Few people like hospitals or going to the doctor. Yet, if we want to live a long and happy life, it's the best thing we can do for ourselves. Unfortunately, researchers have found that many Americans avoid seeking help because of the fear of incurring high medical bills. In fact, in 2023, 38% didn't get medical treatment because of the cost they would have had to pay.
Recently, one Redditor highlighted the importance of annual checkups when they asked, "What's a medical problem people constantly ignore until it's too late?" People shared all kinds of stories in the comments: from commonly overlooked conditions in women's health to less conspicuous things like a lack of sleep and, of course, early signs of cancer.
#1
Given I have lost three female friends this year to heart attacks, this. One even sought care at an urgent facility and was told she had the flu. She died two days later. The symptoms present differently than they do in men and are as such, often overlooked or downplayed. Very sad.
bugbugladybug:
I know a woman who got told it was just a panic attack. She told them she wanted to see them write "refused to check for heart attack" in the notes and hit submit before she'd let the ambulance crew leave.
They sighed and said fine, and took her in..
Massive heart attack, very close to death. She needed extensive rehab and still isn't right.
bugbugladybug:
I know a woman who got told it was just a panic attack. She told them she wanted to see them write "refused to check for heart attack" in the notes and hit submit before she'd let the ambulance crew leave.
They sighed and said fine, and took her in..
Massive heart attack, very close to death. She needed extensive rehab and still isn't right.
37points
#2
Endometriosis, usually not ignored by patients but by doctors. This goes for many uturus-related issues.
missThora:
Other way around too.
If your periods are painful enough that you can't function during them, it is NOT normal, and get a second or third opinion if you have to until you find someone who cares.
missThora:
Other way around too.
If your periods are painful enough that you can't function during them, it is NOT normal, and get a second or third opinion if you have to until you find someone who cares.
32points
#3
Almost every problem listed here people generally dont ignore its just the doctors that ignore it and tell their patients its probably just anxiety.
27points
After scrolling through this thread, you, Pandas, might consider signing up for your yearly health checkup. And that's a good thing! Regular checkups are pretty common in most cultures, but people in some countries do them more diligently than in others. According to research from Statista Consumer Insights in 2024, South Korea has the highest percentage of adults checking their health regularly.
Six in ten people in Korea visit the doctor for their regular checkups, while in Britain, only three in ten people do the same, despite having universal healthcare. Spain, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Japan, and then the U.S. follow South Korea down the line, respectively. Perhaps rather surprisingly, Sweden and the Netherlands are at the bottom, with only 29% and 27% of the respondents saying they undergo regular medical checkups.
#4
I had very irregular periods for years, I'm talking 3 months without one followed by going for a month and a half straight. I went to one gyno and they did a vaginal ultrasound but didn't see anything. The lady who performed it literally shrugged it off. I just thought maybe it was a byproduct of getting my period at 8-9 years old.
Earlier this year I went to a different gyno to get a bilateral salpingectomy. He noticed my hemoglobin was at about 7.4 and I told him about my irregular, increasingly heavy periods. He, too, found nothing during the vaginal ultrasound but elected to do a D and C during my bisalp. Come to find out I had stage 1 uterine cancer which, luckily, was resolved with a total hysterectomy.
AproposOfDiddly:
Along the same lines … I had a raw, itchy spot on my vulva for months. When I went in for my yearly well woman exam, I asked the doctor, “As long as you’re down there, can you see if you can tell what that spot is, and maybe prescribe a cream or something for it?” Come to find out I had vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 3. VIN isn’t cancer but could become cancer and is caused by the same HPV virus as cervical cancer (just on the outside instead of the inside). I had to have a partial vulvectomy surgery to remove the cells, which was as fun as it sounds. It came back twice a few years later and I had to have two more surgeries to remove the recurrence of the precancerous cells.
The moral of the story is if your lady bits don’t bleed when they should, or bleed/ hurt/ itch when they shouldn’t, talk to a doctor.
