NHS doctor Amir Khan, a familiar face on ITV’s Lorraine and This Morning, has shared his medical wisdom on Instagram, revealing the five ‘no compromise’ symptoms that should always prompt a check-up. Dr. Khan acknowledges that while many symptoms can have benign causes, there are certain signs he insists you should never ignore.
He pointed out that the same symptoms could be down to a range of issues, some serious and others not so much. In his Instagram post, Dr. Khan advised: “People often ask me what a patient’s most worrying symptom might be, and it’s a hard question to answer, as symptoms have so many potential causes, and more often than not, they turn out to be OK once investigated.
“But here are my top 5 symptoms, I would advise you never to ignore.”
1/ Unexplained weight loss
On this, Dr. Khan warned: “If you’re dropping pounds without changing your diet or exercise routine, don’t dismiss it. It could be linked to things like type 2 diabetes, thyroid disease, digestive disorders, or even some cancers. Always worth getting checked out. We might do some bloods and examination. Come and speak to us
2/ Persistent unexplained fatigue
He said: “Now, feeling tired is normal, but if you’re constantly exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep, it could be a signal something more serious is going wrong. It could be things like iron deficiency anaemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, thyroid disorders, or even heart disease or something more sinister. Don’t just push through it. Speak to your GP.”
3/ Blood where it shouldn’t be
The NHS doc advised: “Seeing blood in your urine, stools, or when coughing can be alarming, but it can also have a very innocent explanation. Things like piles or infection can be the cause, but it could also point to certain cancers.
Always investigate unexplained bleeding, and the sooner the better. “
4/ New lump
He noted: “Not all lumps are cancer. But any new lump or one that’s changing in size, shape, or feel should be checked. This includes breast lumps, testicular lumps, or swollen glands. Early detection saves lives. “
5/ Chest pain or shortness of breath
He cautioned: “Don’t assume it’s just anxiety or indigestion. Chest pain or breathlessness, especially if it comes on suddenly or with exertion, could be a sign of a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or even a silent heart condition. Remember, there are often benign and innocent causes for these symptoms, so don’t worry too much, just come and speak to us and let us do some investigating.”
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