One in four going to GPs with 'distressing' unexplained symptoms, NHS warns
"Many people have persistent physical symptoms, such as dizziness or pain, that don't appear to be caused by a medical condition," the NHS warns.
The human body is an extremely complex system. While it does have ways of letting us know when things are wrong, these may not always seem obvious.
And diagnosing medical issues is also not an exact science, with doctors using what information they have to provide the best assessment of your condition they can.
Therefore, it is possible to experience symptoms for long periods of time without ever knowing what they are caused by.
According to the NHS, there are such things as “medically unexplained symptoms” that around one in four people might visit their GP for.
These can be especially “distressing” and “difficult” due to the fact you don’t know what is going on with your body.
“Many people have persistent physical symptoms, such as dizziness or pain, that don't appear to be caused by a medical condition,” the health body explains.
“They are sometimes known as medically unexplained symptoms when they last for more than a few weeks, but doctors can't find a problem with the body that may be the cause.
“This doesn't mean the symptoms are faked or "all in the head" – they're real and can affect your ability to function properly.
“Not understanding the cause can make them even more distressing and difficult to cope with.”
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Some “common” medically unexplained symptoms include:
- Pains in the muscles or joints
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Feeling faint
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Stomach problems.
Other “less common” examples include fits (seizures), breathlessness, weakness and paralysis, and numbness and tingling, the NHS says.
Getting a diagnosis
Although they may appear impossible to diagnose, this is not always the case.
If you experience recurring symptoms your GP may want to rule out all the possible conditions that might be causing your symptoms.
This can include undergoing physical examinations and blood tests.
You might also be asked to consider any medications you are on in case they are causing your symptoms.
The NHS adds: “The GP should also investigate whether you might have an associated problem, such as depression or anxiety.
“Physical symptoms can cause depression and anxiety, and these can in turn make the physical symptoms worse, creating a vicious circle.”
In some cases, your symptoms could be caused by a “poorly understood” syndrome.
Examples of these include:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) – also known as ME
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Fibromyalgia (pain all over the body)
- Functional neurological disorders (FNDs) – symptoms thought to be caused by nervous system problems rather than a physical condition.
The NHS adds: “The fact that doctors are unable to find a condition causing these symptoms isn't unusual in medicine, and it doesn't mean that nothing can be done to help you.”
If you are experiencing unexplained symptoms for weeks you should speak to your GP.
It will be worth explaining to them:
- What your symptoms are like, when they started and what makes them better or worse
- What you think is the cause of your symptoms and your expectations of how tests and treatments might help
- How your symptoms affect what you can do – what they stop you doing
- How upsetting your symptoms are – how they make you feel.