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50+ symptoms your doctor wants to know about

Blog
10/29/25
People get minor aches, pains and infections from time to time. While some symptoms may go away on their own with rest and home treatment, it’s important to watch for those that could signal something more serious.

It can be hard to know what symptoms require medical treatment. If symptoms are severe, prolonged or concerning in general, it’s a good idea to contact a physician.

Here’s what to know about a few common symptoms, and when to seek medical help.

This article is for adults who are generally healthy. Those caring for an infant or who have chronic conditions or weakened immune systems may need different care and should speak with their primary care provider for personalized advice.

When should you see a doctor for a fever?

Fever occurs when the body temperature goes above 100.4° Fahrenheit. It’s usually not due to a serious medical concern. The body raises its temperature to fight infection.

Children often get fevers when they’re young, especially when starting daycare, and it’s typical for adults to get them from time to time, too, as they fight off colds or the flu.

It’s important to keep an eye on the fever and other symptoms. People should try to contact a physician if they experience any of the following or the fever also comes with additional symptoms, such as:

  • Daily fever for more than 5 days
  • Swollen glands in the neck
  • The fever goes away and comes back
  • Lethargy
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • A persistent cough
  • Unexpected weight loss
  • Night sweats that are new for you
  • Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting (if you have abdominal pain that is severe with a fever, go to the emergency room)
  • A rash or red streak on the skin
  • Fever starts after taking a new medication (fever could be a possible side effect)
  • Pain or burning during urination, which may be accompanied by back pain
  • Severe headache with a stiff neck, sleepiness, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound (with a fever, these can be signs of meningitis)

It’s important to take an infant under 3 months to a physician if they have a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Consult a pediatrician for more information about fever in infants and children.

When should you see a doctor for constipation?

Constipation is common and can happen to anyone. It happens when bowel movements become less frequent and more difficult to pass.

It’s important to remember that most people get constipation from time to time, and it usually goes away on its own.

Common symptoms include:

  • Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week
  • The feeling of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement
  • Hard, dry stool
  • Difficulty passing stool
  • Straining on the toilet

People should contact a physician if these symptoms don’t go away on their own or if they’re affecting their quality of life.

A person should also see a physician if the following symptoms happen at the same time as constipation:

  • Blood in the stool
  • Vomiting that lasts more than 3 days
  • Fever
  • Passing gas is difficult or feels impossible
  • Persistent abdominal pain
  • Unusual or unexpected weight loss
  • New severe pain in the back

When should you see a doctor for a cough?

A chest cold is also called acute bronchitis. It’s usually caused by a viral infection in the airways within the lungs.

This infection leads to inflammation, swelling and mucus production, which triggers a cough. Acute bronchitis symptoms typically resolve within 3 weeks.

Other common symptoms include:

  • Tiredness
  • Achy body
  • Sore chest
  • Sore throat
  • Mild headache

These symptoms aren’t usually a cause for concern.

However, a person should contact a physician if they:

  • Have symptoms for more than 3 weeks
  • Cough up bloody mucus
  • Have a body temperature above 100.4°F (38°C)
  • Have trouble breathing
  • Have recurring infections (they seem to go away and come back)

When should you see a doctor for stomach problems?

Most people get indigestion occasionally. Experts don’t know exactly what causes it, but common symptoms that aren’t a concern on their own for a short time include:

  • Pain or discomfort in the upper stomach area
  • Nausea
  • Bloating
  • Burping
  • Feeling full right away after starting to eat or after eating only a small amount of food

See a physician if one or more of these red flags are present, since they can signal more serious conditions:

  • Indigestion that comes back again and again, or doesn’t improve
  • Severe or persistent stomach pain
  • Vomiting frequently
  • Blood in vomit
  • Constant bloating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Pain during swallowing
  • Pain in the jaw, neck, chest or arm
  • Black stool

Severe, sometimes sudden stomach pain is a symptom of appendicitis, which requires emergency treatment.

Other symptoms that deserve attention

A few other symptoms might require a trip to a physician or the emergency room.

Symptoms that require a visit to a physician

A person should make an appointment with a physician if they experience any of these symptoms:

  • Diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days
  • Headache that won’t go away or gets worse
  • Heartburn that doesn’t go away for several weeks
  • Back pain that doesn’t go away within a few days, especially if it radiates down the legs, comes with weakness, numbness, redness, swelling or a fever
  • A bump to the head and then symptoms such as confusion, fogginess, sleep issues, nausea or mood changes
  • Menstrual bleeding that is much longer or heavier than usual, or bleeding between periods
  • Severe or disabling menstrual cramps
  • Sadness or depression that doesn’t go away
  • Thoughts of harming oneself or others
  • Social withdrawal
  • Extreme emotional highs and lows, or excessive anxiety, fear or worry
  • Skin changes, like a new or changing mole
  • Irregular or rapid heartbeat
  • Concerning symptoms after surgery or starting a new medication

This isn’t an exhaustive list. People should make sure to see a doctor for any concerning symptoms that are chronic, appear suddenly or don’t go away on their own.

Symptoms that require a visit to the emergency room

Some symptoms signal a more urgent medical issue, including:

  • Unusual confusion
  • Trouble speaking
  • Severe shortness of breath
  • Severe chest pain
  • Sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the body
  • Passing out after a head injury
  • Neck or spine injury, especially if the person loses feeling or can’t move
  • Severe burn

People should call 911 or go immediately to an emergency room if these occur.

Takeaway

Colds, the flu, fever, constipation, mild headaches and stomach problems are common, and most people experience them from time to time.

But sometimes when they’re unusual or particularly bad, it can be hard to know when to contact a physician. It’s always better to make a healthcare appointment if symptoms are severe, prolonged or otherwise concerning.

At Crystal Run Healthcare our primary care team includes Family Medicine providers who are trained to care for all members of the family through every stage of life, from infancy to advanced age. Our family medicine providers advocate for their patients and focus on preventive medicine. By monitoring their patients’ health closely year after year, family doctors are often able to help prevent the onset of diseases that have a genetic component, such as high cholesterol, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.