What You Should Do About Your Symptoms
Schedule a face-to-face appointment with your primary care provider to discuss your specific symptoms, their impact on your daily life, and any concerns you have—this is the essential first step for proper evaluation and management. 1
Preparing for Your Appointment
Before your visit, you should:
Write down all your symptoms, including when they started, how often they occur, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily activities 1, 2
List all medications you're currently taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal remedies 2
Document any allergies or adverse reactions to medications you've experienced in the past 2
Note your family history of medical conditions, particularly chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes 2
Keep a symptom diary if your symptoms are intermittent—this helps identify patterns and triggers that may not be obvious otherwise 1
What to Discuss During Your Visit
Be prepared to answer specific questions about your symptoms:
- How long have the symptoms lasted? 1
- How severe are they on a scale of 1-10? 1
- Do they interfere with work, sleep, or daily activities? 1
- Have you noticed any triggers or patterns? 1
- What worries or concerns do you have about these symptoms? 1
Discuss the impact on your quality of life, not just the symptoms themselves—this information helps your provider understand the full picture and guides appropriate treatment decisions 1
When to Seek Urgent Care
Arrange immediate face-to-face assessment if you experience:
- New or increased breathlessness or confusion 1
- Symptoms that worsen rapidly or significantly 1
- Signs that could indicate sepsis or serious illness 1
- Symptoms severe enough that you become systemically very unwell 1
Important Considerations
Remote consultations have limitations—if your symptoms are potentially serious enough to require treatment, a face-to-face evaluation should be the standard approach rather than remote prescribing 1
Your provider will consider your overall health context, including any chronic conditions, medications, age, and social circumstances when determining the urgency and type of care you need 1
Expect your provider to explore multiple factors that could be contributing to your symptoms, including physical causes, stress, sleep quality, medications, and lifestyle factors 1
What Happens Next
Your provider may:
- Perform a physical examination focused on your specific symptoms 1
- Order diagnostic tests if indicated by your symptoms and examination findings 1
- Provide explanations about what might be causing your symptoms and discuss management options 1
- Offer treatment recommendations that may include lifestyle modifications, medications, or referrals to specialists 1
- Establish a follow-up plan to monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed 2
The key is not to delay—contact your healthcare provider now to schedule an appointment and begin addressing your symptoms properly. 1