If you’ve ever felt sick, or simply “not quite right” in yourself, and you weren’t sure whether or not you should see a doctor, it can be a worrying time. You don’t want to cause a fuss, you don’t want to be a problem, you don’t want to get your insurance company involved when there is no need, but equally, you don’t want to forgo medical care when you actually need it. So what should you do?
In essence, if you are feeling sick for any reason and you aren’t your normal self, you should seek medical advice. However, there are some signs that definitely point you in that direction, and you should get help as soon as possible. Here are some of them for you to keep in mind.
A High, Persistent Fever
When you have a fever, your body is trying to tell you there is a problem. The fever is the body’s way of fighting off infection, so if you’re feeling hot, your temperature is over 100.4oF, and you have both sweats and chills, then clearly you are not well.
Most of the time, a fever will burn itself out fairly quickly, after it has done its job (by raising the body’s temperature, the bacteria in the infection will be killed). However, if the fever persists for more than a few days, or it is getting worse, you should seek help right away.
You Suddenly Lose Weight
If you’re overweight, losing weight is a good idea—the healthier a weight you are, the more healthy you are overall. It will take hard work and perseverance to do this, but it is always going to be worth the effort.
If, however, you lose weight quickly and without meaning to, whether you were initially overweight or not, this could be a sign that you are unwell and you should always speak to a medical professional such as those who you’ll find at a health center New York. They will be able to conduct the appropriate tests for you. Don’t try to diagnose anything yourself by searching online; this will only scare you and make you more stressed than you need to be.
Chest Pain
Chest pain is another indicator that you should seek medical help immediately. It’s true that it might be nothing more than indigestion or a muscle spasm, but it could be much more serious, and it is far better to call an ambulance or head to the ER rather than to wait and hope that it will go away. Chest pain, whether mild or severe, is should always be taken seriously.
Concussion
The skull is designed to protect the brain as much as possible, but that doesn’t mean it is always able to do this completely, and if you have had a knock to the head, you need to be watchful for signs of a concussion. These symptoms include:
- Being unable to concentrate
- Irritability
- Insomnia or a change in sleep patterns
- Headaches
If you experience this, or you’re worried about the head injury you received, you should definitely see a doctor.
