Important signs & symptoms
Have you ever had a conversation with a health care professional and been confused when they ask you about your signs and symptoms? Not sure of the difference between the two terms? Let us explain. A sign is something that can be seen or measured by another person—such as a high blood pressure reading, or a fever temperature. A symptom, on the other hand, is something that is detected only by the person who experiences it—such as ringing in the ears, dizziness, or pain.
Symptoms fall into three categories:
- Remitting: symptoms that improve or go away completely
- Relapsing: symptoms that go away for a while but then return
- Chronic: symptoms that last for a long time
Some people see a healthcare provider when they first notice a sign or symptom. Others may wait some time or try to solve it by themselves. However, some health issues do require medical attention and not getting help quickly might complicate the treatment. Think of a small cavity, which a dentist can treat and should have no complications. But if left untreated an infection might set in, and root canal could become the only solution. So, don’t wait, if you think something might be wrong, consult a health professional to find out what your next steps should be.
Important symptoms to watch out for:
Some symptoms may point to a problem that could be more serious, so it’s important to know what they are and what they can point to. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should not wait to seek medical attention.
- Unexplained weight loss: A loss of more than 5% of your body weight without explanation like a change in diet or exercise level, could be the result of a serious underlying health condition.
- Swelling of the legs without an injury: If your legs swell when you haven’t injured them, it could be due to something as simple as sitting too much or standing for too long, but it could also be due to something more serious, such an issue with your veins or kidney disease.
- Chest pain: Pain in your chest or upper abdomen could signal a problem with your heart, lungs, or musculoskeletal system. Also, pain that extends to your jaw or upper back may be symptoms of a heart attack and requires immediate medical attention.
- Unusual bleeding: If you notice blood where it should not appear—such as in your urine or in a bowel movement, when you vomit, or when you cough. There are a number of conditions that could cause this so do not wait to get medical attention.
- Sores or wounds that don’t heal: Any sore or wound on your skin that doesn’t heal within three months or one that continues to reappear could signal an infection or diabetes.
- Weakness, numbness, tingling, facial droop: If you experience this combination of symptoms, you could be suffering from a stroke. Seek medical help immediately.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath: Shortness of breath could indicate asthma but could also be caused by something more serious like an issue related to your heart or blood clots. If your normal breathing pattern changes, it could signal a significant problem. For example, do you get short of breath easily when you climb a flight of stairs, or do you wake up in the middle of the night coughing and gasping for air? If yes, you need to see a doctor.
Know your body
Pay attention to your body and learn to recognize when something unusual is happening, because it could be a sign or symptom of a more serious health issue. It is helpful before talking to your pharmacist, doctor, or other healthcare professional, to write down some details of what you are experiencing.
Consider these questions: When did the symptoms first start? Have you experienced these symptoms before? Have you consulted a doctor about this in the past? Have you tried anything that helped or didn’t help? Then call or visit your local London Drugs pharmacist. We can help you decide what the next steps are and may recommend or prescribe treatments for many common symptoms as well. However, if you are experiencing any serious symptoms, be sure to call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.
