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Doctor reveals 6 symptoms you should never dismiss as 'normal aging'

Nbcwashington · · 710 words · By Maura Hohman; TODAY
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What to know about Doctor reveals 6 symptoms you should never dismiss as 'normal aging'

Aches and pains are a common occurrence, especially as you get older.

Claims checked 10
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Aches and pains are a common occurrence, especially as you get older.

Why it matters

But it can be hard to tell what's a normal sign of aging and what's worth seeing a doctor about.

Common ground

Cedrek McFadden, board-certified colorectal surgeon, stopped by TODAY on March 7 to share some telltale signs that you need to give your body more attention.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/symptoms-you-should-never-dismiss-as-n…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 10 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 6
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info Single Source 2
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Claim 1: “tightness in the chest, neck, jack or upper back can also be signs of heart disease, as can heartburn-like symptoms”
CORROBORATED
Evidence from a doctor's guide and Mayo Clinic confirms that tightness in the chest, neck, jaw, or upper back, as well as heartburn-like symptoms, can be signs of heart disease/coronary artery disease.
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web search NEUTRAL — Many people think chest pain needs to be "sharp" in order for it to be worth checking out, but tightness in the chest, neck, jack or upper back can also be signs of heart disease, as can heartburn-lik…
https://www.today.com/health/disease/symptoms-never-dismiss-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Symptoms of coronary artery disease can include: Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort, called angina. Shortness of breath. Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly or bac…
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease…
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web search NEUTRAL — Heartburn and Acid Reflux: A burning feeling in your chest, often after eating. Heart Attack: A serious emergency with chest pain or discomfort, and other symptoms like shortness of breath. Angina: Ch…
https://int.livhospital.com/indigestion-or-heart-attack-lear…
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Claim 2: “blood in the urine is always a reason to call a doctor”
CORROBORATED
Multiple medical sources (Mayo Clinic, others) state that hematuria (blood in urine) can be a sign of serious illness and requires a healthcare provider for diagnosis.
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web search NEUTRAL — Oct 17, 2023 · Blood in urine or hematuria: Learn causes, risk factors, & treatment in this informative guide.
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/blood-in-urine-cau…
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 30, 2026 · It can be scary to see blood in urine, also called hematuria. In many cases, the cause is harmless. But blood in urine also can be a sign of a serious illness. If you can see the blood,…
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blood-in-urin…
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web search NEUTRAL — Hematuria is blood in your pee. There are many different causes. A healthcare provider can diagnose the exact cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15234-hematur…
help
Claim 3: “repeating questions, getting lost in familiar places or missing appointments repeatedly signal... mild cognitive impairment”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this specific claim.
help
Claim 4: “Headaches that gradually worsen over weeks can be related to blood pressure issues, medication effects, sleep apnea, or neurologic conditions”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this specific claim.
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Claim 5: “sudden urgency, burning, difficulty starting or weak stream are red flags... These can be signs of infections, kidney stones, prostate enlargement or other bladder issues”
CORROBORATED
Multiple authoritative sources (NCI, Liv Hospital) confirm that urgency, burning, difficulty starting, and weak stream are signs of prostate enlargement, infections, or other bladder issues.
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web search NEUTRAL — burning when urinating, frequent, sudden, or urgent need to urinate (pee), difficulty urinating, or a weak urine stream.weak, slow, or dribbling stream of urine. trouble urinating; stopping and starti…
https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/understanding-prostate…
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web search NEUTRAL — Burning during urination. Weak urine stream. Urine leakage (urge incontinence). Lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort.In men, prostate enlargement or inflammation can irritate the bladder and cause urg…
https://drvikasguptaurologist.com/urinary-urgency/
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web search NEUTRAL — Prostate Cancer. Difficulty starting urination, weak urine flow, pain or difficulty urinating. Often doesn’t show symptoms early, can cause systemic symptoms in later stages. To tell BPH apart from ot…
https://int.livhospital.com/enlarged-prostate-symptoms-5-sho…
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Claim 6: “if you have swelling in the ankles along with breathlessness, it can be a sign of heart issues”
CORROBORATED
MedlinePlus and other sources explicitly state that swelling in the ankles/legs combined with breathlessness is a sign of heart problems or heart failure.
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web search NEUTRAL — Heart disease, encompasses a range of cardiac conditions including coronary artery disease and heart rhythm problems. Key signs of a heart attack often include intense chest pain, discomfort in arms o…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz2HLB9zDD4
