The advent of telehealth has led to some spectacular advances in how medical professionals treat certain conditions. The convenience and accessibility of these services mean anyone can receive basic healthcare quickly, from the convenience of home, without the need to physically travel to another location. Through the use of telehealth/telemedicine, affordable care is only a phone call away. Telemedicine is ideal for treating many common and chronic illnesses. Just remember that if you have an emergency or life-threatening situation, head to the ER. Without further ado, here are five ailments online doctors are able to treat effectively through telemedicine services.
Colds and the flu
Getting a cold or flu is unavoidable. For some, it’s just part of the cold season. But getting it treated doesn’t require visiting a doctor physically. Instead, it’s better and more convenient to have it treated through telemedicine. When a case of sniffles strikes, all patients need to do is book an appointment and discuss it with their online doctor. The doctor will ask pointed, targeted questions to determine a diagnosis. Then they’ll discuss the treatment you can do yourself. If medicine or antibiotics are needed, they can easily prescribe them remotely. Colds and cases of flu are incredibly common and are often treated easily with some bedrest, staying hydrated, taking cold medicine, and various other methods your doctor might prescribe.
UTI’s
Although it might seem strange, doctors can treat urinary tract infections online just as well as they can in an office. Some people prefer to treat UTIs online because they can do so at their own convenience, with more privacy. It’s also easier because they don’t have to worry about making an appointment or physically travelling to a doctor’s office or Urgent Care to get treatment. During the consultation, your doctor will ask pertinent questions about symptoms, the length of time you’ve been dealing with the issue, and current treatments. Then they’ll work with you to create a tailored treatment plan. This might involve medication, and antibiotics, drinking more water/cranberry juice, or even being referred to a specialist. Typically, UTIs can be easily treated with antibiotics, which are quite effective (and something you can get a prescription for online).
Anxiety
Anxiety is a serious problem for many people today. It can come from nowhere, strike unexpectedly, and render the simplest daily activities a nightmare for some. Thanks to the marvel of teletherapy and telemedicine, anxiety can be treated from the safety of one’s own home. The best way to treat anxiety is with cognitive behavioural therapy, which has been shown to work extremely well for most forms of anxiety. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps patients learn how to identify and manage negative thoughts/emotions. Doing so helps them cope with anxiety and live more comfortably with it. Regular sessions with an online doctor or therapist can be quite beneficial for those struggling with anxiety, in addition to numerous online resources.
Sinus infections
Dealing with sinus infections is a pain in the neck for most of us. Whether they’re bacterial or viral, a sinus infection is nothing to trifle with at any time of year. Often worse around certain seasons (we’re looking at you, Autumn!), sinus infections can make anyone’s day worse. Characterised by post-nasal drip, swelling of the sinuses, cold-like symptoms, and awful headaches, they’re a veritable force of nature. Fortunately, consulting an online doctor can offer some reprieve from a sinus infection. Virtual doctor visits are ideal for treating them because they can treat and prescribe medicine for a sinus infection through remote consultation. You don’t have to leave the house and can stay in bed resting while the doctor treats you from their office. It’s a safe, convenient, and effective method for getting the care you need promptly.
Insomnia
Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, causes sleepless nights and untold misery to millions of unlucky people each year. An online doctor might decide to treat insomnia in a few different ways. They might prefer you to tell a therapist to help talk you through what might be causing you insomnia. In this case, the therapist might employ cognitive behavioural therapy to determine the root cause of insomnia. In other cases, the doctor will discuss lifestyle habits and other contributing factors that might be causing your lack of sleep. Insomnia can be a rough condition to deal with, but fortunately, it’s possible to treat it conveniently via telemedicine thanks to the advances in communication technology over the past 10 years.
Adam Mulligan did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
