Our bodies work in myriad and sometimes even mysterious ways, and not everyone is comfortable talking about the natural processes we all experience. However, it’s also true that sometimes a medical issue can affect us in ways we’re not proud of or happy with. This might sometimes cause you to limit your outreach when you really should feel no shame at all, and could benefit massively from medical care.
If it’s an emergency, it’s important to go to your closest hospital immediately. But if you’re managing a condition alone, it’s easy to continue to stay insular and hope it clears up on its own. That’s not the best approach to take, however.
In this post, we’ll discuss some better routes you can take to ensure a healthier outcome, even if you’re a little embarrassed about the medical symptoms you’re experiencing and their affect on your daily life. With that in mind, let’s begin:
Be Cautious Regarding User Forums
While there’s a sense of community and comfort in knowing others have gone through something similar you’re not happy with, these threads aren’t always grounded in fact, and they rarely offer context that’s actually useful. You might see someone mention a side effect from a medication and suddenly feel nervous about something your own doctor recommended, or you could read a worst-case scenario that sends your anxiety pounding. Be mindful regarding user forums and only pay attention to those with verified sources or written by the health body, at times like this you need more clarity and less complexity.
Consider Over-the-Counter Comforts
There’s no shame in walking into a pharmacy and browsing the shelves for a little help, especially when you’re not quite sure whether you’re at the point of needing a doctor just yet. After all, you likely just want a bit of relief from something annoying but not urgent, like dry skin, a mild allergy, maybe a rash that’s been sticking around longer than you’d like. Pharmacies are well-equipped for this kind of thing, and the good news is that staff are usually trained enough to help you find something that doesn’t require a full-on consultation, and they know how to keep confidential.
Speak To Your Online Doctor In Non-Emergencies
If you’re still dealing with symptoms or you’re just not sure whether something needs further treatment, getting in touch with an online doctor isn’t a bad idea. These services are especially helpful when you’re trying to avoid the fuss of booking in-person appointments or maybe dealing with a long waitlist to even be see, and they’re often set up to be more discreet, too. That can really help when you’re embarrassed or feel like your issue might be trivial, even if it isn’t. You can ask questions without worry there, get advice, and even be prescribed medication without stepping outside your home, though remember, seek emergency help if you need that.
With this advice, we hope you can feel more secure even if you’re embarrassed about any medical symptoms you’re going through.