Earlier this year I went to a different gyno to get a bilateral salpingectomy. He noticed my hemoglobin was at about 7.4 and I told him about my irregular, increasingly heavy periods. He, too, found nothing during the vaginal ultrasound but elected to do a D and C during my bisalp. Come to find out I had stage 1 uterine cancer which, luckily, was resolved with a total hysterectomy.
AproposOfDiddly:
Along the same lines … I had a raw, itchy spot on my vulva for months. When I went in for my yearly well woman exam, I asked the doctor, “As long as you’re down there, can you see if you can tell what that spot is, and maybe prescribe a cream or something for it?” Come to find out I had vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 3. VIN isn’t cancer but could become cancer and is caused by the same HPV virus as cervical cancer (just on the outside instead of the inside). I had to have a partial vulvectomy surgery to remove the cells, which was as fun as it sounds. It came back twice a few years later and I had to have two more surgeries to remove the recurrence of the precancerous cells.
The moral of the story is if your lady bits don’t bleed when they should, or bleed/ hurt/ itch when they shouldn’t, talk to a doctor.
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26points
#5
Sleep deprivation, people treat it like a badge of honor until their body just quits.
GalaxyPowderedCat:
Yeah, you're not too off the mark
I felt the weirdest experience when I'd sleep deprived myself for mental health reasons.
I used to sleep like 2-4 hours or so a day and my body couldn't even react anymore, I don't have the right term to encapsulate it, but I literally fell to the floor and I couldn't move, the only thing that I could do was staring at the floor for some solid 14 minutes before moving again.
I cannot explain it at all...but that happened.
GalaxyPowderedCat:
Yeah, you're not too off the mark
I felt the weirdest experience when I'd sleep deprived myself for mental health reasons.
I used to sleep like 2-4 hours or so a day and my body couldn't even react anymore, I don't have the right term to encapsulate it, but I literally fell to the floor and I couldn't move, the only thing that I could do was staring at the floor for some solid 14 minutes before moving again.
I cannot explain it at all...but that happened.
22points
#6
If you suddenly see an increase in flashes or floaters in your vision, get your a*s to an ophthalmologist right away. It could be a retina detachment, and although technology is great, we don't have artificial retinas that work as well as human eyes just yet. The sooner you get it checked, the sooner your vision could be saved.
Saul_Badman_1261:
Yes please get it checked as soon as possible, suddenly had floaters a few months ago after a bad flu, stressed out for days because people kept talking about retina detachment, I also saw post-images which is like still seeing something stuck on your vision after looking at it for a while.
Went to a ophtalmologist, who didn't do a full retinal scanning but just looked at my retina from side to side and told me she didn't see any problems but assigned me to a retinologist, which then used a more sophisticated machine alongisde with lenses and some eye drops for anesthesia.
Turns out I have post-vitral detachment on both eyes (which apparently is more common with older people), which has almost the same symptons but doesn't cause damage to your vision (only causes more floaters). But if you are having those symptons I suggest always assuming it's a retina detachment, you can never be too careful.
Saul_Badman_1261:
Yes please get it checked as soon as possible, suddenly had floaters a few months ago after a bad flu, stressed out for days because people kept talking about retina detachment, I also saw post-images which is like still seeing something stuck on your vision after looking at it for a while.
Went to a ophtalmologist, who didn't do a full retinal scanning but just looked at my retina from side to side and told me she didn't see any problems but assigned me to a retinologist, which then used a more sophisticated machine alongisde with lenses and some eye drops for anesthesia.
Turns out I have post-vitral detachment on both eyes (which apparently is more common with older people), which has almost the same symptons but doesn't cause damage to your vision (only causes more floaters). But if you are having those symptons I suggest always assuming it's a retina detachment, you can never be too careful.
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21points
The researchers say that it is hard to explain why some countries have such a high turnover, and why in others, people are averse to checking their health regularly. It's possible that some simply don't believe in the effectiveness of yearly checkups. Many adults still believe that going to the doctor while feeling healthy doesn't make sense: you go to the doctor when you have an ache, a cough, or some other health concern.
