We Want To Know What Medical Condition You Didn't Realize You Had Until Someone Pointed It Out
Sometimes, it takes an offhand comment from a friend, a TikTok, or even a stranger to make you realize that something you thought was "normal" might actually be a medical condition. Whether it's a subtle quirk, a recurring issue you brushed off, or something you thought everyone dealt with, plenty of people don't get diagnosed until someone else points out a red flag.
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So, we want to know: What's a medical condition you didn't know you had until someone pointed out a symptom?
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Maybe a friend noticed your eye wasn't tracking properly. A roommate insisted you see a doctor about your constant fatigue. Or a medical technician discovered your high blood pressure during a routine procedure. These moments of realization can be life-changing and sometimes even life-saving.
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Perhaps you've always been cold, even in the summer, but thought nothing of it until your coworker mentioned it, leading you to find out you have hypothyroidism.
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Maybe you've always lost focus during conversations and struggled to finish tasks, assuming you were lazy — until a friend with ADHD suggested you get evaluated.
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Or perhaps you always thought you had sensitive skin around, only to discover you're actually allergic to your laundry detergent.
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Please share your experience with unexpected diagnoses, and your story could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post. What condition did you discover you had? Who pointed out the symptom? How did getting diagnosed and treated change your life?
Share your story in the comments or anonymous form below — your experience might help someone else recognize the symptoms they've been ignoring, or feel more empowered to seek medical help when something seems off.
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Besides containing a mere 49 calories per cup, they're packed with water, fiber and vitamin C, shares Hardy. They've even been associated with reduced inflammation, improved insulin resistance and lower cholesterol., , 'Strawberries are a delicious, low-calorie, high-volume food,' says Hardy. 'Try them sliced on a salad or grain bowl, chopped on overnight oats or rolled in 1 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon sugar and frozen.' Slathered-in-butter movie-theater popcorn may not be the best option for low-calorie snacking, but an air-popped variety is an excellent choice. At just 31 calories per cup, it's a crowd-pleaser you can feel good about munching on movie night. 'Three cups of salted air-popped popcorn clocks in at under 100 calories and provides a satisfying, high-fiber, whole-grain crunch,' says Hardy. (Yep, popcorn is a whole grain!) Need a little something for flavor besides salt? 'Spritz with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs or nutritional yeast for a savory snack,' suggests Hardy. 'Whether sliced, whole or as a large portabello cap, mushrooms are low in calories and packed with B vitamins and phytonutrients like beta-glucan that can help reduce inflammation,' says Enright. White mushrooms, for example, are one of the lowest-calorie foods around, with just 15 calories per cup (raw). Fungi are also über versatile—there's no end to the meals you can make with them. 'Use portabellos as a bun or mini pizza base or dip raw mushrooms into hummus or bean dip for a fiber- and nutrient-rich snack,' suggests Enright. There's no need to throw back to the '80s and go on a grapefruit diet. (In fact, for your health, we strongly advise against it.) Still, Enright says there's a reason the citrus fruit is such a consistent fan favorite for weight loss. She points to a cup of grapefruit's minimal calorie count (69 calories), high water (92%) and filling fiber (2.5 grams). 'Pair half a grapefruit with a protein like cottage cheese or a hard-boiled egg, and top with chia or hemp seeds for a balanced breakfast or snack,' suggests Enright. Or make a tangy salad with grapefruit, beets and greens. Leafy greens aren't just garnish. They're a veritable superfood, adding color and nutrition to all sorts of dishes. 'Choose dark leafy greens like spinach, arugula, kale or bok choy for a variety of nutrients including vitamins A, C, K, folate and iron,' recommends Enright. A 1-cup serving of kale, for example, provides 68% of the Daily Value of vitamin K and 20% of the Daily Value of vitamin C—at just 7 calories to boot. 'You can pile your plate high for very few calories,' says Enright. 'Enjoy [leafy greens] raw as a salad base, dehydrated (like kale chips), or sautéed as a simple side.' Even if you dish up a whole forest of these mini trees, you won't overdo it on calories. Per cup (raw), broccoli has just 31 calories. 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