Six Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Some people rush to the doctor's office every time they feel a little ill. Others try to tough it out and hope the problem will go away. In either case, there are some symptoms no one should ignore.

Many health problems do take care of themselves over time, but some symptoms may indicate the possibility of a serious condition and should be evaluated immediately by a health care provider.

To determine if something could be serious, look for changes in the way your body looks, feels, or reacts. If you usually get over a cold in a few days, for instance, it's worth calling your doctor if you have a cough that lingers for a week or two, or if you have other symptoms, or chronic medical conditions.

These common symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Chest pain

Such pain could be a symptom of indigestion, a heart attack, or another condition. Because chest pain could be serious, it should be evaluated promptly.

Chest pain from a heart attack varies. Sometimes it feels like a crushing sensation, as though someone is sitting on your chest. Other times it feels like a squeezing or pressure on your chest. Sometimes it's accompanied by nausea or lightheadedness.

If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number and then chew an aspirin (if you are not allergic to it) to help prevent further damage. Make sure that the emergency responders are aware that you have taken an aspirin.

Coughing up blood

Blood in sputum could indicate simple bronchitis or irritation of the trachea, but it could also be the result of pneumonia or lung cancer.

If you're young and don't smoke, this symptom is most likely an infection, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says, but it still shouldn't be ignored. Report this symptom to your doctor immediately. If you smoke or are an older adult, your health care provider will look closely for other causes.

Blood in the urine

Although it may indicate a simple bladder infection, this symptom could also mean something more serious, such as a kidney stone or even a malignancy.

To find out what's going on, your doctor may order a series of tests, including urinalysis and blood tests, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Urinalysis examines the urine for red blood cells, as well as white blood cells, which are a sign of a urinary tract infection, and casts, which are clumps of cells that are a sign of kidney disease. Other tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, or even cystoscopic exams may be necessary. A cystoscopic exam involves looking inside the bladder with a very small tube.

Rectal bleeding

Blood in the stool could be from hemorrhoids, or it could be caused by an active ulcer or colon cancer.

Bright-red blood indicates active bleeding. If there's a lot of blood, it could be life threatening. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

If the amount of blood is small, you can usually be evaluated in the doctor's office, but call your doctor right away for advice. Simple tests can detect the presence of blood in the stool and estimate how much you're losing. If tests confirm bleeding, an endoscopy, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy will let the doctor see what's going on.

Unusual sores, lumps or lesions

These symptoms usually are benign, but you should have them checked by a health care provider.

If you live in a sunny climate or if you spend a lot of time outside, you should be especially wary of all kinds of skin lesions, which may indicate skin cancer. Look for sores that always seem to be irritated or moles that change size, have irregular shapes, or change color.

Slurred speech and/or weakness on one side

These symptoms most likely indicate you're having a stroke. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Tests will indicate if you're having a stroke and, if so, what kind. Medications are available to minimize or even reverse some damage from a stroke, but they must be given promptly. Doctors also need to determine whether the stroke is caused by a blood clot or a hemorrhage, because the treatments are different.

With any of these symptoms, it's important to act quickly.