Moles That Bleed Or Change Are Red Flags
Having moles isnt inherently a problem, but moles that bleed or change form are red flags, says Daniel Aires, MD, JD, dermatologist with the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. The rule of thumb is to follow the ABCDE of your mole:
- Asymmetric appearance
- Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving size, color, and shape
The American Academy of Dermatology says these are warning signs of possible melanoma.
If there’s a history of skin cancer in your family, watch your moles even more closely. Routine evaluations can help find potential problems. If you have a concern about a mole, it may be wise to take a photo of it every six months to make it easier to notice changes over time.
Clinical Burden Of Chronic Pain And Fatigue
Further understanding of pain and fatigue is clinically important as they are among the most frequent symptoms reported by patients. When these symptoms are persistent or unexplained they are associated with poorer quality of life and higher costs than other patient groups. They also pose a diagnostic conundrum and have a significant impact on healthcare utilisation costs and significant indirect costs.
Fibromyalgia is characterised by chronic pain, fatigue and what are described as functional symptoms. Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex, chronic condition characterised by symptom clusters that include pathological fatigue and malaise that is worse after exertion, cognitive dysfunction, immune dysfunction, unrefreshing sleep, pain, autonomic dysfunction, neuroendocrine and immune symptoms.
Chronic pain affects between one-third and one-half of the population of the UK, whereby fibromyalgia has a reported prevalence of 5%. In a population-based sample of middle-aged individuals, fatigue was present in one out of five subjects.
Never Ignore Chronic Body Aches & Fatigue
Chronic body aches and fatigue can affect anyone- no matter what your age- and can be a quite stressful experience.
Some of the most common body aches include neck/back pain, muscle pain, headaches, and joint pain. In addition, there is neuropathic pain, which is a condition that results in a malfunction of the nervous system.
Chronic body aches and fatigue can be a serious medical condition that needs medical attention and should never be ignored.
Following are some of the most common causes of body aches and fatigue that you should be aware of.
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What To Do If You Suspect Pectus Excavatum
In addition to the physical symptoms of pectus excavatum, there are also some emotional and mental effects to consider.
The deep divot can cause severe body-image issues, which can lead to depression and isolation. Even if your physical symptoms are mild, surgery may still be warranted to avoid the negative social ramifications and self-esteem issues.
All chest wall surgeries are most effective on younger patients , but these procedures are very effective for adults as well the results are successful and permanent 99% of the time.
Recovery can take up to six weeks, and pain can be managed by oral medication or temporary nerve blocks.
To find out more about pectus excavatum and whether your symptoms point to this condition, contact us by phone or online to schedule a consultation with our team.
We have multiple offices in New York in Pomona, Goshen, Fishkill, and the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, as well as Englewood, New Jersey.
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You Have A Viral Or Bacterial Infection
When chills are accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, body aches or fatigue, theyre more likely associated with a systemic infection, such as flu or pneumonia.
Chills boost your bodys core temperature when your immune system attempts to fight off infection, Taroyan explains. Your body temperature increases, even though you might feel cold. If you have a viral infection, you will usually notice other symptoms along with chills, such as sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Most of the time, it can be self-limiting and will resolve within 2 weeks. Its important to get plenty of rest and increase your fluid intake.
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Problems With Thinking Memory And Concentration
If you have ME/CFS, it’s also common to have:
- problems remembering certain words, names or numbers
- difficulty concentrating or difficulty focusing on more than one thing at a time
- problems remembering things that happened recently
- being slow to speak or react to things
These problems are sometimes described “brain fog”.
Muscle Aches Fatigue And Shortness Of Breath
Muscle aches, fatigue and shortness of breath are three symptoms that often present themselves concurrently and are common to a variety of disorders or illnesses. The seasonal flu is the most common cause of this triad of symptoms, but the root of the problem may also be a more serious condition such as bronchitis, pneumonia or other viral or bacterial infection.
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Which Parts Of The Body Are Most Affected By Allergies
Seasonal allergies most often affect your respiratory systemnose, sinuses, throat, and lungs. However, pain from allergies can also affect other parts of your body.
Repeatedly coughing and sneezing can strain the muscles between your ribs or the cartilage that attaches your ribs to your breastbone , causing a lot of pain. Pain can also come from your diaphragm, or breathing muscle, which can transfer pain to your shoulder or neck.
This pain is usually sharp and intense and worsens when you breathe, sneeze, laugh, or cough.
