Doctor Reveals 5 'Weird' Symptoms You've Googled But Never Asked About

London, UK – Dr. Amir Khan, a prominent General Practitioner, recently released a video addressing five peculiar yet common symptoms that many individuals research online but often hesitate to discuss with their doctors. The informative segment aims to demystify these experiences and guide viewers on when professional medical advice is warranted. Dr. Khan detailed the first symptom as "random muscle twitches, even when you're resting," which he identified as benign fasciculations. He explained these involuntary contractions are often triggered by stress, fatigue, caffeine, or electrolyte imbalances. While generally harmless, persistent or spreading twitches accompanied by muscle weakness, cramping, or weight loss could indicate a rare neuromuscular disorder, such as motor neuron disease, and should be checked. Next, Dr. Khan discussed sudden, persistent hiccups. He clarified that hiccups result from a diaphragm spasm followed by vocal cord closure. Common triggers include overeating, fizzy drinks, and spicy food. However, hiccups lasting over 48 hours might signal irritation of the phrenic or vagus nerve, potentially due to acid reflux, or, rarely, a tumor, stroke, or medication side effect like steroids. The third symptom addressed was clicking or popping joints without pain. Dr. Khan attributed this to "cavitation," where nitrogen gas bubbles form and collapse within joint fluid. He assured viewers this is normal and harmless. Yet, if joint sounds are accompanied by pain, swelling, or instability, it could be an early sign of osteoarthritis, a soft tissue injury, or other issues. Dr. Khan then spoke about the sensation of a lump in the throat when anxious, known as globus sensation. This feeling of tightness, even without a physical obstruction, is often linked to anxiety or stress. Acid reflux can also irritate throat muscles, causing a persistent blocked feeling. While not dangerous, new or worsening symptoms, especially with pain or difficulty swallowing, warrant investigation for more serious causes like a narrowed food pipe or a thyroid issue. Finally, Dr. Khan touched on the sudden jerk experienced when falling asleep, termed a hypnic jerk. He noted that he personally experiences this. This brief, involuntary muscle contraction occurs during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. While the exact cause is unknown, it may be linked to a misfire in the brain where muscle relaxation is misinterpreted as falling, prompting a protective jolt. These are typically harmless unless they severely disrupt sleep or occur very frequently.

Birmingham Live

Dr Amir Khan shares five 'weird' symptoms people Google but shouldn't ignore

Dr Amir Khan has shared a list of five common yet 'weird' health symptoms many people may have Googled in the past - but he says they should not be i…