If you think you or someone near you is having a medical emergency, stop reading and call your local emergency number now. Signs such as chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness on one side of the body, confusion, heavy bleeding or thoughts of ending your life need urgent, in-person help, not an article.
General information, not advice
Everything published on Monitor Doktor is general information meant to help you understand a topic and prepare for conversations with professionals. It is not medical, dental, psychological or pharmacological advice, and it cannot take account of your history, your medicines, your test results or the many other details that shape what is right for one particular person.
Nobody at Monitor Doktor examines readers, diagnoses conditions, prescribes treatment or reviews personal health information. Reading an article, or writing to us, does not make us your health adviser.
Who to talk to instead
- Your doctor for new or changing symptoms, ongoing conditions, test results and anything about prescription medicines.
- Your dentist or dental hygienist for pain, bleeding gums, damaged teeth and questions about treatment such as implants.
- A pharmacist for questions about how medicines, over-the-counter products and nicotine replacement fit with what you already take. Pharmacists are often the quickest professional to reach.
- A mental health professional or a crisis line if low mood, anxiety or stress is affecting your daily life, and straight away if you feel unsafe.
Topics that need extra care
Medicines and supplements
Some articles mention medicines, supplements or products. Doses, interactions and suitability differ from person to person, so do not start, stop or change anything based on our pages alone.
Quitting smoking and nicotine products
Our quit-smoking articles describe options people commonly consider. Nicotine products are not risk-free, are not suitable for young people or during pregnancy without advice, and work best as part of a plan agreed with a health professional or a stop-smoking service.
Mind and mood
Articles about stress, sleep and mood offer everyday ideas. They are no substitute for proper support when difficulties last for weeks or start to affect work, relationships or safety.
Products, services and links
When an article refers to a product, service or another website, that is not a recommendation that it is right for you, and we cannot vouch for content we do not control. Judge any treatment or product with the help of someone qualified.
Keeping things current
Guidance changes as understanding improves. We revisit articles and correct errors, as described in our Corrections Policy, but a page may still be behind the latest advice by the time you read it. If what you read here differs from what your own clinician tells you, follow your clinician.
By using this site you accept that decisions about your health are yours, made together with the professionals who know you. Our Legal Terms contain the full conditions of use.
In a few words
Reading helps, deciding is shared
Our articles are written to help you understand what is going on and to sharpen your questions. The decisions themselves belong in a conversation with someone who can examine you and knows your history.
When something you read here does not match what your own clinician says, trust the person in the room with you.
Monitor Doktor
Choosing the right door
Which professional for which worry
A general guide to where people usually start. Services differ from place to place, so check what is available locally.
Pharmacist
- Questions about how a medicine or supplement fits with what you already take
- Choosing between nicotine replacement products
- Minor ailments that are not getting worse
Doctor or dentist
- Symptoms that are new, persistent or changing
- Pain, swelling or bleeding in the mouth
- Mood or sleep problems that are affecting daily life
Emergency services
- Signs of a heart attack or stroke
- Serious breathing problems or a severe allergic reaction
- Any situation where someone's life may be at risk
This list is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure, it is always reasonable to ask for help.