When it comes to our health our bodies have a number of ways of showing us that something is wrong. Some of these can be more obvious and more concerning than others.
And some such symptoms can be easily ignored if you feel otherwise healthy. But one expert has warned of the red flag symptoms you should “never ignore”.
Speaking on social media platform TikTok, NHS surgeon Doctor Karan Raj, pointed out three such signs that should prompt an immediate visit to your GP.
To his more than five million followers, he said: “Three health signs you should never ignore. The last one is something no one is ever told.”
The three symptoms he warned about were rapidly losing weight without trying to, a mole that's rapidly changing in size, shape or colour, and if your bathroom habits change.
Weight loss
If you’re losing weight without trying this should signal alarm bells, Dr Raj warned.
He said: “Rapidly losing weight without trying to - go to your doctor.”
According to the NHS, unintentional weight loss can be caused by a number of issues.
These include mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
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However, it could also signal problems with digestion, such as coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Unintentional weight loss is also one sign of an overactive thyroid, type 2 diabetes or heart failure.
The health body adds: “Sometimes weight loss can be caused by cancer. It's important to get it checked if you're losing weight without trying.”
A changing mole
Dr Raj continued: “If you have a mole that's rapidly changing in size, shape or colour, go get it checked out.”
This is a warning sign for skin cancer. It could be a new mole or an existing one that is changing.
Cancer Research UK says you should see your doctor if you notice a:
- New abnormal mole
- Mole that seems to be growing or changing
- Change to a previously normal patch of skin.
Bathroom habits
Finally, Dr Raj warned: “If your pooping routine has changed over the last few weeks and you find yourself a lot more constipated or have looser stool it is time to get investigated.”
Again, this could be a symptom of a condition such as IBS, however, it could also signal bowel cancer.
The NHS lists the main symptoms of bowel cancer as:
- Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
- tummy pain
- A lump in your tummy
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired for no reason.
If you experience any of these signs you should speak to your GP.
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