Should You or Shouldn’t You Visit the Medical Clinic?

Have you ever wondered whether or not you should bother going to a hospital or medical clinic? Even with insurance, high co-payments may be a burden, or taking time off work can really cut into your finances. But it isn’t always safe to nurse your ills at home, but there’s nothing more aggravating than spending a day in the waiting room only to be told to take two aspirins and call in the morning. There are some ways you can better assess whether or not you should stick with a tissue box and the couch or see a doctor. 

Time
How long symptoms are present can be a good gauge of the seriousness of the problem. Food poisoning, common colds, mild allergic reactions, and other generally non-threatening viruses rarely have strong symptoms that will last longer than one to three days. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, sneezing, and coughing that begin to diminish after two days generally won’t require help from a specialist or intervention at a medical clinic. Anything that lasts longer than three days, or has symptoms that continually increase in severity, may require professional assistance. Certain symptoms, such as blood in stool or vomit, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, or severe dehydration could be signs of something life-threatening, making an emergency visit crucial. 

Injury
Do you need stitches or a cast? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. A good rule of thumb is that if the edges of your skin are spread wide and appear not to be able to touch with any ease, you might need stitches. If bleeding is excessive and cannot be staunched over a reasonable length of time, you should rush to a medical clinic or emergency room. Additionally, if an object becomes lodged in the skin, such as a needle or scissors, an infection could develop, which is a good reason to visit the doctor even if the wound is not that serious. Animal bites that break the skin also will require the assistance of a doctor or nurse. If you are unsure whether a bone is broken or merely sprained, try immobilizing the area, elevating it, and applying ice. If the pain is excessive or the swelling does not begin to subside, it would be wise to go to the hospital for treatment. 

Discomfort
Even though your symptoms may not be that serious, extended discomfort should be addressed at a medical clinic or urgent care. There are many problems that require antibiotics to clear, and when left untreated, can dramatically worsen. One common example is a urinary tract or yeast infection. Initially, these infections are unpleasant, but not enough to have a dramatic impact on daily activities. In some instances they will clear up on their own accord, but if symptoms worsen, persist for longer than a week, or begin to cause more discomfort, you will require a course of antibiotics to help you overcome the infection and prevent it from spreading. Other constant sources of discomfort such as stomach acid or pains, general aches, or rashes should also be addressed by a doctor after an extended period.