A prevalent habit among many people is the tendency to self diagnose physical ailments and even decide the course of treatment, often without the help of a professional. While this may work in the short term, it is essential to visit different types of physicians every once in a while to ensure you are always in the pink of health.

Here are 9 vital signs you should visit the physician:

  1. You have chronic lower back pain: While it is common to experience lower back pain due to physical activity, you should see a doctor if it persists for a long time. Tingling down one leg or pain can indicate sciatica, herniated disk and such issues.
  2. Your cold has been going on for a long time: Colds are extremely common and typically flush out of your body in about three weeks. If you continue to experience symptoms like a studded nose, persistent cough, scratchy throat, etc., the virus could be more dangerous.
  3. Your vision is interrupted by bright visions: It would be best to get it checked out if you experience sudden, bright lights in your vision with no apparent causes (like migraines). This can indicate a retinal detachment or other issues that can lead to permanent vision loss.
  4. You are losing weight suddenly with no apparent reason: Fluctuations in body weight are normal, but if you see a sudden change, do see a physician. This kind of bodily change can be associated with liver diseases, thyroid, diabetes or other problems.
  5. You have a very high fever: If you have a high fever (of around 102°C) that has lasted more than three days, make an appointment to see your doctor. This could be a more serious infection instead of a common fever.
  6. You suffer abrupt, intense headaches: Pressures of everyday life are bound to give you a headache or two regularly but if you feel shooting pains coming on that seem unfamiliar, call your doctor. This could result from head trauma, a concussion or other types of cognitive deterioration.
  7. You often find yourself short of breath: If you are experiencing shortness of breath that is not a result of any physical activity, high altitudes or high temperatures, do see your doctor at once. Difficulty in breathing is a defining symptom in asthma, bronchitis, etc.
  8. You are unable to sleep: A consistent inability to sleep can result from anxieties, depression or even unconscious stress. Or, it could even be connected to another physical condition, but either way, your doctor will point you in the right direction.
  9. You notice an unusual change in bowel or urinary movements: Notice any spontaneous changes in your movements, ranging from excess urination, diarrhea, constipation, etc. and consult a doctor if any issues stand out.

Keeping these in mind, it is essential to remember that a trip to different types of physicians is always a worthy one. Take a look at the AUAMED website for more medicinal tidbits of information!