Symptoms or Shenanigans: Your Inner Hypochondriac’s Guide To Differentiating Fact From Fiction

Mother, Mother, I am sick

Call the doctor very quick

Doctor, Doctor, Will I die?

No, my darling, do not cry.

 A hypochondriac is someone who coughs once and thinks it’s lung cancer.

He gets a mild headache and it’s a brain tumor.

They detect all manner of diseases from the tiniest bodily sensations.

Freakishly worried for their health, they self-diagnose and self-medicate and end up catastrophizing. “I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die…I’m dead.”

It might seem funny to others, but it’s not easy being a hypochondriac. There’s that gnawing feeling that something bad is about to happen or some disease is working its way into one’s body. That mental anguish is never a walk in the park.

And, every now and then, we fall into the same vicious cycle. We scare ourselves to death.   

A discovered rash, an unusual lump, a noticed pain, or a feeling of uneasiness can usually sound the alarm.

In this post, we look at ways to handle these moments. So we don’t spend sleepless nights, lose appetites, or ironically, even make ourselves really sick with worry.

When are symptoms real, and when is our body acting like a drama queen?

Let’s find out.  

Listen To Your Body

Our bodies are well-tuned mechanisms that signal to us if something is wrong. Symptoms are part of that communication process.

You should then always be attentive to what your body is saying. For example, if you feel pain in some area, that’s the body telling you something.

The job is to differentiate between something that will go away on its own, or if it’s a symptom of an underlying condition. This second type means some action is needed.

The first type is simply your body gently reminding you, “Hey, we got an issue here buddy, but don’t worry, I got you covered. Just letting you know.”

The symptom will resolve on its own. Your body will heal.

The common fevers, colds, cuts, scrapes, rashes, and sunburns are of this type.

In addition, the body has automatic coping mechanisms like your immune system that automatically protects it from diseases and infections. You don’t need to do anything. The immune system is programmed to defend against harm.

Normal Wear and Tear, Non-fatal

Our bodies go through the normal wear and tear of life. As we go through the routines of living, physical changes take place.

Bones go brittle, teeth lose their hold, muscles lose their form, and hairs turn gray. They’re no cause for celebration, but they're a part of aging.

They’re not only normal, but they’re inevitable.

The body is not what it used to be. For example, it’s not as efficient in cleaning up the by-products of cellular metabolism. Or sometimes substances that are supposed to go left…go right.

These are sub-optimal occurrences, but they’re not fatal.

For example, many lumps and bumps are of this type. They are benign. They can be just collections of fat cells or fibrous tissues that have suddenly developed. They don’t grow fast and don’t spread to other parts of the body.

(Malignant tumors, which are cancerous, on the other hand, grow uncontrollably and spread to other sites. They are also usually hard and don’t move when pushed on.)

Speaking of aging, sometimes skin tags appear without warning in areas where skin rubs against skin, such as the neck, underarms, and groin.  Sometimes, seborrheic keratoses—raised, wart-like growths that vary in color from light tan to black, appear on the face, chest, shoulders, or back.

These are harmless, non-cancerous, and shouldn’t be cause for alarm.

Red Flags! This Is More Serious   

Here are some characteristics of symptoms that should cause more alarm:

1) Duration / Persistence

As we’ve mentioned earlier, the body can take care of itself. Many symptoms go away on their own.    

Short-lived symptoms are often the body's natural response to temporary factors. But if a symptom persists or worsens over time, it may be a sign of an underlying issue. If a symptom lingers for an extended period, it is important to seek medical advice.

(Skin tags and wart-like growths, although relatively permanent, are not included in this class.)

2) Pain

Pain is your body’s way of getting your attention.

It can vary greatly in intensity, location, duration, and type, making it a crucial indicator. Generally, the more painful, the more general the location, and the longer it persists, the more serious the condition is.

Pain is present in a wide class of conditions, from acute pain which is a response to injury, to chronic pain which can come from an underlying condition like organ dysfunction or damage, cancer, neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disorder, and psychological factors.  

(This does not mean however that the absence of pain also means the absence of an underlying condition. Diseases can develop quietly and show up when it’s too late.)

3) Severity

As in pain, the severity of a symptom can indicate its potential significance.

Severe symptoms are intense and often cause significant distress or impairment. These symptoms can signal a potentially serious or urgent medical condition that needs immediate evaluation. Examples of severe symptoms include:

  • Severe chest pain

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Sudden weakness or numbness

  • Profuse bleeding

  • Vomiting

  • Loss of consciousness 

  • Seizures

Symptoms that appear suddenly or worsen rapidly could suggest an acute and potentially critical situation. For instance, sudden and severe abdominal pain might indicate a ruptured organ or appendicitis.

4) A Change In The Pattern

A change in the pattern can be a valuable clue that something is happening within your body. Monitoring any shifts in the frequency or the intensity of the symptoms can provide insights into potential health issues:

Frequency— If a symptom that was previously rare or occasional starts occurring more frequently, it could indicate an evolving condition. For instance, if you've been experiencing occasional headaches but they suddenly become a daily occurrence, it might be a sign of an issue that needs attention.

Intensity— An increase in the severity or intensity of a symptom may suggest a worsening condition. For example, if you have been managing joint pain with occasional discomfort but it suddenly becomes excruciating and persistent, it could be a sign of disease progression.

Pattern— This could involve a shift in the time of day when symptoms occur, their duration, or their response to certain factors. For instance, if you've been experiencing indigestion that usually occurs after a heavy meal but suddenly starts happening after every meal, it might warrant further investigation.

Changes can be a sign of progression.

5) Rise of New Symptoms

Other symptoms can accompany the primary symptom. Sometimes, a combination of symptoms can provide a clearer picture of what might be going on. For instance, persistent fatigue along with unexplained weight loss should be a cause for alarm.

The appearance of entirely new symptoms, ones you've never experienced before could indicate a condition.

6) Risk Factors

In interpreting your symptoms, you should, of course, look into your risk factors. If your family history shows a proclivity for certain diseases, then there’s a higher possibility for you to develop it.

There are also diseases that are more gender and age-related. Factor them into your calculus.  

Besides those, your lifestyle should also be taken into consideration. For example, a persistent cough from a lifetime smoker can point to some issues related to the lifestyle.     

If Symptoms Persist…Consult Your Doctor

The best way to know what’s really going on is to pay your friendly doctor a visit.

The human body is too complex to reduce to a number of rules and red flags. (For example, in some cases, even seemingly harmless skin lesions can be signs of an underlying condition.)    

It’s why it takes years for doctors to study the workings of the human body, and years of specialization to diagnose a condition.

Going online and doing research can do little to give clarity to your condition. Often, they set off alarms and lead to worry.      

To have that peace of mind about the nature of your symptoms, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.

Healthcare providers are trained to assess symptoms, conduct necessary tests, and provide expert advice on whether further investigation or treatment is required.

 

BloodWorks Lab is your partner in giving you clarity on the status of your health. We provide a wide range of medical screenings and assessments as well as a full battery of blood tests. We are your one-stop shop when it comes to those laboratory tests your doctor asks you to do.

We’re also proud to be the first in the country to introduce the Anti Acetylcholine Receptor (lgG) Antibody Test and the Anti N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (Anti NMDA Receptor) Antibody Test.

Book your appointment today.

Our branches are in Alabang, Katipunan, and Cebu.