13 Symptoms of Serious Health Matters

This is the only body you get, which is why you need to take care of it. That means paying attention to what it is trying to tell you. It's important to know the signs and symptoms of more serious problems.

Pain, pressure, squeezing or a strange feeling of fullness in the middle of the chest that lasts for a few minutes, or any combination of shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness are all possible symptoms of a heart attack. Don't ignore these signs! Seek medical help immediately.

Signs of a stroke are also noticeable; they include dizziness, a drooping face or arms, sudden imbalance, trouble speaking, a severe headache or sudden loss of vision and inexplicable confusion.

If you feel like you have to go to the bathroom all the time, or experience frequent abdominal pain or a squeezing sensation in your lower body, you may have symptoms that indicate fertility problems. Whether or not you plan on conceiving, it's important to have the symptoms looked at to rule out any life-threatening issues.

If you have sore nipples and you're not breastfeeding, or if you notice a yellow discharge, it could be a sign of breast problems that you'll definitely want an expert opinion on. Also worthy of getting checked out are sore or tender breasts not related to pregnancy, breastfeeding or your menstrual cycle.

Coughing, shortness of breath, trouble breathing and constant battles against bronchitis, pneumonia or wheezing are all signs you may have more serious lung problems, which require supervision and treatment by a medical professional.

If you have trouble doing normal activities without a leaking bladder, or if it hurts to urinate (or you see blood in your urine), you may be experiencing bladder problems that require more than Kegel exercises or antibiotics. This is also true if you're waking up a lot to go to the bathroom at night or even wetting the bed. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss and possible get tested.

We wear our health on our skin, so symptoms of underlying issues can easily show up there. Pay attention to moles and spots, and watch them develop. Point them out to your doctor to see if further investigation is necessary. Keep an eye on any injuries to the skin and get an expert opinion on any that aren't healing.

Healthy muscles and joints are necessary for good quality of life. And, often aches and pains come with aging. But if you experience numbness, lose range of motion or function, or you experience tenderness that can't be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers (or is accompanied by swelling, inflammation or redness), let your doctor know.

Depression is more than just feeling a little bummed once in awhile. And it's important to recognize and acknowledge the symptoms and do something about them, particularly when you're asymptomatic. In fact, emotional problems like anxiety, tension, persistent nightmares, suicidal thoughts and even delusions tend to be those we keep to ourselves. But, they're signs of potentially larger problems that could be serious and life-threatening if gone untreated.

Headaches can be caused by dehydration, a change in the weather, fatigue or hunger. But they can also be symptoms of other more serious issues, especially if you experience them along with dizziness, nausea, vomiting or trouble walking. If you experience frequent and increasingly debilitating headaches, be sure to bring it up with your doctor so that you can find the root cause and get treatment.

If you're always hungry, thinking about food constantly, losing or gaining weight in extremes, forcing yourself to vomit or exercising constantly, you may be exhibiting signs of an eating disorder. Such disorders are also often linked with depression. Speak openly about what you're experiencing with your doctor as eating disorders can develop into life-threatening illnesses.

If you're frequently constipated, find blood in your stools, produce black stools, are unable to control your bowels or have indigestion after nearly every meal, you may be exhibiting symptoms of serious intestinal issues. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss what you're experiencing, especially if the problems persist and are not treatable with over-the-counter medications.

Your mouth is also a window into your health, and if you experience frequent sores, a whiteness and pain on your tongue or strange discoloration inside your mouth, show them to a doctor. Cold sores inside and outside the mouth may require prescription medication for treatment. Frequent canker sores may the the sign of something bigger going on in your body.