15 Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
Some symptoms resolve on their own. Others are your body telling you something needs attention.
Knowing the difference helps you seek care appropriately. Not panicking over minor issues. Not ignoring potentially serious ones.
Here are 15 symptoms that warrant prompt medical attention.
1. Unexplained Weight Loss
Losing weight without trying sounds like a dream until you realise what it might mean.
Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% of body weight over 6 to 12 months needs investigation. For a 70kg person, that is 3.5kg or more without dietary changes or increased exercise.
Possible causes include thyroid disorders, diabetes, digestive conditions, depression, and more serious conditions that are best caught early.
The key word is unexplained. If you have been eating less or exercising more, weight loss makes sense. If your lifestyle has not changed but the scales keep dropping, see a doctor.
2. Persistent Fatigue
Everyone feels tired sometimes. Persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest is different.
If you are sleeping adequately but still exhausted. If tiredness affects your ability to function. If this has continued for more than two weeks. These patterns warrant investigation.
Causes range from simple things like anaemia and thyroid problems to more complex issues. Blood tests usually reveal the answer.
3. Lumps and Bumps That Persist
New lumps or bumps that do not go away after two to three weeks should be examined.
Most lumps are benign. Cysts, lipomas, enlarged lymph nodes from minor infections. But the only way to know is to have them checked.
Particularly important are lumps that are growing, hard, fixed to underlying tissue, or associated with other symptoms.
Do not assume it is nothing. Do not wait months watching it grow. Get it checked, get reassured or get it treated.
4. Changes in Moles
The ABCDE rule helps identify concerning moles.
Asymmetry. One half different from the other. Border irregularity. Ragged, blurred, or uneven edges. Colour variation. Multiple shades within the same mole. Diameter. Larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser. Evolution. Any change in size, shape, colour, or symptoms.
Any mole that bleeds, itches, or crusts without injury also needs assessment.
Skin cancer caught early is highly treatable. Caught late it becomes much more serious.
5. Blood Where It Should Not Be
Blood in urine, stool, vomit, or coughed up from the lungs requires prompt investigation.
Blood in urine can indicate kidney stones, infections, or bladder problems.
Blood in stool might be haemorrhoids or could indicate something in the bowel needing attention.
Coughing blood could be chest infection, lung problems, or occasionally something more serious.
Small amounts of blood are often benign causes but investigation is important to rule out serious conditions.
Noticed any of these symptoms? WhatsApp us to arrange an assessment
6. Persistent Cough
A cough lasting more than three weeks needs attention, especially if you are a smoker or former smoker.
Most long lasting coughs are post viral irritation or asthma. But persistent cough can occasionally indicate lung problems that benefit from early detection.
Associated symptoms like weight loss, breathlessness, or coughing blood increase the importance of prompt assessment.
7. Difficulty Swallowing
Feeling like food gets stuck, pain when swallowing, or a sensation of obstruction should be investigated.
This might indicate reflux disease, oesophageal problems, or throat issues. Rarely it can indicate something requiring prompt treatment.
Do not just switch to softer foods and ignore the problem. Get it assessed.
8. Changes in Bowel Habits
Persistent changes in how your bowels work deserve attention.
This includes new constipation lasting more than a few weeks, new diarrhoea without obvious cause, alternating between the two, or a sense of incomplete emptying.
Bowel cancer screening exists for good reason. These symptoms are often nothing serious but warrant checking.
9. Changes in Urination
Needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night. Difficulty starting or stopping. Weak stream. Feeling of incomplete emptying.
In men these often indicate prostate issues that are very common and usually benign but occasionally need treatment.
In anyone, urinary changes can indicate infection, diabetes, or kidney issues.
10. Persistent Headaches
Headaches that are different from your usual pattern deserve attention.
New severe headaches. Headaches that wake you from sleep. Headaches with associated symptoms like vision changes or vomiting. Headaches that progressively worsen over weeks.
Most headaches are tension or migraine. But changes in pattern can occasionally indicate something requiring investigation.
11. Chest Pain or Tightness
Any chest pain should be taken seriously until proven innocent.
Sharp pain worse with breathing might be muscular or pleuritic.
Tight, heavy, or crushing pain, especially with exertion, needs urgent assessment.
Pain radiating to arm, jaw, or back alongside breathlessness or sweating requires immediate emergency care.
If in doubt about chest pain severity, err on the side of caution.
12. Persistent Low Mood
Mental health symptoms are just as important as physical ones.
If you have felt persistently low, hopeless, or unable to enjoy things for more than two weeks. If anxiety is affecting your daily function. If you are having thoughts of self harm.
These are medical issues that benefit from medical input. Treatment exists and works.
13. Shortness of Breath
New breathlessness without obvious explanation needs investigation.
This might be asthma, anaemia, heart issues, lung problems, or anxiety.
Breathlessness that limits your activities compared to your previous capacity is particularly important to assess.
14. Night Sweats
Waking drenched in sweat regularly is not normal.
This can indicate infection, hormonal issues, or occasionally more serious conditions.
The odd sweaty night in summer is nothing to worry about. Regular drenching sweats warrant investigation.
15. Unexplained Pain Lasting More Than Two Weeks
Pain is your body's warning signal. Persistent pain that you cannot explain deserves attention.
This includes abdominal pain, joint pain, back pain, or any pain that is not resolving as expected.
Most pain has straightforward explanations. Finding that explanation allows appropriate treatment.
What To Do If You Have These Symptoms
Do not panic. Most of these symptoms have benign explanations most of the time.
Do not ignore. The purpose of this list is to encourage appropriate action, not create anxiety.
Book an appointment. Describe your symptoms. Get assessed. Get either reassurance or appropriate treatment.
The worst outcomes generally come from symptoms that were ignored for too long. Early investigation leads to early answers and early treatment when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I go to A and E or a GP?
A and E is for emergencies. Severe chest pain, signs of stroke, serious injury, difficulty breathing. Most symptoms on this list warrant GP assessment rather than emergency attendance.
What if I am worried I am overreacting?
Doctors would rather see someone with a concern that turns out to be minor than miss something important. There is no such thing as wasting time with genuine symptoms.
What if my NHS GP cannot see me quickly enough?
Private GP services offer same day appointments. When symptoms worry you, faster answers provide peace of mind.