Symptoms are the way your body tells you that something is wrong. They can be anything from a sore throat to a rash, and your doctor will use them to figure out what’s going on. You can also try to relieve symptoms yourself, especially by taking painkillers. If you have a severe headache, see your doctor or go to an emergency room right away. Some headaches are warning signs of serious health problems, such as a brain tumor or a blood clot in the neck.
A cold is an illness that affects your nose and throat caused by germs. It usually comes on gradually over 2 to 3 days. Adults can get two or more common colds each year. Young children may have several more colds each year.
You can often treat a cold without seeing a GP. You can buy cough and cold medicines in pharmacies or supermarkets. These usually contain paracetamol and ibuprofen, but are not suitable for babies or children under 12.
If you have a headache that’s new, or getting worse, go to the doctor. They may refer you to a headache clinic or send you home with advice for how to deal with your problem. This might include exercise, which can help boost the levels of “feel good” chemicals in your brain that block pain signals. It could also involve techniques such as deep breathing (inhale to a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 4 and then exhale to a count of 4).
Swelling in the legs or feet can be a sign of heart disease, kidney conditions and many other illnesses, so get medical attention straight away. Abdominal pain, such as that accompanied by vomiting or constipation, should also be treated seriously.