GET THAT CHECKED!

HERE ARE 20 SYMPTOMS TO NEVER IGNORE

- Anna-Kaisa Walker

OUR BODIES ARE ALWAYS SURPRISING US WITH NEW SPOTS, BUMPS AND ACHES. THE QUESTION IS: HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU WORRY?

WHITE RING AROUND YOUR CORNEA

DON'T WORRY: If you've noticed a ghostly pale ring around your cornea-the clear layer of protective tissue that covers your iris and pupil—it may just be a normal part of aging. As we get older, the edge between the cornea and the white of the eye becomes more porous, allowing fatty deposits from the bloodstream to leak in. Arcus senilis, as it's called, doesn't impair vision or require treatment.

DO WORRY: If you're under 40, the white ring might be your first sign of high cholesterol-so better have your doctor run a blood lipid profile, which measures levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats.

RED SPOT IN YOUR EYE

DON'T WORRY: Seemingly out of nowhere, there's a dot of blood on the white of your eye. Luckily, this alarming symptom most often signals something harmless. A broken blood vessel-called a subconjunctival hemorrhage-can happen from coughing, sneezing or even straining too hard on the porcelain throne. Also, taking medications such as blood thinners can predispose you to it. Blood can then pool under the clear protective layer sitting over the white of your eye, and even spread all the way around. It usually resolves on its own after about two weeks.

DO WORRY: If you have a red spot, keep an eye out (no pun intended) for other symptoms. If it occurs on a regular basis, or if you're having spontaneous bruising elsewhere, it could be a sign of something more serious-like a clotting disorder or diabetes.

TWITCHING EYELID