Heed Symptoms of Serious Conditions

Instead of running to the doctor for every achy pain, I sometimes wait until Mr. Blackburn says something like, “Sweetheart, I really think we need to take you to see the doctor.” Waiting a little too long to tend to something persistent is how I recently ended up in the ER, where I gratefully received three well-placed, miraculously effective injections into my neck (one into the splenius capitis, and two into a couple of different locations in the upper trapezius). If I hadn’t waited so long, I might’ve felt better much sooner. Of course, I had my reasons for procrastination: other appointments that were pressing, had to take the grandkids home, I have responsibilities at work, etc… Besides, my provider is on vacation. I didn’t want to be another one of the summer or weekend ER visitors, either (among those with heat-exhaustion, water-related injuries, alcohol/drug overdoses, and people with reactions to severe sunburn or insect bites). Going to the doctor is generally inconvenient, neck pain aside. We all have our reasons for putting off going to the doctor. Most of the time, it’s not that big of a deal. We’re a little late for an annual checkup, or behind on getting that flu shot. It’s not a matter of life or death, usually. Sometimes, it is. That’s why it’s important to recognize what can wait and what can’t, even if seeking medical help is inconvenient. Be educated and aware so you can make good judgement calls regarding things like signs and symptoms of a heart attack; signs of a stroke; difficulty breathing; heavy bleeding; burns that are open, charred, or that result from inhalation, burns that cover a large area or that are on the hands, face, feet, or genitals; any possible injuries due to a motor vehicle accident; poisoning or suspected poisoning (always call the Poison Control Center 800-222-1222 for advice); symptoms of a severe allergic reaction; shock; sudden and severe pain; vomiting blood or coughing up a relatively large amount of blood; and sudden, severe worsening of any serious chronic disorder, like asthma or diabetes. Going to the ER for less serious problems is sometimes appropriate when your primary care provider is unavailable during weekends or nighttime hours. The above list is not intended to be all-encompassing or complete. It’s for informational purposes only, doesn’t constitute medical advice and isn’t intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you don’t know the signs and symptoms of the listed conditions, it would be wise to become familiar. William James said “The essence of genius is knowing what to overlook.” I suggest the essence of wisdom is recognizing what’s important and giving it proper attention.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Life Cycles

Like the cycles of freedom and bondage experienced ages before Polybius wrote his theories of benign and malignant governments, we continue to cycle today, even thousands of years later. Generations, societies, governments and the governed cycle. Even the earth cycles as it spins through day and night, revolving through seasons and years over millennia and eons of time. Cycles are a theme of living things; growth and decline. We struggle for growth and cycle through periods of accomplishment and strength then ease and weakness. Time spent at ease leads to weakness; a very natural part of the living cycle. This is true for the body, both physical and metaphysical. Among my close friends, I would say this is true for both the body and the spirit. The phenomenon manifests in societies of all sizes, from that of the United States to those the size of the average American family. Around and around we go from weak to strong to weak; from poor to rich to poor. Generation after generation; hum...
Read more

Handprint on My Heart

A treasured friend told me today that I’ve left my handprint upon her heart (she quoted a line from a song she heard on the way to SWEAT with me, and said it spoke to her of me). Of course, I felt a welling of emotion. She’s left her handprint upon mine, too. That’s what we do in this life, isn’t it (if we do it right)? We leave our marks upon each other, upon the rising generation, upon the land, upon whatever it may be that will remember us when we’re gone… As I write, I’m sitting in the room with my mother-in-law, as her breathing grows increasingly shallow by the hour and her feeble heart grows tired of beating. Her body is aged and failing. She’s lived a long and wonderful life. Not only did she bring six boys and a daughter into this world, but she raised them in the hills, on a farm, in a little two-room cabin, with no modern utilities. She raised happy children and happy grandchildren who were, and ever will be honored to call her mother. She did it right. This fine lady has le...
Read more

...and the truth shall make you free...

I used to contribute to my little hometown paper. After a new editor and I failed to see eye to eye on a small handful of issues, we decided I don’t contribute to the paper anymore. That’s OK. We all have boundaries. In the process of the break up, I came to appreciate the power of the press more than I had before. Both my parents had worked in the newspaper industry (my mom as a typesetter/printer and my dad as a linotype operator, before the days of computerization), and I figured I had a healthy respect for the creation, description and dissemination of the facts. When news was not news, but opinion, it was clearly labeled just that: opinion. Before recently, I hadn’t considered the ‘responsibility’ of the editor to tell readers what they’re reading before they read it, via the headline (nor the possibility that editors or publishers in small-town America might be in the business of propaganda). A headline not only summarize a piece, but can easily influence the opinions of readers...
Read more