No pain, no warning: The health conditions that can stay silent

Some health issues do not present initial symptoms such as pain or fatigue. In fact, they may progress gradually over years, often unnoticed by the affected individual. Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and kidney problems are examples of health issues that can remain undetected until a routine health assessment reveals them.

Experts stress that preventive care is vital for early detection and management of such conditions. However, it is essential to tailor screenings to individual needs rather than adhering to a universal list of tests. Dr. Yousef Said, medical director at Metabolic, highlights that many serious health events, appearing as "sudden," are actually the result of decades-long disease processes.

Undetected health conditions such as heart disease, prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, early kidney disease, thyroid problems, and nutritional deficiencies can develop without noticeable symptoms. Dr. Said emphasizes the importance of repeated monitoring to track trends over time. While smartwatches and wearable devices can be useful for monitoring sleep, heart rate, and activity, they should be supplemented with appropriate medical testing.

Dr. Slavica Vukovic, internal medicine specialist at RAK Hospital, lists hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases among conditions that often progress without significant symptoms. Certain cancers may also be difficult to detect early due to vague initial symptoms.

Doctors highlight that early symptoms of silent conditions are often generic, such as fatigue, changes in concentration, or mild digestive discomfort, which can easily be attributed to stress or lifestyle factors. Dr. Joseph Youssef, internal medicine specialist at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, stresses the importance of persistence in abnormal test results, suggesting that a persistent abnormality should prompt further investigation.

Preventive care in the UAE is particularly relevant due to prevalent obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Doctors recommend focusing on basic health indicators like blood pressure, discussing personal risk for diabetes and high cholesterol, and considering kidney assessments and cancer screening based on age, medical history, and individual risk factors.

However, they caution against indiscriminate testing, emphasizing the need for targeted screenings and proper follow-up for abnormal results.