Body language

Could those random symptoms you've been shrugging off be a sign of something more serious?

- ASHLEIGH AUSTEN

We've all done it - dismissed a nagging ache, blamed our tiredness on a busy week, or chalked up headaches to dehydration.

But what if your body's trying to hint at something bigger? The gender pain-gap tells us women often soldier on through symptoms we should pay attention to. We're so busy looking after everyone else that we put ourselves last. Recent research shows that when women do seek help, they wait longer in emergency departments and are less likely to be given effective pain relief than men.

"I've seen women accept and ignore a range of symptoms - and often the health profession is part of the problem, wrongly leading women to believe certain symptoms are normal," says Melbourne GP and a co-host of ABC's The Health Report, Dr Preeya Alexander.

But these seemingly minor issues can sometimes be the first signs of an underlying health condition. From brittle nails to mysterious bruises, here's what your body might be trying to tell you.

Dry lips

While lip balm feels like the obvious fix for persistently dry lips, this common complaint could signal dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, or side effects from certain medications. It could also be an early warning of Sjögren's syndrome, says Dr Lucy Caratti, an integrative GP specialising in women's health. “Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune condition that can cause dry mouth, dry eyes, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue.”

Allergies to cosmetics or skincare products are common, and can also irritate the area, so take note if you've changed anything in your regular beauty routine.

Tingling hands

Pins-and-needles might seem harmless, but persistent tingling could point to carpal tunnel syndrome. “Tingling may occur in specific regions and often worsens at night in carpal tunnel syndrome, where the median nerve is under pressure at the wrist. It can also occur if nerves are compressed in the neck," explains Dr Alexander.