According to many statistics, a woman’s lifespan often exceeds that of a man’s. This can be attributed to many factors, but one common reason is because women are more likely to visit the doctor sooner if they have a health concern. In other words, some men tend to wait until they are extremely sick or their symptoms are too persistent before seeking medical attention.
Here are five health symptoms men should not ignore:
- Chest pain: Chest pain is often a prominent sign of a heart attack and should never be ignored. It can also be indicative of other health concerns, such as angina, pneumonia or gastrointestinal health issues like acid reflux or a stomach ulcer.
- Shortness of breath: While this also can be a heart attack symptom, shortness of breath can be a sign of a lung disease, such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema. It also can be associated with anemia.
- Chronic fatigue: Although stress and lack of sleep can be prime contributors to consistently being tired, fatigue also can be a symptom of a more serious health issue. It has been linked to other illnesses, such as cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes, depression, sleep disorders and thyroid disease.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: This often occurs when there is not enough blood reaching your brain; it can be a sign of low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, flu or even a stroke.
- Excessive thirst: While drinking water regularly prevents dehydration, being excessively thirsty may be a sign of a much greater problem, such as diabetes (most common), internal bleeding, a severe infection of the heart or liver, or kidney failure.
While some of these symptoms may be easy to ignore, doing so could lead to serious health issues. That’s why it is best to have them checked out as soon as possible by a physician.
Carroll Hospital has a range of physicians in various specialties to address your needs. To find one that’s appropriate for you, call Care Connect at 410-871-7000 or visit our online physician directory.
