Subtle Symptoms That Can Signal Bigger Health Issues

For many, aches and pains can be a daily part of life, so much so that they don’t even distract us from our regular task. However, these subtle symptoms and regular occurrences could be a sign of something to come down the road.

Here are just a few minor and daily issues you might experience and what they could mean now and down the line.

Not So Common Heart Attack Signs
Most major heart attack signs are commonly known, such as extreme chest pain and a shooting pain down your left arm, but some smaller warning signs could signal the start of a cardiac event such as:

Stomach Issues: Vomiting and nausea can be signs that you’re having a heart attack. Often these are confused for just a virus.

Abdominal Pain: Gender does play a part in your symptoms. For women, heart attacks can often mask themselves as abdominal pain, sometimes leaving them thinking it’s something less severe such as acid reflux. If the pain you are experiencing is less of an ache and more pressure, the cause may be a heart condition. The most significant indicator is a crushing-like feeling in your stomach.

Jaw Pain: Though most jaw pain could be a toothache or tension, it’s one of the most commonly missed heart attack symptoms in women. The major red flag is if you're experiencing a headache, too.

Sweating: Yes, the temperature is rising and sweating is going to occur more often, but if you're profusely sweating with no effort and are also experiencing chest pains, you may be having a heart attack and should see medical attention as soon as possible.

Certain Abdominal Pains
Though most abdominal pain goes away after time or with the help of antacids, some lingering pains shouldn’t be ignored. Here’s how to separate the significant pains from the minor ones:

Stomach Flu: Vomiting, nausea, bloating, gas, and fever are the significant symptoms that signal a stomach flu and should subside within a few days; if not it could be a sign of something that will require a doctor visit.

Gas: Symptoms can vary from increased pressure to sharp pains. At times, tightness or restriction in the abdomen can occur, too. Most of the time, a change in diet can stop the recurrence of gas, and it can often be relieved with a belch, flatulence, or medication.

Pulled or Strained Muscle Pain: The most significant sign is pain or soreness around the belly region from injury.

Some non-stomach related issues, that can cause abdominal pain and should be watched out for are:

• Heart Attacks
• Kidney Stones
• Appendicitis
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

If you are experiencing extreme abdominal pain that won’t go away or comes and goes, it’s time to discuss it with your doctor.

Urinary Issues
For anyone who experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI) in the past, you know how uncomfortable they can be. Though they might only be a minor occurrence, it could be a signal of bladder or kidney issues, and the more frequent they occur, the more you’ll want to consider speaking with a specialist. No matter what, the best course of treatment for a UTI is to catch them early and take preventative measures whenever possible.

Stay Hydrated: Bacteria is the main cause of a UTI. By staying hydrated, you can flush the bacteria away and help prevent and chances of recurring infections.

Mind Your Hygiene: When using the restroom, always remember to wipe from front to back, and try to avoid using any heavy-scented products.

Hit the Restroom Often: As bacteria lingers, your chance of infection increases. Holding in your urine is one way you could be increasing your chances of UTIs.

Catch the Symptoms Early: Listening to your body is critical. If you’ve had a UTI in the past, you probably know the symptoms pretty well. As soon as you have an idea that an infection could be occurring, visit The CCMG Walk-in Clinic for a test. The most common symptoms include:

• A sudden burning feeling when you urinate.
• Frequent and intense urge to urinate.
• Pain or pressure in your lower back.
• Strange smelling or cloudy urine.
• Back pain and/or sudden fever.

Reactions to Stings and Bites
One of the most dreaded parts of summer is the bugs that come along with it. Stings and bites can be an uncomfortable part of the season, but there are ways to avoid them. You’ll want to avoid vibrant clothing and strong fragrances. When outdoors, consistently apply bug spray to help prevent bugs from coming your way.

If you do get stung, you’ll want to ice the area immediately for 10 to 20 minutes. Calming creams can help both stings and bites from itching.

If you have never been stung before or have young kids that haven’t you’ll want to watch closely for a reaction. Signs of a reaction can include, redness, swelling, hives, and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis.

Keep a close eye on its healing and try to avoid scratching as it can lead to infection.

Always Practice Prevention
The easiest way to keep your health a top priority is to follow up on regular checkups and well visits. It’s quite common to assume that seeing a doctor is only necessary when you’re sick, but this mentality is what can lead to illness and poor health. With regular physicals, you can discuss your symptoms with your doctor and begin to prevent any minor things from becoming major.

Ultimately, prevention is more comfortable (and less expensive) than treatment. Ignoring pain can just lead to more treatment down the road.

The Campbell County Medical Group Walk-in Clinic is open seven days a week and is available to help when a mild asthma attack, allergy symptoms, or breathing difficulties occur.

The Walk-in Clinic in Gillette, Wyoming can provide you with the personal and quality care you need. Save your spot in line or walk-in today! Learn more at www.cchwyo.org/wic.