Warning Signs Women Should Never Ignore

By Katie Parsons, Editorial Contributor

Headaches, dizziness, fatigue – busy women often power through when they don’t feel well. But when it comes to your health, there are some signs and symptoms you should not ignore.

If you are constantly fighting discomfort, exhaustion or pain, you might have an underlying problem that needs medical attention. 

Cardiovascular Symptoms

The American Heart Association reports that about 2.5 million women in the U.S. are hospitalized annually for cardiovascular issues. Yet women seek out testing for cardiovascular pain or discomfort less frequently than men, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

One of the main reasons is that women do not experience cardiovascular events in the same way men do.

“Heart attacks and chest pain can present differently in women compared with men. Women might not have that classic ‘pressure feeling,’ like something sitting on your chest, but may feel other less obvious discomforts or pain,” says Dr. Katherine F. Wojnowich, a fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg Medical Group Sports Medicine.

Some discomforts that could indicate a major cardiovascular issue include:

• Shakiness in the chest
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• More fatigued than usual when moving around or exercising
• Nausea or lightheadedness
• Sweating without explanation

Women should seek out professional treatment if these signs of cardiovascular distress persist.

Neurological Symptoms

Some of the most dangerous health issues are difficult to see — and that’s especially true when it comes to neurological wellness for women. Many symptoms that can be chalked up to normal fatigue or exhaustion could signal a larger health issue.

Neurological symptoms you should never ignore include: 

• Severe headaches
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Consistently dropping things
• Vision issues 

These can all be signs of high blood pressure, often referred to as the “silent killer” because it doesn't present obvious signs until it’s been elevated for a while. Untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a stroke.

Musculoskeletal Symptoms

The importance of healthy bones and muscular strength are vital to a woman’s overall wellness, preventing osteoporosis and aiding in recovery from falls or other injuries.

“The musculoskeletal system can be strengthened by consuming adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, and participating in low-impact, weight-bearing and strength-training activities,” Dr. Wojnowich says.

Some warning signs that could indicate a need to seek professional help include:

• Severe midline back pain that intensifies at night
• Back pain that radiates or worsens
• Numbness and tingling

Normal aches and pains come with aging, but knowing the difference between what is minor and what could be major is vital for women.

Digestive Tract Symptoms

A change in digestion or bowel habits may mean a larger problem in women, such as colon cancer.  

Signs of gastrointestinal tract distress include:

• Suddenly experiencing prolonged or frequent diarrhea or constipation
• Acid reflux
• Bloating or abdominal pain
• Feeling full after not eating much
• Nausea or vomiting 

Even if these issues are not life-threatening, addressing them can improve your quality of life.

Reproductive Symptoms

Bleeding outside of a normal menstrual cycle or post-menopause can signal a larger problem, such as an infection, or ovarian or uterine cancer.

There are other non-life-threatening issues, such as endometriosis or fibroids, that can cause pain or discomfort that should be addressed by a healthcare provider.

It’s also important to screen for breast cancer through mammograms and self-breast exams. Depending on genetic makeup and family history, plan to have a mammogram screening every one or two years beginning at age 40.

Kidney and Urinary Tract Symptoms

If you have blood in your urine or severe back or side pain, especially if it’s followed by the urge to urinate, see your doctor. It could be a urinary tract infection (UTI), a kidney stone or something more serious. In perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, estrogen loss can increase the risk of UTIs.

Visiting your primary care physician and scheduling regular health screenings play a key role in your health, but make sure you are tuned into anything happening between visits that is out of the ordinary.