What if your doctor doesn't suggest that you seek out a second opinion? How do you determine whether your situation warrants a second medical opinion ?

It's virtually never a bad idea to seek a second medical opinion, unless your condition is life threatening and requires immediate emergency medical attention. In many circumferences, seeking a second opinion is not only warranted, but necessary. These circumstances include anytime the following errors:

• A medical condition or problem is considered serious.
• Surgery is one of the treatment option suggested.
• Numerous possible treatment options are available.
• After consulting your doctor, you still have a number of unawared questions.
• You're told by the doctor that a specified type of treatment cannot be used to treat your condition.
• You're told by the doctor that nothing, or nothing more, can be done to treat your condition.
• Following treatment, your conditions recurs.
• A cause for your symptoms is not found, but the symptom continues.
• You feel that there is something "wrong" with the diagnosis or suggested treatment for your medical conditions.