Medical Second Opinions Can Save You Anxiety and Money

We may end up undergoing medical procedures which could have been avoided only if we had looked for a medical second opinion.

70% of people trust the opinion of the first doctor they consult.

70% of people ALSO do not get their vehicles serviced on time.

It is most likely that you and I also fall into the above category of people. It’s not in our nature to question the people we have chosen to take an opinion from. People are very protective of the skill of the doctors they frequent.

However, you can believe your doctor, feel good about her opinion — and yet still procur a second opinion.  Not getting a second opinion can lead to tunnel vision. We may end up undergoing medical procedures that could have been avoided only if we had looked sideways and looked elsewhere for a medical second opinion!

The above graph represents a few statistics on reasons why people search the internet for medical content. Googling your symptoms and expect the vast expanse of the internet to suggest a suitable alternative treatment is something that should be avoided at all costs. Self-diagnosis is one of the major causes of anxiety amongst people suffering from a medical condition.

Such self-diagnosis must be avoided as far as possible. However, that does not mean you should not look for a second medical opinion from a specialist. For conditions that can have a life-changing impact, it is always better to get an alternative diagnosis to ensure you are armed with all the information to make the right decision.

“Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.”- Plato.

Different doctors can have different treatment suggestions for the same medical condition. This stems from their:

• Experience level
• Education
• Equipment accuracy
• School of thought regarding medicine
• Treatment methods

It is important to find a doctor who can understand you and the disease that plagues you. As they say, good doctors do not treat the disease. They treat the patient who has the disease. Sometimes finding such a doctor can require you to go for second opinions and alternative treatment consultations.

There are many conditions for which we should consider seeking medical second opinions.

Your condition need not be a Brainteaser.

Nervous system disorders such as dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, meningitis, migraine, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can be difficult to diagnose and extremely tricky to treat. Neurological conditions are complex and, if treated incorrectly, can lead to life-altering complications. It always makes sense to take a second opinion from neurology specialists to ensure that you have received the right diagnosis and correct treatment option.

Words therapy can be the best medicine.

Research suggests that 1 in every 5 Indians will suffer from depression sometime in their life. 42% of private-sector professions in India have general anxiety disorder or depression. What I am trying to say is that you are not alone! Mental health issues are prevalent, especially in today’s fast-paced lifestyle.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stresses that mental health is “more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.” It is about not only avoiding active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness.

Mental health issues are many-a-times ignored and can affect daily life, relationships, and physical health. Conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety can all affect mental health and disrupt a person’s routine.  Social and financial circumstances, biological factors, and lifestyle choices can all shape a person’s mental health. A large proportion of people with a mental health disorder have more than one condition at a time. So, do not let your mental health affect your physical health. Talk to a specialist doctor or a counselor.  Get help.  There is nothing wrong with that!

Matters of the heart

I am not talking about love. While that can cause heartache too, it is of a very different kind. I am talking about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and related disorders, which are the number one cause of death globally. India is the heart disease capital of the world, with 30% of the total deaths in the country is due to cardiovascular ailments. CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions.

Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioral risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and harmful alcohol use. People with cardiovascular disease or who are at high cardiovascular risk (due to the presence of one or more risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or already established disease) need early detection and management using counseling and medicines, as appropriate.

If you feel you suffer from CVDs or are at risk, don’t be satisfied with just one consultation. Ensure you get a medical second opinion online consultation and have all the information at hand to correct your lifestyle and get treated!

Don’t baby those issues.

It is said that holding your baby in your arms is one of the greatest feelings in the world. But for some parents, this joy can become anxious if their babies are born premature, have a low birth weight, or have a specific medical condition that needs treatment in a hospital. This is typically done in neonatal care units. 6%-7% of parents in India face this, and it cannot be obvious to understand the level of care your baby needs.

Talking to a specialist can help you understand the different levels of care neonatal units provide. Neonatal care can help you, and your baby comes out of this situation and go on to lead healthy and happy lives.

In conclusion, I would like to say that today’s connected world gives us a plethora of information and options to choose from when it comes to medical opinions. Use it.

Seeing the constant challenge people across the globe were facing when speaking to a doctor or trying to look for a second opinion from an expert, the idea for iCardin was born. They work with Specialists and Care Managers who will customize and personalize the consultation packages as per your requirements after all your health information is being shared with us.

Get all the information and ensure you make the right decision, which is right for you. Stay healthy, stay safe.

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