although, according to the Mayo Clinic, fever is not necessarily a cause for alarm because it plays an important role when it comes to fighting infections or qualifying the responses of the body’s defenses, When the increase in temperature is prolonged over time, it must be rigorously studied to identify its cause.
In fact, says the Mayo Clinic, this may indicate a hidden infection; also the sign of malignant processes or the effect of some medications, among other reasons, so if after measuring it with a thermometer it exceeds 38 degrees for more than 3 days, you should consult.
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5. Feeling full after eating little
Rapid satiety, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic, requires priority medical evaluation. According to Castro, more rigorously if this feeling of fullness is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloating or weight loss, as well as if there is pain.
These signs cannot be allowed to advance in time because they can indicate compromises such as gastroesophageal reflux, ulcers, tumors or have causes external to the digestive system, which also require investigation. Here It is important not to self-medicate and request an evaluation by a doctor quickly.
6. Severe headache
Although the headache is the most common in all ages and the most frequent reason for consultation, if it lasts for more than three days, according to the doctor Maldonado, it requires evaluation and much more if it intensifies and is accompanied by any other symptoms.
Here it is advisable not to self-medicate and be aware of any change that occurs in the evolution of the symptom. “Regardless of age, this is a type of pain that cannot be managed empirically,” he concludes.
7. Flashes of light
According to the Mayo Clinic, sometimes seeing bright spots or flashes of light can be indicative of a neurological problem, such as migraines; but in other cases, their sudden appearances can lead to eye disorders such as retinal detachments or other structural or functional compromises in the organ of vision. Hence, immediate medical attention is necessary to avoid further damage.
8. Bleeding or bruising
Lucía del Pilar Cortés, a hematologist at the University of São Paulo, says that the presence without apparent cause of bruising anywhere on the body or persistent bleeding in the gums, stool or urine should be investigated quickly.
This because it can be a sign of problems in the components that promote blood clotting, such as platelets or clotting factors, or by direct or indirect involvement of the blood vessels or the structures in which they are found.
It is also necessary to check whether the bleeding is the effect of substances or medications that are being consumed or the presence of damage secondary to intrinsic or extrinsic blood tumors. For all the above it is important to consult.
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9. Abdominal pain
Pain in any part of the abdomen that does not subside should always be evaluated by a doctor, says Luis Alberto Parra Obando, a general surgeon at the National University.
This pain, he adds, can be localized or generalized and it always indicates that something is happening in the internal structures or referring to these areas, which can range from primary or secondary inflammations to conditions that can be life-threatening, such as appendicitis, visceral perforations or tumors.
In this sense, it is always recommended to avoid self-medication and go for a medical evaluation, and more urgently if this is accompanied by deterioration of the general state, fever, loss of appetite, changes in bowel habits, bleeding or bloating, among others.
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10. Confusion or personality changes
The Mayo Clinic recommends that you come to the consultation if there are sudden deficiencies in the ability to reason, difficulty concentrating or maintaining a focus of attention or there are changes in behavior.
This is due to the fact that these signals can have many causes, from structural alterations in the brain or functional compromises in the psychiatric field, as well as secondary responses to infections, water and electrolyte imbalances, metabolic, nutritional or due to the effects of some medications.* Source: Mayo Clinic
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