8 common health symptoms you should never ignore

Symptoms of underlying health conditions can be subtler than you think. Many common medical issues may not cause obvious or severe symptoms but can still significantly impact your wellbeing.

Dr Alexandra Moorhouse, Private GP, Wellsoon, Practice Plus Group explains that diabetes, for example, can pose serious consequences to your health if left untreated - causing vague symptoms such as increased thirst, extreme tiredness (fatigue) and peeing more.

"Symptoms such as fatigue may relate to your lifestyle - resulting from poor sleep, stress or not eating well," she says. "However, sometimes it can be down to an underlying problem with your health."

If you have any of the following symptoms, don't dismiss them. They could be signs your body is telling you something is seriously wrong.

1. Unexplained weight loss

One of the most overlooked signs of an underlying health issue is unexplained weight loss.

Dr Ramit Singh Sambyal, Head of Department, Emergency Medicine, Metro Hospitals and Heart Institute, India says that although losing weight without trying may sound appealing to some people, it can actually be a warning sign.

"If you lose more than 5% of your body weight in six months, it’s a serious cause of concern," he says. "Your body could be using up its energy reserves fighting an underlying illness."

Moorhouse warns that weight loss combined with a change in toilet habits for example, suggests you may have an underlying bowel condition - even bowel cancer.

"Weight loss associated with feeling very thirsty, tired and peeing more could be a sign of diabetes," she says. "If you notice other symptoms - such as bruising more easily, fatigue or unexpected bleeding - you should talk about them with your doctor."

2. Persistent fever

If you have a high temperature (fever) of 38°C or higher that lasts for around three days or keeps returning, you should seek advice from your doctor.

Sambyal says: "This could point to an infection such as tuberculosis or an autoimmune condition such as lupus. In some cases, it might even indicate an undiagnosed cancer, such as lymphoma."

Moorhouse explains that during the winter months, the most common causes of a high temperature are respiratory infections - often caused by viruses.

"Other causes can be problems such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections or thyroid disorders," she says. "If you have travelled abroad within the few weeks before developing a persistent fever, you should get medical help."

3. Shortness of breath

You might feel short of breath if you're out of shape, or after certain activities - such as lifting heavy boxes, hiking uphill, or doing a workout.

However, Moorhouse warns that if you're becoming breathless with activities that normally don't cause you to - or if your breathlessness takes longer than usual to subside once you've stopped - you should discuss this with your doctor.

"Some people can develop breathlessness that does not get better whatever they are doing - even after long periods of rest," she explains. "It is also possible to develop breathlessness that only comes on when you are lying flat on your back. The pattern of when you feel short of breath is what helps your doctor to work out what the cause might be."

Breathlessness may be due to various reasons - from simple respiratory infections that get better on their own, to more complex lung issues and conditions affecting your heart health.

She adds: "If you have smoked regularly, then sometimes shortness of breath can be a sign that this has caused some changes in the architecture and function of your lungs.

"This should prompt a discussion with your doctor or nurse."

4. Changes in bowel habits

If your bowel habits change - for example, if you're pooing more often or less than usual - you may need to get checked out by a healthcare professional.

"Lots of things can cause a change in your bowel habit," says Moorhouse.

Moorhouse explains that your diet can have a huge impact on your bowel habits - as can how much water you drink. However, she advises that changes in bowel habits lasting over three weeks are significant.

Sambyal says going from regular patterns to frequent diarrhoea, constipation, or noticing blood in your poo can point to conditions such as IBD or even colorectal cancer.

"Poo that’s consistently pencil-thin can indicate a narrowing in the colon." he adds.

5. Persistent bloating

Long-term bloating isn't something you should dismiss lightly. It could be evidence of an underlying digestive issue or something more serious - such as ovarian cancer.

"Bloating that sticks around for weeks can sometimes be a sign of ovarian cancer or other abdominal issues," Sambyal warns. "Unlike bloating caused by food - which comes and goes - this kind tends to build over time and might be paired with weight loss or changes in appetite."

6. Chest pain

If you're having chest pain, there may be several potential causes. Identifying this cause depends on the type and location of your pain.

Moorhouse explains that a persistent, sharp, stabbing pain - not tender to the touch, worsened by movement, and triggered by breathing or coughing - could indicate an underlying lung condition.

Chest pain can be linked to respiratory infections or inflammation, but it can also signal serious, life threatening issues such as a collapsed lung or a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). These more serious conditions are often accompanied by shortness of breath. Lung cancer can also cause chest pain, but usually presents with other symptoms.

Moorhouse says if you have chest pain with any of the above symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

7. Swollen ankles

You can get swollen ankles from everyday factors such as summer heat, flying, sitting still for too long or taking certain medicines.

Moorhouse explains that most instances of ankle swelling are usually nothing to worry about. You will likely be able to manage it by incorporating targeted lifestyle changes into your daily health routine.

"However, ankle swelling can sometimes be a sign of more serious condition such as kidney disease or heart failure," she says. "These more serious issues tend to cause additional symptoms."

"If your swelling comes on suddenly, there's a chance it could be due to a skin infection or blood clot - such as Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)," says Moorhouse.

"If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, redness, pain, high temperature, or you're coughing up blood, again this is more likely to be a sign of something more serious such as a clot in your legs and lungs or infection."

She recommends that if you notice any of the above symptoms, and have a history of heart or kidney issues, you should contact your doctor to discuss them.

8. Dizziness

Dizziness is another symptom that can have various causes and meanings - ranging from mild issues to serious health concerns.

Sambyal explains that you may feel lightheaded if you're dehydrated or if your blood pressure is low. However, if you have vertigo - where you feel the room around you is spinning - this can point to issues with your inner ear or even your brain.

Sambyal believes it's important to trust your instincts when it comes to your health.

"Pay attention to patterns when the symptom started, how often it happens, and anything that makes it better or worse," he says. "Bringing this information to your doctor can speed up the process of finding out what’s going on."

"It's simple advice, but it can work," he says. "Regular check-ups are also a great way to catch potential issues early - even before symptoms appear."

Moorhouse concludes by saying that if you notice something has changed with your health - and doesn’t seem to be getting better - it is worth discussing with your doctor.