Our doctors and emergency rooms are so overrun that we’re often told to only seek medical care when it’s urgent. For instance, if you’re suffering from a cold but could manage with a few painkillers and some rest, going to your doctor may be a waste of time. But, how do we know what warrants a visit to our doctors and what doesn’t? Here are a few signs that you need to see your doctor.
Fainting
If you’ve fainted or have felt light-headed for a long period of time, it may be an indication of something more serious. It’s especially important if your symptoms have got progressively worse. For example, you’ve been suffering from a cold but now have a raised temperature and you’ve started fainting. You may want to look up amyloidosis symptoms. You should ask to see your doctor immediately or go to A&E if your doctor isn’t available.
Persistent Vomiting
When a person is sick it’s usually because bacteria has been introduced into the body and it needs to come out. Once the person has been sick, they can usually begin to re-introduce liquids, salt and sugar back into the system. However, there are times when sickness is more persistent and more severe. If you are vomiting and doesn’t seem to be stopping, you need to seek medical care straight away.
A Cough
We all get coughs from time to time, usually with Winter colds. However, coughs do tend to go away within ten days and most resolve themselves, if not with a dosage of cough medicine. If your cough is persistent and stays for longer than ten days, you may need to seek advice. This is especially important if your cough stops you from breathing properly. Here are some home remedies you can try to ease your cough.
Chest Pain
Severe chest pain can be an indication of many different things. Chest pain can be the starting symptom for more serious conditions, like a heart problem or pneumonia. If you’ve been coughing for a while, chest pain can just be a side effect, but if it persists or causes severe pain, it’s best to get it checked. Monitor the way you’re breathing while in pain. If your chest causes your breathing to become erratic, you’ll need to see someone straight away.
High Temperature
A high temperature is often part and parcel of being ill. Once the illness has passed, your temperature will usually return to normal. However, if your temperature remains high for a prolonged period of time, you’ll need to call the emergency services. Try to bring your temperature down by soaking a hand towel in cold water and placing it on your forehead.
Worsening Symptoms
Our bodies are good at self-healing. Most illnesses will pass quickly with some TLC. If your symptoms don’t pass in a short amount of time and they get worse as time passes, it’s time to get some help from a professional. You may only need some antibiotics, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
