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For many people, booking a first consultation with a specialist can feel intimidating. You may not know what will happen, what to bring, how long it will take, or whether your concerns will be taken seriously. This article is designed to remove that uncertainty. My aim is to walk you step-by-step through what actually happens during a consultation — whether in person at Salford or online — and to explain how I communicate with your GP afterwards. A medical consultation should

It's one of the most frustrating experiences in healthcare: you're feeling genuinely unwell, you've undergone tests, and everything comes back "normal." Yet you still feel terrible. You're not imagining it, and you're certainly not alone. This scenario happens far more frequently than many people realise, and there are clear, practical steps you can take to get the answers and care you deserve. Why "Normal" Test Results Don't Always Mean You're Well The fundamental issue li

A cough that refuses to go away after a viral infection is one of the most common reasons people feel unsure about what to do next. The infection seems over, the fever has settled, the energy slowly comes back… but the cough stays. Sometimes for two weeks. Sometimes for four. Sometimes longer. And this gap between what people expect and what the body actually does creates anxiety. In the clinic, I meet two groups again and again: those who fear that a lingering cough must mea

Many people describe the same pattern: the morning goes reasonably well, energy feels stable, and the day seems manageable… until early or mid-afternoon.Then suddenly, almost like a switch has been flipped, fatigue arrives sharply. Eyes feel heavy, focus disappears, and the only thought is to lie down — even if you rarely do. This daily dip in energy, sometimes called “crash fatigue” , is far more common than people think. Yet very few understand why it happens, when it is ha

When the fever settles, the cough improves, or the infection finally fades, most people expect to bounce back quickly. A couple of days of rest, a return to regular meals, and life should pick up where it left off, or at least that’s the hope. But in reality, many people find that recovery is not a straight line. Instead, they notice: a deep, dragging fatigue breathlessness on stairs or during short walks a lingering cough poor sleep afternoon energy crashes muscle weakness

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, efficient triage is crucial for ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care. Triage, the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition, is vital for managing patient flow. This post explores the importance of triage in healthcare, especially in emergency departments, and how it helps improve patient flow efficiency and safety. Understanding Triage in Healthcare Triage is a systematic approach to

Summary Feeling breathless or experiencing a tight chest can be frightening, especially when it arrives suddenly or without a clear cause. These symptoms can come from the lungs, the heart, the airways, the muscles, or even from stress and anxiety. This guide explains how to understand what might be going on, when it is safe to monitor symptoms at home, when to seek non-emergency medical help, and when you must act urgently. It also outlines how a consultant physician can ass

Summary This guide explains the most common blood tests used in general medicine: the Full Blood Count (FBC) , kidney function tests , and liver function tests . If you’re looking for blood tests explained in clear, plain English, this guide outlines what these tests measure, why they matter, and when it might be helpful to seek further medical advice.   Who this guide is for This guide is for you if: You have recently had blood tests and don’t fully understand the results.

Summary This guide explains what heart palpitations and irregular heartbeats really mean, when they are harmless, when they need medical assessment, and what to do next. It is written for adults who experience noticeable heartbeats, fluttering, skipping sensations or racing pulses and feel unsure whether to worry. It also outlines when self-care is appropriate, when to see a GP or pharmacist, and when consultant-level review is helpful.   Who this guide is for This guide is f

A woman looking concerned while reading from a computer screen. Summary This guide is for people who are worried that their symptoms might be linked to cancer, especially after searching online. It explains how to make sense of common symptoms, how to recognise genuine red flags, and when to worry about cancer symptoms . The aim is to help you move from fear to a clear, practical plan, and to understand when to seek GP care, when to monitor at home, and when a consultant-leve

Summary This guide explains why some people remain exhausted for weeks or even months after a viral infection. It is designed for anyone trying to understand post-viral fatigue —sometimes called “long flu”—and looking for clear, practical advice on what to expect, when to seek help, and how to move forward.   Who this guide is for This guide is for you if: You recently had a viral illness and still don’t feel anything close to normal. You feel drained, breathless on effort, o

Blood pressure measuring Summary High blood pressure is widespread and often causes no symptoms at all. For many people, it is first discovered during a routine check, long after it has already begun to affect the heart, kidneys or blood vessels. This guide explains causes of high blood pressure, what the numbers actually mean, how to understand your personal target, what you can safely do at home, when to seek medical help, and how a consultant physician can assess blood pre

Man feeling unwell. Summary This guide is for those days when you feel clearly unwell, but it does not feel like a 999 moment. It will help you work out what you can safely do at home, when to speak to a pharmacist or GP, and when it might be helpful to see a consultant physician in person or online. You will also find a clear list of “red flag” symptoms that mean you should stop reading and seek urgent help instead.   Who this guide is for This guide is for you if: You feel

A doctor conducting a telemedicine consultation Summary This guide explains when an online medical consultation can be effective, safe and convenient — and when it is not the right option. It helps you understand what can be done by video, what requires an in-person assessment, and when you should seek urgent medical care instead. If you want online medical consultation explained  clearly and sensibly, this guide is for you.   Who this guide is for This guide is for you if: Y

Summary Feeling constantly tired or lacking energy can creep up slowly or appear quite suddenly. It can affect your concentration, mood, motivation and ability to work or exercise. This guide explains the common reasons behind these symptoms, how to think about chronic fatigue in everyday terms, what you can safely do at home, when to seek routine medical help, and how a consultant physician can assess fatigue in person at Eric Healthcare in Salford or online across the UK.  

Summary Chest pain, palpitations and sudden waves of panic can be frightening, especially when you are unsure whether the problem is coming from your heart, your lungs, your digestion or your stress levels. This guide explains the difference between symptoms that can safely be monitored at home, those that need non-emergency medical attention, and those that require urgent 999 care. It also outlines how a consultant physician can assess these symptoms in person at Eric Health