*CHRONIC DISEASES AND WARNING SIGNS* Many people suffer for years because they miss the early signs of chronic illness. Some ignore the symptoms. Others don’t realize the danger. So, how do you know when to take action? At what point do you raise the alarm? *DIABETES MELLITUS* - Peeing too much, especially at night - Always thirsty, no matter how much water you drink - Unexplained weightloss - Wounds that fester and won’t heal - Tingling or numbness in hands and feet If you notice these, go and check your blood sugar ASAP! *HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE)* - Blurry vision or dizziness - Morning headaches - Chest pain - Shortness of breath - Nosebleeds (in severe cases) Many people take these symptoms for granted till it’s too late. *CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE* - Swollen legs, ankles or face - Fatigue and weakness - Foamy urine (too much protein) - Constant itching - Changes in urine (either dark, bloody or less frequent) Your kidneys fail silently, you have to listen attentively. *CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE* - Chronic cough with mucus - Shortness of breath (even at rest) - Wheezing or chest tightness - Frequent lung infections - Feeling weak and exhausted all the time. If breathing is a struggle for you, your lungs are crying for help. *STROKE* - Sudden weakness on one side of the body - Trouble speaking or understanding words - Vision loss in one or both eyes - Severe headache with no clear cause - Loss of balance or coordination With strokes, you have to act FAST! *ARTHRITIS* - Joint pain and stiffness (worse in the morning) - Reduced flexibility - Swollen joints - Warmth and redness in joints - Chronic fatigue When you constantly feel joint pain, especially in the mornings, it’s a sign to see a doctor. *ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE* - Memory loss (forgetting recent events) - Difficulty planning or solving simple problems - Getting lost in familiar places - Personality and mood changes - Struggling to find the right words. If a loved one starts showing these signs, pay attention. It could be Alzheimer’s disease. *LIVER DISEASE* - Yellow skin and eyes (Jaundice) - Swollen legs and belly - Dark urine and pale stool - Extreme fatigue - Easy bruising Your liver is a warrior that regenerates, however you shouldn’t let it get past a point of no return. *CANCER* (General symptoms) - Lumps or swelling in unusual places - Unexplained weightloss - Constant fatigue - Chronic pain that won’t go away - Unusual skin changes (Moles, dark spots or sores) Early Detection of cancer saves lives. For the most common cancers: - Breast cancer: Carry out self breast exams every month - Cervical cancer: Get vaccinated and carry out HPV tests and Pap smears - Prostate cancer: All men above 40 should carry out PSA test. *HEART DISEASE* - Compressing Chest pain or discomfort - chest pain accompanied by pain on your left hand,shoulder or back - Shortness of breath - Irregular heartbeat - Swollen legs or feet - Dizziness or fainting Most times, a heart attack shows signs before it happens. You need to be aware of these signs to prevent it from happening. Knowing these signs are not enough. What is, is acting on them when you notice them. Ignoring symptoms today could cost you tomorrow. Listen to your body, it is always speaking. #beintheknow #ndlalanehealth