There are seven warning signs none of us should ignore. These are health-related issues we may be aware of if we pay attention to our bodies, but our physicians don't have a clue. After all, "they're not mind readers," says the informative article on this topic in the April issue of Cornell University's Women's Health Advisor.

Let me tell you about these seven warning signs, and you take it from there. If this resonates with you, I suggest having a discussion with your health provider.

The first symptom involves fat — but not the kind you usually think of. I'm talking about fatty deposits on elbows, knees or ankles even on your eyelids, of all places. These can be a hereditary form of high cholesterol.

The next symptom involves your ankles only. If one ankle is swollen, it could be related to a blood vessel blockage or a blood clot.

If both ankles are swollen maybe you'll need to look down at those ankles of yours more often, along with other symptoms, like shortness of breath or chest pain, get yourself in for a thorough medical assessment.

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The third sign moves up your body to the top of your head. Is your hair thinning? "Yes, that's been going on for years," would be my husband's response. Thinning hair and baldness are fairly common. But in some cases, thinning hair can signal an autoimmune disease or a thyroid abnormality. Something as simple as looking at a hair follicle's root under a microscope can identify if there's a problem.

Staying on top of this, there's another sign — cracked lips. The range of problems cracked lips can signal ranges from night-breathing difficulties to Vitamin B12 deficiency. And those little cracks at the corners of your mouth could be minor fungal infections.

Like many of the other warning signs, these issues can be easily resolved. Or they can be yellow flashing lights cautioning us about bigger problems. Those bigger issues can be resolved, too, but not unless they're diagnosed.

The fifth sign involves your tummy. Simple question: Is it puffy and bloated-feeling? Is that especially true after you've eaten foods high in fat or dairy products? What about caffeine, chocolate, carbonated drinks or alcohol? Irritable bowel syndrome IBS, which involves alternating constipation and diarrhea, is the most common explanation. For some of us, it's a manageable problem. We simply avoid the foods in question. Even if you have it managed, share that fact with your physician.

The sixth sign is postmenopausal bleeding. Most women recognize it as a possibly significant issue and see their gynecologists when it happens. If you need a prompt, here it is.

And finally, the seventh sign is probably not surprising. With a sunny summer ahead, watch out for unusual skin changes. And don't ignore the spots that have "always" been there, the ones that may be altering in color or size.

My hope is you don't ignore any of this information. If one of these warning signs exists for you, the next action is yours. Consider this a friendly prompt — or a flashing yellow light.

Sharon Johnson is an assistant professor in family and community development at OSU Extension and a member of the Senior Advisory Council. E-mail her at s.johnson@oregonstate.edu or call 776-7371, Ext. 210.