10 types of diseases that can be treated with outpatient care

When you are sick, you should immediately go to the nearest doctor's clinic to find out the cause and the right way of treatment. The doctor can then determine whether you need enough outpatient treatment or need to be hospitalized or hospitalized.

However, if the doctor only recommends you for outpatient treatment, it does not mean that they are ignorant and underestimate your complaints, you know! This decision is made by the doctor after assessing the results of your initial physical exam. The doctor may see that your illness can still be treated with simple home remedies so that you do not have to be constantly monitored by a team of doctors on duty.

Health problems that can still be treated on an outpatient basis

So, what diseases can still be cured with outpatient treatment?

1. Typhus

Typhus, aka typhoid fever, is one of the most common infections affecting Indonesians. This disease is usually caused by consuming food and drinks that have been contaminated with bacteria salmonella typhi . Common symptoms of typhus are dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and high fever. Some people also complain of the appearance of a red rash on certain areas of the skin.

Treating typhus can be at home only when the symptoms are still mild. Mild typhus can heal quickly if you can completely rest at home, maintain a clean and healthy diet, and drink lots of water during the recovery period. Doctors also usually prescribe antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and cefixime for you to take at home until you recover.

However, for certain cases, people with typhus need to be hospitalized. Especially if typhus is a baby and small children. Adults will also be referred to hospitalization if after bed rest at home, the symptoms of typhus were getting worse.

2. Diarrhea

In most cases, diarrhea pain can get better quickly with home remedies so there is no need to be referred for inpatient care. Usually, diarrhea is treated by drinking lots of water or ORS fluids and eating more fibrous foods to replace lost body fluids, to prescribing anti-diarrheal drugs from doctors such as loperamide (imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (pepto-bismol).

3. Sore throat

Even if it makes you uncomfortable, a sore and itchy throat due to strep throat usually doesn't require hospitalization. Even if you experience other accompanying symptoms such as fever, flu and cough.

Sore throat can get better quickly with the right home remedies. Doctors also usually only prescribe pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to lozenges to soothe the throat.

4. Ulcer

Ulcer (dyspepsia) is one of the digestive disorders that many Indonesians have. Typical symptoms are hot chest, heartburn and bloating, to nausea due to increased stomach acid.

This gastrointestinal disease can be treated with antacid drugs that are sold freely in stalls or pharmacies without having to redeem a prescription. If you need a stronger type of drug and dose, your doctor may prescribe an ulcer medication such as ranitidine and omeprazole. Your doctor may also recommend that you adopt a healthier diet so that you don't have an ulcer recurrence in the future.

5. Chicken pox

In most cases, mild chickenpox can be treated at home with only occasional outpatient treatment for control to a doctor. Doctors usually will only recommend that you get plenty of rest and avoid activities outside the home so as not to transmit the virus to other people. The reason is, the chickenpox virus can very easily spread through the air and water droplets from coughing and sneezing.

While bed rest at home, you should also drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid scratching the pox rash and itchy scars.

The medicine for smallpox that your doctor prescribes is usually a topical antihistamine, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream.

6. Rheumatism

Rheumatism is characterized by painful, stiff, and swollen joints. Usually, the parts most affected by rheumatism are the hands, wrists, feet and knees. Gradually, this condition tends to make it difficult for you to move and do activities.

Even so, rheumatism can still be managed with proper care at home. Usually enough to take a non-prescription pain reliever such as ibuprofen. The doctor may also prescribe a stronger dose of steroids and drug classes disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to slow joint damage or prevent it.

Physical therapy, moderate exercise, adequate rest, and regular eating are also important to implement in order to improve your quality of life.

7. Migraine

Migraines are often characterized by one-sided headaches, which can last from several hours to days. Many migraine relievers are available over the counter at pharmacies or drugstores without a prescription.

However, if your migraine is accompanied by an aura or other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, your doctor may prescribe certain medications to reduce the severity of the symptoms. He or she may add a special migraine medication to reduce the frequency of recurrences.

8. Hypertension

The Hospital Information System (SIRS) 2010 report stated that hypertension is a disease that can be treated on an outpatient basis. At first, your doctor may only advise you to make changes to a healthier lifestyle by maintaining a diet and exercise.

However, if the tension increase is severe enough or you experience symptoms of hypertension, your doctor may add a prescription for antihypertensive drugs. These drugs are useful for keeping your blood pressure stable while preventing the possible risk of complications affecting the heart, kidneys, and other organs of the body.

During outpatient treatment for hypertension, you also need to be careful to check your blood pressure and health condition to the doctor.

9. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The typical symptom of this disease is "wet lung", when inflammation causes the lungs to produce more mucus.

If it is not too severe, doctors will usually recommend that you be outpatient by prescribing antibiotics, such as amoxicillin. Non-prescription painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol can also be used to relieve fever.

Infants, young children, and adults aged 65 years and over are a group of people who are at high risk for hospitalization with pneumonia, regardless of their body condition and the severity of their symptoms.

10. Diabetes

Quoted from the website of the Ministry of Health, the Indonesian Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. dr. Nila Farid Moeloek, Sp.M (K), said that diabetes is the third largest cause of death in Indonesia. In fact, 90 percent of diabetes cases are classified as type 2 diabetes, which can still be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Just like hypertension, people with diabetes generally don't need to be hospitalized. The very first treatment therapy that doctors usually recommend is changing a healthy diet and exercising diligently to control blood sugar. If the increase in blood sugar is too high or you indicate a risk of diabetes complications, your doctor will add a prescription for diabetes medication. You also need to always check your blood sugar levels.

Although diabetes has no cure, regularly taking diabetes medication while living a healthy life is believed to be able to control symptoms and prevent you from being hospitalized due to complications.

It never hurts to make health insurance

So, to simplify and ease the outpatient treatment process that you are doing, you can use the health insurance options that are available today.

Do not forget, it is important to clearly understand the advantages and disadvantages of the insurance you choose. Make sure this type of insurance is in accordance with the needs of you and your family.