35 Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore Gallery

It can be hard to tell when a symptom is benign and when it's cause for alarm. Take a cough, for instance. Where's the line between just waiting out the cold and consulting your doctor to treat your bronchitis?

Your body is communicating with you day in and day out, sending all kinds of messages to you with various sensations and feelings. It's up to you to interpret these signals and make a change. When you're hungry, for instance, you know it's a good time to eat. When you're cold, you know to grab a blanket.

But what about the other symptoms — the ones that aren't so clear? Some people just ignore every sign and symptom and avoid going to the doctor like it's the plague. In the long run, that's not such a great idea for your health. You want to keep your doctor aware of your symptoms and medical history, just in case something ever happens and you need medical care.

Plus, these symptoms are commonly ignored and could leave serious conditions undiagnosed. If you experience any of these 35 symptoms, don't ignore them — talk to your doctor.

In most cases, bloating is totally normal. In some cases it could even be a good sign. But it can also communicate something unbalanced about your diet. Do you eat excess amounts of sodium? Do you often eat a certain food that doesn't sit well with your stomach? Pay attention to these signs, but remember — a little bloating is just a little bloating. It'll pass.

If your bloating is extreme, however, or if it persists without any signs of deflating, it could be cause for concern. Some cancers, such as those of the stomach and colon, can cause bloating.

If you can remember where you got your bruise, you're probably OK. But if you keep finding contusions on your body and don't recall why, it's time to seek medical attention. Some medications can cause easy bruising, as well. But it's also an early sign of certain diseases and cancers.

Sudden disorientation or confusion is nothing to laugh off — for some, the symptom can be so severe that they need to call a friend for help. This is often a symptom of something more serious going on than a slight brain lapse. You could be suffering a concussion, severe dehydration, low blood sugar, or the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's. These foods can help reduce your risk of Alzheimer's, so if you are concerned about your brain health you might consider adding them to your diet.

One of the reasons the keto diet sounds like a really bad idea? It could make you really constipated. Your body needs fiber from foods that the keto diet cuts out, such as grains, fruit, and carbohydrate-rich vegetables, to keep things moving smoothly. Constipation is most likely a sign you need more fiber in your diet. It could also be a sign you're not eating enough food — constipation is one of the most common side effects of a low-calorie diet. On a more severe level, constipation could signal colon cancer, a bowel obstruction, or something else serious.

This can easily be a symptom of a sore throat from a cold. You should still probably check with your doctor that you don't have strep or another infection — but assuming you're otherwise healthy, it's not that huge of a deal. However, if you experience this symptom without any others, you should take it more seriously. This could indicate throat or esophageal cancer.

Frequent dizzy spells can be really uncomfortable; they're also usually a sign that something else is wrong. It could be indicative of something simple, like hunger or shortness of breath. But it could also be a sign of something like an ear infection, poor circulation, or an iron deficiency. In extreme cases, dizziness might signal a neurological disorder.

Dry skin is common, especially during the winter season, but it doesn't come out of nowhere. There are ways to fight dry skin at home pretty easily. But your dry skin is your body's way of communicating something to you — maybe you need more water or you are using soap that's too harsh for your skin. Seeing a dermatologist about the issue could help you alleviate it for good.

Fainting usually isn't cause for much concern, but in some cases it could be a sign of a larger problem. You could have a severely low blood pressure, low blood sugar, or dehydration. In some cases, fainting could signal the onset of a seizure.

No matter what, a fever is a good reason to visit your doctor. Fevers are usually indicative of an infection, which you definitely want to get taken care of quickly. It could be benign and require no medical attention — or it could be something like meningitis or even cancer.

Heartburn usually happens due to something relatively benign, like eating too quickly or eating too much of a food that's likely to cause it. But other times, severe pain in the chest that feels like heartburn is a signal for something else. Costochondritis, or the inflammation of the cartilage connecting your ribs to your breastbone, could be causing the pain. If the heartburn-like feeling is severe, it could even be a pulmonary embolism. Of course, these severe conditions are highly unlikely if you're experiencing pain that feels like acid reflux. But it's a good idea to pay attention, regardless. You probably just need to lay off the hot sauce.

Everyone forgets things sometimes! Cut yourself some slack. But if you've been noticing yourself becoming increasingly forgetful — especially if it's to the point where others start to notice — you might want to ask your doctor what's going on. This seemingly benign forgetfulness could be an early symptom of Alzheimer's or dementia.

If you're waking up from a horrifying dream or just don't have air conditioning in your home, sweating at night might not be signaling anything serious. Sounds like you just need to make a few alterations to your sleep habits to prevent it. But if you're waking up drenched every single morning when your room is an average temperature, this is cause for some alarm. It could be anything from menopause to hypothyroidism; regardless of what the issue is, talk to a medical professional.

A nagging cough might seem benign, but it's nothing to ignore. Lung and thyroid cancers can both cause incessant coughing, as can other serious conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Yes, problems in your gut can cause a cough!

If you've just climbed four flights of stairs, a little wheezing is probably no big deal. But if it arises out of nowhere, or significantly impairs your ability to function, it may be cause for alarm. Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, could be your first warning sign of a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot. It could also be a symptom of asthma or a lung infection, both of which require significant medical care.

You might be wondering how you're supposed to tell if your legs are swelling. You'll probably start seeing lines on your feet and ankles where your shoes are straining the skin; additionally, the swelling may be uncomfortable or physically noticeable. Leg swelling occurs when blood accumulates in the legs. This could happen because of a blood clot, thyroid problem, vein problem, or even heart failure. When you notice it, visit your doctor immediately — especially if you've had a heart attack in the past.

If the weight gain is slight, as in under or around 10 pounds, it's probably just the normal fluctuation of your body doing its thing. But if it's rapid, don't go on a diet. Go see your doctor. It could be symptomatic of hormonal changes, kidney disease, or a side effect of medication.

As you age, your eyesight might worsen. If this happens, simply visit your optometrist. But if you're going about your day and suddenly see flashes of light or concerning color changes, visit your doctor as soon as you can. Brain and optic nerve tumors can cause sudden vision changes, as can a few other conditions.