Overlooked Health Problems You Should Be Aware Of

In today’s busy world, many of us are focused on our jobs, our families and paying the bills while neglecting our own needs. It is especially true of tough economic times when we cannot even afford to be sick. Unfortunately, many overlook and ignore the symptoms of certain health problems that can lead to more serious consequences if they are not addressed early.

What Are the Overlooked Health Problems That You Should Be Aware Of?

In order to avoid severe health consequences, it is wise to be aware of the following health problems that are often overlooked.

  • Foot Problems Foot problems are among the most overlooked health issues for many people. However, if the left unaddressed, they can lead to severe pain that can interfere with daily functions and possibly amputation. Symptoms of foot problems include excessively dry skin, pain, discolored or thickened nails, redness, swelling or unusual sensations. Common foot problems include plantar fasciitis, fungal nails, athlete’s foot, arthritic joints, poor circulation and bunions. You can find out more about these problems from a podiatrist, like the ones at Worthington Podiatric Associates.
  • Mental Stress Mental health issues, particularly mental stress, have often been overlooked by many people for years. Overlooking and ignoring such issues is often the result in the stigma that mental health issues often carry. Job stresses such as working long hours and financial problems such as not having enough to pay the bills are just a couple of contributors of mental stress. Mental stress manifests itself into the physical symptoms of fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, insomnia and an increase or decrease in appetite. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression and extreme irritability.
  • Heart Disease/Heart Attack Although many people know the typical signs of a heart attack such as chest pain, shortness of breath and pain in the arms or back, the subtle symptoms are often overlooked. Subtle symptoms include: Indigestion, stomach, neck or jaw pain or discomfort, generalized weakness, fatigue and headaches.
  • Pancreatic Cancer Overlooked by physicians and patients alike, pancreatic cancer, along with other problems of the pancreas, can be very serious and even fatal if not addressed early. Pancreatic cancer, which is not as known as breast cancer or prostate cancer, has a very high mortality rate and it is often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, upper abdominal pain, dark urine and yellowing of skin, pale grey stools or excess fat in the stool and unintentional weight loss.
  • Gum Disease The health of the gums and teeth often reflect the health of the body. Oral problems have been the link to conditions such as cardiovascular and kidney disease as well as diabetes. Gum disease also leads to tooth loss and the inability to eat and converse properly. Early detection is the key to preventing gum disease as well as regular brushing and flossing.
  • High Cholesterol People who have high cholesterol due to their diet or hereditary are in danger of getting heart disease. Even though there are no visible symptoms, it is important that you schedule an appointment with your doctor to have your numbers checked. High cholesterol can be treated with diet, exercise and medication.

 

If you experience any unusual symptoms, such as the ones in the article that are mentioned, seek help as soon as you can. You can also prevent serious health problems by seeing your physician for an annual checkup.