Do I Need to go to the Doctor?

You have an ache or a pain or a rash, cough, or feel dizzy. You just don't feel right. We often go first to "Dr. Google" and look up symptoms on the internet or call our doctor and wait for an appointment. While you are waiting, you are might be worrying or feeling badly. There is no universal solution but the following ideas might help you sort out what is best to do:

-Evaluate your symptoms to determine if you need immediate treatment.

If you have chest pain or difficulty moving (paralysis - can't talk, can't move part of your body) you should call 911 immediately. Many of us will hesitate because of the inconvenience or cost, but the damage you might inflict on your health by waiting is potentially much greater than any cost you might incur.

If you or the patient are talking about ending their life or hurting others, call 911 right away. Suicide is still one of the tope 10 causes of death according to the CDC. Take suicide threats seriously.

If there is a severe injury, significant blood, severe pain, difficulty breathing, call 911 or seek immediate help at an emergency room, if it is more moderate consider going to an urgent care office. Check their hours and try to give them time to treat you before they close (best to go at least an hour before their closing time).

There are often telemedicine doctors or nurses available through many of the major insurance companies. Take a look at your insurance card and see if you have access to these services. You can speak to a provider who will give you the best advice for your condition.

-Consider home and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies.

If based on your evaluation you can wait, record the symptoms so you can discuss them with your doctor at your next visit and you have a record of what happened. While waiting, eat well but not excessively, drink extra water, rest, ice painful areas.

Consider using over-the-counter medicines after consulting with a pharmacist and reading the instructions. Remember that over-the-counter products are only safe when used appropriately, according to directions. For instance, a patient once reported downing "a whole bottle" of ibuprofen when he had severe chest pain. The medicine made his condition worse (luckily, he survived)! A local pharmacist can often recommend the most appropriate medicine to treat mild conditions including coughs, colds, allergy, rashes, and digestive issues.

-If your symptoms worsen or your worry worsens, seek medical help.

This is a good moment to recommend that, if possible, you find a primary care provider who can treat chronic conditions and prevent them from worsening or treat acute conditions and prevent problems from happening. A primary care provider who knows you can give you the best advice about when you can wait or should seek immediate treatment. That doctor might be a general practitioner or an internal medicine specialist. If you are over the age of 65, consider seeking a doctor who specializes in treating older patients. Although those doctors are often called geriatric specialists don’t let the name deter you, they know more about changes that occur as we age and will help you to feel younger.

-Finally, I suggest using the “this doesn’t seem right” rule. Most of us know what normal pain, discomfort, or illness feels like. For example, if someone who is usually stoic about illness comes to you and asks your opinion or wakes you at an odd hour it is far better to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention right away. If a cold or sore throat doesn't go away or an ache continues for a long period, seek out the help of a doctor.

As with all my recommendations, let me add a caveat here. We are all individuals and your doctor knows you better then anyone else. Do not change your doctors recommendations based on a blog. Also seek medical attention right away if you have any severe problems or reactions (call 911). If you need more answers or would like a personal consultation contact me at AshbyRx.com