These phrases could make your doctor seriously worried about your health.
Communicating your health concerns to your doctor can sometimes feel like a challenge. It’s crucial to articulate your symptoms accurately to avoid any misinterpretation. However, certain phrases can immediately raise a doctor’s concern when used by patients.
UK-based GP Doctor Ahmed has identified three phrases that always make him “worry” about a patient’s health. He suggests these phrases could indicate a serious health issue. In a TikTok video, he explains: “If you say any of these phrases to me, they make me think something may be going on.”
1. Being woken up at night
The first phrase that triggers concern for Dr Ahmed is: “It wakes me from my sleep”. This could refer to a range of symptoms, including pain, breathing difficulties, or even nightmares. He emphasises: “Whatever it is, if something’s waking you from your sleep, we have to look into it further.”
2. Being stopped from doing everyday tasks
Another red flag for Dr Ahmed is when patients mention that certain issues are “stopping them from doing everyday activities.” He explained that this phrase often pertains to pain or feelings of fatigue and stiffness in the back or joints. The GP emphasised that such a statement “could indicate a red flag and needs investigating”.
3. Being told to seek medical advice by others
Dr Ahmed admitted that he gets “alarm bells” ringing when he hears: “Other people have noticed this problem and told me I should see a doctor about it”.
After hearing any of these phrases, Dr Ahmed typically proceeds with further investigation, which can range from taking a more detailed history to conducting tests. He clarified: “It really depends on the conversation, the problem you’re presenting [your GP] with, and what the doctor finds during that conversation.”
While acknowledging that some patients feel doctors “don’t take them seriously” or listen to their concerns, he argued that “most of the time” they are listening but may not be “communicating it to you that well because of time restraints”. He stressed that if you’re uncertain about the treatment or plan your GP proposes, you should “make sure you ask your doctor and they will clarify it”.
Viewers of Dr Ahmed’s video commended him for his guidance, yet some expressed frustration over their struggles to get their GPs to take them seriously. One viewer commented: “Could you tell my doctors they should be concerned then, please.”
Another shared their experience, saying: “I have said all of that to my doctor, and she goes, ‘Oh yes, yes, I understand’. Five times I’ve seen her, and she’s done nothing. Definitely going to a different doctor soon.”