Minor Symptoms, Major Trouble

Minor Symptoms Major Trouble

By Katherine Steinberg and Mary Kearl
Minor Symptoms, Major Trouble

You may think there's nothing to worry about if you have a lingering cough or you've been getting a lot of headaches lately. These symptoms, while seemingly minor, can indicate very serious conditions like lung cancer and brain tumors. Of course, sometimes a headache is just a headache. Read on to find out the 16 most startling minor symptoms that can signal major trouble.


Minor Symptom: Bruising or Bleeding Easily


Major Trouble: Abnormal bruising, easily bleeding, frequent nosebleeds, blood in the urine and blood after dental work are all symptoms of heomphilia (http://body.aol.com/conditions/hemophilia), a rare genetic bleeding disorder. Von Willebrand"s disease (http://body.aol.com/conditions/von-willebrands-disease) and cirrhosis (http://body.aol.com/conditions/cirrhosis) are also characterized by excessive bleeding. Not all bleeding and bruising should be cause for alarm: As the skin ages its defenses weaken and bruising and easy bleeding can follow.

Minor Symptom: Chronic Cough


Major Trouble: While you may simply have a bad case of the flu, a chronic cough could be an indicator of
lung cancer, or a chest infection. If the cough is accompanied by muscus or blood, then it may be tuberculosis. Find out when to call your doctor if you suspect you have lung cancer or TB.

Minor Symptom: Headaches


Major Trouble: We all get headaches from time to time, but if they come in conjunction with other serious symptoms, such as vomiting or nausea, you may have more than just a migraine. . If you experience double vision with your headache it could be a brain tumor. Headaches dare also a symptom of high blood pressure. If you suspect that you have high blood pressure find out when it's time to call your doctor.

Minor Symptom: Discolored Mole


Major Trouble: You could be facing a battle with font color="#2864b4">skin cancer if you notice your mole has changed shape, size or has an irregular shape. It's a smart idea to regularly examine your skin -- use a mirror for hard to see spots on your back and legs -- with special attention to areas that are often exposed to the sun. Go see your doctor to make sure that what you have isn't just a mild skin irritation. You should also have your moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch or appear scaly.

Minor Symptom: Hair Loss (http://body.aol.com/conditions/hair-loss)


Major Trouble: If you"re losing hair in patches, in your eyebrows, eyelashes or scalp, it could be a sign of syphilis (http://body.aol.com/conditions/syphilis/symptoms). Low thyroid levels caused by hypothyroidism (http://body.aol.com/conditions/hypothyroidism-definition-4/hypothyroidism) can cause coarse and thinning hair. Look for other signs like fatigue, weight gain, depression, memory troubles, constipation, and/or dry skin or yellowish skin. Ringworm of the scalp (http://body.aol.com/conditions/ringworm-of-the-scalp-or-beard) (which appears as a bald ring) and Other times of hormonal change, like pregnancy, birth control use, and menopause can also lead to hair loss. If you see hair loss in an atypical pattern, at an early age, or in rapid succession call your doctor.

Minor Symptom: Blood in Your Stool


Major Trouble: Blood, especially darker blood, could be colon cancer. If you suspect you have colon cancer, find out when to call your doctor. If the blood is bright red, or after a strained bowel movement, you may have diverticulitis or even just hemorrhoids.

Minor Symptom: Night sweats.


Major Trouble: Sweating at night is not normal -- it is often a symptom of tuberculosis, HIV, AIDS or Hodgkin's disease, which is a lymphatic cancer. Menopause has been known to cause night sweats as well, but overall this is a serious symptom. Do something about it.

Minor Symptom: Chronic Fatigue


Major Trouble: You may think you're just tired, but often fatigue is a warning sign of depression and anxiety. Tiredness associated with depression could be accompanied by appetite change, restlessness, feelings of guilt and thoughts about suicide. You can test your level of depression here. Exhaustion associated with anxiety can include symptoms like twitching, trembling, breathlessness, lightheadedness or cold, clammy hands. You may also be suffereing from chronic fatigue syndrome , which involves a level of tiredness that has lasted at least six months and does not improve with rest. Other symptoms include memory loss, confusion, sore throat, and muscle pain.

Minor Symptom: Sudden Muscle Weakness


Major Trouble: If your muscles suddenly give way, get weak, useless or if you suddenly have trouble balancing, standing or walking, you may have have Parkinson's. Another possibility is that you've had a stroke. And don't forget, strokes can happen to young people too.