A family doctor is a type of physician that is trained to care for all members of the family, regardless of age or gender. If you are married and have children, having everyone in the family see one particular doctor can be advantageous. Not only will a family doctor have a good grasp on your entire family's medical history, they can refer you and your family members to a specialist if necessary.
Most people see their doctor on a regular basis for routine checkups, but there are other times it may be necessary to see your family doctor.
1. You're Experiencing Abnormal Symptoms
If you have a medical condition, it may be completely normal to experience certain symptoms. However, if you have a sudden onset of unexplainable symptoms, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor. It should be noted that some symptoms, such as chest pain, are more emergent than others and usually require a trip to the emergency room.
Here are some non-emergent symptoms for which you should see your doctor:
- Low grade fever that lasts several days
- Constant headaches
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
In most instances, these symptoms will not indicate that you have anything serious, but the earlier a diagnosis can be made, the easier the symptoms are to treat.
2. You Feel Unusually Depressed
If you are feeling depressed, there may be many reasons for it. Maybe you are still getting over the loss of a loved one or a beloved pet. Or it might simply be due to lack of sunlight and not getting enough Vitamin D. However, if you're feeling unusually depressed and can't really explain why, it might be time to see your doctor.
In order to determine if you need to seek medical help, here are some more signs to look for:
- You're no longer interested in things you once enjoyed
- You're experiencing changes in sleep patterns
- You feel too tired to do anything
Depression is a serious condition, but your doctor can help you find an effective form of treatment.
3. You Have a Noticeable Change in Your Body
If you are an older woman, you may be experiencing changes in your body that indicate you are reaching menopause. When changes like this occur, it's a good idea to see your doctor as you may need certain types of treatment that can help ease the symptoms.
If your spouse or children are going through changes, it's recommended they see the family doctor as well so that any problems or abnormalities can be caught early on.
Share