Should I see a doctor? Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

It’s easy to put off seeing your GP when life gets busy. It’s also easy to turn to ‘Dr Google’ for every minor ache and start worrying. To help you find a balance, we’ve put together a list of 12 symptoms that mean you should see a doctor.

This list isn't exhaustive, and there are many other reasons why you might need to see your GP. However, these are some common symptoms that shouldn't be ignored.

Medically reviewed in February 2026

When should I see a doctor?

It can be hard to know if an ache or a lump is worth a check-up. After all, it’s not something we’re taught at school.

The good news is that by knowing your body, you’re more likely to notice when something feels different. Spotting changes early makes it easier to get advice and reassurance. Most of the time, these symptoms have simple, treatable explanations, but it’s always best to speak to a professional to put your mind at ease.

If you’re unsure or just want professional advice, Benenden Health members have access to our 24/7 GP Helpline. We know it can be difficult to book an appointment at your GP surgery, so our service offers quick and convenient access to a qualified UK-based doctor. You can speak with a GP 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, helping you decide the best next steps for your health without waiting.

What symptoms should you see your doctor for?

Here are 12 symptoms that are easy to overlook but sometimes need a GP’s attention. There’s no need to panic if you experience any of them, but it’s always worth seeing your doctor to put any worries to rest.

1. Weight loss

For many people, losing weight requires conscious changes to diet and activity. So, when weight loss happens without any clear effort, it can be surprising and sometimes concerning.

To lose weight, your body must be burning more calories than you are eating. If you haven’t cut back on food or increased your exercise, then something else must be causing it.

There are a few potential reasons you may be experiencing weight loss, such as gut health issues, an infection, or even mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Although unexplained weight loss usually isn't a cause for concern, in rare cases it can be a sign of something more serious, such as undiagnosed cancer. Seeing your doctor can help put your mind at ease.

2. Tired all the time

If you never feel refreshed, even after a good night’s sleep, or find yourself dozing off in the daytime, you should see a doctor.

This kind of tiredness can be linked to conditions like anaemia or thyroid issues, so it’s worth booking an appointment to see your doctor to find out the cause. Your GP can do the right checks or tests to help, and often a simple blood test can provide useful information about iron levels or vitamin deficiencies.

Another possible explanation is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a common but often undiagnosed condition that disrupts breathing during sleep. This can leave you feeling exhausted and may increase the risk of heart problems or road accidents. The good news is that OSA is very treatable. It's more common in people who snore, are overweight, or have a larger neck. Visiting your doctor can help identify solutions, such as lifestyle changes or a ‘CPAP’ mask, which can lead to a real improvement in how you feel.

3. Chest pain

We’ve all seen it in films: someone grips their left arm with chest pain and collapses. In real life, a heart attack isn’t always so dramatic, and sometimes even distressing chest pains are harmless. However, certain types of chest pain could indicate a heart attack, including:

• Chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest.
• Pain in other parts of the body – pain spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left), jaw, neck, back and tummy.
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
• Sweating.
• Shortness of breath.
• Feeling or being sick.
• A sudden and overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
• Coughing or wheezing.
• The pain often gets worse with exercise or stress.

The good news is most heart attacks can be treated with medication that breaks down blood clots. These life-saving drugs work best in the first hour, so you need to call 999 for emergency help as soon as you experience these symptoms.

4. Persistent cough or sore throat

Our lungs work hard to clear out the pollution and germs we breathe in, especially for smokers.

Most colds are mild, but it’s useful to know when to see a doctor. For example, you should always go to the doctors for a cough that lasts more than two weeks or brings up blood. It could be caused by a reaction to blood pressure medication or stomach acid.

Similarly, knowing when to see a doctor with a sore throat can help you get the right care at the right time. If a sore throat lasts longer than a week, is very painful, or makes it difficult to swallow or breathe, you need to see a doctor.

Smokers and ex-smokers should be especially conscious of getting long-standing coughs checked out without delay.

5. Yellowing skin

If you or a loved one has noticed your skin is yellowing, you need to see a doctor, as it could be a sign of jaundice.

When the liver isn’t working properly, a yellow substance called bilirubin builds up in the blood, which shows up in the skin. Several conditions could cause this, including:

• Alcohol-related liver disease.
• Gallstones.
• Hepatitis.
• Pancreatitis.
• Sickle cell disease.

People with jaundice may also notice yellowing of the eyes, itchy skin, darker urine, pale poo, or unexplained weight loss. Jaundice can affect people of all ages but is particularly common in newborns.

Treatments depend on the cause, so you need to see a doctor if you’re experiencing yellowing skin to get the right diagnosis and treatment quickly.

