HealthNews

19 Harmless Symptoms That Are Major Medical Red Flags

Hiccups, Itchy Boobs, And 17 Other “Harmless” Medical Symptoms That Doctors Say Are Actually MAJOR Red Flags
“I never want to see another infant lose their mother before they even get to meet her.”
Going to the doctor today is actually one of the most aggravating things EVER. Insurance, available doctors, etc., etc., etc., forever and ever.
So, when Threads user @funnymedicinepodcast asked healthcare workers to share “harmless” symptoms that are actually major medical red flags, I was LOCKED IN. Here are 19 of the most helpful answers:
1. “Bleeding after menopause! It’s a totally under-recognized red flag for uterine cancer.”
—@lisisimons
2. “Chronic coughs (longer than a month) always give me pause. I’ve had patients with chronic coughs that turned out to be lymphoma, and the coughs were due to a mass irritating the lungs. It could also be asthma, reflux, or even a reaction to medication.”
3. “Flashes, new floaters, webs, or curtains in your vision. These ALWAYS warrant an IMMEDIATE call to your eye doctor. Don’t fuck with your vision.”
—@moxiedevereaux
“I had a corneal ulcer. I went from ‘there’s something in my eye’ to ‘take me to the doctor NOW’ levels of pain in a matter of hours. I very narrowly avoided any permanent vision loss — an outcome which may very well have been different if I hadn’t had the good fortune to get to a major hospital with an ophthalmologist on call.”
—@krs313
4. “Pregnant patients with headaches that won’t quit are major red flags, especially in our Black patients who are often ignored. ‘I feel okay, just this headache…’ COME IN RIGHT NOW. This could be an early sign of preeclampsia. I never want to see another infant lose their mother before they even get to meet her.”
5. “A child who is suddenly wetting the bed, is too tired to play, extremely thirsty, and is losing weight. These are all signs of type 1 diabetes and need intervention quickly!”
—@mermaid09crone
6. “If your poop starts consistently coming out pencil-shaped. It could be colorectal cancer, and the tumor is partially blocking the feces, causing the thin shape.”
7. “An impending sense of doom or unshakeable sense of ‘not right-ness.’ It’s almost always a patient’s body knowing something before we pick it up externally. There’s always a reason, and usually something underlying to address.”
“I had a woman who gave birth and mentioned this unshakable bad feeling. Her post-C-section pain quickly became so severe that her heart rate and blood pressure kept dropping. By the end of my shift, she was back in the OR, having liters of blood clots evacuated from her belly and multiple transfusions.”
—@jillianmdrewes
8. “An itchy boob!!!! As a breast cancer survivor and nurse, I try to educate people about the lesser-known symptoms of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer isn’t as common, but it’s very aggressive. Dimples, redness, changes in nipple size or shape, orange-peel-textured skin, and discharge are other lesser-known symptoms. I caught my breast cancer at stage 1 because I saw a dimple and followed up. I never even felt a lump.”
9. “A headache that wakes you up. I knew this red flag because I have hydrocephalus, and it has always been a sign for me that my shunt* is malfunctioning. During medical school, I had a patient come in with headaches that woke them up at night. I recommended a head CT… They had a brain tumor.”
—@shuntedmdphd
*A shunt is a medical device that is surgically placed and is designed to drain and redirect excess brain and spinal fluid.
