Warning signs to look if you are over 40

Loss of smell - While the loss of smell alone is highly disturbing, it can also lead to memory loss and be an early sign of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Abdominal bloating - While the causes may often be benign, abdominal bloating can also be an early warning sign of ovarian cancer.

Unexpected weight loss - If you start losing weight unintentionally, it could be a sign of type 2 diabetes. Those aged 45-64 are most at risk of developing it.

Blurry vision - Eyesight naturally deteriorates with age. However, if you experience sudden changes, it could be an early sign of melanoma.

Nausea - There can be a huge number of reasons why a person may feel nauseous. But nausea and stomach pain can be a warning sign of heart disease.

Neck stiffness - While neck stiffness could just be caused by a bad night's sleep, it could also be a sign of polymyalgia rheumatica, which is an inflammatory disease.

Anxiety - Many people of all ages can experience anxiety. But it could be symptomatic of Parkinson's disease, which mainly affects those over 50.

Light sensitivity - Lupus is more common in women. When exposed to the sun, symptoms can include rashes, fever, fatigue, and joint pain.

Knee pain - If you experience pain around the joint of your knee, this can be an indication of early arthritis or degeneration.

Heartburn - While heartburn can be caused by simply eating too much, it can also be a sign of esophageal cancer, which is most common in those over 50.

Excessive thirst - If you can't seem to satiate your thirst, this could be a sign of type 2 diabetes, especially when accompanied by weight loss.

Dizziness - While dizziness could indicate low blood sugar, which is treatable, it could also be a sign of a heart rhythm disorder.

Pain between shoulder blades - If you experience pain between your shoulder blades, and can rule out a physical injury or strain, it could be a sign of gallstones.

Exhaustion - If you are feeling exhausted and tired on a regular basis, it could be a sign of depression, or even Lyme disease.

Itchy skin - Many things can cause itchy skin, such as eczema, or even just being dehydrated. However, it could also be indicative of liver disease.

Night sweats - Menopause can be a cause of sweating at night. But it could also be a warning sign of an infection, or even lymphoma.

Forgetfulness - A certain element of forgetfulness is a natural consequence of aging. However, when it interferes with your normal routine, it could be a sign of dementia.

Headache - While headaches are very common, there is a possibility that they could be a warning sign of a brain tumor.