Signs You Should Go See A Doctor

"Should I go to the doctor?" you may ask yourself if you are experiencing unusual symptoms. Sometimes the answer is obvious, but not always.

• When in doubt, you should err on the side of caution and see a doctor.

• An injury or illness that poses a danger to life or limb is an emergency.

• Urgent care is for conditions that are not life-threatening but need prompt attention.

In the case of a life-threatening emergency, you should always go to the emergency room immediately. If your symptoms are mild enough not to cause much disruption to your normal activities, seeing the doctor may not be necessary at all.

However, sometimes your symptoms are clearly not life-threatening, but it is difficult to tell how severe they really are. In a situation like this, you may ask yourself, "When should I go to the doctor?" If you are in doubt about the seriousness of your condition, it is better to go to the doctor right away than to wait. If your condition does turn out to be serious, early diagnosis and medical intervention can improve your chances for a good outcome. With urgent care in O’ah, Hawaii, you can get the care you need right away, even during hours when your primary care physician's office is not open, without having to go to the emergency room for something that is not life-threatening.

While it is always a good idea to see a doctor if you think you might have a serious condition, there are also situations in which the doctor cannot do anything for you when you go. For example, if you have a relatively mild viral infection, such as the common cold, then telling you to go home, monitor the symptoms, and return to the clinic if you get worse is about all that is within the doctor's power.

Here are some common situations where it can be difficult to know when to see a doctor and some guidance to help you make the determination.

Fever

"Should I go to the doctor for a fever?" you may ask yourself. The answer depends on how high your temperature is and how long it lasts. A fever is part of the body's natural defense against infection. When the body is infected by a virus or bacteria, the body responds by increasing the body's temperature to kill off the pathogens.

In adults, fevers are categorized based on temperature range:

• Dangerous temperatures: anything over 104 degrees to 107 degrees Fahrenheit

• High-grade fevers: 103 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit

• Low-grade fevers: 100 degrees to 101 degrees Fahrenheit

A temperature of over 104 is a medical emergency. Left untreated, it could cause brain damage. If you have a high-grade fever, you should see a doctor as soon as possible because it could be a sign of a condition that requires medical treatment, such as a bacterial infection.

It is usually not necessary to see a doctor for a low-grade fever. However, you should make an exception if the fever persists for 10 to 14 days or is accompanied by symptoms of COVID-19. If you're asking, "should I go to the doctor?" in one of these situations, the answer is yes.

Cold or Flu

If you have the common cold, there is usually little you can do other than let it run its course. Therefore, seeing a doctor usually isn't necessary. However, there are times when the question, "should I see a doctor for this cold?" is answered in the affirmative, such as when symptoms persist or worsen. You may have a secondary condition, such as a bacterial sinus infection.

Perhaps you have a case of influenza, also known as the flu. In that case, you may be able to get a prescription for the antiviral medication Tamiflu, decreasing the severity and duration of flu symptoms.

Tamiflu is most effective when taken within the first few days of infection, so if you think you have flu, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Compared to the common cold, flu symptoms usually come on suddenly and are more likely to involve fevers, chills, and body aches.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea causes loose, watery stools accompanied by urgency and sometimes a loss of bowel control. It can also cause nausea and abdominal cramping. Diarrhea has many possible causes, and most cases are mild and resolve on their own.

You should see a doctor in O’ahu for diarrhea in the following circumstances:

• It is accompanied by a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit

• Stools appear black or bloody

• It is accompanied by severe pain in the rectum or abdomen

• It persists for more than two days and shows no improvement

Diarrhea can cause you to lose fluids quickly, resulting in dehydration. If you feel weak, light-headed, or dizzy, have dry mouth or excessive thirst, have dark-colored urine, or cannot urinate, you should see a doctor for diarrhea and dehydration.

Persistent Vomiting and Other Digestive Issues

Vomiting can be a symptom of viral infection, foodborne illness, or peptic ulcer. It also occurs in early pregnancy and may be a sign of a mental disorder. If the vomiting lasts more than 24 hours, keeps recurring for more than one month, or contains blood, you should see a doctor.

Serious medical conditions can result in other digestive issues, such as heartburn, belly pain, or difficulty swallowing. If you experience the following symptoms, don't bother asking, "should I go to the doctor?" but just go:

• Chronic constipation

• Persistent diarrhea

• Difficult or painful swallowing

• Unexplained weight loss

• Persistent belly pain

• Refractory heartburn (i.e., heartburn that doesn't respond to treatment)

Talking about digestive issues can be difficult because they are often embarrassing. Nevertheless, they can be a sign of a condition requiring medical treatment.

Head Injury

The characteristics of head injuries include harm to your scalp, skull, or brain. Head injuries can range from mild to moderate to severe. Most people recover from head injuries, and they may not even require treatment if they are mild. However, more severe head injuries can have life-altering consequences because of damage to the brain.

A head injury can cause the bone of the skull to break (fracture), the brain to move around within the skull (concussion), swelling due to a bruise on the brain (contusion), or bleeding that collects and forms a clot (hematoma). The following are symptoms of severe head injury requiring immediate medical attention:

• Dizziness

• Convulsions or seizures

• Stumbling or clumsiness

• Changes in speech or behavior

• Disorientation

• Visual or audio disturbances

• Blood or fluid from the ears

• Loss of consciousness for more than 30 seconds

This is not an exhaustive list of all the possible symptoms of a severe head injury. Essentially, any troubling symptoms that occurred after the injury should be evaluated immediately, especially if they keep getting worse.

We're Here When You Need Us

Ultimately, you know your body best and should rely on your judgment when deciding when to go to the doctor. Doctors of Waikiki provides urgent care and many other medical services as well. There is no need to make an appointment, but you can contact us for more information.

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