That's Fit

Do-It-Yourself diagnosis is usually a pretty bad idea; that is, unless you just so happen to have the letters M.D. that appear at the end of your signature. But for those of us without years of medical school under our belt, assuming that a particular pain, dysfunction, or even blotchy patch of skin is nothing to be concerned about can sometimes be a highly problematic for our health.

The British edition of Men's Health addresses the self-diagnosis problem in the article "7 Deadly Signs," describing how minor symptoms may actually signal major health hazards. Over the next seven days, we will provide a daily summary of one of the various aches and pains that may be indicative of a greater problem, illustrating the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with your physician and why DIY diagnosis can sometimes be dangerous.

Health Sign #2: Back Pain

Could Possibly Be: A Kidney Stone

Researchers interviewed for the Men's Health article assert that one in ten men get kidney stones, and left untreated, these stones can block urine flow, causing your kidney to swell. In many cases, the sharp-- but sometimes inconsistent -- pain felt between the ribs and hip is oftentimes attributed to lifting something improperly or any of the myriad causes of back pain. But, as stated, that pain in the back could potentially be the result of crystal aggregations of dissolved minerals in the urine.

Click HERE to read Health Sign #1: Pain in Your Foot