10. “If you’re diabetic and you have a wound on your feet, go see a doctor. ‘It’s small!’ Go see a doctor. ‘It will close on its own!’ Go. See. A. Doctor. The number of amputations I see because of necrosis in diabetic patients is too high.”
11. “Women who say they have persistent indigestion and have been feeling ‘off.’ I recover patients after open-heart surgery and monitor for heart attacks. Women don’t usually experience the typical ‘crushing’ chest pain. Instead, they usually complain of heartburn, fatigue, and a general feeling of ‘weird.'”
“Women’s heart attack symptoms are similar to menstrual cramps, which explains why they don’t always register as something serious. We live our lives with a certain level of discomfort!”
—@kyleis_trying
12. “Unexplained weight gain. It’s a cancer symptom that’s almost always explained away as ‘the patient is lying and must have recently stopped working out and started eating three sheet cakes every day.'”
13. “I used to work in a stroke unit. The number of times we’d get older patients in for something like ‘my daughter made me come because I had some dizziness/headache/confusion for a few minutes, but I swear I’m fine,’ and it was actually a stroke or a TIA that could lead to stroke? Wild.”
—@3goldenboys
14. “Sleep issues that people just throw sleep aids at without ever actually investigating. I can’t tell you how many people come in saying, ‘I sleep, but I’m never rested,’ or ‘I’ve been put on multiple meds, and nothing works,’ but they’ve never had a sleep study. Then, when I refer them for one, it’s usually sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or some other underlying sleep disorder.”
15. “Early pregnancy specialist midwife here. A sharp and sickening localized pain that goes away relatively quickly or moves to a different part of your body (like your shoulder). Once your fallopian tube ruptures, it stops being painful. You will silently and painlessly go through internal bleeding. Ectopic pregnancies are no joke.”
—@bogca87
16. “Bloating. I’m a clinical microbiome and gut health specialist, and the most common thing I see is unexplained bloating. It’s always worth getting looked at because, for me, it signals a developing illness. No two people I’ve met had the same kind of bloating — it can be a sign of anything from indigestion to insulin resistance to colorectal cancer. Bloating occurs along the whole spectrum.”
17. “When an elderly person starts to act very aggressive or angry out of nowhere. I try to have a UTI test done as soon as possible, as they can cause delirium in elderly patients. Often, they won’t have any urinary symptoms, so it can seem like sudden-onset dementia, which can cause aggression.”
—@astuteratiam and @yycurbanfarmer
“Sudden confusion in a normally stable elderly person? Check that urine! UTIs do some wild things to elderly patients.”
—@simply.mama.em
18. “As a hygienist, bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease. Chronic gum disease/chronic inflammation in the mouth significantly increases the risk of heart disease, lung disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.”
19. And finally, “Hiccups. Persistent hiccups can be a sign of a neurological problem, a heart attack, or an esophageal rupture. Adults shouldn‘t have hiccups very often or for long periods.”
—@kaddiasdfghjkl and @red_lights_stop_signs
Healthcare workers, did we miss any red flags? Drop your answers in the comments or fill out our anonymous form. Your submission may be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community article!
Disclaimer: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity

