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continued:

10 symptoms not to ignore

6. Sudden severe headache

Headaches are common and generally not a cause for concern. However, a sudden severe headache could signal a serious problem. Seek prompt medical attention if you experience:

  • Sudden severe headache like a clap of thunder
  • Headache accompanied by a fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion or seizures
  • New pattern of headaches after age 55

The last item may indicate that you have temporal arteritis — inflammation of the arteries in the scalp, brain and eyes — a rare, but treatable condition that usually begins in middle age. Other possible causes of severe headache may include a brain tumor or aneurysm.

7. Sudden weakness, loss of vision or speech

If you have these signs or symptoms, minutes count. They're warning signs of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a ministroke. Seek immediate emergency medical care if you have:

  • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body
  • Sudden dimness, blurring or loss of vision
  • Loss of speech or trouble understanding others
  • Unexplained dizziness or unsteadiness, or a sudden fall
  • Sudden severe headache, like a "bolt out of the blue"

8. Flashes of light

The sudden sensation of seeing flashing lights may signal retinal detachment. Immediate medical care may prevent permanent vision loss.

9. Feeling full after eating very little

Early satiety — feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual — that lasts for more than a week should be checked by your doctor. It may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, fever, and weight loss or gain. If so, tell your doctor about these signs or symptoms too.

Possible causes of early satiety include heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as more-serious problems such as gastric outlet obstruction or esophageal cancer or stomach problems.

10. Hot, red or swollen joint

If one of your joints is swollen or inflamed, it may signal a joint infection, which requires emergency care. Other causes may include gout or some types of arthritis.

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References
  1. Hagen PT. Mayo Clinic EmbodyHealth Guide to Self-Care. 5th ed. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2006.
  2. Francis J, et al. Delirium. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 1, 2009.
  3. Longstreth GF. Abdominal pain (functional dyspepsia) in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 1, 2009.
  4. Bajwa ZH. Headache causes and diagnosis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 1, 2009.

GA00054

July 14, 2009

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