From the Guidelines
You should see a doctor even if your symptoms have resolved on their own previously, as recurrent symptoms could indicate an underlying issue that needs medical attention. While many minor conditions do resolve without intervention, it's crucial to monitor the situation, especially if symptoms are severe, persistent, increasing in frequency, changing in nature, or affecting vital functions like breathing or consciousness. Certain symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe headaches, or unexplained weight loss warrant immediate medical attention regardless of previous occurrences, as suggested by 1. Your doctor can help identify patterns, provide proper diagnosis, and develop a management plan for recurring issues. They might recommend specific medications or treatments based on your particular condition, and can determine if diagnostic tests are needed to rule out serious conditions, such as those outlined in 1.
Some key considerations when deciding whether to seek medical care include:
- The severity and frequency of symptoms
- Any changes in the nature of symptoms
- The impact of symptoms on daily life and vital functions
- Previous medical history and any underlying conditions
- The presence of any "red flag" symptoms that require immediate attention, as discussed in 1 and 1
It's also important to note that early intervention often leads to better health outcomes and can prevent complications, as emphasized in 1. By seeking medical care, you can work with your doctor to develop a plan to manage your symptoms and prevent future episodes. Ultimately, it's always better to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention if you're unsure about the cause or severity of your symptoms.
From the FDA Drug Label
Stop use and ask doctor if • pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days • fever gets worse or lasts more than 3 days • new symptoms occur • redness or swelling is present These could be signs of a serious condition.
If your symptoms have occurred before and resolved on their own, but you're experiencing them again, it's still important to be cautious. If you notice any of the following:
- worsening symptoms
- new symptoms
- redness or swelling you should see a doctor. Even if your symptoms have resolved on their own in the past, it's always best to err on the side of caution and consult a doctor if you're unsure 2.
From the Research
Symptoms Resolving on Their Own
- If you've experienced symptoms before that resolved on their own, it's essential to consider the nature of those symptoms and whether they are similar to what you're experiencing now 3, 4.
- Research suggests that primary care physicians may miss important patient information in their initial interactions with patients, which could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis 3.
- A study found that a diagnosis that agreed with the one finally accepted was made after reading the referral letter and taking the history in 66 out of 80 new patients, highlighting the importance of a thorough medical history 4.
Importance of Medical History
- The medical history is a crucial component of diagnosis, with one study finding that it led to the final diagnosis in 61 patients (76%) out of 80 medical outpatients with new or previously undiagnosed conditions 5.
- Another study emphasized the importance of the history and physical examination in the detection of acute coronary syndromes, although it noted that these alone are unable to reduce a patient's risk of ACS to a generally acceptable level [<1%) 6.
Seeking Medical Attention
- Given the complexity of diagnosis and the potential for symptoms to be indicative of underlying conditions, it's generally recommended to seek medical attention if you're experiencing symptoms that are unfamiliar, persistent, or severe, even if similar symptoms have resolved on their own in the past 6, 5.
- Primary care providers often support annual physical examinations as a means to detect subclinical illness and improve patient-physician relationships, although evidence on their effectiveness is mixed 7.