As human beings, we all experience various health hurdles at some point in our lives. While some of these challenges are easily managed with little disruption to our daily life, others can be much more damaging and even life-threatening if not properly addressed. Fortunately, most health problems can be avoided by making healthy lifestyle choices and seeing your doctor regularly for routine checkups.
Regardless of your current state of health, you must schedule regular checkups with your doctor to detect any potential problems before they become serious. During your next appointment, your doctor may discover certain concerning symptoms that indicate the presence of a medical issue. Depending on the severity of these findings and the potential risk factors involved with each condition, your doctor may recommend follow-up tests or additional appointments as necessary. Here are the five things your doctor may find during your next visit.
1. Cancer
A cancer screening is an exam your doctor performs to detect certain cancer early. While most cancers are slow-growing, your doctor needs to detect them early in their development to provide you with the best possible chance of survival.
Your doctor may recommend a breast or prostate cancer screening during your next appointment, depending on your age and medical history. These screenings are usually performed every two years for women and men over 50 or every three years for men starting at age 40. However, many doctors recommend regular screenings if you have a family history of certain types of cancer or have been diagnosed with certain types of cancer.
2. Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroid treatment in Memphis, TN, for example, is performed by highly professional and board-certified radiologists who detect symptoms and work with all patients to treat fibroids properly.
While uterine fibroids are a common condition for women of childbearing age, they can be problematic to a woman’s health in many ways. Although uterine fibroids are not cancerous, they can lead to heavy bleeding and pain during intercourse and other complications that may require medical attention.
The most common symptom of uterine fibroids is heavy menstrual bleeding. You may discover that you have an unusually long period or have started having periods earlier than normal.
An increase in uterus size, resulting in lower abdominal pain and difficulty urinating, is another commonly known symptom of uterine fibroids. Other symptoms include breast pain, swelling, nausea or vomiting, and headaches.
3. Arthritis
Arthritis is a general term used to describe the painful swelling and stiffness of the joints. A condition known as osteoarthritis, which occurs mostly in older adults, is the most common form of arthritis. The two most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in your joints, which may make it difficult to move around for short periods.
In addition to pain and joint stiffness, you may experience difficulty sleeping or moving your fingers or toes. Your doctor may also notice decreased sensation in your fingertips or toes if you have peripheral neuropathy, which causes nerve damage. In rare cases, advanced forms of arthritis can lead to more severe symptoms, such as mobility issues and even loss of feeling in your feet or hands.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use insulin effectively. Diabetes can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity. Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination (polyuria), weight loss despite an increased appetite, and fatigue.
The most common form of diabetes is type 1 diabetes, which occurs in childhood or adolescence and typically requires insulin injections to control blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs in adulthood and is typically linked to obesity and lack of exercise. This form of diabetes requires lifestyle changes and medical treatment with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels.
While it’s possible to live with diabetes for a long time without ever having any symptoms, complications are possible if left untreated for too long (such as damage to nerves or eyesight). Your doctor may recommend regular blood tests and glucose monitoring so you can keep track of your blood sugar levels over time.
5. Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a common respiratory infection that causes coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. It is most often caused by viruses and may be spread through contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces. While bronchitis clears up in most cases, it can be life-threatening if left untreated.
During your next appointment, your doctor may suspect bronchitis if you experience symptoms like a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks or more than three days of coughing per week. If you have been experiencing symptoms for more than a month without improvement, you should see your doctor to ensure it’s not something else, such as pneumonia or the flu.
Conclusion
While it is true that most medical conditions are easily managed with simple lifestyle changes, some health risks are more challenging and require professional intervention. While most people know the importance of regular health screenings, very few have a scheduled time to see their doctor.
These screenings help you detect potential health problems early when they’re easier to treat. Even though you may be experiencing symptoms that don’t seem serious, it’s important to know that something could be wrong.