Top 10+ common health symptoms you should never ignore

We’ve all done it – dismissed a nagging ache, blamed our tiredness on a busy week, or chalked up headaches to dehydration. But what if your body’s trying to hint at something bigger?

The gender pain-gap tells us women often soldier on through symptoms we should pay attention to. We’re so busy looking after everyone else that we put ourselves last. Recent research shows that when women do seek help, they wait longer in emergency departments and are less likely to be given effective pain relief than men.

“I’ve seen women accept and ignore a range of symptoms – and often the health profession is part of the problem, wrongly leading women to believe certain symptoms are normal,” says Melbourne GP and a co-host of ABC’s The Health Report, Dr Preeya Alexander.

But these seemingly minor issues can sometimes be the first signs of an underlying health condition. From brittle nails to mysterious bruises, here’s what your body might be trying to tell you.

Dry lips

While lip balm feels like the obvious fix for persistently dry lips, this common complaint could signal dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, or side effects from certain medications. It could also be an early warning of Sjӧgren’s syndrome, says Dr Lucy Caratti, an integrative GP specialising in women’s health. “Sjӧgren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition that can cause dry mouth, dry eyes, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue.” Allergies to cosmetics or skincare products are common, and can also irritate the area, so take note if you’ve changed anything in your regular beauty routine.

Some skincare products can do more harm than good. Image: Canva

Tingling hands

Pins-and-needles might seem harmless, but persistent tingling could point to carpal tunnel syndrome. “Tingling may occur in specific regions and often worsens at night in carpal tunnel syndrome, where the median nerve is under pressure at the wrist. It can also occur if nerves are compressed in the neck,” explains Dr Alexander. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can contribute, as can diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. More concerning is tingling accompanied by weakness or affecting both sides of the body, which could hint at multiple sclerosis or even early warning signs of stroke.

Persistent bloating

While IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), food intolerances, and digestive issues are common causes, ongoing bloating can sometimes flag ovarian issues, including cancer. “Although more serious conditions, such as ovarian cancer, are a possibility, it also signifies something is happening with your digestion. It can indicate SIBO [small intestinal bacterial overgrowth], gut microbiome imbalances or food intolerances,” explains Dr Caratti, highlighting that gut health is imperative for good overall health. If your bloating comes with feeling full quickly, pelvic pain, or changes in toilet habits, don’t wait – see your doctor.

Gut health is imperative for good overall health. Image: Canva

Itchy skin

Persistent itching without a rash could be more than just dry skin. Generalised itching, especially at night, may signal liver or kidney problems, anaemia, or thyroid issues – all of which become more common with age. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and medication side-effects can also be culprits. Left untreated, it can also impact your mental health. According to US researchers, chronic itching is associated with increased stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders due to the vicious cycle that scratching creates.

Brittle nails

Vertical ridges tend to become more noticeable with age, but sudden changes might suggest iron deficiency. Nails that break easily could point to thyroid issues or nutritional shortfalls, particularly in biotin, silicon, or omega-3 fatty acids. While white spots are usually harmless, yellow discolouration could suggest a fungal infection, says Dr Alexander. More seriously, dark lines or streaks under the nail should be checked immediately, as they can sometimes be melanoma – a serious form of skin cancer that’s easily missed when it appears under nails.

Bruising easily

Most of us bump into things and develop bruises, but if you’re noticing unexplained bruising or slow healing, your body might be waving a red flag. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in vitamin C, vitamin K, or iron, could be the cause. “It could also indicate an issue with clotting or be a side effect of medication,” says Dr Alexander.

Chronic headaches

That throbbing isn’t just an inconvenience – persistent or changing headaches deserve attention. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can trigger headaches, but frequent pain might also stem from vision changes, high blood pressure, or sleep issues. Tension headaches may reflect stress or strain from sitting at your desk or staring at your phone, says Dr Caratti. “Most commonly, I see headaches related to sinus problems or neck tension, but if it’s worse in the morning, comes with fever and neck stiffness, you’re pregnant, or if there’s a history of head trauma, see your GP as soon as possible.”

Don’t shrug off persistent headaches. Image: Canva

Hair thinning

Noticing more hair in your brush or changes in texture might be more than cosmetic. Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause can affect hair growth, but dramatic hair loss may signal thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, or autoimmune conditions. Dry, brittle hair can suggest nutritional deficiencies in protein, zinc, or essential fatty acids, with Jean Hailes’ research estimating that 49 per cent of women will be affected by hair loss in their lifetime. The pattern matters too – overall thinning often points to hormonal causes, while patchy loss could be alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, which affects up to 2 per cent of Australians.

Having to pee frequently

Frequent urination, especially with urgency or leaking, might result from pelvic floor changes after childbirth, hormonal shifts, or ageing. But when it appears alongside excessive thirst, it could signal pre-diabetes or diabetes, conditions that become more common in midlife. “Checking for diabetes is simple with a blood test, and a urine test can rule out other causes like infections or kidney issues,” says Dr Caratti.

Bleeding gums

That pink tinge on your toothbrush could be signalling more than just slack flossing habits. While gum disease is common, especially as hormones affect gum sensitivity, persistent bleeding deserves a closer look. It can result from vitamin C or K deficiencies, but more significantly, research links gum disease to cardiovascular issues. The same inflammation affecting your gums could also be damaging blood vessels throughout your body, with Spanish scientists concluding that treating gum disease reduces overall inflammation levels. Given that heart disease risk rises for women after menopause, bleeding gums might be an early warning worth heeding, and your dentist is “a good place to start”, says Dr Alexander.

This is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice; always consult your GP.