I'm horrible about admitting I need to see the doctor for something, and a lot of my family members are too (must be hereditary!), but that's hardly a good thing. Although running to make an appointment every time you get the sniffles is overkill, it's just as bad to not recognize when you really need professional help and think you can handle everything. Some symptoms that shouldn't be ignored:

• Unexplained weight loss or lack of appetite
• Slurred speech, paralysis, weakness, tingling, burning, numbness, and confusion
• Black, tarry stools
• A headache that comes with a stiff neck and a fever
• Any sudden, severe headache that is unlike anything you've ever experienced before
• For women: vaginal bleeding after menopause; and for men: any lump in the testicles

Of course these are just a few examples, but really anything that is sudden, severe, or unexplained should be checked out by a professional.