3 Signs You Should Go to the Doctor
Many people don’t like visiting the doctor. They don’t like paying for the trip, being poked and prodded, or admitting that they’re sick. While we maintain that if you’re concerned, you should see the doctor, you may still be hesitant. You know something is wrong, but is it bad enough to seek help? Well, if you show any of these signs, it’s definitely time to make an appointment and see the doctor.
These are general signs that you should see the doctor, not specific symptoms of a condition. They’re signs that the cough is more than a cough or that ache isn’t just an ache. It’s important that you remember to always be upfront with your doctor about what concerns you, because even if you think something is small, it may actually be a sign of something more.
The Symptom Is Persistent
One of the clearer signs that a symptom has some underlying cause is that it’s sticking around for a while. What constitutes “persistent” will depend largely on the symptom. For example, if you’re feeling pain, you’ll want to go see a doctor once it’s clear that the pain is chronic, not acute. Let’s say you’ve pushed yourself a little too hard exercising and now you’re sore. It’s reasonable to have a little muscle pain for the next few days, each day feeling less pain as you recover. If it’s been longer than a few days and the pain isn’t getting better, you’ll want to see your doctor since this could point to an injury or a worse health problem.
Symptoms may seem harmless, but the longer they last, the more important it is to get them checked out.
The same can be said for a cold. Usually, the symptoms of a cold will clear up on their own, but if they’re sticking around for 10 days or more, you should go see a doctor. Other symptoms may seem harmless, but the longer they last, the more important it is to get them checked out. Some examples include a cough that is persistent for three weeks, two weeks or more of fatigue despite getting rest, or nausea lasting more than 12 hours if severe or 24 if more mild. Of course, these are only a few examples, but the logic applies to any new symptom. If you experience it for a noticeably long time, whether it be two days or two months, you should discuss it with your doctor.
The Symptom Is Severe
This may seem like a bit of a no brainer, but if you’re experiencing a severe symptom, you should go to the doctor or even the hospital. The intensity of the symptom that you’re feeling is a sign that something is really wrong in your body and you shouldn’t try to “wait it out.” Even if the cause of the symptom is known, like pain from stubbing your toe, if it’s extreme, it may be wise to go to the doctor. Holding off could cause the injury to heal incorrectly or at the very least prolong the pain unnecessarily.
A good rule of thumb here is that, if something is persistently severe enough to draw your attention, it won’t hurt to call your doctor.
Of course, the severity of a symptom goes beyond pain. In the example earlier for nausea, we mention that the severity of the symptom could cut how long you should wait before going to the doctor in half, from 24 hours to 12 hours. By the same token, the severity of a headache can determine whether or not you should take some pain killers or go to the doctor to explore the possibility of any underlying causes. Also, if you have a slight fever (anything under 100°F), you may be fine to rest and drink lots of fluids. However, if your fever is 103°F or over, you should go see the doctor immediately.
Again, beyond a few concrete examples like fevers, the severity of a symptom is quite subjective. A good rule of thumb here is that, if something is persistently severe enough to draw your attention, whether it’s a stabbing stomachache or a headache that leaves you floored, it wouldn’t hurt to call your doctor.
The Symptom Appears Suddenly
Another concerning sign is if the symptom appears suddenly and without noticeable cause. A little pain in your foot after you stubbed your toe isn’t concerning, but a little pain in your chest for no clear reason certainly is. The severity of the symptom is also a little important here, since many illnesses progress. If you suddenly have a severe sore throat, it’s more concerning initially than one that starts out as a tickle and grows over the course of a few days.
Other changes like unexplained weight loss or weight gain, or sudden changes in sleeping patterns, can also indicate something is not right.
Sudden changes in regular body functions or patterns can also be signs you should see your doctor. If your bathroom habits suddenly change, like more frequent urination or diarrhea, it can be sign of severe medical conditions or digestive issues. Other changes like unexplained weight loss or weight gain, or sudden changes in sleeping patterns, can also indicate something is not right and a trip to the doctor is necessary. These all can point to the development of a new, underlying condition that your doctor may be able to diagnose and help you with.
● ● ●
You may have noticed that there’s a lot of room for your judgement here, and that’s because knowing when to talk to the doctor is ultimately a call to be made based on what you’re experiencing and feeling. If you’re concerned enough that you’re reading articles about whether you should be worried about your symptom(s) or not, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you can get peace of mind from a call or visit to your doctor, it’s worth at least investigating. Ultimately, that’s what your doctor is there for, to keep you healthy and act as a health expert in your life. This is especially the case if you have Medicare or good health care coverage that makes visiting the doctor such an affordable option!
Featured Blogs
- Learning to Ski
- The Stories Behind Classic Christmas Carols
- 4 More Tips to Make Christmas Tree Hunt Less Stressful
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Other Festive Holidays
- A Senior Guide to Boston
- A Senior Guide to Edinburgh
- How Does Medicare Cover Osteoporosis?
- What are Ulcers?
- Medicare's Coverage of Parkinson's Disease
- What is a Cognitive Screening?
