Surely on some occasions you have experienced headaches, stomach, back or neck pain, fatigue or discomfort that make you feel bad, but you have put them aside and you have seen them as something temporary without paying them the necessary attention.

It is very important that when you have these discomforts, do not forget them and give them timely attention to avoid more serious illnesses. In general, it is not until we are surprised by something unusual that we give them the importance they really deserve and take note. And while most symptoms are not a cause for concern, there are times when you do have to be aware that there may be a more worrisome health issue that needs attention.

some of the signs that may seem common but could mean a more serious medical condition. 

Vision changes 

You see blurred, scrim, lights that cloud you... They are not normal, but rather signs that reveal a chronic or visual illness. You may realize it while walking down the street and trying to read a sign or look at some indication, but those problems do not mean that you have to go to the eye doctor immediately and urgently. However, if you develop sudden new changes in your eyesight, it's a different story.

Seeing flashes of light (when no one is turning a lighter on and off in your face) can be a sign that there is something wrong with your retina. If that's your case, go seek help urgently. Yes, these flashing lights can be the alert of an impending migraine. Don't assume you can just ignore it. If further changes develop in your eyes, such as loss of vision or blurring of everything, see your doctor quickly.

Headache 

Headache is one of the most common pains a person can experience. Because of stress, personal problems, the strain we put on our eyes, or even a lack of caffeine, we've all experienced it and, deep down, we're used to it. Most are just a nuisance, basically harmless, but that doesn't mean you should never go to the doctor.

When a headache doesn't go away with aspirin, when it doesn't go away, it's not easy to diagnose. Its severity will depend on whether we experience it in clusters, in tension or due to migraines. In addition, there are other symptoms that indicate that your pain may be a true emergency. This is what you should take into account: thunderclap headaches, temporary arthritis (when the pain is concentrated in the temple) or if in addition to the headache or eye pain and especially if you notice changes in your vision, we will be facing an emergency.

The most worrisome would be acute glaucoma, which increases the pressure inside the eye and could cause blindness (it is the second leading cause of blindness, after cataracts, but it can be avoided in most cases with early diagnosis). It occurs, for example, when, in the cinema, they turn off the lights and the pupil dilates. That change in pressure causes the headache and other symptoms. 

If it is accompanied by a fever it can be worrisome. It could indicate an infection in the brain (such as meningitis) or a warning sign of encephalitis. Especially if, in addition to the fever, it is accompanied by an altered mental state (such as not being able to remember family or acting strangely) it is a good reason to go to the ER.

Stomachache 

While discomfort in this part of the body is quite common, Dr. Lewin says that if abdominal pain strikes suddenly or is severe, you need to see a doctor immediately. "There are many things that can cause it, from appendicitis to constipation, rupture of ovarian cysts, or even rupture of the aorta (the main artery in the body)," he says. She advises that you should call an ambulance straight away if you suddenly encounter significant pain of any kind. "Better to prevent than to cure, it is better that later it is nothing," he continues.

Heartburn, diarrhea or abdominal pain can be worse than you think. If you have any of these conditions, you may not have been diagnosed yet and may be getting used to being always uncomfortable and half-hearted. Pay attention and you may recognize symptoms that if they last over time it is convenient to consult a doctor. Also, if your symptoms develop again after you've seen a specialist, you should get them checked again. The current pace of life makes it more than having constipation, suffering gas, stomach pain or repeating something to us, but there is a point at which these symptoms are no longer normal and can mean something more serious.

Unexplained shortness of breath 

Do not ignore it, if you are having difficulty breathing, it is an indication that it may be something much more serious. Lewin comments that it can range from a pulmonary embolism to cancer. "It's more common to develop the former if you're on the pill or have been sitting for a long period of time, for example a car ride or long flight. There may also be other causes such as asthma, pneumonia or panic attacks.

Too thirsty 

Urinating more often means your body is getting rid of more water than usual, which "may put you at risk of dehydration." This can leave you thirsty, even if you are drinking the same amount of water as usual. Also, it's the whiting that bites its tail: the more you drink, the more you go to the bathroom.

Diabetes is one of the ills of contemporary society. In Spain alone, the number of people affected rises to 5.3 million, according to data from the European Diabetes Society. In other words, 13.8% of Spaniards over the age of 18 have type 2 diabetes. In addition, the future outlook is even worse. If left unchecked, this metabolic disease, which occurs when blood sugar levels are too high, can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and vision loss. Consider a blood glucose test to find out if you are at risk for it.

Chest pain 

While it can be a common symptom of a heart attack, there are other signs that a person may need medical attention. Although not all heart attacks are preceded by this, it is the most frequent and most easily recognizable symptom. Chest pain is generally prolonged – lasting around 15 minutes – and is perceived as intense pressure in the chest, which can extend to the back, arms and shoulders, especially on the left side.

Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, occurs before many heart attacks, particularly among women, and can begin months before we have a heart attack. It is usually accompanied by great fatigue and excessive sweating. Even if we are not exercising, it can be a sign that our heart has a problem. Pumping blood through clogged arteries requires our heart to work harder than usual, body temperature rises due to this effort and our body sweats to try to keep it at bay.

Sometimes cardiac arrests are preceded by digestive problems, including nausea and vomiting. These are the most difficult symptoms to associate, and most often they have nothing to do with it, but if we have an iron stomach and have not eaten anything out of the ordinary, sudden indigestion may indicate that something is wrong with our heart, and we would do well to see a doctor.