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web search NEUTRAL — Shortness of breath. General weakness.Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet. Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn't work as well, blood flow sl…
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000775.htm
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web search NEUTRAL — The Short Version. Swelling in the legs and ankles can be an early sign of heart failure, especially when it is bilateral, worsens throughout the day, and is associated with symptoms like breathlessne…
https://www.healthspectra.com/swollen-legs-and-ankles-when-i…
info
Claim 7: “Dr. Cedrek McFadden, board-certified colorectal surgeon, stopped by TODAY on March 7”
SINGLE SOURCE
Web search confirms Dr. Cedrek McFadden is a colorectal surgeon and medical adviser, but none of the provided evidence specifically confirms his appearance on the TODAY show on March 7.
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web search NEUTRAL — Colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults. Screening now begins at 45. Yet too many patients still present at later stages because screening is delayed or symptoms are ignored.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cedrek-mcfadden-m-d-6aa071166…
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web search NEUTRAL — Surgeon Cedrek McFadden Says the Show Used to Be His 'Therapy'.In the time since, he’s become a colorectal surgeon, as well as a TV medical consultant for men’s health issues. But Cedrik is about to m…
https://parade.com/tv/cedrek-mcfadden-survivor-48-interview
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web search NEUTRAL — Dr. Cedrek McFadden, a colorectal surgeon based in South Carolina and medical adviser to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, also stressed the risk to The Post. “Eating a lot of red or processed meats can…
https://nypost.com/2025/02/07/health/5-foods-that-increase-y…
info
Claim 8: “pain that gets worse the more you move can signal inflammation, arthritis or true joint damage”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim contains general definitions of joints from Wikipedia and Britannica, but does not address whether pain that worsens with movement signals inflammation, arthritis, or joint damage.
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web search NEUTRAL — The connection between a tooth and the jawbone is also called a joint, and is described as a fibrous joint known as a gomphosis. Joints are classified both structurally and functionally.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint
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web search NEUTRAL — A joint is any place in your body where two bones meet. You have several types of joints that give your body structure and help you move.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25137-joints
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 17, 2026 · Joint, in humans and other animals, structure connecting two or more adjacent parts of the skeleton. Not all joints move, but, among those that do, motions include spinning, swinging, g…
https://www.britannica.com/science/joint-skeleton
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Claim 9: “getting winded climbing a single flight of stairs, struggling to finish sentences, or waking up short of breath... can indicate early heart failure, lung disease, anemia or blood clots”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that shortness of breath during activity, waking up short of breath (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea), and difficulty breathing can indicate heart failure, lung disease, or anemia.
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web search NEUTRAL — Shortness of breath during physical activityDifficulty breathing when lying flat (orthopnea)Waking up suddenly gasping for air (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea)
https://www.cardahealth.com/post/heart-failure-symptoms
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web search NEUTRAL — Some people with heart failure have orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, or both. Orthopnea is shortness of breath that occurs when people lie down and is relieved by sitting up. Paroxysmal noctur…
https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/…
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web search NEUTRAL — Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is most commonly caused by heart or lung conditions. Other causes include anemia, anxiety, lack of exercise or living with obesity.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/16942-dyspnea
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Claim 10: “Joint stiffness first thing in the morning is common as cartilage naturally thins with age”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that morning joint stiffness is common with age due to the thinning of synovial fluid and wearing down of cartilage.
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web search NEUTRAL — As we age, synovial fluid naturally thins and joint cartilage wears down, so morning stiffness is more common in older adults. People with conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may…
https://nyboneandjoint.com/morning-joint-pain/
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web search NEUTRAL — Is Morning Joint Stiffness Really Caused by Ageing? Ageing can contribute to the progressive wear and tear on joints, however age isn’t the sole reason. Many young adults suffer from stiff joints as a…
https://prakashhospitalgn.com/orthopedic/morning-joint-stiff…
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web search NEUTRAL — Morning stiffness is the most common symptom of ankylosing spondylitis, which mainly affects the spine, hips, and knees. With AS, you most often have stiffness in your low back and neck.
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/joints-morning-stiffness
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.