In a 2021 poll, 42% of Brits said they hadn't made a doctor's appointment in the past year. 20% claimed they simply didn't want to burden the NHS. In the U.S., one in four adults skips routine checkups because they feel healthy. Interestingly, 23% don't have the time to make appointments because of work hours. 22% just don't think about it, and 21% hate going to the doctor in general.
#7
As a an overweight woman, I feel stupid taking anything wrong to a doctor because they will say it's because of my weight, or it's all in my head. Even when I explain how it's interfering with my life, they shrug and tell me to eat better.
one_hot_potato:
I was 107 lbs, had been referred to GI for unexplained weight loss. CT scan was mostly normal, but showed fatty liver. I don’t drink alcohol, I asked the GI what I should do. Her response: lose weight.
My point is as simply being a woman, I feel stupid taking anything wrong to a doctor because they will say it’s because of my weight or it’s all in my head (oh, that’s just stresssssss).
one_hot_potato:
I was 107 lbs, had been referred to GI for unexplained weight loss. CT scan was mostly normal, but showed fatty liver. I don’t drink alcohol, I asked the GI what I should do. Her response: lose weight.
My point is as simply being a woman, I feel stupid taking anything wrong to a doctor because they will say it’s because of my weight or it’s all in my head (oh, that’s just stresssssss).
21points
#8
Ok listen. We need to have a discussion about normal and not normal poops. Hard poop, bleeding, cramping other uncomfortable bowel movements need to be addressed. Colon cancer is a thing. I have a family member whose only 30 and ignored symptoms until the last minute. He’s stage four.
CrankTanks:
This is so random but 2 days ago I had the most severe stomach cramping/pain of my life and passed out. Twice. Followed by literally going into shock. This seemed extreme even for a flare up of my IBD but I thought I should ride it out like usual.
Haven't pooped since and have had continued cramping (although far less painful) and quite a lot of pain in my belly. It's 2:30 am and your comment has convinced me to stop putting it off and just go head down to the emergency room. Just wanted to say thanks for this!
Edit: Someone suggested I do an edit as opposed to individual replies. I got up and went to the hospital after leaving this comment and they diagnosed me with a bowel obstruction. I obviously made it worse by sitting on it for 2 days without seeking medical care (oops) and they opted to remove it surgically. I am alive and well and OBSTRUCTION FREE!
Thank you everyone for your well wishes and concerns, it was really heart warming to read. To anyone else who's questioning getting checked out for the love of God, go do it. I nearly k**led a portion of my bowels for no good reason 💀 and that would have been a SH**TY time ...
CrankTanks:
This is so random but 2 days ago I had the most severe stomach cramping/pain of my life and passed out. Twice. Followed by literally going into shock. This seemed extreme even for a flare up of my IBD but I thought I should ride it out like usual.
Haven't pooped since and have had continued cramping (although far less painful) and quite a lot of pain in my belly. It's 2:30 am and your comment has convinced me to stop putting it off and just go head down to the emergency room. Just wanted to say thanks for this!
Edit: Someone suggested I do an edit as opposed to individual replies. I got up and went to the hospital after leaving this comment and they diagnosed me with a bowel obstruction. I obviously made it worse by sitting on it for 2 days without seeking medical care (oops) and they opted to remove it surgically. I am alive and well and OBSTRUCTION FREE!
Thank you everyone for your well wishes and concerns, it was really heart warming to read. To anyone else who's questioning getting checked out for the love of God, go do it. I nearly k**led a portion of my bowels for no good reason 💀 and that would have been a SH**TY time ...
20points
#9
Diabetes. If you can control it you can live a long time with it . However if you dont you can get congested heart failure, dialysis, heart attacks, etc.
kelmo80:
Yep my mum had so many co-morbidities with her type 2 diabetes because she never changed her lifestyle. High blood pressure, kidneys started failing, heart failure, circulation issues. She ended up getting ovarian cancer. Honestly her final 6 years were terrible.
Edit: she was also only 61 when she died.
kelmo80:
Yep my mum had so many co-morbidities with her type 2 diabetes because she never changed her lifestyle. High blood pressure, kidneys started failing, heart failure, circulation issues. She ended up getting ovarian cancer. Honestly her final 6 years were terrible.
