Is it necessary for me to visit a doctor? It’s a common query. It’s easy to convince oneself that seeing a doctor is only essential in the face of severe symptoms or an emergency. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that cough was the leading cause of medical visits due to sickness. No matter what you’re going through, keep in mind that early detection can improve the prognosis for many conditions. Find out whether your cough is severe enough to warrant a trip to a reputable general practitioner such as Dr. Kalpana Desai by reading about the top warning symptoms that indicate it is time to make an appointment.
A high body temperature that doesn’t go away
Having a fever indicates your immune system is working to combat illness. A doctor should be consulted about any temperature of 103 degrees or above. A fever of 100 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit that lasts for more than three days should also prompt a visit to the doctor since this range indicates a persistent illness.
Unexplainable weight loss
The causes of sudden weight loss are not always clear, although they may be related to issues like an overactive thyroid, diabetes, depression, or liver disease. If you have dropped more than 10% of your body weight in the previous six months and are not obese, you should see your doctor.
Chronic cough
Even while coughs come and go, you shouldn’t brush off a severe one that lasts more than a few weeks or causes you to vomit blood. COVID-19 symptoms might include an abrupt onset of a persistent cough. Persistent coughs need medical attention, and current and former smokers should be extra cautious in this regard.
Persistent headaches
Although most headaches don’t need medical treatment, those that are severe, unexpected, or accompanied by other symptoms should be checked out. If your headache persists after a significant head injury, worsens over time, or is made worse by lying down, coughing, or sneezing, you should see a doctor.
Shortness of breath
Common triggers for breathlessness include high altitude, vigorous activity, obesity, and very hot or cold temperatures. If none of these seem to be the problem, you should see a doctor, mainly if your shortness of breath symptoms suddenly and severely, to rule out asthma, bronchitis, or another ailment.
A bad case of the common cold
Suppose you have a cold and also have chest discomfort, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or a loss of taste or smell. In that case, you may have a more serious illness, such as whooping cough, pneumonia, severe bronchitis, or possibly COVID-19. Furthermore, if a cold lasts longer than two weeks, it is essential to see a doctor see whether the illness has progressed.
Changes in your bowel movement or urinating habit
The most crucial thing to check for is a sudden shift in your pattern, whether it’s bloody or black feces, diarrhea or constipation, or excessive urine, so keep in mind that these things might differ from person to person. When these symptoms appear, the best thing to do is see a doctor.
If you notice any of the above signs, don’t hesitate to seek help from a general practitioner. They know what to do to safeguard your health. Remember assuming some of these indications can lead to severe illness.
