When Should You Call a Doctor Immediately
Most people do not take our health seriously, but that can be a life-changing decision. Neglecting health concerns can be harmful to you and your loved ones. Furthermore, in emergency cases, every moment is very crucial, and having expert supervision with a doctor on call is a go-to solution for receiving high-quality care quickly and easily.
Medical conditions or emergencies may happen to anyone; we can’t see it coming, and no one expects to be in a situation like that. However, in the worst-case scenario, one may require immediate medical attention, and that too with a healthcare professional. Although some cases might be treated at home, the majority of the situations need to be administered under professional medical observation.
Need of A Doctor on Call
With the modernization of technology and other fields, the medical industry has also evolved not just in terms of medical equipment and treatments but also in terms of service offerings. As there is a massive increase in population, the need for healthcare services has also increased.
Conventional medical centers and newly started medical facilities have initiated home healthcare facilities, in which a medical professional can visit your home without you needing to leave your home to seek medical attention and specialized care.
There may be several circumstances when you may need healthcare, whether in an emergency situation, a follow-up checkup, or when treating minor injuries. A doctor at home can provide medical assistance any time of the day without the hassle of dedicated appointment hours. They offer tailored medical advice, perform diagnoses, and identify conditions if urgent treatment or care is needed.
Read also: Factors Influencing Doctor-Patient Relationship in Online Health Communities
8 Situations to Call a Doctor Immediately
For your assistance in getting first-class medical treatment at your desired place and time, we have come up with the situations in which you should acquire a doctor on call.
- Severe Chest Pain
If you or any of your loved ones experience severe pain in the chest, then you must call a doctor immediately. For your information, severe chest pain along with complaints of breath, nausea, and unusual sweating are major signs of a heart attack. Cardiovascular diseases can be life-threatening and cannot be neglected in any case. In this type of situation, visiting a medical center can be daunting, but you can call a doctor at your place, considering the severity of the medical condition.
- Shortness of Breath
Nowadays, we have put aside physical activity, and our focus is more on consuming rather than checking whether the diet is suitable for our health. This may lead to several disorders, including shortness of breath. Difficulty in breathing is generally the consequence of allergies, obesity, and chronic diseases like asthma. If you feel sudden shortness of breath or breathing issues, it might be a sign of a respiratory disorder derived from a medical condition, and in that case, you just need to get medical attention from a healthcare professional. An on-call doctor is the best choice for situations like these.
- Severe Headache
The most common medical condition is severe headache. There are multiple underlying causes of headaches, such as dehydration, anxiety, high blood pressure, lack of sleep, fatigue, a head injury, or consumption of alcohol. In case you or your loved one experiences a high-intensity headache, you must call a doctor at your place rather than putting yourself in the hassle of visiting a crowded medical center. If it’s left untreated or there are any kind of delays, it can lead to complex disorders and even take one’s life.
- High Fever
Body temperature can indicate many medical conditions, and in case of high fever, it may cause serious damage to one’s health. Especially in children, having a high fever is concerning and can lead to many other disorders. High fever is usually caused by infections, dehydration, heatstroke, and flu. Someone showing signs of stiff neck, seizures, and confusion may have a higher temperature than usual. It is an indication to consult to a medical professional to arrive at your place immediately to provide instant medical treatment and essential medications.
- Allergic Reactions
You might not know, but allergic reactions can be life-threatening if not treated timely. Allergies like anaphylaxis can cause death. However, there are several symptoms of allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, swollen throat, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and hives. If you are having any of these symptoms or you are already allergic to something and your allergy is getting severe, you should quickly contact a doctor by phone to reach your place and provide specialized healthcare.
- Injuries or Accidents
No one has an intention to get injured or engage in an accident. However, injuries might happen all of a sudden to any of us, like getting into a car accident, a severe wound, or minor cuts. In these circumstances, it is the best decision to call a doctor to visit your residence so that you don’t have to put yourself under the stress of traveling and waiting to get treated.
- Numbness or Weakness
Feeling slight weakness can be an everyday thing, but severe weakness in the body and numbness in a specific body part, like in the upper or lower limbs, face, and neck, are not normal. This unexpected medical condition can be due to any particular ailment, which might require a doctor’s consultation without any delays.
- Pain in Abdomen
If you experience intense pain in your stomach or abdominal area, along with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or blood in stool, then that’s a medical condition that needs to be discussed immediately with a medical professional or gastroenterologist. Getting instant treatment can prevent the situation from worsening and save from any further complexities that may occur if not treated in a timely manner.
The Final Words
Knowing when to book a doctor on call is very crucial to getting early treatment and keeping your health up to the mark. What’s better is that you can receive the utmost care in the comfort of your home; this way, you can save time traveling and waiting for your turn, and in an emergency, it can help avoid any significant losses. Timely care is better than regret, so you can consider the above situations in order to find when you need a doctor at your doorstep the most.