Electronic Health Reporter

The technology available to diagnose and treat a wide variety of illnesses and ailments continues to improve with every year. While these developments are undoubtedly contributing to increased rates of recovery and preferred patient outcomes, doctors and other medical professionals continue to rely on a relatively basic set of guiding principles when determining the probable causes of disease and the best methods of treatment.

Simply put, physicians learn to pay attention to their patients and watch closely for the signs and symptoms of various illnesses and ailments. More times than not, a trained doctor can make an accurate diagnosis based on physical examination and conversation.

With this in mind, regular folks can easily improve their ability to monitor loved ones for signs of illness by simply improving their observational skills. While we do not advocate for armchair diagnosis — the opinion of a licensed physician is always recommended — the ability to pay attention to the right clues can go a long way in making sure you and those around you are not turning a blind eye to something serious.

For instance, if you’re married to someone who suffered from alcohol or drug dependence in the past, there may be numerous telltale indications of relapse. According to a leading center for drug rehab in Georgia, addicts often retreat from the people in their lives. They often start making excuses for things and neglecting their responsibilities. They often become alienated from their relatives and from society in general. If your husband or wife behaves oddly any time he or she consumes alcohol, then that may denote an issue with alcohol addiction. Addiction to alcohol is a problem that plagues people all around the globe. It plagues people young and old as well. Pinpointing common signs of addiction can do a lot for people who want to help their loved ones nip serious issues in the bud.

Human family members can experience all sorts of issues. The same thing applies to pets.

It can help to learn how to tell if a dog is sick. If your sweet pooch is under the weather, you need to get veterinary care for her as soon as possible. This may involve being able to pinpoint possible indications of malaise. For instance, a constipated dog or one that loses the desire to eat his meals needs to see a vet right away. Other typical clues of sick dogs are terrible breath, disheveled coats, oddly aggressive behavior and loss of energy in general. If you pick up on any unusual behavior in your dog, you need to set up an appointment with the veterinarian as soon as possible. Prompt veterinary treatment can help your four-legged friend feel a lot better. It can stop his or her health issues from potentially getting worse, too.

It can be hard to figure out when a family member or pet needs help. There are all sorts of issues that go beyond health but nonetheless negatively affect health.

For instance, a family member may have financial concerns on her mind. If you have a sibling who seems to be falling behind in her rent and bills, then she may have some sort of financial issue on her hands. Many factors can contribute to monetary woes in people. Severe debt can be a factor, and so can the loss of a full-time or part-time job. Experiencing burnout at work and subsequently taking unpaid leave is another possibility. Saving up for a massive expense can be another one as well.

If you have a family member who all of a sudden seems unable to pay for all of the expenses that are part of daily life, financial woes could be to blame. People who are in financial trouble often start neglecting their social lives. They often seem exhausted and out of sorts.

Vigilance is key

Vigilance is and has always been the key for people who feel protective about their family members, including pets. If you want to safeguard family members and pets from issues, then you need to give them a lot of attention.