Overview
Men tend to visit their doctor less frequently than women, according to research published in the
In some cases, those delays can be dangerous. Early diagnosis and treatment can often improve your outcomes for many health conditions.
Severe bleeding, chest pain, and high fever are symptoms that warrant emergency medical care. But what about other symptoms, such as needing to urinate more often or straining to use the toilet? Can they be symptoms of a serious condition?
It’s important to visit your doctor when you suspect something may be wrong. From unintended weight loss to changes in your bathroom habits, here are nine symptoms that may be a sign of something serious.
If you experience any of these, make an appointment with your doctor or visit the emergency department to get the care you need.
Chest pain is a common sign of a heart attack, but there are other signs you might not be aware of. While the symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person, there may be early warning signs that you’re at risk, such as shortness of breath with exertion.
For example, if you have a hard time catching your breath after an easy walk, this may be an early sign of coronary ischemia. This condition is when you have a partial or complete blockage of an artery that carries blood to your heart. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you experience chest pain or shortness of breath. Go to the emergency room if you experience symptoms of a heart attack, such as:
- pressure in your chest
- tightness in your chest
- extreme shortness of breath
- dizziness
Unless you’re actively trying to slim down, weight loss may be a cause for concern. Unexplained weight loss is often one of the first signs of many diseases, including cancer. It’s important to see your doctor and let them know if you’ve recently lost weight without trying.
The color of your stool can change from day to day, depending on the foods you eat and the medications you take.
For example, eating beets can cause your stool to be alarmingly red. Likewise, iron supplements and some diarrhea medications, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), may temporarily turn your stool black or tarry colored.
Anything in the brown or green spectrum is normal. But if your stool is black, bloody, or pale, it may indicate that you have a problem. In some cases, this problem may be serious.
Black stool may indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Maroon-colored or bloody stool can indicate bleeding in the lower GI tract. Your doctor will likely check for signs of bleeding, hemorrhoids, or ulcers. Lightly colored stools may signal a problem with your liver or bile ducts.
If you notice unusual changes in the color of your stool, contact your doctor right away.
Frequent urination can be a sign of diabetes. Diabetes can cause you to urinate frequently because your kidneys have to work overtime to eliminate excess sugar from your bloodstream.
Prostate problems can also cause frequent urination. Other symptoms of prostate problems include decreased flow while you’re urinating, discomfort in the pelvic area, and blood in your urine or semen.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlargement of the prostate, is a common condition among older men. Although it’s common, you shouldn’t ignore the symptoms, as they can be identical to the symptoms of other, more serious conditions.
Talk with your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms.
Occasional constipation is normal. Most people experience it from time to time, and it often becomes more common after age 50. But chronic constipation can be more troubling.
Chronic constipation can lead you to push and strain when you’re trying to have a bowel movement. This raises your chance of developing hemorrhoids, which can cause bleeding and discomfort around your rectum.
Chronic constipation may also be a sign that something is stopping your stool from exiting properly. A tumor, polyp, or kink in your intestines may be blocking your colon. You may also have an underlying condition that’s causing abnormal colon motility.
An early diagnosis is important so that you can rule out serious conditions, such as colon cancer.
Other than concerns about sexual performance, erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as cardiovascular disease.
ED may also occur due to increased stress or depression. If you’re experiencing these issues, speak with your doctor about medication options and mental health counseling.
ED is a condition that doctors treat often. The sooner you address the problem, the sooner you can find a solution.
Many people experience occasional heartburn after eating a greasy burger or a lot of pasta. But if you get heartburn after every meal, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
This condition is also commonly known as acid reflux. If you have acid reflux, stomach acid flows backward up your esophagus. If you don’t get treatment for it, this stomach acid can erode the tissues of your esophagus and cause irritation or ulcers. In rare cases, chronic GERD can lead to cancer of the esophagus.
Symptoms of GERD can also mimic other rare but treatable problems. In some cases, you may think you have heartburn when you’re actually experiencing heart problems. See your doctor if you’ve had a long-standing issue with heartburn.
Chronic, loud snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the muscles in your throat relax and temporarily block your airway while you’re sleeping. This can cause breathing problems and disrupt your sleep patterns. These constant interruptions may leave you feeling sleepy or fatigued even after getting enough sleep.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or abnormal heart rhythms. Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea have also been linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
You may think breast cancer is a disease that only affects women, but that’s not true. An estimated
See your doctor if you feel a lump or thickening of the tissue in your breast, or if your nipple darkens, turns red, or begins to have discharge. Early diagnosis is key to getting the treatment you need.
Take control of your health by making an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. They may be a natural sign of aging or a condition that’s easy to treat, but it’s important to rule out any serious causes.
In some cases, these symptoms may indicate that you have a serious medical condition. Recognizing and treating a problem early can often improve your chances of making a full recovery.