9 Symptoms Women Should Never Ignore

All over the world, women are expected to be many professionals in one – at least have the basic skill in many fields – thus, in the midst of all these responsibilities, there is a tendency that a woman is more likely to rationalize a symptom and not seek help on time.  Studies have shown that women tend to brush off aches and pains, discomfort, and fatigue.

However, there are some subtle symptoms which are pointers to serious underlying conditions that every woman should know and should never ignore. These include – 

Extreme fatigue – If you find that you're exhausted and can't get your energy back with rest, exercise, and a healthy diet, you should schedule an exam with your doctor. Extreme fatigue can signal an array of different issues, including depression, thyroid conditions, diabetes — even congestive heart failure or cancer. As a woman, it’s crucial for all women to pay attention to their bodies so they can tune in to any potential problems.

Abdominal pain – A little abdominal pain once in a while is probably not a big deal but when the pain become persistent and located in one specific part of the abdomen, then you should not ignore it and you need to see your doctor immediately. It could be a symptom of appendicitis, a stomach ulcer, or a problem with the gallbladder and not just “a painful gas”.

Chest pain – Anytime you feel pain or pressure in your chest, you should not take it lightly; though it may not be a heart attack but it may be a sign that you have a coronary heart disease. So whenever you have pain or pressure in your chest, you should see a doctor immediately, you should never take chest pain lightly.

Palpitations – This is the undue awareness of the heartbeat. Palpitations may be a sign that there is insufficient oxygen in your blood, a disease of the valves of the heart or hyperthyroidism (a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones) – all of these are not conditions you should ever joke with as they can be rapidly fatal, so you should see a doctor immediately to check the health of your heart.

Painful sex – If sex hurts, pay attention: Your body could be trying to tell you something. Painful sex can signal a number of gynaecological problems, including a vaginal infection, changes in your hormones, or a condition such as endometriosis. So if you find that intercourse is uncomfortable or just plain painful, schedule a visit with your doctor to identify the cause.

Severe headaches – There may be more to persistent, painful, hard-to-relieve headaches than migraines. It could be a symptom of a stroke, severe high blood pressure, an infection in the brain, a tumour, or an aneurysm. So, if can’t seem to get a lid on your headaches, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Breast lump – You should learn how to do a self-breast examination, and do it every month just after your period. If you feel a suspicious breast lump, schedule an appointment with your doctor, promptly, to examine your breasts and determine the cause of the lump.

Shortness of breath – Shortness of breath is a common symptom of cardiac disease and can even indicate an impending heart attack, especially when it is associated with fatigue, dizziness and other symptoms. So if you find that you are short breath, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Difficulties with sleep – Sleep disturbances, especially difficulty breathing at night, may also be a symptom of a cardiac event (like a heart attack), a weakened heart muscle, or even asthma. So if you are having troubles with your sleep, you should talk to your doctor about what could be keeping you awake at night.