The human body can sometimes operate like a quirky contraption, and you may experience unusual sensations that occur from time to time or more frequently. These unusual sensations may be harmless and easy to ignore, but an odd sensation could also be a sign of a serious health problem that should be brought to a doctor’s attention.
Headaches
Headaches are often caused by stress, allergies, and other temporary factors and usually resolve themselves on their own or with the help of certain over-the-counter medicines. However, if you experience frequent headaches or pain in your head that seems especially intense, you shouldn’t hesitate to notify your doctor. You could be experiencing migraine headaches or symptoms of even more serious medical problems, such as a tumor or stroke. Your doctor can order tests that may reveal the cause of your frequent headaches and prescribe the appropriate treatment to offer you relief.
Chest Pain
Chest pain should never be ignored. Even if your chest pain is the result of a pulled muscle or heartburn that was caused by something you ate, you may need to take swift action if the pain persists or intensifies. In addition to a pulmonary embolism, chest pain is one of the main symptoms of a heart attack or another heart condition, such as myocarditis or angina. Your chest pain might also be a symptom of a hiatal hernia or collapsed lung. Rib injuries can additionally cause chest pain.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is expected after vigorous exercise or other physically strenuous activities, but breathing troubles are often associated with asthma, emphysema and other conditions that affect the lungs. A pulmonary embolism, which occurs from an aortic blockage in a lung, can also cause shortness of breath along with other symptoms like chest pain, an irregular heartbeat and heavy sweating and is considered to be a life-threatening emergency. If you wake up frequently while you’re sleeping and experience shortness of breath, sleep apnea may be to blame.
Stomach Pain
The foods or beverages you consume might be giving you frequent upset stomachs, and changing your diet can possibly solve the problem. However, an upset stomach could also be coming from a single ulcer or an even more serious medical condition, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. A virus, parasitic infection, and food poisoning can also cause stomach pains. If the pain persists and can’t be relieved with store-bought medicine, a trip to the doctor may be in order.
Itchiness
If you feel the need to scratch your skin more often, your skin might just be dry or irritated from something that’s causing an allergic reaction. Itchiness can also occur if your skin comes into contact with poison oak or another more harmful allergen. Frequent skin itching can even be a sign of skin cancer, and you should visit your doctor or a dermatologist to determine the cause if the itching isn’t going away on its own.
Swelling
Swelling often occurs when excessive sodium is consumed, but an injury or another medical condition can also lead to swelling. If you notice swelling in your hands or feet, there’s a possibility that you’re experiencing heart or kidney disease. If the swelling develops suddenly and is progressing rapidly, an allergic reaction could be the cause. Certain medications also cause the side effect of swelling in some people, and you may need to review your medications with your doctor and change your prescribed treatments if necessary.
Hair Loss
Stress, aging and a medical condition like alopecia can lead to hair loss, or you could be suffering from male or female pattern baldness that can develop at any point of adulthood. Hair loss could also mean that there’s a problem with your thyroid. Some women experience hair loss with pregnancy or menopause. A lack of protein or consuming too much vitamin A can also lead to hair loss. Fortunately, hair loss is sometimes treatable with certain medications, medical procedures or lifestyle changes.
Conclusion
You shouldn’t worry about every unusual occurrence with your body, but it’s also important to listen to your body so that you’ll be more aware if it’s trying to tell you something. Thankfully, even the most serious health problems that are possibly causing strange symptoms can often be resolved with the right treatment.
