Symptoms To Watch

Symptoms to Watch

Slow-Healing Bruise or Sore

If you notice a bruise or sore that isn't healing, you may just be accident-prone. However, if a bruise or sore takes longer than two weeks to heal, you should see your doctor. It could signal a vascular problem, says Dr. Elsa Grace Giardina, Director of the Center for Women's Health at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. She adds that it is also a common symptom of diabetes. In diabetics, this is caused by sugar leeching blood fluid and making the blood thicker. That, in turn, makes it more difficult for the healing white blood cells to travel to the infection. Slow-healing bruises can also signal immunological deficiencies, so be sure to monitor your bumps and scrapes.


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Cough

If you have a cough it's most likely just a cold, or an upper respiratory infection. But when is a cough not just a cough? There are two things to look for in a cough -- persistence and recurrence, says Dr. Giardina. If your cough keeps recurring for a significant period of time, you should alert your doctor. A cough that persists for more than 10 days could be a sign of something more, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heart failure. If you're a smoker, it could be a sign of a malignancy in the lungs. If you smoke, Dr. Giardina adds, it's extremely important to get a chest x-ray every three years.


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Palpitations

Drinking too much caffeine or energy drinks, or an extremely salty diet can cause heart palpitations. And, of course, anxiety. So when should you be concerned? If a patient is complaining of heart palpitations as well as getting lightheaded or dizzy, it may be an electrical abnormality in the heart, says Giardina. Arrhythmia, the abnormal beating of the heart, can cause palpitations. Many cases of arrhythmia are minor, but if you have atrial fibrillation, it can be fatal -- increasing your risk for stroke or blood clots. This is particularly dangerous for people with a history of heart disease. Seek medical attention immediately if you are concerned, especially if you are experiencing chest pains, dizziness or fainting.


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Pain or Swelling

Pain or swelling in your calves can often be attributed to over-exercising, but when should you worry that it's something more serious? Giardina warns that pain or swelling accompanied by a red-hot feeling or tenderness along the vein could be a serious condition called thrombophlebitis, which occurs when a blood clot causes swelling, most often in the legs. The highest incidence of it is associated with oral contraceptives, adds Giardina. "If you're taking an oral contraceptive, that increases your risk of thrombophlebitis 100-fold," she adds. It can also signal deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may be caused by prolonged inactivity. This is particularly dangerous because it is a clot deep in your vein. These clots can become dislodged and travel to your lungs, causing an embolism. If you think you are at risk for DVT or thrombophlebitis, go the emergency room immediately.


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Trouble Finding the Right Words

Everyone has a memory lapse now and again. This is especially common when you're sleep deprived. However, if you're having trouble repeating a simple sentence or you're slurring your speech, you may be experiencing a stroke. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, the National Stroke Association advises you do a simple test -- ask the person to smile, raise both arms and repeat a sentence. If speech is slurred, one side of the face droops while smiling or one arm drifts downward when both are raised, call the doctor immediately. If any of these symptoms occur suddenly, you should call 9-1-1 immediately. Your risk is greater if you are over 55 and have a family history of stroke.


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Tingling or Numbness

Sometimes just wearing the wrong shoes can cause numbness or a tingling sensation. This is especially true when women try to squeeze their feet into trendy shoes that are uncomfortable. However, it can also signal diabetes, says Giardina. You may also experience tingling or numbness in other parts of your body, such as your hands or arms. Symptoms of diabetes include excessive urination, weight loss, fatigue and excessive thirst.


Bloating and Pelvic Pain

If you're feeling really bloated and experiencing pelvic pain, it may be as simple as having too much fiber or salt in your diet. However, it may also be a sign of ovarian cancer or fibroids. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is often symptomless in the beginning, says Giardina. Often it's too late by the time you are experiencing symptoms. Some things that increase your risk factor are a family history of ovarian cancer, being postmenopausal, using hormone replacement therapy and not having children. Giardina stresses the importance of getting an annual gynecological exam to catch any cancers at the early stage.


A New Mole

It's not uncommon for women to develop a harmless skin growth. However, as you age, your risk increases for developing melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer. Be sure to get moles checked by your dermatologist, says Giardina. Symptoms of melanoma include bleeding moles, change in mole color, or change in size or shape of a mole.


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Never Feeling Well-Rested

There are lots of factors that can keep you up at night, such as stress and consuming too much caffeine during the day. Take a closer look if you're always feeling listless, no matter how much sleep you're getting. You could be suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing during sleep for more than 10 seconds at a time. It affects more than 12 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health and is as common as adult diabetes, occurring largely in adults over 40. If untreated, sleep apnea can lead to cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain and headaches, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor.