What are the Dangers of Untreated Acute Conditions?

At Nest Family Medicine, we offer acute symptom care to adults, teens, and children. Acute illness is usually caused by sudden illnesses or trauma. While they generally arise unexpectedly and last for a short amount of time, you may need short-term treatment to feel better. Our experienced board-certified family physician, Dr. Priti Ranjan, can properly diagnose your condition and offer the best treatment to ease your symptoms and restore your health. When you visit our Plano, TX office, we will perform an examination and give you our professional opinion on your next steps for acute health conditions. We invite you to call our clinic to schedule an appointment.

What is an acute illness?

Acute refers to any illness that happens suddenly and can be easily resolved. A chronic illness is one that persists over time, unlike an acute one that comes and goes rather quickly. Some acute illnesses are minor, like a cough or a cold, while others are more severe. Acute illnesses sometimes are compared to chronic illnesses, which develop slowly and worsen over time.

Some examples of acute conditions include:

• Cold

• Flu

• Sinus infection

• Upper respiratory infection

• Bronchitis

• Pneumonia

• Asthma attack

• Heart attack

• Broken bone

• Sports injury

• Skin rash

Acute illness symptoms

There are many illnesses that result in sudden symptoms. In cases of the flu or common cold, we encourage our patients in Plano, TX to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids with over-the-counter medications. Because some conditions are contagious, patients should seek treatment before they spread it to others. Our family practice can help you treat your mild symptoms from home.

When left untreated, conditions, such as a sinus infection, can worsen. We can also offer medications that cannot be accessed over-the-counter that generally will resolve symptoms faster. Patients with severe acute illness symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, or body aches, should call our office right away. If you’re having trouble breathing or chest pain, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.

Management of acute illnesses

When you visit Nest Family Medicine, Dr. Ranjan will perform a thorough medical examination to diagnose your acute illness. Most acute illnesses respond to certain treatments and therapies, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Your treatment plan may include prescription medications, such as antibiotics. Our ultimate goal is to address your illness so you can make a full recovery quickly.

While these acute conditions usually go away on their own with time, minor medical care is necessary to treat certain more severe diseases and injuries. When left untreated, some acute ailments can develop into more serious health conditions that require more intensive care. This is why it’s always important to schedule a medical exam, regardless of how serious you think your illness is.

Get treatment for an acute illness

Acute conditions are treatable with proper medical care. At Nest Family Medicine, Dr. Priti Ranjan has the experience and training needed to diagnose and treat your sudden illness in Plano, TX. Our clinic offers flexible hours so patients can get the quality care they need. Call to schedule an appointment to treat your sudden illness today.