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When Should You See a Doctor?

  • Sep 05, 2019
  • By Miles Malferrari

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Should I see a doctor? That’s a question most people ask. One hesitation people have with going to the clinic are the huge bills doctors ask for just for consultations, especially for illnesses that are just common colds or the flu. Whatever your situation, remember that the earlier they catch your symptoms, the faster you can be healed and lead to better outcomes. 

That’s why we have compiled a list of symptoms that should alert you on when to seek medical attention. Keep in mind that the list is not a one size fits all solution and that if you feel any kind of distressing symptoms, you should see your doctor.

  1. Persistent High Fever

A high fever is defined as above 39.4 degress Celsius. Your body actually contracts a fever because it’s a sign that it’s fighting against an infection. If the temperature doesn’t lower after 3 days, call your doctor. You may need antibiotics* to fight your infection.

*Never take antibiotics without your doctor’s prescription.

  1. A cold becomes something more

Normally, a cold can be cured at home. But watch out if you’re experiencing any or some of the following: a) severe cough for more than 2 weeks, b) muscle-aches or flu-like symptoms, c) difficulty in swallowing, chest pain, or shortness of breath is not part of normal cold symptoms, and d) if you keep throwing up what you’re eating may make you dehydrated and you would need IV fluids at once from the nearest hospital.


  1. Sudden weight loss (and not the good kind)

If you have lost more than 10% your body weight in the last six months without any weight loss programs, dieting, or exercise of any kind, that could be an indication of something worse going on inside your body. These are common symptoms of overactive thyroid, diabetes, depression or liver disease.


  1. Shortness of breath

In this case, saying “you take my breath away” may not be the best symptom. If you are constantly experiencing shortness of breath, ask your doctor about the possibility of having asthma, bronchitis, or another more serious condition.


  1. Severe pain in the chest, abdominal, or pelvic area

Any pain experienced here is not normal and should demand a doctor’s attention. Some examples may be heart attack, gallstones, appendicitis (sharp pain on the lower right side of your abdomen)


  1. Any changes in bowel movement or urination

This can of course vary from person to person. However, some things that should alarm you are blood in your stool or urine, excessive urination, or black colored stool or urine. Once you experience any of these, inform your doctor right away. 


  1. “I see the light!” (Literally)

Experiencing bright flashes or spots because of serious migraines can be a sign of something wrong with your eyes. Have these checked because it might lead to permanent vision loss.


  1. Being moody

Sudden changes in mood or confusion can be because of mental health issues, and these like any other health problems should be seriously addressed and checked by health professionals. Watch out especially for any feelings of anxiety or depression.


  1. You feel like you have a concussion

If you’ve fallen on your head or hit it, monitor for symptoms of concussion. It’s recommended that you don’t fall asleep right away and have someone watching out for you. If you’re having trouble concentrating, headache, irritability, and change in sleep pattern, see your doctor.


  1. You experience weird symptoms after a surgery or new medication

Always ask your doctors for known symptoms before accepting surgery or a new medication or immunization. Once you experience any of these, set an appointment with the clinic.


Of course, we’re always hoping that any illness doesn’t have to resort to seeing a doctor. But if it does, you can save a lot of time and money if you go to an HMO provider like Etiqa, (formerly Asian Life), they’ve got several hospitals and top doctors to choose from. With your health card, you can get free consultations and discounts on specialists and you will never be hesitant to get any symptom checked (twice, even).


Try out getting this benefit through allcare.io, and get the peace of mind that if anything happens, you are covered!



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