ITV’s doctor Amir Khan has revealed one of the most common questions he is asked in his profession is what a patient’s most worrying symptom may be. The doctor says it is a hard question to answer as symptoms have so many “potential” causes, but has named his top five that he would “never” ignore.
Dr. Amir Khan’s TV career began around 2014 with the show “GPs: Behind Closed Doors” filmed at his surgery in Bradford, and since then he has appeared on various major TV shows. He regularly shares free health advice with social media followers and viewers on TV.
Sharing a video to Instagram, the Bradford doctor said: “Vague symptoms can mean lots of different things many of which are nothing to worry about. Here are 5 symptoms I generally always investigate.”
Unexplained weight loss
Dr Amir Khan said: “If you are dropping pounds without changing your diet or exercise routine, don’t dismiss it could be linked to things like type two diabetes, thyroid disease, digestive disorders or some cancers.”
He said that it is always worth getting checked out and you will most likely have bloods done examinations. The NHS says: “Unintentional weight loss is when you lose weight without changing your diet or exercise routine. It can be a sign of stress or a serious illness. See a GP just in case.”
Persistent unexplained fatigue
The full-time GP says if you are constantly exhausted, even after a full night sleep, it could be a signal something more serious is going wrong. He adds: “It could be things like iron deficiency, anaemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, thyroid disorders or event heart disease or even something more sinister.”
In a stern warning, Dr Khan has told people “don’t just push through it”, and instead speak to your GP. The NHS advises: “It’s normal to feel tired sometimes. But if you’re tired all the time and do not know why, it could be a sign of a problem.”
Blood where it shouldn’t be
Seeing blood in your urine, stools or when coughing can be alarming, but the doctor says it can also have a “very innocent” explanation. Things like piles or infection can be the cause, but it could also point to certain cancers. You should always investigate unexplained bleeding, with Dr Khan saying “the sooner the better”.
Lump or bump that’s new or changing
The health professional says “not all lumps are cancer”, but any new lump or one that is changing in size, shape or feel should be checked. This includes breast lumps, testicular lumps or swollen glands. Dr Khan’s told Instagram followers “early detection saves lives.”
The NHS states: “Lumps can appear anywhere on your body. Most lumps are harmless but it’s important to see a GP if you’re worried or the lump is still there after 2 weeks.”
Chest pain or shortness of breath
The Lorraine doctor has warned people against putting this down to “just anxiety or indigestion”, chest pain or breathlessness, especially if it comes on suddenly or with exertion, could be a sign of a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or event a silent heart condition. Dr Khan added: “Remember, they’re often benign and innocent causes for these symptoms. So don’t worry too much.”
The NHS says: “Most chest pain is not a sign of anything serious but get medical advice just in case. Get immediate medical help if you think you’re having a heart attack.”
You should call 999 if:
- you get sudden pain or discomfort in your chest that does not go away – the pain can feel like squeezing or pressure inside your chest, burning or indigestion
- you get pain that spreads to your left or right arm, or your neck, jaw, stomach or back
- you have chest pain and you feel sweaty, sick, light headed or short of breath