Chronic diseases are increasingly common, but most patients only see a doctor when symptoms become obvious and uncomfortable.
According to gastroenterologist Saurabh Sethi, who works in California and has been trained at AIIMS, Harvard and Stanford, many early signs of chronic diseases actually appear silently, delicately and are easily overlooked.
Mr. Saurabh Sethi shared the first 7 signs of common diseases to raise public awareness:
1. Thyroid dysfunction
Unusual weight gain is often considered a sign of thyroid disease, but this is not the first manifestation.
Dr. Sethi says that the earliest signs of thyroid disorders are not weight gain but memory loss, forgetfulness and a "brain fog" feeling.
He emphasized: "The liver often sends abnormal signals before the body changes in weight".
2. Type 2 diabetes
In the early stages, the disease does not cause much thirst or urinate as much as many people think. Instead, feeling tired after meals is an important signal related to fluctuations in blood sugar.
Decreased energy immediately after eating is often the body's first reaction when glucose increases abnormally.
3. Fatty liver disease
Obvious symptoms such as abdominal pain only appear later. The earliest signal is reduced endurance and excessive fatigue even when performing light activities. This shows that the liver is starting to have disorders in energy metabolism.
4. Autoimmune diseases
Not joint pain, but morning stiffness with a feeling of addness, confusion and unknown cause is an early sign of autoimmune disease. Dr. Sethi says this euphemistic inflammation often lasts silently before causing obvious damage.
5. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Neurological damage only appears later. Early signs include frequent irritability and memory loss. The affected nerves will send abnormal signals very early, even if the body has not shown severe signs.
6. Chronic dehydration
Many people think dehydration is manifested by feeling thirsty, but in reality, headaches and difficulty concentrating are the first signs.
The brain is the most sensitive organ to dehydration, affecting even when the patient is at rest.
7. High cortisol concentration
increased cortisol makes the body more susceptible to belly fat accumulation, but the first manifestation is in the mind. People with high cortisol levels often wake up feeling anxious and restless, even before starting a new day.
intestinal health is the foundation for overall health, Dr Sethi emphasizes. Observing changes in energy, mood, immune system, appetite and inflammation signs can help detect abnormalities in the body early, thereby proactively seeking timely medical support.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical professional if you have any questions).
