If you are experiencing a physical reaction or exhibiting symptoms of an illness, you may be wondering whether it is now the right time to call a doctor. Sometimes, things just resolve on their own. Other times, you need a medical doctor’s evaluation.
If your symptoms are severe and disruptive, don’t wait around to see if it will get better. The severity of symptoms is usually proportional to the seriousness of the medical condition. However, mild to moderate symptoms can be the earliest murmurings of a serious medical condition. Furthermore, if you are living with a chronic condition, any new symptoms should be checked out by your doctor.
Not seeking medical attention when you need it can complicate treatment and put your health at risk. Here are signs it’s time to make an appointment with a doctor.
Signs You Should See a Doctor
Symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, which include numbness or weakness on one side of the body, confusion, chest tightness, and changes in vision and speech, are medical emergencies and should be treated as such. Call 911 if you suspect a heart attack or stroke. Otherwise, call a doctor for an appointment for the following:
- Unexplained pain
- A fever that doesn’t improve or go away
- Pain in the throat when swallowing
- Chest tightness or shortness of breath when exercising
- Coughing and wheezing with or without sputum for two weeks
- Fatigue or unexplained weight loss despite eating and sleeping normally
- Fatigue, nausea, excessive sweating, palpitations, and severe headache, especially after eating
- A strange prickling sensation or numbness in the extremities
- Slow-healing wounds
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo
- Frequent headaches and migraines, which cannot be explained by stress, work, and lifestyle-related factors
- Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Pain in the neck, back, knee, hip, shoulder, hand, etc.
- Blurry vision or other vision problems despite using prescribed glasses or contact lenses
- A change in the quality of hearing: difficulty hearing or making out speech when in public
- Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep; loud snoring and pauses in breathing
- Change in urinary patterns and bowel movements; frequent urination, incontinence, constipation, blood in the urine or bowels, etc.
Any symptoms that last a week or longer should be checked out by a doctor. If you rely on Google to tell you what could be wrong with you, you will only end up worrying without knowing exactly what is causing your symptoms. Better to see a doctor for a clinical evaluation and leave it to them to make a diagnosis.
Which Doctor Should I See?
If you are an adult, choose a doctor that specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing medical conditions that affect adults. An internal medicine doctor is highly experienced in treating adults with many health conditions, as well as complex ones.
High cholesterol, which affects many American adults, has no symptoms – so do many cancers in early stages. Annual screenings, which are done at the primary level, are what catch these problems before they start causing bigger issues. For optimal health, choose an internal medicine doctor as your primary care provider, and make regular visits to their clinic.
Internal Medicine Doctor in Tucson, AZ
Dr. Robert E. Lending is an internal medicine doctor in Tucson, AZ, offering a wide range of primary care services for adults. Dr. Lending diagnoses treats, prevents, and screens for age-related diseases, with a special focus on those with lipid disorders such as high cholesterol. Dr. Lending is highly experienced in treating adults with multiple health conditions and helps them live happy, active, and fulfilling lives.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lending, call our Tucson primary care clinic today at (520) 795-4291 or use our convenient appointment request form.
