Doctors provide preventative and restorative care for patients experiencing all manner of health concerns. Many doctor's appointments can be scheduled weeks in advance, but some concerns are more urgent. These are four times when you should call a doctor for a same-day appointment:

1. You believe you may have fractured a bone.

Bones provide support for the body's many systems, from your muscles to your organs and nerves. Bones are very strong, but they can still fracture under the wrong circumstances. Bone fractures typically cause severe pain, and you may experience swelling in the affected body part as well. If you believe that you've fractured a bone, you should schedule a doctor's appointment as soon as possible. Doctors can diagnose bone fractures using x-rays. Depending on the type of fracture you've sustained, your doctor may need to examine the bone and apply a cast to immobilize your limb until the bone heals.

2. You have a fever, especially accompanied by a sore throat or cough.

Fevers are a common sign of infection. A fever is the body's way of trying to fight off bacteria and viruses. Low fevers can typically be monitored and home and treated with fever-reducing medication. However, you should call your doctor for a same-day medical appointment if you experience a high fever, especially if you also have a sore throat or cough. These symptoms can indicate COVID-19, which may require prompt medical attention.

3. You receive a puncture wound.

No one likes to get hurt, but some injuries are more dangerous than others. Puncture wounds should be treated by medical professionals whenever possible. Unlike surface cuts, which do not affect deeper layers of muscle tissue, puncture wounds are anaerobic environments. This means that oxygen cannot penetrate the lower layers of a puncture wound, which creates the ideal environment for bacteria such as tetanus to grow. People who receive puncture wounds should get a tetanus shot as soon as possible. This can prevent the painful, debilitating disease known as tetanus, which can sometimes be life-threatening.

4. You sustain a deep cut.

Minor cuts can be treated at home with bandages and antibacterial ointments. However, deep cuts may require professional medical attention. If your cut continues to bleed heavily after you have performed basic first aid, you should contact your doctor for a same-day medical appointment. Doctors can thoroughly disinfect wounds to prevent infections, in addition to applying sutures to help close large wounds.