7 Small Signs That Signal Big Health Problems, Like Heart Disease

Any pain that wakes you up at night could be a problem - Photo: FREEPIK

Sometimes, it's just a passing pain. You may wonder if you need to see a doctor to check out this minor health issue.

The Independent spoke with Dr. Lori Solomon, chair of family and community medicine at New York Medical School (USA), and Dr. Estelle Williams, medical director of CityMD in southern New Jersey, to find out the signs that should not be ignored.

Urinate too often

Waking up in the middle of the night to pee is completely normal, says Dr. Solomon. But if you're waking up two or three times a night, every night, that's a sign to watch out for.

Peeing too often can be a symptom of diabetes. “When blood sugar is high, one of the ways the body tries to get rid of sugar is through urine,” says Dr. Solomon.

Dr. Williams agrees, adding that other worrying signs may include feeling more thirsty and having a marked increase in appetite.

Pain at night

Any pain that wakes you up at night could be a problem. Muscle strains, injuries, or other types of discomfort can keep someone awake, but they rarely wake you up once you’re asleep, says Dr. Solomon.

“If you wake up in the middle of the night with a headache, that could be a problem. Usually, we don't wake up in the middle of the night with headaches,” she says.

Sudden headache

Headaches are “extremely common” and not necessarily cause for concern, Solomon says. But if they’re accompanied by other symptoms like vision changes, nausea, numbness in the extremities, or muscle weakness, it could be a sign of a neurological problem.

Dr. Williams warns against assuming a sudden, severe headache is a migraine. "You should get checked out if you have a headache that's out of the ordinary, especially if it's very severe."

Go to the emergency room immediately if you have a "thunderclap headache," Dr. Solomon stresses.

Shortness of breath or fatigue

Another symptom that's fairly common but shouldn't be ignored is sudden shortness of breath, especially if you've never experienced it before, says Dr. Williams.

"If you feel short of breath and have difficulty breathing just doing everyday things, you should get checked out," she said.

"When you take a deep breath and feel pain in your chest or back - a pain you've never had before - it can sometimes be a mild sign of a blood clot in the lung, which needs to be checked out early."

In severe cases, fatigue can be a symptom of heart disease, sleep apnea, or even certain types of cancer.

Indigestion

Indigestion can be a sign of heart disease, but it's easy to mistake it for a digestive problem. If you have both fatigue and indigestion that's unrelated to eating, you should see a doctor, she says.

Dr. Williams says bouts of indigestion — a feeling of tightness or heaviness in the chest — that last 15 to 20 minutes can be a red flag, especially for people who don't normally suffer from indigestion or heartburn.

Blood in stool

Pay attention to your bowel movements, Dr. Williams advises. Unusual constipation or diarrhea is a sign to watch out for, especially if you see blood in your stool or urine.

“If you notice a change in your bowel habits, black stools, or a lot of blood when you go to the bathroom, see your doctor right away,” says Dr. Williams.

Many people often think that blood in the stool is due to hemorrhoids, but you should not be subjective because this is also a common symptom of colon cancer, according to Dr. Solomon. Meanwhile, blood in the urine can be due to kidney stones or urinary tract infections.

Long-term health symptoms

Dr. Solomon also warns you to pay attention if symptoms don't go away on their own after a while.

“If your cough lasts longer than four weeks, you should see a doctor,” she says. “There are many causes of coughs, but a cough after a cold should go away within a few weeks.”

Dr. Williams adds that anything that seems harmless but lasts for months should be thoroughly investigated, especially unexplained weight loss.

Above all, get regular health check-ups, and be cautious rather than complacent.

DAWN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/7-dau-hieu-nho-bao-hieu-van-de-suc-khoe-lon-nhu-benh-tim-20250514132658336.htm