Allergies Body Aches And Other Symptoms
When you think of seasonal allergy symptoms, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t body aches. However, allergies do cause a full-body response. Your immune system decides that the offending substance is “foreign” and sends chemicals to fight it off. The most common symptoms of allergies often include:
- Dark circles under the eyes
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Heart Disease And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue from an activity that should be easy
If youre exhausted after an activity that used to be easy for example, walking up the steps it may be time to talk to your doctor about the possibility of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. If your fatigue is related to your heart, medication or treatments can usually help correct the problem, cut the fatigue, and restore your energy.
Viral Or Bacterial Infection And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, fever, head or body aches.
Fatigue can be a symptom of infections ranging from the flu to HIV. If you have an infection, youll probably have other symptoms like fever, head or body aches, shortness of breath, or appetite loss.
Infections that may cause fatigue include:
Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, deep muscle pain, painful tender points, sleep problems, anxiety, depression
Fibromyalgia is one of the more common causes of chronic fatigue and musculoskeletal pain, especially in women. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are considered separate but related disorders. They share a common symptom: severe fatigue that greatly interferes with peoples lives.
With fibromyalgia, you may feel that no matter how long you sleep, its never restful. And you may feel as if you are always fatigued during daytime hours. Your sleep may be interrupted by frequent waking. Yet, you may not remember any sleep disruptions the next day. Some people with fibromyalgia live in a constant fibro fog a hazy feeling that makes it hard to concentrate.
Constant daytime fatigue with fibromyalgia often results in people not getting enough exercise. That causes a decline in physical fitness. It can also lead to mood-related problems. The best way to offset these effects is to try to exercise more. Exercise has tremendous benefits for sleep, mood, and fatigue.
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When To Worry About Chest Pain
- When to Worry About Chest Pain
Sometimes chest pain is just chest pain. Sometimes its only a muscle strain, heartburn or bronchitis. More often than not there are benign reasons, but you should be evaluated by a healthcare professional if youre worried.
Chest pain can signal a serious condition, heart-related or otherwise. Heres when you should call a healthcare provider if youre having chest pain.
What Kind Of Treatment Could Help Against Fatigue
Sometimes is still a major problem despite adjusting your daily schedule, doing physical exercise and getting support from other people. Then professional help may be an option, for instance in the form of psychological treatment or occupational therapy. Some specialized programs have been developed specifically for people who have fatigue as a result of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Theyâre designed to do things like help you plan activities and make sure you donât use up all of your energy at once.
Cognitive behavioral therapy strategies can also be learned to help cope with . Some involve recognizing and then changing certain thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that make it more difficult to live with the disease.
Studies on non-drug treatments show that approaches used in occupational therapy and psychotherapy can relieve exhaustion.
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Symptoms Women Over 40 Shouldnt Ignore
Most minor discomfort is a sign of … not much. Maybe you had a heavy meal, a stressful day, a hard workout and by the next day you feel fine again. But a handful of trivial-sounding symptoms can sometimes be red flags for something more serious. Since it’s often hard to distinguish between the no big deal and the dire, most of us err on the side of ignoring the problem and hoping it goes away. “Women in midlife are often juggling 20 things at once, so they tend to neglect their own health,” says Nieca Goldberg, MD, author of “Dr. Nieca Goldberg’s Complete Guide to Women’s Health.”
“That’s why it’s especially important for them to be informed about what really needs medical attention.” Here, a guide to eight important symptoms: when you should see a doctor and when you can just keep cruising.
Pain and swelling in your calfLikely cause: Pulled muscleWorst-case scenario: Blood clot in the legCalf pain is the most common symptom of deep vein thrombosis , a clot in a deep vein, which is a potentially fatal condition that strikes an estimated 350,000 to 600,000 people in the U.S. every year most of them 40 and over. “The clot blocks blood flow, causing pain and swelling,” says Stephan Moll, MD, of the National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia.
Other signs it may be serious: Shortness of breath dizziness pressure, squeezing, or pain in the chest pain in the back, arm, jaw, or upper abdomen.
What You Should Do
Don’t be a hero and try to tough out an illness. Call your doctor to report any concerning symptoms, especially those of COVID-19 or flu you may need a test and treatment.
“It’s a different era from when you didn’t want to bother your doctor,” Dr. Jha says. “Don’t deny yourself care. Your doctor would never want that. And the earlier you call, the sooner you can be treated if you need it.”
Image: © Dave & Les Jacobs/Getty Images
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Joint Pain And Swelling
Up to 90% of people with lupus will have arthritis, which is defined as inflammation or swelling of the joint lining. The most common symptoms of arthritis are stiffness and aching, most often in the hands and wrists. Symptoms of arthritis can come and go and move from one joint to another. Pain and stiffness tend to be worse in the morning and improve as the day goes on. People with lupus can also experience pain in the joints without swelling or tenderness, which is referred to as arthralgia.
