While seeing a doctor is still very much the best course of action when you are feeling unwell and aren’t sure why, there are certain issues that can be easily dealt with yourself and generally don’t even warrant a visit to your doctor. This article aims to cover a handful of health issues you can deal with yourself and how.
Why You Might Want to Treat Yourself
There are several reasons why you might want to deal with your own health issues rather than going to a doctor for them. The most common is likely convenience. Going to your doctor can be a chore, and if you already know how to care for the issue, then it is quite simply a waste of your and your doctor’s limited time.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are caused by damage to valves within your veins which results in blood flowing backward into the affected area. This causes the veins to bloat and often change color to blue or purple. Affected veins are often twisted and bumpy due to the nature of the swelling.
This issue has symptoms such as:
- aching in the affected area
- muscle cramps
- burning or throbbing
- dry, itchy skin over the affected area
So long as your varicose veins are not causing you pain, you can treat them yourself by taking steps to improve the circulation through the affected area and help the blood pass through. You can do this by exercising regularly; low impact is advisable as it will help to avoid unnecessary strain. Plus, you can boost the circulation through the area by massaging around the veins; however, you need to be careful not to massage the veins directly, as this could cause damage. You need to see a doctor and seek varicose veins treatment if your varicose veins cause you significant discomfort or interrupt your sleeping.
Coughs and Sore Throats
Almost without fail, coughs and sore throats are the result of minor, if unpleasant, illnesses that do not need any kind of treatment by a medical professional. If you start coughing or your throat begins to hurt, you might also feel symptoms such as congestion or a fever. These are all symptoms of common, minor illnesses that you should be fine to treat yourself with over-the-counter medicine such as painkillers and lozenges. Honey is also a good way to help treat a cough and a sore throat. You should see a doctor if you begin to find it hard to breathe or experience chest pains or if the cough has been persistent for more than three weeks.
Headaches
Finally, a headache simply refers to a persistent or extended aching in your head that lasts up to a few hours. This could be caused by a few things, such as dehydration, a cold, or stress.
They are an unpleasant issue to deal with but can generally be easily handled by drinking plenty of water, resting, and using over-the-counter painkillers. You should see a doctor if you have consistent, recurrent headaches, your headaches are not affected by painkillers, and/or your headaches cause you to vomit.
Mia Guerra
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