Experiencing health issues occasionally is normal. However, if the issues and symptoms persist for more than two weeks or more or start affecting your quality of life, it may be time to go to the doctor.
Atlanta has been ranked as one of the fittest cities in the US. And the city also has some of the best healthcare facilities. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its fair share of health problems. Residents of Atlanta suffer from several issues, such as influenza, bacterial infections, diabetes, and more.
Overall, health issues are common everywhere. But, early intervention can help detect any serious conditions before they progress. So, it is recommended to seek medical advice if you experience any distressing symptoms to keep your health in check.
Signs You Should See a Doctor
Here are some symptoms and signs you should make a doctor’s appointment right away.
- Sudden Chest Pain
If you ever experience sudden, intense chest pain that doesn’t go away, it is necessary to go to the doctor right away. Chest pain, along with other symptoms such as rapid breathing, nausea, dizziness, or disorientation, can be a sign of cardiovascular disease, a common health problem in Georgia. However, chest pain can also be a symptom of other, less serious issues.
Regardless, receiving medical attention at the right moment allows you to manage such diseases easily with the help of medication and other treatment methods. You can also look into functional medicine in Atlanta as a way to cope with your health issues.
Functional medicine focuses on getting to the root cause of an illness instead of just keeping the symptoms at bay. After getting your diagnosis, you can visit a functional medicine center, where medical professionals will help create a personalized treatment plan just for you.
- Sudden Weight Loss
If you want to lose a few pounds, then unexpected weight loss might be a dream come true. However, losing around 5% or more of your body weight in 6 to 12 months without making any effort can be a sign of an underlying condition.
Consequently, if you notice yourself losing weight without making any changes to your diet or exercise plan, it is recommended to see a doctor right away. Unexpected or sudden weight loss can be a sign of thyroid issues, diabetes, or digestive issues. It can also be a sign of psychological issues such as depression or anxiety.
- Respiratory Issues
While respiratory symptoms may just be a sign of flu, they may be a sign of an underlying condition if they persist for a long time. Some respiratory symptoms you should keep an eye out for include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and excessive mucus. It is necessary to get medical attention right away, especially if you experience fever and fatigue as well. If your symptoms persist for two weeks or more, they may be a sign of pneumonia or bronchitis.
- A Cold that Doesn’t Go Away
Everyone gets the common cold once in a while, and it is often treatable with home remedies and over-the-counter medications. If your cold persists for two weeks or longer, it can be a sign of whooping cough or a sinus infection.
However, if your cold symptoms start worsening and are accompanied by chest pain, loss of taste and smell, and shortness of breath, it may be a sign of COVID-19. So, it is recommended to go for a checkup right away and take necessary precautions. You can also take home tests, which are 80% accurate, if you fear that you might have COVID-19.
- Problems with Your Vision
Some vision issues, such as weak eyesight, are common, especially as you get older. However, they are easily manageable. On the other hand, sudden and persistent changes in your vision may be a sign of something more.
If you experience problems like blurred vision, dry eyes, floaters, loss of peripheral vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes, it is necessary to get medical attention right away. Bright flashes, along with spots/floaters in your vision, may be a sign of retinal detachment. Loss of peripheral vision may be a sign of optic nerve atrophy.
- A Change in Bowel Movements
You might experience a change in bowel movements due to many reasons, most of which are harmless. For instance, you might have eaten something rotten, or it may even be due to a location change. However, persistent and distressing digestive symptoms can be a sign of something more serious. It is recommended to get medical attention if you experience black stools, persistent diarrhea, constipation, or pain while going to the bathroom.
It is important to remember that digestive issues are quite common. In fact, 60 to 70 million people suffer from a digestive illness in the US. Identifying and treating the problem can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Issues Due to a New Medication
New medications can often cause side effects. Although these side effects are manageable and sometimes temporary, it is recommended to go to your doctor if the side effects persist. Your doctor can help identify whether your symptoms are really a side effect of the medication and prescribe you a new one as well. You can also discuss any possible side effects with your doctor before starting a new medication to keep an eye out for them.
- Abdominal or Pelvic Pain
Occasional stomach aches are nothing to worry about and usually go away on their own. However, sudden, extreme pain in your abdomen or pelvic area, which keeps on worsening, may be a sign of something else.
Sudden abdominal pain, accompanied by vomiting, may be a sign of gallstones. Moreover, extreme pelvic pain, especially on the right side, might be a sign of appendicitis. It is necessary to go to the hospital right away if you experience any pain in either of these areas.
Concluding Thoughts
Everyone experiences issues with their health now and then. You may experience such problems due to a busy schedule, stress, or an unhealthy lifestyle. While some problems are easily manageable, some require medical attention. A good rule of thumb is to visit your doctor if any symptoms last for two weeks or more. While it may not necessarily be something serious, it is better to get a checkup and treat any issues before they get out of hand.