Protect Your Joints And Muscles
When you have muscle or joint pain, it can be hard to be active. But when youre less active, your muscles get weaker and that can make your joint pain worse.
Work with your rheumatologist to make a physical activity plan thats right for you. If you have muscle weakness, physical therapy can help strengthen your muscles. Your rheumatologist can refer you to a physical therapist.
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Q: What Are The Symptoms Of Pots
A: The most common symptom of POTS is chronic fatigue. Other symptoms include body aches and exhaustion. About a third of patients faint. Other patients are plagued by adrenaline symptoms such as chest pain, racing heart rate , sweating and difficulty breathing. POTS feels like having the flu, but having to drink coffee to get through the day.
Is Surprising Or Sudden Weight Gain Serious
Dramatic, unexplained changes in weight can be a sign of a serious health problem. For example, weight loss can be a sign of cancer, while weight gain may be a warning sign of heart failure or thyroid issues. If you experience new bloating or distension in your midsection that is persistent, it could be a sign of ovarian cancer, says Dr. Baechler. Ovarian cancer is uncommon, yet bloating is often one of the first symptoms.
If you have weight gain along with swelling in both of your legs and shortness of breath when you lie flat, you could be showing signs of heart failure, says Ashley Simmons, MD, medical director of the University of Kansas Hospitals Adelaide C. Ward Womens Heart Health Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Rapid weight gain, swelling, and retention of fluid can occur when your heart doesnt pump fluid as efficiently as it should.
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Should I Be Worried If I Have Chest Pain And Fatigue
Like a cars dashboard, your body alerts you to trouble within. When your cars symptoms are nonspecific, like if it idles fast or feels sluggish, you take it to a mechanic to find out whats wrong.
Likewise, chest pain and fatigue are signals that somethings wrong, but its not an automatic cause for worry. These two symptoms together can mean you have:
- Indigestion
- Heart disease
- Pectus excavatum
Trying to figure out on your own exactly whats causing your discomfort is risky. If you have a serious condition and you ignore it or misdiagnose it yourself, you could be headed for a heart attack.
General Exercise Tips For People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Be guided by your doctor or specialist, but general suggestions include:
- Experiment to find the type of exercise that works best for you. Choose from a range of gentle activities such as stretching, yoga, tai chi, walking and light weight training.
- Keep an activity diary so you have a long-term picture of your performance levels and factors that might impact on your symptoms.
- Stop the physical activity well before you feel any symptom flare. Pacing yourself is very important.
- Remember that the amount of exercise you can do will change from one day to the next.
- Listen to your body if you dont feel up to exercising on a particular day, dont.
- Find out as much as you can about your ME/CFS. Make sure you consult with health professionals who fully understand ME/CFS as a real biomedical condition.
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Sleep Disorders And Fatigue
Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, feeling exhausted upon awakening, snoring
Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that disrupt or prevent restful, restorative sleep. That can take a toll on your health and quality of life, so its important to look out for signs and symptoms.
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Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. If you or your partner notices loud snoring and you wake up tired and stay that way, you could have sleep apnea. More than one-third of adults in the U.S. snore at least a few nights a week. But if the snoring stops your breathing for seconds at a time, it could be sleep apnea. Learn more about the best sleep positions and see if sleeping on your stomach is bad or not.
Obstructive sleep apnea causes low blood oxygen levels. Thats because blockages prevent air from getting to the lungs. The low oxygen levels also affect how well your heart and brain work. Sometimes, the only clue that you might have sleep apnea is chronic fatigue.
Your doctor may prescribe a medical device called CPAP that helps keep your airways open while you sleep. In severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery may help. The surgeon will remove tissues that are blocking the airways. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
But sleep apnea is just one of many sleep disorders that cause fatigue. Other common types include:
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Things That Cause Muscle Fatigue And Soreness
Therere few things as painful as muscle fatigue and soreness. Have you ever spent the day working out at the gym and feeling great, only to feel intense pain the next day from working your muscles too hard? Your musculoskeletal system controls things like your movements, posture, and balance, so its no wonder when you stretch or move them beyond their limits that they would be sore.
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Symptoms By Autoimmune Condition
There are more than 80 autoimmune conditions. There is an overlap in symptoms among many of these conditions, and distinctive symptoms can help differentiate between them.
If you have one autoimmune disease, you have a 25% chance of developing other autoimmune conditions. This can make sorting out diagnoses more difficult. It can also cause some symptoms to be compounded.
