Warning signs of diseases

You should know the warning sign of diseases that can take the life if not treated. So it is always better to know the disease symptoms or signs.

Today the number of persons with heart disease, cancer, and stroke are increasing. These diseases are responsible for majority of deaths. Unhealthy life style is a major contributor for these life taking diseases. According to Stanford University of School of Medicine in California, " Not only do persons with better health habit survive longer, but in such persons, disability is postponed and compressed into fewer years at the end of life."

People should know the early warning signs of these diseases, because if you know the warning signs, you can go to the doctor at an early stage of the disease and there is a very high possibility of treatment of the disease.

Symptoms/Signs you should not ignore

Following are some symptoms that you should not overlook. Don't ignore them. You should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Unexplained weight loss, which may signal such things as chronic infection, depression or in serious cases, cancer.
Unexplained changes in bowel habits may be due to inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, cancers or infections.
Chest pain with a pain in the jaw or arm can be a sign of heart disease.
Shortness of breath, breathing trouble may indicate lung or heart disease.
Sudden unexplained headaches, especially in people over 50. It may be nothing or it may something serious in the brain like an infection or a tumour.
Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body.
Loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding speech or blurring or loss of vision. This may indicate a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack.
Confusion, changes in behaviour or thinking, disorientation, hallucinations are the warning signs of possible low blood sugar, possible head injury, side effects of drugs.
Flashing lights in someone who has otherwise normal vision may be the beginning of retinal detachment.
Hot, red or swollen joints indicate arthritis or joint infection.
Fever (over 37.5 degree C) persisting over a week may mean a chronic underlying infection, cancer or some other illness.

The leading causes of death are some diseases.

1998 report by Health Care State Rankings

Based on the study over a period of 55 years on the lifestyle, including lifetime smoking, obesity, and exercise of 1741 males and females, the scientists have concluded that healthy habits can extend life span while lending off disability. In the study carried out, the numbers of deaths for different diseases are given below:

Heart disease:743,460;
Cancer: 529,900;
Stroke: 150,108;
Pulmonary disease: 101,077;
Adverse drug reaction 76000-137,000;
Pneumonia 75,719; and
Diabetes: 53,894.

Visit the pages below to know about the warning signs of life threatening diseases and other related information.

These diseases, if detected early, can often be controlled or stopped. If you experience any of the warning signs, do not get panicky. Consult your Doctor. Note that some of the warning signs may be due to other reasons.

What are the Warning Signs or Symptoms of Diseases?

Warning signs

Symptoms/Signs you should not ignore

This page gives the warning signs of life threatening diseases.