It’s a fine line between suffering through illness and deciding to seek out medical attention.
There are few things less satisfying than suffering through a waiting room only to be sent home for fluids and proper rest. Other times, it doesn’t matter what interventions you make, the flu just won’t break, or a headache won’t subside, no matter how much time you give it.
So when do you decide to seek out the proper medical attention for a headache and vomiting? Keep reading for some tips to help you decide when to let the illness run its course and when to get some help.
Assess Yourself
It can be really difficult to remain objective about ourselves when suffering from a headache and nausea. The best thing you can do, then, is to give yourself a reasonable window of time in which to recover. If you’re still vomiting after 24 hours, and you haven’t been able to alleviate things through intervention, it may be time to visit the doctor.
While in that window of self-assessment, here’s a list of things you can do to try to hasten your recovery.
- Rest. Getting some rest in a dark room may be all that’s needed for a headache or nausea to run its course.
- Get plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated is essential to good health, especially if you’re suffering from vomiting or diarrhea.
- Get fresh air. The cause of your illness may be environmental. Getting some fresh air may be all that’s needed, even if it’s just laying beside an open window.
- Eat simple foods. Toast with butter or a simple broth is best if you have an upset stomach. This allows you to get needed calories without introducing ingredients that may make you feel worse.
When to Schedule an Appointment
If you’ve given yourself a day or two and followed the above suggestions and you still can’t break the illness, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Be sure to let your doctor know about any attempted interventions, and let them know exactly what symptoms you’re suffering. The more information you can provide them with, the better they can diagnose you.
When to Call 911
There are certain times that you may not be able to wait for an appointment but instead require emergency care. This should only be done in extreme cases, but if you’re in this situation, don’t hesitate to act.
Here are some situations where immediate emergency care is recommended:
- Blurriness or loss of vision
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Blood in your vomit, stool or urine
The above are all serious situations that require immediate action
Headache and Vomiting: Final Thoughts
There’s toughing something out and there’s being irresponsible. Knowing when to seek help and when to let something run its course is a distinction that is specific to each situation.
Using the above guidelines allows you to assess your needs and determine what actions to take when suffering a headache and vomiting.
If you think you may be in need of urgent care, or want more information about the services available visit our site. We offer both scheduled appointments and walk-in care.
Your health is the most important thing you have. Take care of it.