Can you have a serious illness without knowing?

Many people have persistent physical complaints, such as dizziness or pain, that don't appear to be symptoms of a medical condition. They are sometimes known as "medically unexplained symptoms" when they last for more than a few weeks, but doctors can't find a problem with the body that may be the cause.

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Can you have an illness without knowing?

Some germs can cause asymptomatic infection, which means that the person can have the 'germ' in their body, but they don't have any symptoms of the disease or they have very mild symptoms and don't really feel sick, according to the Division of Infectious Diseases at UAMS.

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Can you have a serious illness without symptoms?

Asymptomatic means there are no symptoms. You are considered asymptomatic if you: Have recovered from an illness or condition and no longer have symptoms of that illness or condition. Have an illness or condition (such as early stage high blood pressure or glaucoma) but do not have symptoms of it.

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How do you know if you have a serious illness?

Symptoms of a serious illness include:
  1. Severe neck stiffness or pain.
  2. Confusion or extreme irritability.
  3. Extreme sleepiness.
  4. Persistent nausea or vomiting.
  5. Severe sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  6. Unsteadiness that prevents standing or walking (ataxia or vertigo).
  7. New double vision, blurred vision, or blind spots.

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How do you know if something is wrong with your body?

See a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: Muscle pains and body aches that are persistent, or that come and go often. Numbness, tingling (pins and needles sensation), or discomfort in the hands, feet, or limbs. Pain, tenderness, stiffness, swelling, inflammation, or redness in or around joints.

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10 Mental Illness Signs You Should Not Ignore

16 related questions found

What is an illness that becomes serious very quickly?

acute (=becoming serious very quickly)A lot of illnesses can be either acute or chronic.

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Which symptoms should not be ignored?

Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. ...
  • Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure. ...
  • Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness. ...
  • 'The worst headache of my life' ...
  • Changes in vision. ...
  • Confusion or changes in mental status. ...
  • Any sudden or severe pain. ...
  • Uncontrolled bleeding.

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Why do I feel like I have a serious illness?

Hypochondria is a type of anxiety disorder. It is also known as health anxiety, or illness anxiety disorder, or hypochondriasis. It is normal for people to worry about their health now and again. But people who experience hypochondria get very worried that they are seriously ill, or are about to become seriously ill.

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What if a doctor can't find what's wrong with me?

What should I do if I can't get a diagnosis? If you think you have an underlying disease that hasn't been diagnosed, you can ask your primary care provider for a referral to a specialist. And if you or your doctor suspect the disease could be genetic, you can always make an appointment at a medical genetics clinic.

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What is the most difficult disease to diagnose?

Top 10 Hard-to-Diagnose Diseases
  • Executive Summary. ...
  • Recommended Actions. ...
  • Pulmonary embolus. ...
  • Necrotizing fasciitis. ...
  • Vascular pathology in the neck. ...
  • Compromise of the spinal cord. ...
  • Ischemic bowel. ...
  • Sleep apnea and post-op hypoventilation.

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What is a silent illness?

The term invisible illness refers to any medical condition that is not outwardly visible to others, even healthcare professionals. Invisible illnesses encompass a broad range of conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, dementia, psychiatric illness, autoimmune disorders, and even cancer.

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Why do I feel sick but doctors say nothing's wrong?

A hypochondriac is someone who lives with the fear that they have a serious, but undiagnosed medical condition, even though diagnostic tests show there is nothing wrong with them. Hypochondriacs experience extreme anxiety from the bodily responses most people take for granted.

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What is an illness without known cause?

Listen to pronunciation. (IH-dee-oh-PA-thik) Describes a disease of unknown cause.

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Can your mind create symptoms of illness?

Yes when your physical symptoms are caused or worsened by your mental state it is called as psychosomatism. People with mental illnesses can experience a range of physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, pain, headaches, insomnia, and feelings of restlessness.

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Can you think you have an illness?

People who have hypochondria actually believe they are ill, but do not manipulate test results. People who malinger pretend to be ill to gain some sort of benefit, such as avoiding military duty or trying to obtain compensation.

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What is it called when you think you have illnesses but you don t?

Illness anxiety disorder, sometimes called hypochondriasis or health anxiety, is worrying excessively that you are or may become seriously ill. You may have no physical symptoms.

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How often do doctors not know whats wrong?

While every doctor is an individual and may have a higher or lower mistake rate, some studies have suggested that about one out of every five people who do come down with a serious condition get misdiagnosed at least once before the truth is discovered. That's 20% of the total.

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How do you tell your doctor you're struggling?

Focus on how you feel, rather than what diagnosis you might meet. Try to explain how you've been feeling over the past few months or weeks, and anything that has changed. Use words and descriptions that feel natural to you – you don't have to say specific things to get help.

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What shouldn't I tell my doctor?

Anything that's not truthful tops the list: “When patients downplay or exaggerate symptoms, lifestyle choices, pain level, or side effects, they usually don't realize that it can affect their quality of life — and the quality of the treatment that they receive,” said Ryan Gray, M.D.

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Am I seriously ill or is it anxiety?

Anxiety Can Cause Feelings of Illness

Feeling sick may be a sign that you've fallen ill, but it can also be a sign of anxiety. While feeling sick may be the only physical symptom of anxiety, there are often others including breathlessness, dizziness and fatigue.

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Why do I feel ill but not ill?

Malaise is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or fatigue that has no clearly identifiable cause. A person may feel this way for various reasons. Some causes are transient and relatively benign, while others are more chronic and severe.

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Can health anxiety cause fake symptoms?

People with health anxiety often misinterpret normal or benign physical symptoms and attribute them to something more serious. For example, if they were to compress an arm while asleep, instead of rolling over and shaking off the numb feeling, they might worry they were having a stroke.

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What are red flags in medical conditions?

Red flags are specific attributes derived from a patient's medical history and the clinical examination that are usually linked with a high risk of having a serious disorder like an infection, cancer, or a fracture.

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What are medical red flags?

A red flag symptom is something abnormal about your body or mind, that may indicate something is significantly wrong. 'Red flag' means potentially serious (and potentially treatable). See you doctor soon (even today) if you think you have one.

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What are the 10 red flag symptoms?

What are the Top 'Red Flags' or Warning Signs?
  • Chest Pain:
  • Loss of Consciousness:
  • Shortness of Breath:
  • Unusual Bleeding:
  • Unexplained Weight Loss:
  • Thunderclap Headache:
  • High or Persistent Fever:
  • Symptoms of Stroke:

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