Sometimes, blood is visible, making urine appear pink, red, or brown. In other cases, the amount is too small to see and is detected only through laboratory testing.
Possible causes include:
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Urinary tract infections.
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Kidney stones.
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Kidney or bladder inflammation.
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Prostate conditions.
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Kidney disease.
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Bladder or kidney cancer.
Blood in the urine may occur with pain or burning during urination, but it can also be painless.
This is why the absence of discomfort should not provide false reassurance.
Some foods and medications can change urine color, but visible blood should be assessed rather than assumed to be harmless.
When to seek help: Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you notice blood in your urine, even if it disappears. Seek emergency care if bleeding is accompanied by severe pain, inability to urinate, large blood clots, or significant weakness.
11. Difficulty Swallowing
Occasionally swallowing food awkwardly is not unusual. However, repeatedly feeling that food is getting stuck in the throat or chest is a symptom that deserves attention.
Difficulty swallowing is known medically as dysphagia.
It can result from several conditions, including:
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Acid reflux and inflammation of the esophagus.
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Neurological disorders.
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Esophageal narrowing.
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Muscle or nerve problems affecting swallowing.
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Certain cancers of the throat or esophagus.
Some people initially struggle only with solid foods. Over time, they may also experience difficulty swallowing liquids.
Other symptoms may include pain when swallowing, unexplained weight loss, frequent choking, coughing during meals, or repeated respiratory infections caused by food or liquid entering the airway.
Persistent swallowing difficulties can interfere with nutrition and hydration, making early assessment important.
When to seek help: Arrange medical evaluation for recurring or progressive difficulty swallowing. If food becomes completely lodged and you cannot swallow saliva or breathe normally, seek emergency assistance.
12. Persistent Abdominal Pain or Unexplained Bloating
Abdominal discomfort can result from many everyday causes, including indigestion, constipation, food intolerance, or temporary gastrointestinal infections.
However, persistent or progressively worsening abdominal pain should not be ignored.
The location and pattern of pain can provide useful clues.
For example:
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Pain in the upper right abdomen may be associated with gallbladder or liver conditions.
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Pain in the lower right abdomen may indicate appendicitis.
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Persistent upper abdominal discomfort may be associated with stomach or pancreatic disorders.
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Recurrent bloating and abdominal changes may require evaluation of digestive, gynecological, or other conditions.
Unexplained bloating that continues for weeks, particularly when accompanied by early fullness, appetite changes, pelvic discomfort, or urinary symptoms, deserves medical attention.
In women, persistent bloating and pelvic discomfort can sometimes be associated with ovarian conditions, including ovarian cancer. These symptoms are common and usually have other explanations, but persistent changes should be evaluated.
When to seek help: Seek medical advice for abdominal pain or bloating that persists, repeatedly returns, or affects your appetite and daily activities. Sudden severe abdominal pain, especially with vomiting, fainting, fever, or a rigid abdomen, requires emergency care.
13. Persistent Fever or Unexplained Night Sweats
Fever is a normal response to many infections. In most cases, it improves as the underlying illness resolves.
However, recurrent fever, prolonged fever, or night sweats that repeatedly soak clothing or bedding may indicate a condition requiring further investigation.
Possible causes include:
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Persistent bacterial or viral infections.
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Tuberculosis.
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Certain inflammatory disorders.
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Hormonal changes.
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Medication reactions.
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Some blood cancers, including lymphoma.
Night sweats can also occur because of a warm sleeping environment, menopause, anxiety, or other non-dangerous causes.
The key is to consider the overall pattern rather than focusing on one episode.
For example, repeated night sweats accompanied by unexplained weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes, or persistent fatigue should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
When to seek help: Arrange an evaluation if fever persists, repeatedly returns without a clear cause, or is accompanied by unexplained weight loss and night sweats. Confusion, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or signs of severe dehydration require emergency care.
14. Unusual Bleeding or Bruising
Unexpected bleeding can be an important sign that something is wrong.
Examples include:
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Frequent nosebleeds.
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Bleeding gums without an obvious cause.
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Bruises appearing without injury.
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Unusually heavy menstrual bleeding.
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Blood in the stool or urine.
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Vaginal bleeding after menopause.
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Bleeding that takes unusually long to stop.
These symptoms can be associated with blood clotting disorders, low platelet counts, liver disease, medication effects, hormonal conditions, or certain cancers.
For women who have reached menopause, any vaginal bleeding should be evaluated, even if it is light or occurs only once.
Postmenopausal bleeding can result from several conditions, including changes in the uterine lining, polyps, or endometrial cancer.
Similarly, unexplained bruising may occur because of medication use or minor unnoticed injuries, but repeated bruising without a clear explanation deserves attention.
When to seek help: Consult a healthcare professional for unexplained or recurring bleeding. Seek emergency care for heavy bleeding, fainting, severe weakness, or bleeding that cannot be controlled.
15. A Changing Mole or Unusual Skin Growth
Your skin can provide important clues about your overall health.
Most moles are harmless, but a mole that changes in size, shape, color, or appearance should be examined.
One useful method for recognizing possible melanoma is the ABCDE rule:
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A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other.
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B – Border: The edges are irregular, blurred, or poorly defined.
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C – Color: The mole contains different colors or uneven shades.
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D – Diameter: The spot is larger than approximately 6 millimeters, although melanoma can be smaller.
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E – Evolving: The mole changes over time in size, shape, color, or sensation.
Other concerning changes include a spot that repeatedly bleeds, becomes itchy, develops a crust, or fails to heal.
Skin cancer does not always look like a traditional dark mole. Some forms appear as shiny bumps, scaly patches, or persistent sores.