Searching for "Medical Symptoms"? Do Not Waste Your Time!

Address all symptoms with your healthcare provider – a medical physician, first. After s/he has listened to your description of what is bothering you, an examination will be done, along with any necessary tests.

Why do I feel so strongly about this? Because sometimes, even I can not understand my own symptoms!

There have been times when I was surprised about the true diagnosis. That’s because I did not have the advantage of lab tests, x-rays or other tests to make an accurate assessment. Knowing my medical symptoms was not nearly enough information.

Here’s another reason: men often know right away when they are having a heart attack. Women do not always know.

Why? Because her medical symptoms may not be typical. She may feel pain between her shoulder blades. Or, more unusual, one woman was unable to sleep because her left thumb was aching. It was a definite heart attack!

It is true that some symptoms have an obvious diagnosis. But have you ever tried to call a hospital or doctor about symptoms? No one can diagnose you without seeing you and doing an exam. It can not be done over the phone usually and you will be encouraged to make an appointment or seek emergency care.

After you have been evaluated, diagnosed and treated by a physician, then and only then should you go on the internet to educate yourself about the condition.

Ladies, after age 40 please take your health seriously. Our bodies are changing and aging. We no longer have the body of a 20-year old.

When you feel symptoms, see your healthcare provider. Of course s/he may say “It’s nothing to worry about.” But this should make you feel much better than trying to diagnose yourself on the internet. I think this is very unwise and dangerous.

If you have a serious problem and procrastinate, everyone will ask why you waited so long. Do you really want to respond “because I looked up my symptoms on the internet and didn’t think I needed to see a doctor”?

Our bodies were created with built-in warning systems. Medical symptoms are a sign that something is wrong. If you are worried or frightened or in pain and your usual home remedies are not working, get professional help! And do not wait for days, weeks or months. By then it may be too late. Better safe than sorry.

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