Have
you ever wondered: “Should I see my doctor for this?” You are not alone
if you have ever asked yourself that question.
Sometimes
it can be confusing to know when to call your doctor. Of course, you should see
your primary care physician yearly for your annual check-up, but in between those visits,
you may have some symptoms or issues that concern you.
Here
are seven symptoms you should definitely see a doctor for.
Cold or flu symptoms lasting longer than seven days
Usually,
a common cold peaks within the first three days of illness and then begins to
improve, whereas the flu can last up to a week. You should see your doctor if
your cold or flu symptoms are worsening or not
improving, your cough lasts longer than two to three weeks or you have a fever
that doesn’t go down. If you are having shortness of breath or large amounts of
blood in your phlegm, you should be evaluated in the emergency department.
Severe headaches
Headaches
are common and usually relieved by rest or over-the-counter medications.
However, you should see your doctor if your headache does not improve with
medication, becomes more severe or more frequent than usual, wakes you up at
night or interferes with your daily activities.
If you
develop fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness or slurred speech along with a
headache, you should immediately go to the emergency department.
Back pain
Back
pain usually resolves in about six to eight weeks and is relieved by
medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). If your back
pain becomes constant, the pain moves down one or both of your legs, or the
pain comes with weakness or numbness of your leg, you should see your doctor.
Digestive issues
Some
digestive symptoms are common, such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea or
constipation. These symptoms are usually occasional, brief and resolve on their
own. You should see your doctor if any of these symptoms won’t go away even
with medication.
Other
symptoms like trouble or painful swallowing, feeling food get stuck in your
throat or chest, or stools that are black or bloody should also be evaluated by
your doctor. You should go to the emergency department if you are having severe
abdominal pain that won’t go away, vomiting blood or green bile, or having
bowel movements with lots of blood.
Mental health issues
Your
mental health is just as important as your physical health. It is equally
important to see your doctor If you experience sadness that won’t go away,
extreme mood swings, excessive worry or anxiety, delusions, hallucinations or
thoughts of wanting to harm yourself or others. If you have any serious intent
or plan to harm yourself, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency
department.
Emergency symptoms
If you
experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or numbness on one
side of your face or body, or slurred speech, these could be signs of a heart
attack or stroke. You should immediately call 911 or head to the nearest
emergency department.
Other symptoms you shouldn’t ignore
Some
other symptoms to seek medical attention that might be signs of a more serious
illness include new or worsening fatigue that won’t go away, dizziness or
lightheadedness, unexplained weight loss and leg or ankle swelling.
Also,
remember if you are having symptoms that signal worsening of your existing
chronic conditions such as wheezing or trouble breathing with asthma or COPD, you should see your
doctor sooner or more frequently to help improve control of your illness.
In
general, there are many minor conditions that can be managed at home, such as
routine colds or stomach flu. But when in doubt, always call your doctor, or if
you’re a Baylor Scott & White patient, you can download
the MyBSWHealth app and get answers to your medical conditions
through e-visits.
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