Ten symptoms not to ignore

Chest pains, abdominal discomfort, and unexplained bleeding are good reasons to seek immediate medical care. Other reasons are less well-known. The Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers 10 symptoms not to ignore:

Unexplained weight loss. Experiencing a five percent weight loss in a month or a 10% weight loss within six to 12 months could signal a number of different conditions, such as an overactive thyroid, depression, liver disease, cancer, or other noncancerous disorders that interfere with how well your body absorbs nutrients.

Persistent fever. A low-grade fever--over 100.4[degrees]--should be evaluated if it lasts for a week or more. Fever can signal underlying infections. Some cancers and other medical conditions can cause prolonged, persistent fever. A fever accompanied by violent chills or greater than 103[degrees] should be evaluated right away.

Shortness of breath. Gasping for air or wheezing are medical emergencies. Causes vary widely and can include asthma, heart problems, anxiety, panic attacks, or a blood clot in the lungs.

Unexplained changes in bowel habits. This may signal a bacterial or viral infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or colon cancer. Seek care for any of the following: severe diarrhea lasting more than two days; mild diarrhea lasting a week; constipation that lasts for more than two weeks; unexplained urges to have a bowel movement; bloody diarrhea; or black or tarry-colored stool.

Altered mental status. Changes in behavior or thinking may be due to infection, head injury, stroke, low blood sugar, or medications. Immediate medical care is warranted for any of the following: sudden or gradual confused thinking; disorientation; sudden aggressive behavior; or hallucinations in someone who never has had them.

Flashes of light. The sensation of flashing lights may signal the beginning of retinal detachment. For that condition, immediate care is needed to save vision in the affected eye.

New or more-severe headaches (especially for those over age 50). Medical attention is needed right away for: a sudden and severe headache, often called a thunderclap because it comes on suddenly like a clap of thunder, or a headache accompanied by a fever, stiff neck, rash, mental confusion, seizure, alterations in vision, weakness, numbness, speaking difficulties, scalp tenderness, or pain with chewing. Causes vary for headaches that are considered medical emergencies and may include stroke, blood vessel inflammation, meningitis, brain tumor, aneurysm, or bleeding on the brain after head trauma.

Short-term loss of vision, speaking, movement, or control. Minutes count because these are symptoms of a possible stroke or transient ischemic attack. Seek immediate emergency care for any of the following: weakness or numbness of the face, arm, and leg on one side of the body; dimness, blurring, or loss of vision; loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding speech; sudden or severe headache; or dizziness, unsteadiness, or a fall.

Feeling full after eating very little. Feeling full sooner than normal after eating or having persistent nausea or vomiting for a week might indicate possible gastrointestinal disorders, or pancreatic, stomach, or ovarian cancer.

Hot, red, or swollen joints. These warning signs may occur with a joint infection, which requires emergency care to save the joint and keep bacteria from spreading elsewhere. Other causes may include gout or certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

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