Why early action is crucial and the warning signs you should never overlook.
Dubai: Observed each year on 7 April, World Health Day is a timely reminder to pause and reflect on our wellbeing. This year’s theme, Trust Early Care, Not Online Guesswork, resonates strongly in an age where a quick online search can lead to unnecessary anxiety before a doctor’s appointment is even booked. Speaking to four UAE-based doctors, one message stood out clearly: patients should seek medical advice sooner rather than later.
Why do people delay care?
The reasons are familiar to many healthcare professionals. Dr Heidi Abdelhamid, General Practitioner at Medcare Medical Centre, says patients often downplay symptoms, assuming mild discomfort will resolve on its own. Busy schedules, family commitments, and uncertainty about the seriousness of symptoms also contribute to delays.
Dr Lakshmi Menon, Specialist in Internal Medicine at Aster Clinic Qusais, highlights another key factor: overreliance on the internet.
“Patients tend to depend too much on social media, WhatsApp forwards, or unverified online sources,” she says. “This can lead to dangerous delays, allowing manageable conditions to worsen. In many cases, if patients had come in just a few months earlier, treatment could have been simpler and outcomes far better.”
Dr Rayan Mohammed from Valeo Health describes this trend as the normalisation of symptoms. “Patients adjust to fatigue, weight gain, poor sleep, or digestive issues and begin to accept them as their new normal,” he said. “By the time they seek medical help, these early warning signs have often developed into more complex metabolic or hormonal disorders.”
Largely preventable conditions
All four doctors pointed to a common group of conditions that frequently appear in their clinics—each sharing a key trait: they are largely preventable.
Common preventable conditions include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity and related complications
- High cholesterol and fatty liver disease
- Cervical cancer
- Hormonal imbalances and chronic inflammation
- Back and joint problems
Dr Negin Hakim, Family Medicine specialist at Cornerstone Clinic, is especially frank about type 2 diabetes, which she notes affects between one in four and one in six adults in the UAE. “High sugar intake, inactivity, and weight gain all increase risk,” she explains. “While genetics play a role, lifestyle changes can have a huge impact.”
The doctors agree that prevention doesn’t require drastic measures. Dr Abdelhamid emphasizes: “Small, consistent habits are far more effective than short bursts of effort. Taking a 30-minute walk most days or adding more vegetables to your meals can make a meaningful difference over time.”
“Consider how long a symptom has persisted, whether it has changed, and whether it is impacting your daily life,” advises Dr. Heidi Abdelhamid, General Practitioner at Medcare Medical Centre. “If the answer to any of these is yes, it’s time to book an appointment.”
Symptoms people often dismiss—but shouldn’t
All four doctors agreed these are the warning signs patients commonly overlook:
- Persistent or unexplained fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss, especially if paired with night sweats, fever, or loss of appetite
- Changes in bowel habits lasting more than a few weeks, including diarrhea, constipation, or increased frequency
- Chest discomfort or shortness of breath, even if mild or occasional
- A cough that persists for three to four weeks
- Brain fog, disrupted sleep, hair thinning, or changes in skin
- Dizziness, swelling, or recurring pain that impacts daily life
Dr Hakim is particularly direct about bowel changes: “We are increasingly seeing colon cancer in younger patients, yet it’s still often considered an elderly disease,” she says. “Any consistent change is a red flag, especially if accompanied by weight loss, blood in the stool, or abdominal pain.”
Dr Mohammed emphasizes that subtler symptoms also deserve attention: “Persistent fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, hair thinning, and slight weight gain can be early signs of deeper metabolic, hormonal, or inflammatory issues. These signals should be addressed early, not ignored.”
“Patients often adapt to fatigue, weight gain, poor sleep, or digestive issues and begin to accept these as their new normal,” says Dr Rayan Mohammed from Valeo Health.
Health anxiety versus genuine vigilance
Understanding when to seek medical help—and when worry is becoming excessive—is something the doctors consider carefully.
Dr Hakim makes a clear distinction between the two:
Health vigilance vs. health anxiety
- Health vigilance means noticing changes, attending regular check-ups, acting on persistent symptoms, and being able to move on once reassured.
- Health anxiety involves repeated self-checks, excessive online searching, frequent doctor visits without medical necessity, and worries that return quickly even after receiving reassurance.
“Trust your instincts,” Dr Hakim advises, “especially as a parent. You know your child better than anyone. If something feels wrong, consult a healthcare professional.”
Dr Abdelhamid suggests a simple rule: consider how long a symptom has lasted, whether it has changed, and whether it is affecting your daily life. If the answer to any of these is yes, it’s time to make an appointment.
“Patients often rely too heavily on advice from social media, WhatsApp forwards, or unverified online sources,” says Dr Lakshmi Menon, Specialist in Internal Medicine at Aster Clinic Qusais. “Unfortunately, this delay can allow conditions that are otherwise manageable to worsen.”
Key advice from each doctor:
- Dr Abdelhamid: “Pay attention to changes in your body and don’t ignore persistent or unusual symptoms. Seeking advice early often brings clarity and peace of mind.”
- Dr Menon: “Choose prevention over delay and trusted medical guidance over online misinformation. Don’t wait for symptoms to become severe.”
- Dr Hakim: “Move your body daily and prioritise a diet rich in real, nutrient-dense foods. Consistency matters more than perfection—small daily habits beat occasional extremes.”
- Dr Mohammed: “Stop waiting for disease to strike before taking your health seriously. Health is built daily, not restored in crisis. Prevention isn’t a concept—it’s a daily practice.”
