According to Maryland Health Matters’ Spring 2019 brochure, there are 5 symptoms women shouldn’t ignore:
- Shortness of breath
- Losing weight without trying
- Sudden headache
- Fatigue
- Indigestion or trouble swallowing
This past Autumn, I was caring for a disabled relative and the situation was extremely stressful. I began experiencing shooting pains in my head. I immediately knew that it was a sign of trouble. My mother’s family has a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stroke. Instead of ignoring the pains, I decided to heed the warning and made drastic changes in my life to reduce the stressor. I had to admit to myself that my relative’s situation was beyond my capacity to care for him. I had to let trained health professionals step in to manage his care.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, see your healthcare professional as soon as possible. Identify what may be causing the symptom(s) and take immediate action to reduce or eliminate the stressor.
