It comes on suddenly, often with little to no warning. You’re minding your own business, attending to errands and going about your day, when suddenly the room starts to spin.

When something is wrong with our health, it usually doesn’t go into full-swing all of a sudden. Our body typically gives us warning signs well in advance of an issue becoming critical.

The kidneys are a pair of organs located on either side of your spine, just above your waist. These organs are four to five inches long, and their function is to filter impurities from the blood, balance electrolytes in your body, and control blood pressure.

Sometimes, seemingly common symptoms are a sign of something much more serious – and potentially life-altering. They might be the very first clues of a lifelong condition like ulcerative colitis.

Statistically, the common cold is the most prevalent illness worldwide. In fact, there are more than 250 types of viruses that cause the symptoms of a common cold. Although you can come down with a cold most any time of the year, the majority of colds occur in the winter and spring.

More commonly known as the flu, influenza is a respiratory illness that can be caused by different types of influenza viruses. It should not be confused with the “stomach flu,” which causes abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.