What should I do if I have a medical issue?

When You Have a Medical Issue: A Structured Approach

If you develop any medical symptoms or concerns, seek evaluation from a qualified healthcare provider—either through your primary care physician, urgent care, or emergency services depending on symptom severity—rather than attempting self-diagnosis or self-treatment without professional guidance. 1

Immediate Action Required (Emergency Situations)

Contact emergency services (call emergency number) immediately if you experience:

• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or weakness in one part of your body 1, 2
• Slurred speech or facial drooping 1, 2
• Severe vomiting, dehydration, persistent high fever, abdominal distension, or frank blood in stools 1
• Signs suggesting sepsis: confusion, rapid deterioration, severe systemic illness 1
• Difficulty breathing or swelling of face/throat 2
• Vomiting blood or black, tar-like stools 2

Initial Contact with Healthcare Services

Remote Assessment (Phone/Telemedicine)

When contacting healthcare remotely for new symptoms:

• Describe specific symptoms: onset, duration, severity, associated features (fever, confusion, breathlessness) 1
• Mention red flag symptoms: rapid worsening, new confusion, significant breathlessness, inability to manage at home 1
• Expect face-to-face evaluation if: symptoms suggest need for antimicrobials, physical examination is required for diagnosis, or symptoms indicate potential serious illness 1

Important caveat: Remote prescribing of antimicrobials without face-to-face assessment should not be routine practice—if you're ill enough to potentially need antibiotics, you need in-person evaluation. 1

When to Seek Medical Advice

Seek professional medical evaluation if:

• No improvement after 48 hours of symptom onset 1
• Symptoms worsen or your overall condition deteriorates 1
• New symptoms develop: persistent fever, severe pain, neurological changes, bleeding 1
• You have underlying conditions (comorbidities, immunosuppression, frailty) that lower your threshold for complications 1
• Unexplained symptoms persist: fatigue with palpitations/arrhythmias, muscle weakness with visible changes, headaches with visual symptoms 3

Self-Care for Minor, Self-Limiting Conditions

For mild symptoms that can be managed at home (after ruling out serious conditions):

Acute Diarrhea (Adults)

• Maintain fluid intake: water and clear liquids (oral rehydration solutions not necessary for healthy adults) 1
• Eat according to appetite: small, light meals; avoid fatty, spicy, caffeinated foods and dairy products 1
• Loperamide 2 mg: flexible dosing based on loose bowel movements (drug of choice for symptomatic relief) 1
• Seek medical help if: no improvement in 48 hours, fever with bloody stools, severe dehydration 1

Respiratory Infections (Self-Limiting)

• Most acute respiratory infections are self-limiting and can be managed with supportive care 1
• Know expected illness duration and warning signs for deterioration 1
• Arrange face-to-face assessment if: breathlessness, new/increased confusion, inability to manage symptoms at home 1

Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

• NSAIDs (like ibuprofen): use at lowest effective dose for shortest time needed 2
• Do not use NSAIDs for more than 10 days without consulting healthcare provider 2
• Avoid if: history of stomach ulcers, recent heart attack, heart surgery, pregnancy after 20 weeks, aspirin allergy 2

What NOT to Do

• Do not put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear (cotton swabs, hairpins can cause injury) 1
• Do not use ear candles (no evidence of benefit, can cause serious harm) 1
• Do not ignore persistent or worsening symptoms hoping they resolve on their own 1, 4
• Do not self-prescribe antibiotics without proper diagnosis 1
• Do not assume unusual symptoms are "nothing": 10-20% of primary care presentations involve unexplained symptoms requiring evaluation 4

Special Considerations for High-Risk Patients

Lower threshold for seeking care if you have:

• Previous cardiovascular disease, stroke, or peripheral artery disease 1
• Chronic conditions (diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease) 1, 2
• Immunosuppression or frailty 1
• Pregnancy (especially after 20 weeks) 2
• Elderly age, dementia, developmental delays (may not recognize or communicate symptoms) 1

Systematic Symptom Assessment by Healthcare Provider

When you see a healthcare provider, expect evaluation for:

• "Red flags" suggesting serious underlying disease: unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, new neurological symptoms, bleeding 3
• Common treatable causes: anemia, thyroid disorders, cardiac dysfunction, depression, sleep disorders 3
• Laboratory testing when indicated: complete blood count, thyroid function, metabolic panel 3
• Psychosocial factors: depression, anxiety, stress contributing to symptoms 3, 5

Holistic Patient-Centered Approach

Healthcare providers should:

• Assess psychological well-being: attitudes about illness, mood, quality of life, available resources 5
• Screen for distress, depression, anxiety using validated tools 5
• Focus on patient strengths to promote well-being and engagement 5
• Provide community resources and social support information 5
• Consider multidisciplinary referral: physical therapy, psychology, dietetics, sleep specialists, rheumatology as appropriate 3

Key principle: Medical decisions should incorporate both clinical evidence and your personal values, preferences, and circumstances through shared decision-making with your healthcare provider. 1, 5