We women are almost always busy. We are known for our multitasking capabilities, taking care of home, family, work and many more things in between. Unfortunately, as a result, our own health tends to take a back seat. Sometimes we ignore headaches, or maybe we don’t even notice when our weight changes radically. Fortunately, most symptoms do not indicate anything serious, but occasionally; We may miss the beginning of something serious. This International Women’s Day 2022 Let us resolve to focus a little more on our health so that we do not overlook the red flag.Also read – Meet the 6 women entrepreneurs who broke through the barriers and followed their passion
- Frequent shortness of breath: Sometimes women may have difficulty breathing with labor when their heart muscles do not get adequate blood supply. Women are more likely to have a so-called silent heart attack, where shortness of breath and extreme fatigue are more common symptoms than chest pain. Other common causes of shortness of breath in women are anemia or lung disease.
- Chest pain and rapid heartbeat: If you are experiencing chest pain, rapid heartbeat, pain in your arms, shoulders or jaw, and / or difficulty breathing, it may be due to a heart problem. Spontaneous rupture of the arteries supplying the heart muscle – is rare, it can affect young people and occurs more often in women than in men.
- Sudden weaknessSudden weakness of the face or limbs may indicate a stroke. Other symptoms include sudden confusion, slurred speech, blurred vision, and difficulty walking. Your family and friends should also be aware of these symptoms, as it can be difficult to identify them and seek immediate help yourself.
- Changes in the menstrual period: You are the best judge of what is normal when it comes to your menstrual cycle. Your period will change throughout your life, but you need to visit your doctor if you find anything normal. Sharp changes in quantity, duration, flow and amount of pain need to be observed. These changes may be related to normal menopause, or may indicate a benign condition, such as polycystic ovaries or uterine fibroids. However, occasionally they may point to serious conditions such as pelvic infection or gynecological cancer. You should never delay consulting your doctor if you notice bleeding after menopause.
- Skin changes: Be aware of sudden changes in your skin. Dark skin on your armpits and back of the neck or multiple skin tags can be a sign of prediabetes. A crusty, scaly growth may be a pre-cancerous condition such as actinic or solar keratosis. Look for changes in the size, shape or color of existing moles, as well as any new spots that may appear.
- Sudden weight change: If you suddenly start losing weight without any specific effort, it can be a sign of a health problem. Common causes are overactive thyroid, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, liver disease or cancer. Conversely, if you gain weight without changing your diet or activity level, it may indicate thyroid, depression, or other metabolic diseases.
- Abnormal breast lumps: The female’s breasts are naturally slightly lumpy and pitted. However, if you notice any lumps on the chest wall or skin, do not delay in getting medical help, changes in the upper skin, changes in the appearance of the nipple. These may be signs of breast cancer.
- Snoring and extreme drowsiness: If you are sleeping on your desk in your car or worse, it may be due to obstructive sleep apnea, where you start and stop breathing continuously throughout the night and snore loudly. . Leaving it untreated can lead to cardiovascular problems and weight gain.
- Excessive fatigue: There are many causes of fatigue. However, if you experience constant fatigue, it may be a sign of some underlying metabolic disorder or a serious inflammatory condition such as cancer, dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
- Visual abnormalities: Your vision may fade with age, but if you suddenly have difficulty or notice blurred vision in one or both of your eyes, it may be a sign of a stroke. Migraine can cause you to see flashing lights or even colorful shadows. But you need to keep in mind, this same symptom can also mean that your retina is torn or detached. If the problem is not solved immediately, it can lead to permanent blindness.
- Excessive stress and anxiety: Everyone’s life is stressful in some way. But that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. If you find that stress levels are too difficult to control and are interfering with your daily routine, you should not delay seeking the help of your doctor. Mental health should never be neglected.
In conclusion, if you experience symptoms that do not seem to be quite right, listen to your intuition. You know your body best and you can understand when something goes wrong. Remember, seeking early help and the right advice from your qualified physician can help ensure the best possible outcome. Also read – Opinion: Give us period leaves instead of flowers and chocolates!
(Inputs from Dr. Sujata Chakraborty, Consultant-General Medicine, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network
Hospital) Also read – Women’s Day Special: The Rise of Shahnaz Hussain in the Beauty Industry