Edit: she was also only 61 when she died.
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18points
People worry about financial matters, too, as 21% of the respondents said they worry about whether they will be able to pay for it. The fear of hearing bad news also discourages people from getting regular screenings and tests, as 18% of Americans cited that as a reason why they don't make appointments. 16% simply don't have the time for it.
Although there are studies that suggest regular checkups have little to no effect on total mortality or cancer mortality, most doctors still recommend getting routine checkups. Yet, medical experts agree that, depending on a person's medical history and age, regular checkups can save lives.
#10
Women's abdominal pain. If it's not worse than a period we just kinda... brush it off. It can't be that bad, right? Apparently it can be cancer.
jessa_plz:
This! I never went to the doctor because I never saw a need to. Well 3 years ago, I was ignoring a mild abdominal pain for two weeks. I mentioned it to my husband and he made me go to the ER. This is how I found out I had an enlarged liver (that was NAFLD), extremely high blood pressure (they were worried about me having a stroke) and then a week later getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It scared me so badly that I changed my life completely. 3 years later and I’m happy to say I have none of those issues and now have regular checkups and blood panels.
jessa_plz:
This! I never went to the doctor because I never saw a need to. Well 3 years ago, I was ignoring a mild abdominal pain for two weeks. I mentioned it to my husband and he made me go to the ER. This is how I found out I had an enlarged liver (that was NAFLD), extremely high blood pressure (they were worried about me having a stroke) and then a week later getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It scared me so badly that I changed my life completely. 3 years later and I’m happy to say I have none of those issues and now have regular checkups and blood panels.
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16points
#11
Hypochondriacs may want to skip this thread.
To answer:
- Anything related to blood pressure.
- Dental issues.
- Slowly declining vision.
To add a few important habits:
- Get your annual blood work done.
- Men over 42: get your prostate exam. I cannot stress that one enough.
- If you notice any new lumps, sores that won't heal, or any sudden weight loss: talk to your doctor. Immediately.
To answer:
- Anything related to blood pressure.
- Dental issues.
- Slowly declining vision.
To add a few important habits:
- Get your annual blood work done.
- Men over 42: get your prostate exam. I cannot stress that one enough.
- If you notice any new lumps, sores that won't heal, or any sudden weight loss: talk to your doctor. Immediately.
Report
15points
#12
Snoring + tiredness (potential sleep apnea).
notfin:
Lol that's me. I was at the hospital after I just collapsed and I guess I fell asleep the doctor said they never heard someone snore so loud while laying on their stomach. They told me to do a sleep study then prescribed me a CPAP machine.
notfin:
Lol that's me. I was at the hospital after I just collapsed and I guess I fell asleep the doctor said they never heard someone snore so loud while laying on their stomach. They told me to do a sleep study then prescribed me a CPAP machine.
15points
What are the general guidelines for keeping on top of our health concerns? According to the experts at Mount Sinai Medical Center, they are as follows:
- People aged 30 and younger should get routine checkups with their doctors every two or three years. Women should get screenings for cervical cancer from 21 years of age.
- For people aged 30-40, experts recommend getting annual physicals. Diagnosing conditions like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension can be beneficial if done at an earlier stage while there are still no symptoms, and these are the years when people's risks generally increase. Other experts recommend starting to get yearly checkups after turning 45. Women should get screened for breast cancer after turning 40 as well.
#13
Appreciate the health care professionals taking the time to comment here. So much misinformation gets spread online.
15points
#14
When I worked in the ER I had a ridiculous amount of people come in complaining about headaches that had been going strong for weeks.
Damn_Dog_Inappropes:
My friend’s dad recently ignored a headache and confusion FOR THREE DAYS. Yes, it was a stroke. They finally realized something was going on when he couldn’t sing his granddaughter’s favorite song. He said he didn’t think it was a stroke because his muscles all worked fine. And he was confused from the stroke so he wasn’t making good choices. His DIL (he lives with the son and his wife and kids) read him the riot act for having good insurance but ignoring serious symptoms. Fortunately it looks like he’s going to make a full recovery.
