We all have days when something feels off — a nagging pain, a weird ache, a shift in energy we brush off as stress. But sometimes, those quiet signals are warning signs from your body.
And ignoring them? That’s when things can get serious.
“Your body is always talking to you,” says Michael O’Neill, MD, primary care provider with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group. “The key is learning which symptoms are worth paying attention to — and not pushing them aside.”
Look out for these three signs that something might be wrong.
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Download the app1. You’re more tired than usual, and it’s not getting better.
After a late night or a busy week, it’s normal to feel a little tired.
But if you’re constantly running on empty — even after getting enough sleep — it could be a sign of something more.
“Most of the time, fatigue is as simple as being tired after a long day or week. But sometimes, there’s more to it. It can be a sign of anything from anemia to thyroid problems to chronic infections,” says Dr. O’Neill. “It could even signal heart issues or early stages of autoimmune disease.”
And if that exhaustion comes with other symptoms – like shortness of breath, dizziness, or mood changes – don’t wait to get it checked.
> Related: Do You Catch Up on Sleep Every Weekend? It Could Be Hurting Your Health
2. You’re losing weight without trying.
It might seem like a welcome surprise. But unexplained weight loss – especially more than 5% of your body weight – could be a sign that something isn’t right.
“Weight loss without changes in diet or exercise can signal several issues, including infections, digestive disorders or even cancer,” says Dr. O’Neill.
It might just be caused by stress or a subtle change in appetite. But in some cases, it’s your body’s way of telling you that something’s wrong.
So if you’ve lost more than 10 pounds without trying in the past few months, it’s worth scheduling an appointment — even if you feel fine otherwise.
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3. You just feel different, like something isn’t right.
This one’s harder to define, but just as important.
It might be frequent headaches. A new kind of pain. Or just a nagging sense that something’s not right — even if you can’t explain why.
“You know your body best,” says Dr. O’Neill. “If something feels off and it’s not going away, trust that instinct.”
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Those strange symptoms might be more than a fluke — they could be warning signs from your body that deserve attention.
