Going to the doctor can sometimes be costly, both in terms of money and time. However, you do want to be putting your health first at all times, and sometimes a collection of relatively minor symptoms can turn out to be a precursor for something a lot more sinister. This is particularly important when it comes to children, as they are more susceptible to developing serious conditions in a small space of time. If you are unsure of the circumstances under which you should see a doctor, here are five signs to put on your list.
1. Difficulty Breathing
Chest congestion is often a symptom of the common cold or the flu. However, if this progresses and you or your child end up wheezing, or find it difficult to breathe properly, you should definitely consider booking an appointment to see your doctor or calling up to see what your options are.
2. Persistent Symptoms
If any symptoms of sickness persist for more than a week, this might be a sign to talk to your doctor. This includes anything and everything from pain to vomiting. If you have already been to see a doctor and you are taking prescribed medication, consider another visit if the medication has not helped your condition over the course of the week.
3. Children with Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions can affect children more severely than they do adults. If you know or see a child whose allergy or asthma symptoms seem to be more prominent, consider talking to a healthcare professional – these are often signs that a more serious problem may be at hand.
4. Shooting Pains
Pain is never nice to live with, and it is even worse if it is a shooting, sharp pain. There are a number of medications you can take to alleviate this pain – some of them may be prescribed, and others might just be in the form of Nurofen or Panadol. If this sort of pain is preventing you from going about your daily duties, and does not subside with the aid of medication, a doctor might be able to help you figure out what is going on.
5. Fever
If you have a fever, it usually means your body is busy fighting off an infection. This is mostly a good thing, as it means your immune system is functioning properly. However, if your fever symptoms persist and are coinciding with a number of other symptoms, you might want to think about talking to your doctor so you can get an accurate diagnosis and a more targeted approach to treating whatever you might have come down with.
So these are five signs you should consider contacting a doctor – these apply to both adults and children. If you are unable to get to a GP but need medical assistance, home doctor services such as Doctor To You can come and help you out any time of the day or night. Your health is one of the most important things you have, so make sure you take care of it!
Are you a doctor? Are you a healthcare professional? What are your tips for when to talk to or visit a doctor? What are some things that people overlook? Leave your thoughts in the comments section down below.
