Skip Urgent Care: 5 ailments you can treat with telemedicine

Going to the doctor’s office or urgent care center is not always convenient or easy. Who wants to get ready, get in the car, drive, then sit in the waiting room when you’re feeling sick? Thankfully, for some ailments, having to leave your house for treatment could be a thing of the past.

If seeing a doctor over an app and getting professional medical treatment from the comfort of your home or office sounds too good to be true, get ready to be pleasantly surprised. The following are just a few of the ailments that can be treated via telemedicine. And, if a prescription is needed, you can still have it sent to the pharmacy most convenient to you. Maybe next time you could skip the waiting room and see a doctor from your favorite spot on the couch.

 Migraines and other headaches

According to Migraine.com, more than 37 million people suffer from migraines in the United States which cost $5.6 billion to $17.2 billion per year due to missed work. Migraines and other headaches aren’t the only symptoms that can be treated through telemedicine, but they are common. Twenty-four percent of migraine sufferers have gone to the emergency room to treat symptoms because the headache was so severe. Some of those visits could be avoided if the symptoms are caught before they escalate into extreme pain.

According to WebMD there are 150 different types of headaches. Tension headaches, sinus headaches, cluster headaches, just to name a few. Keep in mind, both children and adults can suffer from migraines and other headaches, making the decision to consult with a telemedicine physician an easy one.

 Allergies

Do you love the flowers but hate the way they make you feel? Telemedicine can help with seasonal allergies, allergic reactions and even asthma.  

Researchers at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology believe nasal allergies affect about 50 million people a year and say that, “Allergies are among the most common chronic conditions worldwide.” Many of those people can be treated via telemedicine which will reduce frequent trips to an urgent care center.

 Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can make you want to stay at home. No one wants to worry about finding a bathroom in an urgent situation. For that matter, some of these symptoms can prevent you from going to a doctor’s office to begin with. The ability to contact a doctor through an app on your device could be beneficial in many situations, especially if you are out of town on business or away on vacation.

 Sprains

Athletic sprains can happen easily. It’s common practice for Weekend Warriors picking up a game of basketball or running a 5K to make a trip to an urgent care center with a twisted ankle or knee. Most of these trips could be avoided with a physician consultation through telemedicine.   The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases notes most treatments for sprains and strains require rest, ice, compression and elevation of the injured area. However, it’s important to have a medical professional assess the injury in case further tests are needed. Strains and sprains usually happen in a split second without warning. On those occasions when you have a surprise injury, you may want to take advantage of consulting with a telemedicine physician first.

 Pink eye

The National Eye Institute states pink eye is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in children and adults, resulting in about 3 million cases in the United States each year.

Pink eye can be tricky to deal with. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can also be very contagious. Especially with medical issues that are highly contagious, not leaving your house for a doctor’s appointment can be a real blessing. The cold, flu, strep throat, croup and other similar contagious ailments can also be treated through telemedicine.

These are just a few of the ailments that can be treated through telemedicine. For more information on telemedicine and the options available for patients, visit akosmd.com and discover how telemedicine can result in lower healthcare costs and faster relief. 

Dr. Kishlay Anand is a board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist who used his extensive medical and entrepreneurial experience to help found Akos. He is chairman of InstantMed Health Center, an innovative model with Urgent Care and Primary Care Centers in Phoenix, Arizona, providing lab, radiology, and diagnostics all in one convenient location. 

 Dr. Anand serves as President of ArizonaCardiovascular Institute and as a board member of Cardiovascular Consultants.Through his work as a well-published physician, administrator and community leader, Dr. Anand remains committed to improving processes in his field.