Damn_Dog_Inappropes:
My friend’s dad recently ignored a headache and confusion FOR THREE DAYS. Yes, it was a stroke. They finally realized something was going on when he couldn’t sing his granddaughter’s favorite song. He said he didn’t think it was a stroke because his muscles all worked fine. And he was confused from the stroke so he wasn’t making good choices. His DIL (he lives with the son and his wife and kids) read him the riot act for having good insurance but ignoring serious symptoms. Fortunately it looks like he’s going to make a full recovery.
14points
#15
Mental health
A lot of people either refuse to or dont understand that mental health can physically effect a person's body. It quite literally wreaks havoc not just on your nervous system but other vital systems like immune. It quite literally is a slow and agonizing death. Everything is connected but its still one of the most under estimated aspects of holistic health.
A good (but heavy) book to read (or listen to on audible) is "The Body Keeps The Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk. Hes a Dutch psychiatrist. Its a great book.
A lot of people either refuse to or dont understand that mental health can physically effect a person's body. It quite literally wreaks havoc not just on your nervous system but other vital systems like immune. It quite literally is a slow and agonizing death. Everything is connected but its still one of the most under estimated aspects of holistic health.
A good (but heavy) book to read (or listen to on audible) is "The Body Keeps The Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk. Hes a Dutch psychiatrist. Its a great book.
13points
- After turning 50, people should start paying more attention to their health. Both men and women should have colonoscopies every 10 years, ideally starting at 45. Women should get regular mammograms as well.
- People aged 60 and older are more susceptible to complications from the flu and pneumonia. Thus, doctors recommend pneumococcal vaccines and regular influenza vaccines.
#16
In america with the cost of health care. Any medical problem, unless you're rich or are fortunate enough to have a job with really good health insurance.
liltinykitter:
My mom had some stomach pain- but she is very much one of the “buck up” type and so she ignored it. For months. To the point she couldn’t eat anymore. Turns out she had non-hodgkins lymphoma and a tumor was on her pancreas and growing rapidly. It cut off blood flow to her intestines and she couldn’t digest food any longer. I found out she had cancer in August of 2024. By November they told us to start palliative care and end of life planning. Then that CEO got shot and her doctor’s request for CAR-T therapy got approved. The CAR-T cost $3,000,000. My mom is in remission and doing so well. But if this country didn’t make her feel like a pest for managing her health, it wouldn’t have gotten that bad.
liltinykitter:
My mom had some stomach pain- but she is very much one of the “buck up” type and so she ignored it. For months. To the point she couldn’t eat anymore. Turns out she had non-hodgkins lymphoma and a tumor was on her pancreas and growing rapidly. It cut off blood flow to her intestines and she couldn’t digest food any longer. I found out she had cancer in August of 2024. By November they told us to start palliative care and end of life planning. Then that CEO got shot and her doctor’s request for CAR-T therapy got approved. The CAR-T cost $3,000,000. My mom is in remission and doing so well. But if this country didn’t make her feel like a pest for managing her health, it wouldn’t have gotten that bad.
12points
#17
Not something people constantly ignore, but I just want to post a reminder: women’s signs and symptoms of a heart attack differ than men’s. I’m a cardiology technologist, so I’m the person who is performing ECGs in the ER and the first to see if someone is having a STEMI (heart attack). I have seen female patients come in with severe abdominal pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain, or back pain, and not expect to find out they are having a heart attack. Please get yourself checked out even if you aren’t having crushing chest pain or shortness of breath. .
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12points
#18
Changing moles/growths/marks on the skin.
Guilty_Application14:
I might look for another doc for a second opinion visit. I've had three types of skin cancer and my dermatologist does a full hands-on scan twice a year with a magnifier. He has 6 or 7 spots he's watching in detail with periodic photos. Every other visit or so I get precancerous spots frozen off.
In my early 20s I was in the Marine Corps and spent a lot of time in the sun with no sunscreen so similar to your history in that respect.
