We all want to have the best health possible. This is what will allow us to lead the happiest and healthiest life that we can, experiencing each day with as little discomfort as possible and fending off issues that could cause us problems or hospitalization down the line. The person who can help you to achieve this? Your doctor. Of course, few of us actually visit the doctor as frequently as we probably should. Instead, when problems with our health arise, we may tend to wave them off or hope that they go away of their own accord. This is silly when there’s a professional out there ready to help. But when should you visit your doctor? Here’s some information to help you make the right decisions.

Injury

When we think of injury, we tend to think of major injury and A&E. Of course, if you experience a significant injury you should head straight to A&E where you can receive the treatment that you need to put things right. Most people do this or someone else will take them there if required. The issue arises at smaller scale injuries that you can continue with around your day to day routine. It’s here that many people choose to avoid medical assistance and hope that things resolve themselves. This is silly. You may struggle to heal or heal in a way that is problematic and needs to be rectified later. Instead, for any injury that causes you pain, you should visit your routine practitioner for support, guidance and help. They may recommend medicine, treatment or therapy to recover brain cells to help, for example.

Illness

You should also visit your doctor when you’re feeling unwell. It can be hard to know the right time to visit, but it would generally be anything other than routine coughs and colds. Even with routine coughs and colds, you should check in if the symptoms haven’t dissipated within a couple of weeks. Your doctor will be able to diagnose the illness and prescribe the medicine required to help you get better.

Changes to Your Body

Our bodies often give warning signs of illness or problems through visible or feelable changes. If you notice any changes to your body, for example a new mole, a mole that has changed size, shape or texture or a lump of any sort anywhere in your body, you should make sure to visit your doctor for a checkup. They’ll be able to determine if it’s okay or not.

Routine Checkups

There are also routine checkups that you should book in with your doctor’s surgery based on factors such as your sex and age. Some examples could include cervical screening, prostate examinations and more. These checkups allow your healthcare professional to check for signs of abnormalities that could be treated sooner rather than later if present. Ask your doctor which checks you need.

Each of these steps can make a huge difference to your health and wellbeing, so make sure to incorporate them into your routine.