- Spooky Spots for Halloween 2023
- 4 Ways to Keep Trick-or-Treating Safe
- 10 Classic Horror Books for Halloween
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2024
- 10 Safety Rules for Seniors Who Enjoy Hunting
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- A Senior Guide to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- A Senior Guide to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- All About Enrolling in Social Security
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Madrid
- Does Medicare Cover Open-Heart Surgery?
- Exercise Tips for Summer
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lisbon
- Hosting a Safe Summer Barbecue
- Senior Summer Barbecue Tips
- Does Medicare Cover Biopsies?
- 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Finger Lakes
- Does Medicare Cover Endoscopies?
- Ways Seniors Can Recover from a Workout
- Is Chocolate Healthy for You?
- Understanding Adult ADHD
- How Does Medicare Cover Hypertension?
- The Symptoms and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
- How to Determine What Temperature to Use When Cooking
- Eating Healthy on a Budget
- Keeping Fit on Vacation
- Is Your Tonsillectomy Covered by Medicare?
- Tips for the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Kitchen First Aid Tips
- What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Guide to New York City
- How to Caramelize Onions
- Why Do We Celebrate That? April Fools’ Day
- Medicare and Powers of Attorney
- The Essential Role of Eggs in Cooking
- What are Different Types of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine? - Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine
- What is Medicare Part E?
- Building Your Basic At-Home Senior Gym
- How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to New Orleans
- How to Navigate & Read Academic Articles
- Phytonutrients: What Plant Color Says About Nutrition
- How to Prevent or Reduce Inflammation
- Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Signs, and Treatment
- How to Make Homemade Pretzels
- Researching Your Ancestry and Family Tree
- How Medicare and Social Security Work Together
- What is Nordic Walking?
- Food Questions You've Been Embarrassed to Ask
- How Medicare Changed for 2023 and Beyond
- Tips for Using a Microwave
- How to Clean Your Ears Safely
- Skiing as a Healthy Hobby for Seniors
- 3 More Great Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve
- Why Do We Celebrate That? More New Year's Eve Traditions
- Panettone, the Italian Christmas Dessert
- A Simple Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
- How to Make Christmas Decorating Jollier
- The Science of Winter Weight Gain
- Seasonal Picks: 3 Foods You Should Try This Winter
- 5 Tips to Make Getting Your Christmas Tree Stress-Free
- Show-Stopping Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Boeuf Bourguignon
- Holiday Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
- Does Medicare Cover Pain Management?
- Is Hunting a Healthy Senior Hobby?
- Ways You Can Get More Politically Involved
- What are Medicare's Lifetime Reserve Days?
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2022
- How to Make Soul Cakes for Halloween
- Jack O' Lantern Carving Tips for Halloween
- Easy Ways to Peel a Potato
- 2023 Social Security COLA Largest in Decades
- Exercise Tips for Autumn
- How to Make Candy Apples at Home
- Why are Medicare Insurance Sales Calls Recorded?
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2023
- CMS Updates Medicare Enrollment Rules for 2023
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to London
- Does Medicare Cover Insomnia Treatment?
- Healthy and Easy Homemade Dog Treats
- The FDA Finalizes Ruling to Increase Access to Hearing Aids
- What the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Means for Medicare
- Tips to Make Flying and Airports Less Stressful
- CMS Projects Lower 2023 Part D Average Costs
- The 15 Golden Rules of Airplane Etiquette
- How Often Should You Shower?
- What are Medicare Pilot Programs?
- How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
- Confronting a Loved One About Hurtful Behavior
- What Does Creditable Coverage Mean for Medicare?
- Using Za'atar in Your Cooking
- Dealing with Canceled Flights
- Protecting Your Vacation from Flight Disruptions
- Do Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Medicare Coverage?
- Which is Better: A Bath or Shower?
- Are Weight Loss Medications Healthy?
- Healthy Strategies for Anger Management
- The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- The Difference Between Common Cooking Papers and Foils
- What are Medicare I-SNPs?
- Identifying Toxic Relationships in Your Life
- Healthy Ways to Spice Up Your Water
- All About Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
- Medicareful Travels: A Senior Guide to All-Inclusive Resorts
- Does Medicare Cover Occupational Therapy?
- Lower 2023 Medicare Part B Premium Could Be on the Way
- Which is Better: Natural or Artificial Sweeteners?
- Tips for Vacationing with Pets
- Is It Better to Work Out Harder or Longer?
- Tips for Traveling with Your Pet
- Are Medicare Part B Giveback Plans Worth It?
- Introducing the Medicareful Living Family Cookbook!
- Medicare Coverage for Treatment of PTSD
- The Causes and Treatments of Nasal Congestion
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Spring Rolls
- Medicare Freezes Late Enrollment Penalties for Qualifying Enrollees
- What is a 5-Star Medicare Plan?
- What is PTSD?
- What is Inflammation?
- What is Medicare's Secondary Payer Program?
- What You Should Know When Buying Cast Iron Cookware
- What Does MACRA Mean for You?
- What to Do If You Receive a Terminal Diagnosis
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Homemade Lobster Ravioli
- Reading and Understanding Your Blood Pressure
- How to Be a Snowbird in Retirement (18 Questions to Ask!)