Telemedicine, the process of seeking medical advice through online channels, is a wonderful resource for people who can’t visit traditional doctors’ offices during normal operating hours. Patients can meet with doctors after work, when their kids are asleep, or even early in the morning. Telemedicine is also useful for people who can’t easily reach a doctor’s office, either because they live in a rural part of the country or because they cannot leave the house.
However, telemedicine is still a new concept to most Americans, and you might be surprised by the sheer number of services you can receive online. Don’t neglect your health — find a doctor online who is able to help. Here are 10 health conditions that doctors can treat through telemedicine.
Cold and Flu Symptoms
Between October 1, 2022 through April 15, 2023, the CDC estimated that there were between 26-50 million cases of the flu which resulted in anywhere between 12-24 million medical visits. The common cold and the flu have similar symptoms, including a fever, sinus discomfort, changes in appetite, and fatigue. While some people can treat these conditions with rest and over-the-counter medication, others experience severe symptoms that need medical support.
Telemedicine makes it easier for people with cold and flu symptoms to see a doctor. Would you rather drive across town and sit in a waiting room when you are sick or call up a doctor from the comfort of your couch?
While a telehealth professional can diagnose your illness and give you steps to help the recovery process, you might need to visit an in-person office. Visit a nearby urgent care location if your symptoms persist.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions are actually one of the easiest conditions to treat via telehealth because they are so visible. A doctor can look at your acne through the camera to understand its severity. They can also check on moles to make sure they are healthy and look at different rashes to better understand your complaint. While the doctor might ask follow-up questions about your skin (Is it itchy? Dry? Sensitive?) they will likely develop a diagnosis just from looking at it.
Your dermatologist (skin doctor) can prescribe skin care treatments and give you tips to help you clear up any problems. Any follow-up appointments can also be done online – especially if your skin is clearing up. There’s no point in driving to a physical office just to confirm that your skin health is restored.
Mental Health Concerns
Mental health professionals have embraced telemedicine for several years by offering online therapy appointments and virtual psychiatry analyses. As long as the patient is willing to be open and honest with the questions asked, the doctor can better understand their experiences and help them improve their mental health.
Through telehealth, doctors can treat depression, anxiety, stress, and other issues like PPD (postpartum depression). This is particularly useful for patients who are too overwhelmed or mentally exhausted to leave the house. Instead, they can talk to a mental health professional in a safe space.
Allergies and Asthma
Allergy attacks come in many forms, but there are a few common symptoms that most people experience. Patients report dry, itchy eyes, a runny nose, coughing or a tight throat that makes it hard to breathe, and other irritating experiences. Patients with asthma may also experience breathing challenges that can become severe in some cases.
When you meet with a doctor over a telehealth call, they will try to help you identify the source of your allergies. They might look at the National Allergy Map to see how bad grass and pollen levels are in your area. They will also ask about potential triggers like dust in your home, pet dander, and even the foods you eat.
Once your allergist has a diagnosis, they can move forward with a treatment plan. They can prescribe medication to mitigate the symptoms while giving you tips to manage your exposure and prevent flare-ups. You should be breathing clearly again soon.
Audiology and Hearing Aids
Doctors who normally require in-person tests can now conduct virtual appointments to help patients receive treatment. For example, an audiologist (hearing doctor) can run a series of tests to understand your hearing levels. They can also ask questions about ringing in your ears or trouble discerning specific words in order to diagnose tinnitus and other ear-related issues.
While you might need to make an in-person appointment if you are receiving hearing aids (as some need to be specifically fitted) there are other over-the-counter hearing solutions that your doctor might recommend instead.
Vision Care
Vision care is another type of medical treatment that patients associate with in-person appointments. They are used to looking through bulky equipment to identify which words are blurry and which images are clear. However, more doctors are moving their eye care digital.
Talk to an eye doctor if you experience blurry vision or any changes in your eyesight — including sensitivity to light. During your virtual appointment, your doctor will ask questions about your sight and even conduct tests through the computer.
Eye doctors can diagnose a variety of conditions online, including myopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. They might recommend that you visit an in-person office to receive a contacts prescription or use glasses at certain times to see better.
Oral Health Checkups
While most dental treatments need to be done in person, patients can still receive oral health check-ups online. If you are concerned about a specific tooth, your gums, or even your tongue, set up an online dental appointment. The dentist will listen to your concerns and even look at your teeth to see if there are any visual symptoms that concern them.
Through the virtual appointment, your dentist can diagnose conditions like gum disease and bruxism (grinding of your teeth). They might recommend at-home treatments while also suggesting you seek out an in-person dentist. Pain from a cavity won’t go away on its own and the sooner you seek treatment the sooner you can feel comfortable again.
Prescription Refills
If your doctor has already prescribed a form of medication to you, they might be able to order a refill through a telemedicine appointment. Here are a few topics you might discuss during your prescription refill appointment:
- How effective is the medication at treating your condition?
- What side effects (if any) do you live with because of the medication?
- Alternative medication options that might be more affordable – like generic alternatives.
- Alternative treatment options that could potentially reduce your need to take medication.
If you and your doctor agree on a plan of treatment, they can refill your prescription and you can pick up your medication at the nearest pharmacy when it is convenient.
Digestive Issues
Digestive issues are common to treat through telemedicine unless your doctor requires specific tests in order to confirm their diagnosis. Keep in mind that your doctor might ask a lot of personal questions about your stool and urination (poop and pee) if this is your source of discomfort. These are medical professionals and it’s okay to be honest with them.
The more information your doctor has about your bowel discomfort, diarrhea, changes in appetite, and gut pain, the more confident they can be in their diagnosis. Even if they are fairly confident in their diagnosis of celiac disease, IBS, and constipation, they might still want you to make a few lifestyle changes and follow up in a few weeks.
Sleep Issues
There are countless factors that can prevent you from getting a full night’s sleep. Stress can wake you up in the middle of the night while insomnia can prevent you from falling asleep. Even a condition like restless leg syndrome can be too uncomfortable to let you rest.
A sleep disorder doctor will evaluate your symptoms and give you steps in order to improve your nightly rest. If your symptoms persist or grow severe, they might recommend visiting a sleep clinic so a medical professional can survey your sleep experience.
When to Seek In-Person Care
While a telemedicine professional can help with a variety of conditions, they shouldn’t replace your full-time primary care doctor. You should still seek out this professional when you can at least once per year. Furthermore, telehealth professionals might not be able to treat chronic conditions that require long-term care and multiple treatment processes. Your doctor might be able to check in virtually, but in-person appointments are usually a key part of treatment.
Finally, in the case of an emergency, seek in-person medical help. Call 9-1-1 or drive to an emergency room if you sustain severe injuries or struggle to breathe or move. Every minute counts.
Benefits of Getting Treatment Via Telemedicine
There are several advantages of using telemedicine. Some people turn to digital doctor’s appointments because they are more accessible while others enjoy the convenience of setting up a call on their schedule. These appointments reduce the amount of time patients spend driving to and from the office and waiting in the reception area. Doctors, meanwhile, can treat more patients in a day.
The next time you need to meet with a doctor, consider setting up a telemedicine appointment. Even if you simply need to schedule your yearly preventative care appointment, you can try out this option and move your medical care online.