If you’ve ever ignored a health problem, you’re not alone. According to a 2014 study, participants expressed a variety of reasons why they decided not to go to the doctor for treatment. Common reasons included distrust of doctors and fear of bad news.
Ignoring health problems can be dangerous. Here are five health problems you shouldn’t ignore:
Chest Pains
Chest pain can be a symptom of several conditions that can range from a panic attack to a heart attack. When the pain comes on slowly, is over a diffuse area, and extends to the left arm, jaw, back or neck, it could be the sign of a heart attack. Even if you don’t experience these symptoms, it’s important not to ignore chest pain. Let the doctors decide whether or not it’s a heart attack. If it’s not, you may be on your way to discovering another condition you need treatment for.
Drug Addiction
Deaths from drug overdoses are on the rise. According to the CDC, 70,237 people died in 2017 from a drug overdose in the United States, up by 9.6% from 2016. Readers can click here for more information on drug addiction in the U.S. Addiction is often used as a coping mechanism for deep issues that cause significant distress. Treatment can help you learn to cope in more effective ways that could save your life.
Changes in Bowel Habits
Talking about bowel habits can feel embarrassing, but it’s important to discuss any changes you’re experiencing with your doctor. Blood in your stools, persistent diarrhea and constipation, and abdominal cramps can be signs of colorectal cancer. If detected early, the survival rate for this type of cancer is 90%. It drops to 14% if cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. While the change in your bowel habits might not mean cancer, see your doctor right away to determine the cause and get treatment so that you can start feeling better.
Depression
Untreated depression can affect your personal life, your work, your sleep, and your physical health. Living with depression increases the risk of suicide. Recent research shows that untreated depression has long term effects on the brain. Over time, depression can lead to an increase of inflammation in the brain, creating a higher risk for chronic illness. It may also share similarities with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but research in this area is still ongoing. If you’re living with untreated depression, start seeking out therapy today.
Obesity
Seeking help for obesity may seem difficult. You may have tried several different methods of maintaining a healthy weight and haven’t seen results. Don’t give up. Obesity can lead to several major health problems such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and mental health disorders. Since everybody is different, you may not have found the right treatment yet. Don’t wait to work on your health. Find a professional who can help you develop a weight-loss plan that will work for you.
It’s easy to come up with a myriad of reasons not to seek treatment for any of the above conditions. However, if you leave these health issues untreated, you could be setting yourself up for worse issues down the road. Take care of your body now because it’s the only one you have.
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