Over 25 years ago, before I had a cell phone, I went and had a periodic physical exam. Since I was a heavy smoker, I was given a chest x-ray. A couple of days later, on Thursday afternoon, the doctor left a message on my answering machine:
"I saw something on your x-ray that worries me... call me back as soon as you can."
By the time I got home from work and listened to the message, the doctor's office was closed. The doctor didn't work on Fridays. Monday was a holiday and the doctor didn't work holidays. So it was Tuesday, a full 5 days later, before I was able to call during office hours. What did the doctor say? He said he made a mistake in reading the x-ray and that it was nothing.
Several years ago I had my physical and then left on a work trip. One day the Dr's office called me - "you MUST come in immediately!! It is urgent!!!"
I asked "what's the problem?"
"Your serum sodium is dangerously low, the Dr must see you NOW!!!".
"Well, I am out of state and can't come in. Let me speak to the Dr"
A few minutes later the Dr gets on the phone. I told him where I am and can't come in.
His response "You are dangerously close to passing out or going into a coma. (I felt fine and no symptoms) Serum sodium is 80, should be 135."
"So what do I do?"
"Just add a teaspoon of
salt daily to your diet and you will be fine".
HUH? Must see me now? Add some
salt and I will be fine? What's the emergency? Needless to say, I was drinking a lot of water so I added some
salt to my diet. Now I just eat normally, don't add salt to my food, and never had the problem again.