WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

 WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR *

The decision regarding when to see a doctor may vary, depending on whether the visit is for preventive care (routine visits), for medical problems, or for an emergency. Generally, everyone should routinely see their doctor, dentist, and eye doctor for preventive care. Women should routinely see their primary care doctor or gynecologist for gynecologic examinations. People can obtain a schedule of what type of care is required and how often visits are needed from their primary care doctor. Usually, infants and older people need more frequent preventive visits, but frequency also depends on a person’s health conditions. For example, a person with diabetes or a heart disorder (or risk factors for them) may need to have checkups relatively frequently, 

Visits for a problem 

When symptoms or other medical problems develop between preventive visits, people may be unsure whether they need to see a doctor. Many symptoms and problems can be handled at home. For example, most routine colds do not require a doctor’s attention. Many small cuts and abrasions can be handled by first cleaning them with mild soap and water, then applying an antibiotic ointment and a protective covering.

People with certain disorders should see a doctor sooner rather than later when new symptoms develop. For example, if people with a chronic lung disorder (such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) begin to have difficulty breathing or if people with a weakened immune system get a fever, they should see a doctor promptly. The immune system may be weakened by diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, use of chemotherapy drugs, or other conditions. People with chronic disorders should discuss with the doctor in advance what new or changed symptoms should prompt a nonroutine visit.

When unsure about the need to see a doctor or other practitioner, people should call their primary care doctor for guidance. Some doctors can be contacted through an online portal or by e-mail for nonemergency questions. Others prefer to be contacted by telephone. Doctors cannot give all-inclusive guidelines for when to see a doctor and when it is unnecessary because symptoms with the same cause vary too much and symptoms with different causes overlap too much. However, some problems clearly require a call to a health care practitioner.

Everyone gets minor illnesses or injuries that tend to heal on their own, but it can be hard to determine when your symptoms get bad enough to have them checked by a doctor. While you shouldn’t assume the worst right away, monitor what symptoms you’re experiencing and how long they’ve lasted to determine their severity. If you ever are questioning whether to make an appointment for your conditions, call and talk to your primary care provider to talk about your symptoms. To ensure that you stay healthy, be sure to get yearly check-ups and go to follow-up exams.
[5:48 pm, 09/04/2023] Happiness Airtel: DEPRESSION 

Depression is a chronic feeling of emptiness, sadness, or inability to feel pleasure that may appear to happen for no clear reason. It is distinct from grief and other emotions.

It can undermine a person’s relationships, make working and maintaining good health very difficult, and in severe cases, may lead to suicide. In fact, depression contributes to nearly 40,000 suicides in the United States each year.
It can affect adults, adolescents, and children. 

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of joy. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life.
Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job, can trigger depression. But depression is distinct from the negative feelings a person may temporarily have in response to a difficult life event.
Depression often persists in spite of a change of circumstances and causes feelings that are intense, chronic, and not proportional to a person’s circumstances.
It is an ongoing problem, not a passing one. While there are different types of depression, the most common one is major depressive disorder. It consists of episodes during which the symptoms last for at least two weeks.

Depression can last for several weeks, months, or years. For many people, it is a chronic illness that gets better and then relapses.

Is it curable?

While there is no cure for depression, there are effective treatments that help with recovery. The earlier that treatment starts, the more successful it may be. Some people may never experience depression again after a single period of it. Others will continue to have relapses.
Many people experiencing depression recover after a treatment plan. Even with effective treatment, however, a relapse may occur of people do not initially respond to treatment.
To prevent relapse, people who take medication for depression should continue with treatment — even after symptoms improve or go away — for as long as their doctor advises.

Signs and symptoms

Depression can cause a range of psychological and physical symptoms:
* persistent depressed mood
* loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
* changes in appetite and body weight
* unusually slow or agitated movements
* decreased energy or fatigue
* difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
* excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
* difficulty concentrating or making decisions
* thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

What causes depression?
The medical community does not fully understand the causes of depression. There are many possible causes, and sometimes, various factors combine to trigger symptoms.
Factors that are likely to play a role:
* genetic features
* changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels
* environmental factors such as exposure to trauma or lack of social support
* psychological and social factors
* additional conditions, such as bipolar disorder