No-one likes to think they bother their doctor unnecessarily, but there are times when you should always seek help. We take a look at the 10 top symptoms you should never ignore

While in many cases symptoms can be due to a non-serious condition, they are sometimes an early warning sign of a problem that needs further investigation and treatment. It's better to take these symptoms seriously, than to dismiss the signs and delay an important diagnosis until it is perhaps too late.

1. Chest pain
Chest pain is caused by many conditions, some of which are serious and some not. As it is often difficult for even doctors to tell these apart, sudden chest pain should always be taken seriously and medical assistance sought without delay. Possible causes include:

• acid reflux and heart burn
• stress
• Pulled muscles/inflamed joints
• angina or heart attack
• pulmonary embolus (blood clot in a lung)
• collapsed lung
• chest infection
• lung cancer

2. Weight loss for no apparent reason
Although many people are happy to lose weight through sensible dieting, you should never ignore unexplained weight loss. It can be a sign of an undiagnosed, serious illness and is not always accompanied by loss of appetite. Possible causes include:

• anorexia nervosa
• diabetes
• over-active thyroid gland
• a hidden infection
• malabsorption - in which nutrients are not taken up from the intestines properly e.g. coeliac disease; tapeworm
• T.B. (tuberculosis)
• cancer - especially a stomach tumour
• Kidney failure

3. Any unusual thickening or lump
If you notice an unusual lump anywhere on your body, bring it to your doctor's attention. Although 9 out of 10 lumps are non-serious, it is sometimes difficult for even a doctor to tell harmless lumps from those needing urgent treatment. If there is any doubt as to the nature of a lump, it can be removed or biopsied. Most lumps are therefore biopsied biopsied and examined under a microscope for an accurate diagnosis. Possible causes include:

• a benign (non-cancerous) tumour such as a polyp, fatty lump (lipoma) or fibrous lump (fibroma)
• enlarged lymph node due to infection or cancer
• enlarged organ or gland eg liver, spleen, thyroid
• a benign cyst (eg sebaceous cyst) or malignant cyst (eg of ovary)
• cancer

4. Pain that keeps coming back
Most people gets aches and pains from time to time. But if you notice a recurrent pain that keeps coming back such as a headache, indigestion or abdominal pain, always tell your doctor. This is especially important if you also have other related symptoms such as weight loss, tiredness all the time, lethargy, stiffness or change in bowel habit.

• A recurrent headache may be due to migraine, or rarely, to a brain tumour but most headaches are linked to stress and anxiety (tension headache).
• Recurrent indigestion is often due to acid refluxing from the stomach into the oesophagus, but peptic ulcers and cancer of the stomach need to be ruled out.

5. Unexpected blood loss from any part of the body
Unexpected blood loss is a frightening symptom you are unlikely to ignore. Let your doctor know as soon as possible if you:

• cough up blood
• notice redness or dark flecks like coffee grounds in your vomit
• pass black, tarry, unpleasant-smelling stools
• notice bleeding in between your periods or after sex - even if it's only spotting
• notice post-menopausal bleeding after you thought your periods had stopped
• see blood in any fluid or discharge from any exit from the body.

Possible causes depend on the site of bleeding or blood staining, but include:

• inflammation or infection
• bleeding from an ulcer or damaged blood vessel
• blood clotting problems or a blood disease
• a stone (eg kidney stone)
• cancer

6. A change in bowel habit
Although it's embarrassing to discuss, a change in bowel habit is one of the few ways your intestines can show you something's wrong. A change in bowel habit means that your habit changes from opening your bowels regularly to opening your bowels more or less frequently than is usual for you. This may be due to constipation, diarrhoea or a general slowing down or speeding up of your intestines. If this continues for more than a week or so, seek medical advice. Possible causes include:

• irritable bowel syndrome
• infection
• diverticulitis
• inflammatory bowel disease e.g ulcerative colitis
• intestinal obstruction
• bowel cancer

7. Difficulty swallowing or feeling full despite eating very little
If you have persistent difficulty swallowing, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Possible causes include:

• anxiety causing a lump in the throat (globus hystericus)
• narrowing of the oesophagus due to muscular spasm or long-standing acid regurgitation
• muscle weakness
• pouching of the gullet
• cancer of the oesophagus or upper stomach

8. A persistent, nagging cough or shortness of breath
If you suffer from a persistent, nagging cough or shortness of breath, always consult your doctor. Possible causes include:

• asthma
• chest infection
• chronic bronchitis, emphysema (dilated air sacs) or other lung disease
• fluid build-up in the lungs due to heart failure
• anaemia
• lung cancer

9. A skin blemish that changes or a scab, sore or ulcer that fails to heal within 3 weeks
Check your skin regularly for any blemish that is changing - and ask someone to examine your back and other places you cannot see yourself. While in many cases, the lesions will turn out to be harmless, it can be difficult for even a doctor to know for certain until the patch has been biopsied and examined under a microscope. Possible causes include:

• infection
• skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis
• pigmentation due to sun damage (may be pre-cancerous)
• benign skin growths
• rare diseases with skin involvement such as pemphigus or porphyria
• skin cancer

If diagnosed early, the majority of skin cancers can be removed and the problem cured. Warning signs to look out for are an ulcer or sore that gets worse or fails to heal within three weeks, and a blemish that starts to:

• get bigger
• turn darker
• go scaly
• itch
• weep
• crust over or scab without healing
• develop a raised, rolled edge

10. Hoarse voice, mouth ulcer or sore throat lasting more than 3 weeks
A sore throat, mouth ulcer or voice hoarseness that lasts more than 3 weeks needs full investigation. Possible causes include:

• infection
• sore throat due to lowered immunity or blood disorder
• weakness of muscles or nerves in the throat
• warty growth on the vocal chords
• cancer

Most mouth cancers are detected by dentists - an excellent reason for regular dental check-ups, even if your teeth are perfect.

Find out how to financially prepare yourself for a health crisis.