Symptoms Women Over 40 Shouldn't Ignore

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" Symptoms Women Over 40 Shouldn't Ignore

By KATHERINE STEINBERG

It's an unfortunate fact of life that as you age your risk of disease

climbs. However, many conditions, if caught early, are highly treatable and

even

curable. The catch is that you have to know how to spot them. Many symptoms

that seem benign may be signaling something more serious. Here are the 10

symptoms you shouldn't ignore, especially if you're over 40.

Slow-Healing Bruise or Sore

If you notice a bruise or sore that isn't healing, you may just be

accident-prone. However, if a bruise or sore takes longer than two weeks to

heal, you

should see your doctor. It could signal a vascular problem, says Dr. Elsa

Grace Giardina, Director of the Center for Women's Health at

Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. She adds that it is also a common symptom

of diabetes. In

diabetics, this is caused by sugar leeching blood fluid and making the blood

thicker. That, in turn, makes it more difficult for the healing white blood

cells to travel to the infection. Slow-healing bruises can also signal

immunological deficiencies, so be sure to monitor your bumps and scrapes.

Cough

If you have a cough it's most likely just a cold, or an upper respiratory

infection. But when is a cough not just a cough? There are two things to look

for in a cough -- persistence and recurrence, says Dr. Giardina. If your cough

keeps recurring for a significant period of time, you should alert your

doctor. A cough that persists for more than 10 days could be a sign of

something

more, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heart failure. If

you're a smoker, it could be a sign of a malignancy in the lungs. If you smoke,

Dr. Giardina adds, it's extremely important to get a chest x-ray every three

years.

Palpitations

Drinking too much caffeine or energy drinks, or an extremely salty diet can

cause heart palpitations. And, of course, anxiety. So when should you be

concerned? If a patient is complaining of heart palpitations as well as getting

lightheaded or dizzy, it may be an electrical abnormality in the heart, says

Giardina. Arrhythmia, the abnormal beating of the heart, can cause

palpitations. Many cases of arrhythmia are minor, but if you have atrial

fibrillation,

it can be fatal -- increasing your risk for stroke or blood clots. This is

particularly dangerous for people with a history of heart disease. Seek medical

attention immediately if you are concerned, especially if you are

experiencing chest pains, dizziness or fainting.

Pain or Swelling

Pain or swelling in your calves can often be attributed to over-exercising,

but when should you worry that it's something more serious? Giardina warns

that pain or swelling accompanied by a red-hot feeling or tenderness along the

vein could be a serious condition called thrombophlebitis, which occurs when

a blood clot causes swelling, most often in the legs. The highest incidence

of it is associated with oral contraceptives, adds Giardina. " If you're taking

an oral contraceptive, that increases your risk of thrombophlebitis

100-fold, " she adds. It can also signal deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may

be

caused by prolonged inactivity. This is particularly dangerous because it is a

clot deep in your vein. These clots can become dislodged and travel to your

lungs, causing an embolism. If you think you are at risk for DVT or

thrombophlebitis, go the emergency room immediately.

Forgetting/Slurring Words

Everyone has a memory lapse now and again. This is especially common when

you're sleep deprived. However, if you're having trouble repeating a simple

sentence or you're slurring your speech, you may be experiencing a stroke. If

you suspect someone is having a stroke, the National Stroke Association advises

you do a simple test -- ask the person to smile, raise both arms and repeat

a sentence. If speech is slurred, one side of the face droops while smiling

or one arm drifts downward when both are raised, call the doctor immediately.

If any of these symptoms occur suddenly, you should call 9-1-1 immediately.

Your risk is greater if you are over 55 and have a family history of stroke.

Tingling or Numbness

Sometimes just wearing the wrong shoes can cause numbness or a tingling

sensation. This is especially true when women try to squeeze their feet into

trendy shoes that are uncomfortable. However, it can also signal diabetes, says

Giardina. You may also experience tingling or numbness in other parts of your

body, such as your hands or arms. Symptoms of diabetes include excessive

urination, weight loss, fatigue and excessive thirst.

Bloating and Pelvic Pain

If you're feeling really bloated and experiencing pelvic pain, it may be as

simple as having too much fiber or salt in your diet. However, it may also be

a sign of ovarian cancer or fibroids. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is often

symptomless in the beginning, says Giardina. Often it's too late by the time

you are experiencing symptoms. Some things that increase your risk factor

are a family history of ovarian cancer, being postmenopausal, using hormone

replacement therapy and not having children. Giardina stresses the importance of

getting an annual gynecological exam to catch any cancers at the early stage.

A New Mole

It's not uncommon for women to develop a harmless skin growth. However, as

you age, your risk increases for developing melanoma, the most fatal form of

skin cancer. Be sure to get moles checked by your dermatologist, says

Giardina. Symptoms of melanoma include bleeding moles, change in mole color, or

change in size or shape of a mole.

Never Feeling Well-Rested

There are lots of factors that can keep you up at night, such as stress and

consuming too much caffeine during the day. Take a closer look if you're

always feeling listless, no matter how much sleep you're getting. You could be

suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing during

sleep for more than 10 seconds at a time. It affects more than 12 million

Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health and is as common as

adult diabetes, occurring largely in adults over 40. If untreated, sleep apnea

can lead to cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain and headaches,

according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. If you experience any of

these symptoms, talk to your doctor. "

And..... if you have a sudden onset of all of the above....then there is a

good chance you have been or are being poisoned by something.

Sharon

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