HealthNews

Health officials warn Marion residents after rabid raccoon found

MARION, Mass. —
A raccoon found in Marion, Massachusetts, has tested positive for rabies, prompting the town to issue a rabies advisory.
According to the Marion Board of Health, a raccoon that was “acting oddly” near Point Road and the water tower tested positive for rabies.
What should Marion residents know about the rabies advisory?
Town officials ask the public to stay vigilant and watch for wildlife showing signs of rabies and to refrain from interacting with wild animals.
Anyone who encounters an animal that may be infected with rabies should not approach it, keep a safe distance and call Animal Control at 508-748-1212 or 911.
What animals are most likely to carry rabies in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, animals most likely to be found infected with rabies include raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and woodchucks, also known as groundhogs. Cats are the domestic animals most frequently found to be rabid due to lower vaccination rates compared with dogs.
What are the signs of rabies in animals?
Signs of rabies in animals can include abnormal or aggressive behavior; lethargy, weakness or paralysis; self-mutilation; seizures; excessive salivation; and difficulty breathing or swallowing. Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease caused by a virus carried in the saliva of infected animals. It can spread to people and other animals through a bite or when saliva is introduced into an open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth.
How effective is treatment after rabies exposure?

HealthNews

7 surprising ways GLP-1 drugs may protect your body beyond weight loss

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GLP-1 medications may provide health benefits that extend beyond weight loss, according to a growing body of research.
From reducing cardiovascular risks to potentially easing joint pain and inflammation, studies suggest these drugs may affect multiple systems throughout the body.
Here are seven potential benefits beyond shedding pounds.
POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS STRATEGY SHOWS SURPRISING POTENTIAL FOR CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF
No. 1: Protecting heart health
Research suggests semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — may provide cardiovascular benefits beyond those associated with weight loss.
A major study published in The Lancet found that semaglutide reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death among people with existing cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. The benefits were observed across different body weights and were not fully explained by weight loss.
No. 2: Reducing joint pain and improving mobility
GLP-1 medications have been linked to reduced joint pain, although researchers are still investigating how much of the benefit comes from weight loss versus other effects.
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The STEP 9 clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that semaglutide significantly reduced knee osteoarthritis pain and improved physical function among adults with obesity.
No. 3: Promoting kidney health
GLP-1 medications may help protect kidney function through several mechanisms, including improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure and inflammation.
GLP-1 BOOM COULD RESHAPE RESTAURANT BARS AS DINERS CUT BACK ON ALCOHOL
In the landmark FLOW trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, semaglutide reduced the risk of major kidney-related complications and cardiovascular death by 24% among patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
No. 4: Reducing liver inflammation and scarring
MASH, or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, is a more severe form of fatty liver disease involving inflammation and liver cell damage.
Research suggests GLP-1 medications may help improve liver health, although the extent to which these benefits occur independently of weight loss remains under investigation.
A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide improved liver tissue findings among patients with MASH, including reductions in inflammation and liver scarring.
Researchers found that 62.9% of semaglutide recipients experienced resolution of MASH without worsening liver fibrosis, compared with 34.3% receiving placebo.
No. 5: Reducing respiratory flare-ups
Real-world research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress has linked GLP-1 medications to fewer asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups.
Researchers believe the drugs’ potential anti-inflammatory effects may play a role, although additional studies are needed to determine whether the medications directly improve respiratory health.
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No. 6: Supporting mental health and curbing addiction
The brain contains GLP-1 receptors in regions involved in regulating appetite, emotions, motivation and responses to rewards.
Emerging research suggests semaglutide may have potential benefits for mental health and addiction.
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An observational study published on the preprint server medRxiv linked semaglutide use to lower rates of substance-related and mood disorders. However, the findings have not been peer-reviewed and do not establish that the medication caused the reductions.
No. 7: Soothing severe skin conditions
GLP-1-based medications are also being investigated for their potential benefits in inflammatory skin conditions, including psoriasis.
A clinical trial published in JAMA Dermatology found that adding tirzepatide to an existing psoriasis treatment improved skin clearance among adults with moderate to severe psoriasis and overweight or obesity.
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Researchers are continuing to investigate whether these benefits result from weight loss, reduced inflammation or a combination of factors.
The effects of GLP-1 medications can vary by drug and individual, and patients should consult a healthcare provider about potential risks and benefits.

HealthNews

Can Pennsylvania’s deadly measles outbreak be stopped? CDC steps in to help

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sending one of its scientists to Pennsylvania to help curb the state’s growing measles outbreak, a CDC spokesperson said Thursday. That person, a “disease detective” within the agency’s Epidemic Intelligence Service, is scheduled to arrive later this week.
It’s the CDC’s first in-person assistance to the state after a social media feud in August between Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. The two traded jabs following a press briefing where Shapiro announced that two unvaccinated people had died of measles complications and accused Kennedy of spreading vaccine misinformation.
“I made very clear that his actions and the rhetoric that’s coming from this administration are having a negative impact on communities across America, particularly right here in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said during the briefing.
Kennedy then suggested that the deaths may have been “fabricated,” and that Shapiro was seeking to profit from them politically.

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Mom of 6 Sues Doctors, Hospital After Hysterectomy Allegedly Leads to Paralysis, Quadruple Amputations

