With a busy schedule, women may be ignoring some symptoms that should not go ignored. Whether you are experiencing fatigue, jaw pain or shortness of breath, it is important to know when to seek help. Shortness of breath, jaw pain and fatigue may seem like just a minor inconvenience, but there are times when it may mean there is something more going on in your body.
To begin, let’s take a look at the three symptoms you should keep an eye on, especially when they are out of the norm.
Jaw pain
Your jaw may be sore or ache because of added stress and grinding your teeth at night. Even if it is just a minor inconvenience, talk to your dentist about what you can do to minimize jaw discomfort. And if jaw pain persists, there may be another underlying health condition that women need to have addressed.
What is especially alarming is that for women, heart attacks don’t always present with chest pain. Women can experience pain that radiates to the jaw or down the arm. So, if you are having unexplained left-sided jaw pain, it is better to be safe and contact your doctor.
Jaw pain can also be a symptom of the following:
- Temporomandibular joint disorder.
- Arthritis.
- Nerve pain.
- Salivary gland disorder.
- Vascular problems.
Shortness of breath
If you find yourself trying to catch your breath often throughout the day walking up the stairs, carrying a heavy load of laundry or simply walking to the door, is this something that is a change from your normal pattern? If it is, then there is cause for concern. But even if it is a normal occurrence, it should still be looked at, especially to find ways to improve your condition. After all, it is better to be safe.
Shortness of breath can occur if you have not been exercising and your cardiovascular fitness needs some work. But it can also mean something else is going on. Some lung issues include:
- Asthma.
- Pneumonia.
- Blood clots.
- COPD.
- COVID-19.
Beyond lung issues, shortness of breath can also be a heart issue. It is common for people to assume shortness of breath is just a lung issue, but that is not always the case for women. Persistent shortness of breath can have a cardiac origin. Some heart issues include heart attack, heart failure or arrhythmia. That is why it is important to speak with your doctor.
Frequent fatigue
It may seem like it is normal to feel fatigued day in and day out, but there is a difference between normal tiredness and something that is a larger issue. This is why it is important to be aware of your own energy levels to know when unexpected changes occur.
Fatigue can be difficult to understand though because it can mean something different to each person. For example, fatigue can be a sign of anemia or it can signal thyroid disease. It can even be a symptom of a mental health condition such as depression. That is why having a good history by your doctor can help you get to the bottom of it.
Beyond that, chronic fatigue can be a sign of:
- Fibromyalgia.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Chronic kidney or liver disease.
- Chronic lung disease.
The bottom line is it is very important to listen to your body. By being aware of what is normal for you and what is not, you can ensure you are taking proper care of yourself.
