With the health crisis still very much on the rampage, local lockdowns and tight socialization restrictions remain in most locations. This has led to changes in the way we do near enough everything, from food shopping to eating out and, as we’ll discuss here, seeking medical care.
This latter point is hardly surprising in a world where healthcare providers are pushed to a breaking point. Not wanting to be a burden, many people are waiting for things to ease before seeking medical care. Immediate emergencies such as broken bones or profuse bleeding are, of course, still landing many of us in A&E. But, if we think an issue can wait, most of us are holding off while in lockdown.
Sadly, experts predict that this lack of action is going to cause escalating health problems on every level. As such, aside from skipping your next dental checkup (just this once!), you should never hesitate to seek the care you deserve.
Most notably, the following health complaints are sure signs that you should call a healthcare provider already. They won’t be mad at you, we promise!
Mental decline
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the pandemic is causing real mental health ripples. Countless clinics are already at capacity and preparations are being made for further increases. After all, you can’t restrict people’s movements or livelihoods without expecting some mental repercussions. People living alone are certainly liable to take a mental hit right now.
While you might think that you’re saving the system by holding off calling up about your blue mood, then, you may actually end up exacerbating an already pushed service. After all, mental health escalates if left unchecked. By contacting a professional the moment you start feeling down, you may find that talking therapies or similar are enough to keep you out of the clinic later on.
Hearing loss
While an afterthought for many, hearing matters a great deal not just on a practical level, but for everything from balance through to cognitive functioning. As such, anyone who’s noticed signs of hearing loss during lockdown needs to take action and fast. Even if it seems like no big deal, increasingly struggling to hear your television or family members suggests a progressive problem. Wait until after lockdown, and you may well find that it’s too late to prevent permanent damage.
Toothache
As mentioned above, missing the odd dental checkup right now isn’t the end of the world. In fact, many dentists aren’t offering routine appointments. But, none of this means that you should suffer in silence if you’re experiencing a toothache.
The fact is that a bad tooth can be incredibly painful, making delays terrible news on all levels. Worse, failure to take action could lead to abscesses and infections that mean further work is necessary, again putting even more strain on your dentist than if you had just called up in the first place. So, without further ado, book that appointment when niggles start. That way, the cure should be relatively easy (and quick) to come by.
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