In a 2007 study, most men indicated that they had health insurance. Yet 58% had a reason for not going to the doctor. By far the most common reason — coming in at 36% — the majority of men said they only go to the doctor when they are extremely ill.

While it might be easy for guys to brush off seemingly minor problems, it’s not the wisest thing to do. Why not? Often times, symptoms can be indicative of underlying conditions that require swift medical attention and treatment. The longer health issues go undiagnosed and untreated, the worse they can become.

Have we got you on edge fellas? While we do, why not consider a few common symptoms that are often dismissed but could point to a number of health issues

Chest Pain

“It’s probably just heartburn. The pain always subsides.”  Could chest pain actually mean more, though? Yes. It’s most commonly associated with heart attacks but what else could it be a sign of? Heart problems like angina, lung problems or even stomach problems like ulcers. All of these require medical treatment.

Rapid and Unintentional Weight Loss

Unintentionally losing a substantial amount of weight in a short amount of time can be traced back to a number of serious issues. These include an underactive thyroid, diabetes, liver disease, cancer and so on. While you might be happy to drop a few pounds, rapidly dropping more than a few without reason is a cause for concern.

Shortness of Breath

Of course, it’s normal to be a bit out of breath after doing something physically grueling. However, shortness of breath when at rest or during normal physical activity could be a sign of asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer or pulmonary disease.

Bloody Urine

Bladder stones, prostate cancer and infections can all cause drops of blood in the urine. If you are experiencing this, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible so that the cause can be determined and treated.

Unusual and Constant Fatigue

We all feel exhausted now and then. That’s nothing out of the ordinary. Exhaustion is especially common during periods of high stress, increased activity or lack of sleep. But suddenly and constantly feeling completely drained of energy for no reason is a red flag. Severe fatigue can be caused by many things including cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes and a host of other conditions.

If Something’s Up…Go to the Doctor

Needless to say, we could go on and on about the many symptoms that indicate underlying health issues. But hopefully we’ve made our point. Health problems can be a lot like icebergs. You may see the tip of the iceberg and initially think that there’s not much more to it. However,  beneath the surface there can be a lot more than meets the eye. In the case of health problems, the unseen could pose a massive threat to your overall well being.

What can you do to avoid a serious health scare…or worse? There are many issues that are preventable. By having regular check-ups, you may be able to avoid many problems from the start.

Additionally, when you notice something is wrong, get it checked out right away. The sooner you do, the better the results will likely be. It doesn’t matter whether you think you can handle the pain, whether you’re scared to find out that something is wrong or anything else. What matters is your health. And to a large degree, it’s in your hands. So stop ignoring it — whatever it is — and go to the doctor.