3. Hair loss. Older women may assume that losing hair is a natural part of aging. But the true cause may be something serious, like an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. Women ages 20 to 50 are most typically affected by hair loss. It is estimated that 10 percent of women age 40 and older have undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Make an appointment with the doctor. Ask for a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test, which the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends for all women older than age 40.

Left untreated, hypothyroidism could lead to an increase in cholesterol and a greater risk of heart disease. Other ill effects are a decline in memory and concentration.

4. Unexplained changes in bowel habits. Maybe you are producing bloody or black stools or suffering from persistent diarrhea or constipation. Or you have unexplained urges to have a bowel movement. See a doctor to determine the cause. It might be a bacterial infection like salmonella or a viral or parasitic infection. Your changed bowel habits might be a sign of irritable bowel disease or even colon cancer as well.

5. Severe abdominal pain and bloating that occur suddenly, especially if accompanied by nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may indicate a bowel obstruction or a tumor pressing on the bowel. Immediate medical attention is needed to avoid complications like a painful bowel perforation.
There are many causes of serious bloating including cancer of the ovaries, uterus, colon, pancreas (a very aggressive cancer with a low survival rate), or stomach. Or the cause could be liver disease, diverticulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease or Crohn’s disease.

6. Sudden onset of a severe, unbearable headache. Call 911 immediately as it could be a burst aneurysm. Time is of the essence.

7. Unexplained weight loss. You may feel buoyed up by the fact that your clothes are fitting more loosely, but don’t disregard what could be the root cause. Something serious might be going on, like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, depression, cancer, liver disease or disorders that interfere with how the body absorbs nutrients. Or there might be a tumor pressing on the intestines. If you feel full after eating a small amount of food, the reason may be substances secreted by tumors that suppress the appetite. If early satiety occurs with nausea, vomiting or bloating, the reason could be GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), a peptic ulcer or even pancreatic cancer.