Name That Symptom Before It Becomes a Chronic Illness

All of us wish for a healthy and youthful body. However, daily exposure to stress and free radicals causes our body to malfunction in some capacity. Headaches, body aches, cough, and colds are some common indicators through which our body systems tell us that something’s not right. Most often than not, we tend to ignore these signals and continue to strain ourselves with more work. How do we determine which symptoms are precursors to a serious medical condition? We at Quick N Save Pharmacy have synthesized some of the symptoms that you must not ignore:

1. Chest Pain
In a 2005 medical journal, chest pain comprises two percent of the chief complaints among outpatient visits. Doctors believe that chest pain could either be non-cardiac or cardiac in origin. Among the common non-cardiac reasons are the strained muscle, an inflammation of the cartilage, or a rib fracture. However, when chest pains are accompanied by nausea, shortness of breath, and numbness, it could indicate a serious type of pain called Angina. It occurs when there is not enough oxygen-rich blood that flows into your heart. Angina is usually caused by narrowed coronary arteries which are leading causes of serious heart conditions such as Coronary Heart Disease. Chest pains that last for more than 15 minutes and is not easily relieved with rest could be indicative of heart attack.

2. High or recurring fever
Fever in itself should not be cause for alarm. It is, in fact, our body’s normal response to threats such as bacterial or viral infections. It can usually be treated with prescribed amounts of aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen which lowers body temperature. However, a person whose fever reaches 40-degree celsius or higher does not go down within 2 hours after treatment, and lasts more than three days could signal a more serious infection. Infants, especially those under three months old, experiencing an increase in temperature must be subjected to medical care immediately. Some of the most common underlying infections causing fever include Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), Bacterial Pneumonia, Tonsilitis, or Influenza.

3. Persistent Cough
Like Fever, coughing is our body’s defense mechanism against foreign irritants. It is an involuntary reflex that clears our airways, protecting it from harmful substances. According to Loyola University Chicago, cough is an important normal protective reflex activity which can become a major sign and symptom of lung disease and a significant clinical problem for a large number of patients. Based on this medical explanation, it is important for patients experiencing persistent cough greater than 3 weeks to see a doctor immediately. Tuberculosis, Laryngeal Infection, and Emphysema are among the most common chronic cough illnesses.

4. Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight is perhaps the ultimate benchmark of success for many people. Some would even subscribe to a regular fitness program just to achieve the body of their dreams. Unfortunately, unexplained involuntary weight loss often indicates a serious medical or psychiatric illness. According to Dr. Grace Huffman of the American Family Physician, involuntary weight loss can lead to muscle wasting, decreased immunocompetence, depression, and an increased rate of disease. Usually, medical experts consider a 5 percent loss of body weight as clinically significant. A sudden weight drop in a period of six to twelve months could really be a cause for alarm and indicative of anorexia, hyperthyroidism, and depression.

5. Abdominal Pain
One of the most common reported cases of body pain is felt in the abdominal area. Knowing a patient’s medical history is an important tool in identifying the underlying causes of abdominal pain. According to Dr. Lawrence Schiller of the American College of Gastroenterology, characteristics of the pain (sharp, dull, cramping, burning, twisting, tearing, penetrating), its location and relation to eating or to having a bowel movement are important clues. Additional useful factors include pattern of pain, its duration, spread to other areas of the body, and its association with other symptoms such as jaundice (yellow skin), nausea, vomiting, bleeding, diarrhea, or constipation. Gathering from these points, immediate medical attention and physical examination must be done to verify findings for people experiencing abdominal pain.

For immediate pain relief, head on to the nearest Pharmacy in Florida for an easy access to safe and affordable pharmaceutical products. To keep your health in check, always make sure to get your prescription from a medical professional and a provider you can trust.