Guilty_Application14:
I might look for another doc for a second opinion visit. I've had three types of skin cancer and my dermatologist does a full hands-on scan twice a year with a magnifier. He has 6 or 7 spots he's watching in detail with periodic photos. Every other visit or so I get precancerous spots frozen off.
In my early 20s I was in the Marine Corps and spent a lot of time in the sun with no sunscreen so similar to your history in that respect.
11points
Don't let fear of the doctor or procrastination keep you away from your health checkups, Pandas! A 2025 spring survey by Aflac showed that a whopping 90% of Americans put off recommended screenings or regular checkups that might help catch serious diseases early. Don't be a part of that statistic, Pandas, and take care of yourself, because you deserve it!
#19
That one persistent, low-grade pain you treat like your car's check engine light. you just put a piece of tape over it and hope for the best. then one day you reach for a dorito off the floor and your soul leaves your body.
13maven:
I have pain everywhere, for years. Can not find what is causing it. Joints, back, hips, knees, shoulders, neck. Today is about an 8, and my knee keeps locking up. Good stuff.
13maven:
I have pain everywhere, for years. Can not find what is causing it. Joints, back, hips, knees, shoulders, neck. Today is about an 8, and my knee keeps locking up. Good stuff.
10points
#20
I’m an ER doctor so there’s a lot I could probably add here, but there are three that come to mind:
- abrupt changes in exercise tolerance. Especially in young healthy people. If you run 10km every day and you’re suddenly winded after 5km, or you’re getting terrible leg cramps in one leg every time you work out, you should be assessed. Just because you *can* still run doesn’t mean you don’t have something going on, it means you’re healthy enough that your body is capable of compensating really well. The last two cases like this I saw were a pulmonary embolism and a postviral cardiomyopathy from a mild COVID infection. Both in young, healthy runners. Have also seen cancers present this way.
- Unexplained weight loss. Especially in larger people, they’re pleased they are losing weight so they don’t get it assessed. I wouldn’t run to the doctor for a few pounds weight change, but if we’re passing 5%ish body weight loss without a clear behavioural or medication related cause, this should be looked into.
- blood in stool. Even if you have haemorrhoids, even if you’re young, DO NOT IGNORE BLOOD IN YOUR STOOL. We are actually seeing an increased diagnosis of GI cancers in people under 40. Any blood in stool without an obvious bleeding fissure that I can see gets sent for a colonoscopy.
hmets27m:
One of my friends was an avid runner and she started seeing the changes you described. Her primary care physician said she was just aging. Two months later she sought a second opinion because she’d tried everything and her stamina was still decreasing. Turns out it was leukemia. She didn’t make it six months after diagnosis and trying every treatment option available. We were in our 30’s.
- abrupt changes in exercise tolerance. Especially in young healthy people. If you run 10km every day and you’re suddenly winded after 5km, or you’re getting terrible leg cramps in one leg every time you work out, you should be assessed. Just because you *can* still run doesn’t mean you don’t have something going on, it means you’re healthy enough that your body is capable of compensating really well. The last two cases like this I saw were a pulmonary embolism and a postviral cardiomyopathy from a mild COVID infection. Both in young, healthy runners. Have also seen cancers present this way.
- Unexplained weight loss. Especially in larger people, they’re pleased they are losing weight so they don’t get it assessed. I wouldn’t run to the doctor for a few pounds weight change, but if we’re passing 5%ish body weight loss without a clear behavioural or medication related cause, this should be looked into.
- blood in stool. Even if you have haemorrhoids, even if you’re young, DO NOT IGNORE BLOOD IN YOUR STOOL. We are actually seeing an increased diagnosis of GI cancers in people under 40. Any blood in stool without an obvious bleeding fissure that I can see gets sent for a colonoscopy.
hmets27m:
One of my friends was an avid runner and she started seeing the changes you described. Her primary care physician said she was just aging. Two months later she sought a second opinion because she’d tried everything and her stamina was still decreasing. Turns out it was leukemia. She didn’t make it six months after diagnosis and trying every treatment option available. We were in our 30’s.
9points