6. Headaches

Around 10 million people in the UK get headaches regularly. The most common – tension headaches – feel like a tight band around the head and are often brought on by lack of sleep, stress, or dehydration. They can be treated with over-the-counter medicine. A severe, throbbing headache at the front or side of the head may be a migraine, which can also be treated by medication, though it’s recommended that you see your doctor if these headaches are regular.

Other headaches to be aware of are those that follow a serious head injury, gradually get worse, don’t go away, or are made worse by lying down, coughing or sneezing.

7. A new or growing mole

Spending time in the sun is vital for vitamin D, but it’s very important to wear SPF, as getting sunburnt significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.

Rates of malignant skin cancer (melanoma) have been rising in recent years, and around seven people now die from skin cancer in the UK every day, according to Cancer Research UK. The good news is that if you catch skin cancer early, it can often be removed without lasting harm.

Some skin cancers develop from existing moles or appear as new ones, so it’s important to check your skin every few months for new moles or freckles, especially on sun-exposed areas like bald spots and ears. If you notice any spots that don't heal, or any mole that has got larger, is itchy, bleeds, has ragged edges, or is made of different shades of brown, you need to see a doctor.

8. Floaters

If you look at a bright white wall, you might spot odd, wispy blobs floating in your vision. These are harmless ‘floaters’, caused by tiny fragments of tissue inside your eyeball.

A few floaters are usually nothing to worry about. But if you notice a sudden ‘shower’ of lots of floaters or sudden severe flashes of light in your vision, you should seek urgent medical advice by making an urgent GP appointment or calling NHS 111.

This may be the first sign of a ‘retinal detachment’ or ‘retinal tear’, where the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye is peeling away. Getting help quickly means an eye specialist can often fix the problem with a simple procedure.

9. Altered bowel habits

We understand that discussing your bowel habits can feel embarrassing, but it’s important to pay attention to them as they offer valuable insights into your health.

It’s normal to get a stomach bug occasionally, but if you notice your bowel habits have changed for more than a few weeks, it’s worth scheduling a doctor’s appointment.

For anyone over 60, current medical guidance recommends testing for any change in bowel habit. The NHS offers regular bowel screenings for those aged 60-74, but if you have symptoms, please contact your GP whatever your age.

According to Cancer Research UK, deaths from bowel cancer have dropped by 40% in the last 40 years, partly because people are paying more attention to their toilet routines. If your stool is very dark, black, or contains blood, you need to see a doctor.

10. Back pain

Back pain is a common problem and a top cause of work absences. Luckily, it’s rarely caused by anything serious and usually gets better with time, gentle activity, and stretching.

Your GP or a physiotherapist can give advice on long-standing pain, but some types of serious back pain need swift medical advice. You need to see a doctor as soon as possible for back pain that:

• Doesn’t improve with rest.
• Is worse at night.
• Is accompanied by chest pain or fever.

Other warning signs include numbness or tingling around the groin or buttocks, losing control of your bladder or bowels, or finding it difficult to urinate. These symptoms might mean nerves at the base of the spine are trapped and require urgent attention.

11. Menstrual problems

It’s normal to feel some discomfort during your period. However, if your periods are very heavy, irregular, extremely painful, or suddenly different, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Endometriosis, for example, can cause chronic pain, heavy bleeding, and fertility issues.

Feeling a little down before your period is also normal. But if you feel depressed, hopeless, or unable to cope, it could be a sign of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), and it’s worth booking an appointment to see your doctor.

Other warning signs include unusually long or short cycles, spotting between periods, or your periods suddenly stopping. If you notice any of these symptoms, or if you’re having trouble getting pregnant, it’s important to see your GP about your period.

12. Mental health issues

Life is full of stress, and it’s normal to feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed from time to time. While these feelings often pass, there are effective ways to improve your mental health.

However, if these feelings are persistent, getting worse, or affecting your daily life, it could be a sign of depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition. Other warning signs include:

• Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy.
• Changes in sleep or appetite.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Feeling hopeless or unusually irritable.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s important to speak to a doctor or mental health professional. Benenden Health membership includes access to our 24/7 Mental Health Helpline, which can offer support and signposting for anxiety, depression, grief, and other concerns. Early support can make a real difference.

How Benenden Health can help you speak to a medical professional

Please remember, you’re not alone and support is always available. As a Benenden Health member, our 24/7 GP Helpline is here for you whenever you need confidential medical advice, alongside our mental health resources and other healthcare services. Once you’ve been a member for six months, you can request access to diagnostic consultations, physiotherapy, and cancer advice support.

You'll also have access to a wealth of health and wellbeing articles, videos and advice on a range of health issues. To stay up to date with your membership benefits, sign up to our newsletter and download the Benenden Health App.