Most of us will know our bodies well enough to determine when something is wrong. But, sometimes, we get so used to problems that they become normal.
Leaving issues to linger for too long might lead to further problems that could get more serious. Dr Ahmed, a British GP, said there are some common issues you should still mention when you get checked over by a doctor.
Most could easily be dismissed – but they don’t have to be. He branded them as “three symptoms you must not ignore”.
He said back pain is “very common” and often gets better on its own with anti-inflammatory medicine and gentle exercises and stretches. But he added: “If you have had back pain for more than six weeks, please go to your doctor to make sure there are no serious underlying causes.”
If your back pain is severe or not getting better, your GP may prescribe painkillers or medicines to relax the muscles in your back. In some cases, you could also be referred to physiotherapy.
The doctor claimed that ‘eye floaters’ are also fairly common. Most of us will occasionally see these squiggly lines swimming around in our vision.
Whilst they’re generally harmless, it’s definitely worth keeping track if you notice them more often. Dr Ahmed said, “Most of the time, it’s completely normal, and there is no serious underlying cause. However, if you have gotten a sudden increase in the number of floaters or you have lots of black spots in your vision, then you must get this checked out as well.”
If you have problems with floaters or flashes in your vision, an optician should check your eyes to see if you need to be seen by a specialist for more tests or treatment. You’ll usually only need treatment if you have a problem that could affect your vision.
Thirdly, Dr Ahmed said that chronic fatigue is something many people have and tend to ignore. There are some obvious reasons in life that make us tired, such as a hard day at work or an intense round of exercise, but sometimes, there’s no real reason for feeling tired, which leads to “extreme fatigue where you can’t function.”
He said: “There could literally be hundreds of reasons for this and, thankfully, a lot of them aren’t serious. However, I think it’s something that a lot of people don’t mention because they think it’s nothing to worry about or think it’s something doctors may not even take seriously – but you must, just to make sure nothing else is going on.”
It could be a sign of chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that causes extreme tiredness that does not go away with rest or sleep. This could also impact memory and concentration. If you have any concerns about the symptoms mentioned above, book an appointment with your GP.
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