Unobtrusive symptoms that are not worth ignoring

Some diseases take years to develop or accompany us from birth, although the first symptoms appear later in life. Meanwhile, the earlier we obtain a diagnosis, the greater the chances of a cure or, in the case of incurable entities, of preventing the development of the disease, and thus prolonging life and improving its comfort. So which symptoms are worth paying attention to, even if they are not very bothersome to us?

Frequent bruising

A bruise is nothing more than a subcutaneous hemorrhage. When blood vessels are damaged, a lesion appears on the skin, having a characteristic bluish tint. Each of us has probably had many bruises in our lives caused by injuries, and in the vast majority of cases there is nothing to worry about.

However, if bruising occurs frequently with us, and we can't recall any injury that could lead to it, it's worth taking a closer look. It could be a symptom of various medical conditions or deficiencies.

One of the reasons for the formation of subcutaneous hematomas may be thrombocytopenia. The possibility of thrombocytopenia should be taken into account when, in addition to bruising, we often experience bleeding from the skin, gums or mucous membranes, or petechiae. In addition, in women, prolonged and heavy periods are also alarming. Generally speaking - any symptoms of blood clotting problems should be alarming.

- The most common form of thrombocytopenia is acquired. It results from damage to the bone marrow responsible for producing blood or an insufficient rate of platelet production when platelets are destroyed in the peripheral blood. Other possible causes also include deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid, copper or, less commonly, iron, explains Professor Michal Nowicki, a specialist in nephrology and internal medicine who works with the Saventic Foundation, which helps diagnose rare diseases. - Congenital thrombocytopenia associated with genetic defects is rare. Sometimes it is asymptomatic and is diagnosed only in adulthood, while in other cases it manifests itself already in childhood, such as through a hemorrhagic diathesis, i.e. a tendency to excessive bleeding, sometimes very heavy and life-threatening, the doctor adds.

Recurrent infections in children

Respiratory infections, if they recur several times a year or are chronic in nature, should definitely not be underestimated. For example, a chronic cough and the presence of a mucous discharge is one of the primary symptoms of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. Symptoms include shortness of breath, recurrent pneumonia and/or bronchitis, nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis or sticky mucus backing up in the bronchi.

If a child goes from one infection to another, it is worth considering an in-depth diagnosis. Primary immunodeficiencies (PNO) may also be the cause. They often develop asymptomatically at first, and the conditions can easily be mistaken for temporary colds, atopic dermatitis or allergies.

- Primary immunodeficiencies are a group of more than 450 different diseases associated with malfunction of the entire immune system or its components. A child should be tested for NSAIDs if he or she experiences several ear infections, two or more pneumonias or sinus infections in a year. In addition, symptoms also include skin abscesses, persistent thrush in the mouth, the need to treat infections with intravenous antibiotics, and failure to gain weight or stunted normal growth. If at least 2 of these symptoms or factors are observed, the child should be referred to an immunologist, says Sylwia Koltan, MD, a specialist in pediatrics and clinical immunology.

Prone to swelling

Swellings, like bruises, can appear in different situations and for different reasons. For this reason, their diagnosis is not always easy. They are usually harmless, but can also be a symptom of serious cardiovascular or kidney diseases. However, it is also seen swellings much more dangerous, which can threaten the life of the patient. If they do not respond to standard treatments, they can be a symptom of hereditary angioedema, or HAE.

The first symptoms of HAE usually appear in the second and third decades of life, but some patients experience them earlier. The symptoms of this disease are often mistakenly treated as allergic, but the standard antihistamines or corticosteroids used in such situations do not bring any improvement.

- In the context of hereditary angioedema, we are talking about paroxysms of edema, which gradually, quite rapidly, within a few hours or so, often grows to enormous proportions. In addition to being unresponsive to standard therapy with antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids, it differs from the swelling characteristic of allergy in that it is most often not accompanied by itching and urticarial lesions or redness of the skin. - informs Aleksandra Kucharczyk, MD, a specialist in internal medicine and allergology who works with the Saventic Foundation. - It is also typical that swelling in HAE resolves spontaneously within 3 to 5 days. Hereditary angioedema attacks can involve the skin or subcutaneous tissue. In the latter case, due to involving the throat, larynx, gastrointestinal tract or urinary tract, they are often very dangerous for the patient - they can cause complete closure of the airways, as well as severe abdominal pain, vomiting due to obstruction or obstruction of the intestines, and even lead to kidney failure, the doctor adds.

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms in yourself or your child, it is definitely worth undergoing deeper diagnostics and checking your condition. Regardless of the cause, it is worthwhile to implement appropriate treatment and, if possible, prevent the disease from developing rapidly.