With all that is happening around the world today, every symptom that a person feels can make them anxious. Unlike how it was a couple of years ago when you could easily walk in for private health checks, the mere thought of going to a health facility, where the risk of getting infected by the dreaded virus is higher, can keep you from leaving your home.

But how do you know when it’s time actually to see a doctor? After all, you don’t want to risk your health by going to a clinic without a good reason, but at the same time, you wouldn’t want to risk compromising your health if your symptoms are serious and you didn’t go. 

To help you make the right decision, here are some symptoms that tell you a trip to the clinic is in order:

1. Unexplained or Sudden Weight Loss

For many people who are on the heavier side, weight loss seems to be elusive. You might feel like no matter how hard you exercise or how strict your diet is, you can hardly shed those unwanted pounds.

But if you suddenly notice that you are dropping weight even when you hardly make changes in your lifestyle, that’s not a blessing but actually a cause for concern. You should quickly schedule a checkup with your physician because it could be issues related to digestive problems, infections, or something worse like an undiagnosed cancer.

2. Unbearable Chest Pains

You’ve seen it, you’ve heard about it, and you’ve certainly read about it––chest pains should always be taken seriously. You shouldn’t wait for that dramatic scene like you see on TV where someone collapses on the floor during a heart attack. But it’s not always like that. Sometimes, a heart failure is due to oxygen deprivation, and individuals might feel like something heavy is sitting on their chest.

If you’re feeling some chest pain, whether or not they’re accompanied by pain in either arm, heavy sweating, or breathlessness, you must not wait any longer. Call 911 immediately to address the problem because every second counts when it comes to heart problems!

3. A Cough That Won’t Go Away

The immune system works hard to drive out viruses and bacteria from the body to protect the lungs and other organs. However, if your cough has been persistent for weeks, it’s time to see the doctor.

Today, especially when the COVID-19 is such a threat to everyone’s health, you need to take coughs seriously because they are among the most common symptoms of the virus. In this case, you might have to be tested for the virus. If it’s not, it can still be something serious like pneumonia, so you should definitely be checked by your physician if you’ve been coughing for a while.

4. Yellowing Skin

If you notice that your skin is looking yellow, don’t wait too long and see your healthcare provider immediately––it could be a sign of jaundice. You might also have a liver problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Along with yellowing skin, if you have jaundice, you’ll probably notice itchy skin, darker pee, and light clay-coloured poo.

Conclusion

At this point, you now know four symptoms that warrant a visit to your doctor. In the second part of this article, we’ll share more signs that you should look out for, so make sure that you see it, too. Symptoms like losing weight fast, persistent coughing, chest pains, and yellowing skin definitely tell you to visit a private doctor and be thoroughly checked. As such, if you notice any of this, set an appointment with a trusted physician so that the problem can be addressed immediately!

If you are looking for a private clinic in Orpington, choose H Williams & Associates. Our team of doctors can perform a thorough check of your health in a COVID-safe facility. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!