By Stay Healthy Research Team / Reviewed by Laura Craft M.D

Your body is amazing, but sometimes it can also be mysterious. You may not always notice when something is wrong with your health, especially if the signs are subtle or hidden. However, ignoring these signs can lead to serious problems down the road. Here are 10 silent signs your body might be in big trouble and what you should do about them.

1. Unintentional weight loss

If you’re losing weight without trying, it could be a sign of a serious condition, such as cancer, diabetes, thyroid problems, or infections. Losing more than 10 pounds in six months without any changes in your diet or exercise habits is a red flag that you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

2. Damage to your teeth

Your teeth can reveal a lot about your health, and not just your oral hygiene. If you notice that your teeth enamel is worn down, especially at the back of your mouth, it could be a sign of acid reflux, a condition where stomach acid flows back into your esophagus and damages your tissues. Acid reflux can also cause other symptoms, such as heartburn, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, or a bad taste in your mouth. Left untreated, acid reflux can increase your risk of esophageal cancer.

3. Itchy, blistery skin rash

If you have a persistent skin rash that looks like eczema but doesn’t respond to treatment, it could be a sign of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where eating gluten triggers an immune response that damages your small intestine. Up to 25 percent of people with celiac disease have this rash, called dermatitis herpetiformis, which usually appears on the elbows, knees, buttocks, back, or scalp. Many people with celiac disease don’t have any digestive symptoms, so they may not realize they have it until they get tested. The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet.

4. Bowel or bladder changes

Any changes in your bowel or bladder habits that last more than a few weeks could be a sign of something serious, such as colon cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease. Some of the warning signs include blood in your stool or urine, constipation or diarrhea that doesn’t go away, difficulty urinating or emptying your bladder completely, frequent urination or urgency, pain or pressure in your lower abdomen or pelvis, or unexplained weight loss.

5. Changes in handwriting

You may not pay much attention to your handwriting, but it can actually reveal a lot about your brain health. If you notice that your handwriting has become smaller, more cramped, or less legible over time, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells that control movement. Other early signs of Parkinson’s disease include tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, loss of balance, and changes in speech or facial expression.

6. Random bursts of anger

Everyone gets angry from time to time, but if you find yourself snapping at people for no reason or feeling irritable and aggressive more often than usual, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Some of the possible causes include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, hormonal imbalances, chronic pain, sleep deprivation, or brain tumors. If you’re having trouble controlling your emotions or coping with stress, you should seek professional help.

7. Snoring

Snoring may seem like a harmless annoyance, but it can actually be a sign of a serious sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where your breathing stops and starts repeatedly during the night. OSA can cause low oxygen levels in your blood, which can damage your heart, brain, and other organs. OSA can also increase your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and heart attack. Some of the symptoms of OSA include loud snoring, gasping or choking sounds during sleep, daytime sleepiness, headaches, mood swings, and poor concentration. If you suspect you have OSA, you should talk to your doctor about getting tested and treated.

8. Swollen feet or ankles

If you notice that your feet or ankles are swollen, especially at the end of the day, it could be a sign of fluid retention, which can indicate a problem with your heart, kidneys, liver, or veins. Fluid retention can also cause weight gain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and increased urination. Some of the possible causes of fluid retention include heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, venous insufficiency, blood clots, pregnancy, or certain medications. If you have persistent or severe swelling, you should see your doctor to find out the cause and get treatment.

9. Yellow eyes or skin

If you notice that your eyes or skin have a yellowish tint, it could be a sign of jaundice, a condition where your body has too much bilirubin, a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells break down. Jaundice can indicate a problem with your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstones, or pancreatic cancer. Jaundice can also cause other symptoms, such as dark urine, pale stools, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or fever. If you have jaundice, you should see your doctor right away to get tested and treated.

10. Memory loss

It’s normal to forget things occasionally, but if you find yourself having trouble remembering names, dates, appointments, or conversations more often than before, it could be a sign of cognitive decline or dementia. Dementia is a general term for a group of diseases that affect the brain and cause problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects more than 5 million Americans. Other causes of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia. Some of the early signs of dementia include memory loss, confusion, difficulty finding words, getting lost in familiar places, changes in personality or mood, poor judgment, or difficulty performing daily tasks. If you’re concerned about your memory or cognitive function, you should see your doctor for a thorough evaluation and diagnosis.

Conclusion

Your body is constantly sending you signals about your health, but sometimes they can be hard to notice or interpret. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your body or behavior that seem unusual or persistent and to see your doctor if you have any concerns. By catching the silent signs of trouble early, you can prevent serious complications and improve your quality of life.