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We all feel under the weather from time to time. When we co-exist with so many different types of bacteria and viruses, and the fact that there are so many parts of our bodies that can physically go wrong- it’s no wonder really. The problem is, it can be difficult knowing whether we just have a passing illness that will sort itself out after a few days, or if it’s a symptom of something more serious. This can put you in the tricky situation of not knowing whether you should ride it out and treat it at home, or call out the doctor. We all know that catching these things early is key to the best recovery, but on the other hand, you don’t want to waste time, money and resources if it is just something minor. Here are some of the situations where you always need to seek medical advice.
You’re Having Severe Pains or are Blacking Out
While lots of illnesses can cause discomfort and pain, severe pain is never something to be ignored. Whether it’s in the chest, head or anywhere else- any serious pain shouldn’t be ignored and needs to be looked at right away. Any illness causing extreme dizziness, fainting or blacking out is again a medical emergency, dial 911 immediately.
You Have a Serious Underlying Health Condition
For some people, a wheeze, tingle or pain might not be of any concern and is something they can keep an eye on. But if you already have a serious health condition, it’s worth getting any strange symptoms checked out. You could visit your GP or if it’s out of hours to call a concierge doctor to come out to your home. They will be able to let you know if you’re ok to stay home or whether you need to go to the hospital. If your body isn’t as strong or doesn’t function in the same way as a healthy person, something small could quickly turn into a much larger issue, so it isn’t worth the risk.
Your Symptoms Have Persisted
We all know that the average cold lasts for a week or two for example, or that stomach issues last for a couple of days. If you’re experiencing problems that go past the expected time frame for the illness, then it’s worth getting checked out. If you’ve had a cough that’s lasted for weeks and weeks or you have other symptoms that aren’t clearing up as you would expect them to it could be a sign that something else is going on.
Your Illness Is Recurring
Infections and illnesses that keep coming back are another clue that you need to visit a doctor. It all depends on your lifestyle and how good your immune system is for how many times a year you get ill. However, you shouldn’t be feeling ill every month, or feeling like a new illness crops up as soon as you’ve got rid of the old one. Get checked out to make sure everything is ok.
