Penrose Medical Center

Most people would say they are tired much of the time. But how tired is too tired? Sometimes, depression, allergies, a lack of iron, or fibromyalgia can be the cause of your fatigue. It’s important to talk to primary care doctor so that he or she can diagnose the cause of your tiredness.

Did you know that the overwhelming majority of all food allergies are triggered by eight foods? They are: milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. When it comes to medications, penicillin is the drug that affects the most people.

Aneurysms occur when blood vessels get damaged, blocked, or constricted and can be indicated by an intense headache. In fact, a painful headache that simply will not end may be a sign you need to see your doctor. Unacknowledged, these blood vessels can burst or rupture, leading to complications.

If you are allergic to anything such as penicillin, be sure you tell your doctor. Some medicines may contain ingredients that could cause you to have an allergic reaction. The more your doctor knows, the better off your body will be.

It’s important to keep your blood pressure within normal levels. A study of people who had their first heart attack showed that 70 percent had high blood pressure. For people who had their first stroke, nearly 80 percent were later determined to have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you think you have the flu and your symptoms persist, you may want to see your doctor, especially if you are in a high risk group (young children, pregnant women, elderly) or have a long-term medical issue. Also, if you have trouble breathing, you should seek prompt medical attention.

It’s important that your doctor know what medicines you are taking, including both prescription and over-the-counter ones as well as vitamins. Taking these medicines and vitamins to your doctor appointment or making a list of the medicines with dosage information will ensure your doctor can make the best treatment plan for you.

The bottom line is, your body needs fluids like water to stay healthy. Drinking plenty of water lubricates joints, helps distribute vitamins and minerals to your organs and muscles, and helps maintain numerous body systems.

Occasional short term memory loss is quite common, especially as you age. However, if you notice a marked difference in your memory capabilities, you need to see your doctor. He or she will be able to order a neurological exam or imaging test to figure out what may be triggering it.

Before heading to your doctor's appointment, take a few minutes to jot down notes on your family history. If you’re not sure, pick up the phone and call mom! If you don’t know your family history, discuss the possibility of additional screening tests with your doctor to establish your health risks.

Mononucleosis, or mono for short, is a virus that affects the lymph nodes. Common symptoms include persistent (for at least two weeks) extreme fatigue, sore throat, fever, and headache. Because it’s a virus, it is contagious and will not respond to antibiotics.

It is common for people to be allergic to more than one thing. About 40 million people have indoor/outdoor allergies, while another 7 percent have skin allergies and 6 percent of allergy sufferers have food and drugs as their main allergy triggers.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if that lingering cold or persistent back ache is nothing or a sign of something more serious. A visit to your doctor can help tell if something serious is going on and give you peace of mind.