4 Health Symptoms to Never Ignore

Headache, abdominal pain, fever or brittle nails. How do we know when something is serious and when it’s not?

Throughout your life, the average person is plagued with many health symptoms that are often confusing. Some deserve attention while others do not. Doctors are there to help, but it’s important that we act as our own health advocates too. With that in mind, here are 4 health symptoms that should never be ignored.

Health Symptom #1 – Chronic Insomnia

All of us have a bad night’s rest from time to time, but when the problem is ongoing, don’t ignore it.

Insomnia can have many causes. Psychiatric disorders, hormone imbalances, sleep apnea (a treatable condition), and even Alzheimer’s disease may be the root.

A lack of sleep has been linked to weight gain, diabetes, and even premature death. When you think about it, insomnia is a very serious issue. So what should you do?

Try natural sleep aids at first, a sleep study if nothing helps, and prescription drugs as a last resort.

Health Symptom #2 – A Dry Throat

A dry throat likely stems from an infection or allergies. But if it’s chronic, that’s something worth investigating.

A chronically dry throat may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The irritation experienced when stomach acid burns throat tissue may cause dryness and even pain.

It’s important to treat reflux disease. It can lead to a more serious condition called Barrett’s esophagitis, a precursor to cancer.

What can you do? Investigate your diet. Are you eating foods known to cause heartburn or eating too late at night? Over the counter remedies can help. If they don’t, see a doctor.

Health Symptom #3 – Constant Thirst

It’s normal to be thirsty occasionally but to suffer unquenchable thirst after drinking water is not considered normal. This may be a symptom of diabetes.

Other symptoms of the disease include frequent urination, increased hunger, and blurry vision. If you are unsure, visit your doctor.

Fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C blood tests can help rule out blood sugar issues.

Health Symptom #4 – A Chronic Cough

A cough lasting longer than eight weeks isn’t just annoying, it could signal a problem. Asthma, allergies, and even reflux disease are potential causes.

Less common causes are COPD and lung cancer. Regardless, a chronic cough shouldn’t be ignored and should be evaluated by your health care practitioner.

For relief, consider honey and even thyme. They can really help!

The Bottom Line

Any unusual symptoms should be investigated by your doctor. Your body gives off warning signals years before the development of disease. Please pay attention to them!

Are you and your body listening? We certainly hope so.

Article extracted from Life Extension Blog December 2014