5 health warning signs from your body that you should not miss

Our body is our strongest defense against diseases, however if it does fall ill, it gives off signs.

They are quiet, easy to ignore, easy to blame on stress or assume they would heal on their own.

However, in some cases, those small changes can be early signs that something else is going on beneath the surface.

Pharmacists are often the first point of contact when something feels “not quite right”, especially when symptoms don’t seem urgent enough for a GP appointment.

From quick checks to advice on whether further tests are needed, they can help spot issues early and hopefully, before the issue escalates.

While many issues will be mild and easily treated, some symptoms can be more significant than they appear.

Here are seven symptoms that may be masking an underlying health issue – and when it could be time to ask for professional advice.

1. High blood pressure

With respect to the UK, according to figures from the NHS, 4.2 million people in England could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

If left untreated, it can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems and vascular dementia.

Many people assume high blood pressure comes with obvious warning signs; in reality, it often doesn’t have any symptoms, which is why it is called as a “silent killer.”

Superintendent pharmacist and director of Pyramid Pharmacy Group Amir Bhogal explains: “You can have elevated readings and still feel completely fine.”

Without regular monitoring, Bhogal warns: “You won't know if your blood pressure is elevated until damage has already occurred.” This is why routine checks, at a pharmacy or your GP, are important, especially if “you have a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke.”

2. Persistent fatigue

Feeling tired after a long week is normal. However, as Bhogal explains, “waking up exhausted after a full night's sleep is not.”

When fatigue lasts longer than normal without any clear reason, and starts affecting everyday life, your body may be signalling something more serious.

According to the NHS, persistent fatigue can be linked to:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Anaemia
• Iron deficiencies

“This is why it’s essential that you take note of when tiredness goes beyond normal,” Bhogal says.

3. Blood sugar fluctuations

If you sweat or feel jittery from time to time, it’s normal, particularly if you’re feeling stressed or anxious. However, as Bhogal explains, “frequent episodes can suggest your body isn't regulating glucose properly.”

When blood sugar isn’t being controlled effectively, it can be an early sign of an underlying condition, such as diabetes and may also cause symptoms such as:

• Lightheadedness
• Feeling hungry
• Difficulty concentrating
• A racing heart

“Diabetes often develops gradually, and these symptoms can be early indicators. You might notice feeling shaky or experience an unexpected racing heart,” Bhogal mentioned of the disease.

4. Frequent headaches

Most people experience headaches from time to time, often linked to stress, dehydration or muscle tension. However, Bhogal stresses that when headaches become more frequent or change in intensity, they shouldn’t be ignored.

5. Digestive changes

Digestive symptoms can be caused by a number of things, including stress or changes in routine, and many settle on their own.

However, Bhogal says persistent changes without explanation could point to other issues including those affecting organs such as the liver, pancreas or gallbladder.

Digestive changes could include:

• Going to the loo more or less often than usual
• Ongoing diarrhoea or constipation
• Persistent bloating
• Stomach pain that doesn’t ease
• Changes in the colour or consistency of stools