Most diseases and conditions don't just appear out of the blue. They take time to develop and during that time your body will try to give you warnings about them. If you are listening you can pick up on the symptoms early and stay safe.

Chest pains

Pressure, a tight squeezing feeling, pain in the center chest that lasts for more than a few minutes. Discomfort or pain in other upper body areas, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness. These are all common signs of a heart attack and you should call 911 immediately.

Tearing sensation in the back

In many cases, a tearing feeling could be a muscle injury. But if you have not been doing any strenuous physical activity this could also be a rupture of your aorta. This can present as severe stabbing pain in the back. If the pain persists for more than 20 minutes and is accompanied by nausea, seek immediate medical assistance.

Snoring

Although possibly a perfectly innocent (yet irritating) noise, snoring could also be a symptom of Sleep Apnea. Linked to increased risk for heart disease, Sleep Apnea can cause you to stop breathing while you sleep. Better safe than sorry, it’s always best to have your doctor refer you to a Sleep Specialist to make sure.

Frequent trips to the bathroom

When sugar builds up in the bloodstream it can start damaging blood vessels and nerves. Your body will then attempt to flush the toxins out, through urination.

If you find yourself having to go to the washroom several times during the night, you might want to have your blood sugar levels tested by your doctor. It could mean that you are developing Type-2 Diabetes. Don't ignore these symptoms. Uncontrolled sugar levels can lead to glaucoma, kidney disease, and foot ulcers that can require limb amputation.

Forgetting how to do banking and other financial skills

One of the symptoms of the onset of Alzheimer’s is the inability to do simple math problems. If you can no longer figure out a 15 percent tip on a $60 restaurant bill, this may be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s. Medications are available to help with symptoms.

Random nosebleeds

There’s usually a good reason for a nosebleed, you got hit in the face, dry air, aggressive nose blowing. But if you can’t pinpoint the cause of your nose bleed, you might want to have your blood pressure checked. Nosebleeds are an indication of high blood pressure. Most pharmacies offer free blood pressure checkers and will be able to confirm whether or not your levels are within the norm.

Of course, you should always have your blood pressure checked annually during your physical.

Numbness

Numbness in the face arms or legs is nothing to be ignored. Numbness along one side of the body could indicate a stroke. Usually accompanied by sudden confusion, blurry vision, and difficulty in speaking or understanding those around you. There are other diseases that could be indicated by numbness. For instance Lyme disease, Guillain-Barré (GBS) an immune system disorder, diabetes or even a herniated disc. You should always investigate any numbness, and if symptoms of a stroke present, call 911 immediately.

Call an ambulance

If you believe that you are having a serious medical issue, call 911 and have an ambulance take you to Emergency.

It is NEVER a good idea for you to drive yourself to the hospital if you are experiencing symptoms of a serious condition. The symptoms could become more acute, endangering yourself and others on the road around you.

Although you might feel it may be faster for a friend or family member to drive you, the EMTs are trained to assist in the field and could save your life before you even get to the hospital, something which would not be available in your friend's car.
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