NEED TO KNOW
Mom of six Trisha Stevens has filed a lawsuit after she developed sepsis following a hysterectomy
Stevens underwent multiple amputations and became paralyzed after she claims doctors were negligent in providing prompt care, according to the lawsuit
The Portland, Ore., mom is seeking $68.5 million in damages from her medical providers
An Oregon woman underwent multiple amputations and is now paralyzed from the lower back down after she claims her medical teams ignored signs she’d developed a serious infection, per a lawsuit.
Portland mom of six, Trisha Stevens, 48, underwent a hysterectomy on Oct. 4, 2024, at Adventist Health Portland, after struggling with abnormal uterine bleeding and adenomyosis, per the complaint.
Stevens claims that four days after the surgery, test results showed inflammation, but her doctor, who is named in the suit, allegedly did not review the results or take “any action in response to them, including communicating the results to Ms. Stevens or initiating any additional treatment, follow-up, monitoring based on those findings.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Adventist Health Portland, who is not named in the suit, for comment.
Two weeks later, on Oct. 19, Stevens was walking down the bleachers at her son’s football game, when she “experienced a sudden tearing and popping sensation in her lower abdomen, followed by vaginal bleeding,” per the suit. Three days later, Stevens called the office of the doctor who performed the hysterectomy, who is named in the lawsuit. Stevens allegedly reported “bright red vaginal bleeding, passage of a blood clot the size of a baseball, a low-grade fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramping.”
She was told by a nurse to rest and hydrate, and was not directed to an emergency room, the suit says. But her condition continued to decline. On Oct. 22, Stevens went to the emergency department at Legacy Mount Hood, where she was found to have a significantly elevated heart rate and low blood pressure. She was also experiencing severe menstrual bleeding and was “saturating vaginal pads with blood at a rate of three per hour.”
She was diagnosed with “peritonitis, lactic acid acidosis, and AKI (acute kidney injury), with septic shock and bacteremia,” which can be life-threatening. But she was allegedly not given antibiotics until the following day. Later, she underwent surgery. But by then, her infection had progressed to the point that amputation was recommended.
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On Nov. 6, two months after her initial surgery, Stevens had both her legs amputated above the knee. She later had her right hand amputated at the wrist, and her left thumb, as well as fingers on the left hand.
Inadequate blood supply to her spinal cord caused her to become paralyzed from the lower back down, according to the lawsuit. Portions of her lips and tongue were amputated, the suit says. She also had acute kidney injury, a fungal infection, and rhabdomyolysis.
A representative for Legacy Health, which is named in the lawsuit, told PEOPLE, “We are deeply saddened by what Ms. Stevens and her family have experienced, and we extend our compassion to them. Because this matter is now in litigation, we cannot comment on the specific allegations or care involved.”
Stevens is seeking $68.5 million.
“This infection did not just make me sick, it attacked my body so violently that I went into septic shock and multi-organ failure, and I have spent every day since living with what survival cost me,” Stevens tells PEOPLE in a statement. “I cannot fully close my mouth, I struggle to speak and swallow, and the damage and constriction from necrosis and scarring have affected my gums and teeth, leaving me needing dental treatment. I live with chronic pain, wounds, recurring infections, and bowel and bladder problems that require daily care, planning, and help.”
“When I look in the mirror, my eyes fill with tears because I see a body altered from head to toe. The injuries are visible, but the emotional damage is often hidden. Every day, I grieve the person I was, the body I once lived in, and the independence my family and I had before this happened,” Stevens tells PEOPLE.
“Depression is a real battle as I try to process losses that touch every part of my life, but I keep fighting for my husband, my children, and the life we are trying to rebuild together.”

HealthNews

Big Bear bald eagle Jackie’s cause of death revealed

The viral bald eagle known as Jackie, who lived in California’s Big Bear Valley, died of multiple causes, according to a new necropsy report.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife released the necropsy results this week in partnership with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Ojai Raptor Center after testing of Patient 26-519, more commonly known as Jackie, was completed.
The necropsy found that Jackie had multiple conditions, including a type of infectious avian flu. She died in August following an injury sustained in a fight with other birds.
“Jackie’s necropsy confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as the primary underlying cause of her decline,” Steve Kubiski, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s director of disease investigations, said in a statement. “In an uncommon presentation of the virus, the infection caused a severe ulcer in her stomach that led to persistent internal bleeding, anemia, and the development of bacterial sepsis.”
According to the necropsy report, Jackie’s chronic condition led to secondary bacterial infection, severe inflammation and the development of blood clots. Toxicology testing also revealed that Jackie had environmental contaminants and traces of a rodenticide called brodifacoum in her liver.
“Together, the findings showed that Jackie was suffering from multiple severe and interconnected disease processes that had been developing over time and ultimately led to her decline and death,” CDFW said.
The CDFW also noted that Jackie’s remains were cremated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository.
“We’re grateful to everyone who cared for her and worked to support her well-being. Understanding the results of these tests is an important part of learning from this case and can help inform the care and treatment of other eagles and wildlife in the future,” CDFW Director Meghan Hertel said in a statement.
Jackie was one-half of the bald eagle duo that went viral and gained worldwide popularity in 2023. She and her partner, Shadow, were the stars of a San Bernardino National Forest livestream operated by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley. They welcomed five eaglets together.