As a woman you are the expert when it comes to your body; it can be so frustrating when you know that something is wrong, but you just can’t seem to get the help you need.

So, you’ve been feeling exhausted, sluggish, and bloated for quite a while. Is this something to worry about or could it be the result of your frenetic lifestyle? Juggling family and a career, never easy!  Subtle, confusing symptoms are often overlooked by women and their doctors. Yes, uncommon women’s health issues are often misdiagnosed.

Protect yourself against some of life’s nastier surprises by learning more about the most commonly misdiagnosed women’s illnesses:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. When tasks such as getting ready for work which usually require an hour, take several hours; you may want to look into this one! CFS affects women in their 40s and 50s.Women are four times more likely to suffer from this disease than men.  Dormant viral infections, stress or a hormonal imbalance may cause loss of memory or concentration and unexplained muscle pain. A 2006 study found that psychostimulants like Ritalin could lessen fatigue and improve concentration. Most docs suggest mild daily activity to boost stamina, more rest, as well as stress, alcohol and caffeine reduction.
• Lupus is a malfunction in the immune system where your body becomes its own worst enemy. 90% of Lupus sufferers are women between the ages 15 and 45. Lupus seems to strike during or following pregnancy. Symptoms include a butterfly rash across the nose and cheeks, skin rashes on parts of the body, sores in the mouth and nose, painful or swollen joints, fatigue painful breathing, purple or pale fingers or toes ,or abdominal pains and For mild cases ibuprofen can reduce pain and swelling. Increased physical activity or emotional stress may trigger an episode, so learn to balance activities and emotions.
• Multiple Sclerosis. Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS, and it generally appears between ages 20 and 40. Having a mother with MS can be the strongest risk factor. Blurred or double vision, fatigue, tingling, dizziness, lack of coordination and tremors are symptoms to look out for. Sufferers with mild symptoms can be treated with corticosteroids, but most sufferers are put on an immunomodulatory drug to reduce the likelihood of a relapse.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome is twice as common in women as in men. And may be caused by a malfunction in the way the brain and the gut communicate. Researchers believe that a woman’s menstrual cycle may be partly responsible for the chronic abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and constipation. Antidepressants may help to slow down the neurons that control the intestines and decrease the bothersome sensations.
• Chlamydia is one of the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases. Symptoms include painful urination, cloudy urine, abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, abdominal pain, genital itching and swollen glands around the vaginal opening. Three out of Four cases are women younger than 25.
• Thyroid conditions. Thyroid disease is a common cause of hormonal imbalance. This could lead to fatigue, fluctuations in weight and muscle pain, which are often mistaken for a wide range of diseases including depression.

Women should have a general check-up every year. Have you scheduled yours yet?

Source: www.cdc.gov, www.702.co.za, www.webmd.com, www.everydayhealth.com, www.health.harvard.edu, www.womanshealthmag.com, www.health.com, www.msn.com, cliks.co.za, www.prevention.com