Should I go to the doctor? Most of us have asked ourselves that question at some point in our lives. Whether it's a severe cold or flu to a newly appearing spot or mole on your body, or even a niggling pain that just won’t go away, it can be difficult to know when to actually go and see your doctor.
There are no set rules of when you should and shouldn’t see the doctor but these general guidelines might help next time you are trying to make a decision.
What things should you look for?
Below are some common conditions and problems you may deal with from time to time. Many can be managed at home, but sometimes they can change or get complicated and in those cases it is best if you seek advice from your healthcare professional.
Common cold or flu
Most symptoms of the common cold and flu can be managed with plenty of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicine to treat the symptoms. However, if you experience any of the below it’s important to contact a healthcare professional. You can do this via an in-person appointment or use a telehealth service where you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to receive the advice you need.
Contact your healthcare professional if you are experiencing:
- Lots of pain when swallowing (more than a sore or dry throat, almost feels like razor blades and isn’t relieved by over-the-counter medicines)
- A cough that lasts more than 2 or 3 weeks and isn’t showing any signs of improvement
- Persistent or severe vomiting
- A fever that doesn’t go down or go away even after using paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Symptoms that last more than 10 days or get worse instead of better
Common conditions and problems
Diarrhoea
Occasional diarrhoea isn’t uncommon. It’s usually harmless and generally passes on its own in 24-48 hours. There are however signs to look for that could indicate that there may be a more complicated problem that needs a healthcare professional. These include:
- Diarrhoea that lasts more than 2 days without improvement
- Black, tarry stools
- Blood in your stool
- Severe abdominal or rectal pain
- A fever more than 39 degrees
- Signs of dehydration (very dry mouth or skin, fatigue, decreased urination, confusion, or irritability)
Headache
Most of us occasionally get headaches that can be treated with over-the-counter medicine. In some cases headaches could be a sign of a more serious condition. If you have a high fever (39.1-41C), stiff neck, confusion or have trouble speaking or walking with a headache, call 000.
You should see your health care professional if you have a headache that:
- Is different from normal (more often or more severe or very persistent).
- Gets worse or doesn’t get better after taking over-the-counter medicine.
- Keeps you from working, sleeping, or participating in activities.
- Has severe vomiting associated with it.
Head injury
Getting a bump on the head could be minor, but it could also cause a concussion. Look for these signs of concussion and speak to your healthcare professional if you have any of them after hitting your head:
- Dizziness and balance problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Concentration and memory problems
- Fluid or blood draining from the nose or ears
- Vision or eye changes. For example, the black parts of the eye, known as the pupils, may be bigger than usual or unequal sizes.
- Ringing in the ears that doesn't go away
- Feeling sluggish or foggy
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Large head bumps or bruises, such as bruises around the eyes or behind the ears. It's especially important to seek emergency care if these symptoms appear in infants under 12 months of age.
Back pain
There are many causes for back pain. Non-serious back pain typically settles in a few weeks, and sometimes over-the-counter medicine may help to reduce discomfort. Heat or cold packs to the area of pain can also help. If nothing is helping and you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare professional:
- Constant pain, debilitating pain that interferes with day-to-day activities
- Pain that spreads down one or both legs
- Pain with weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs
- Pain plus unexplained weight loss
- Pain with swelling or redness on your back
- Pain with a fever
Digestive issues
Digestive issues include a range of conditions that affect both the upper and the lower tract. From the oesophagus, to stomach to the intestine. It is sometimes hard to determine whether something is a minor issue like mild heartburn or something more severe. Speak to your health care professional if you experience any of the following:
- Feeling like food is caught in your throat or chest and is associated with any sort of pain
- Heartburn that doesn’t go away, gets worse, or doesn’t get better with medicine
- Difficulty or pain while swallowing
- Nausea that is not relieved by over-the-counter medicine
- Vomiting blood or bile (green)
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
- Constipation or diarrhoea that doesn’t get better
- Stools that are black or bloody
Menstrual problems
For those that have a menstrual cycle, it typically has a big impact on your life and even more so if there are any complications. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, speak to your healthcare professional:
- Your period suddenly becomes irregular
- You don’t have a period for 3 months or more
- You have bleeding between periods
- You have a period that lasts much longer than usual or is much heavier than usual
- You have severe or debilitating cramps
- Are tired, lack energy or are short of breath
Other symptoms
Some symptoms are hard to categorise within specific conditions, however it is still really important to know what to do if they occur. If you notice any of the following, contact your healthcare professional:
- Dizziness or feeling like you are going to faint
- Unexplained shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeats or rapid heartbeats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue that won’t go away
- Severe sweating, especially cold sweats
- Swelling in the ankles or legs
- Rash along with a fever (39 C or higher)
- A new or changing mole or any other skin change that concerns you
Summary
It is human nature to not want to bother someone or be a ‘burden’ and often we avoid seeking help from a healthcare professional because we don’t want to inconvenience anyone. When it comes to health, we should start to shift our mindset. By speaking to health professionals it allows you to stay on top of your health, get access to preventative health screenings and monitor your overall health over time. This can often help catch diseases early and help manage these before they progress to more serious conditions.
If you cannot get in to see your healthcare professional, Telehealth via Healthylife enables you to access a registered doctor in as little as 60 minutes.
If your condition is serious or life threatening, call 000 immediately.
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Reviewed by the Healthylife health experts June 2024.
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