Our health is a precious gift, and it’s important to recognize when it’s not at its peak. Our bodies have their way of letting us know when something’s wrong. While some symptoms subside within a few days, others don’t go away that easily.
If you notice symptoms that just won’t quit or keep worsening over time, it could be a warning sign of a potentially serious medical condition that requires urgent attention. Besides lingering symptoms, some signs appear abruptly and need immediate help. Getting support promptly and receiving accurate treatment without delays can prevent further complications and help save lives.
Recognizing the signs that you need medical assistance is crucial for your well-being, and remember, seeking help promptly is the best way to afford your medical bills in the long run.
In this article, we’ll discuss some signs that indicate the need for immediate medical assistance.
Difficulty Breathing
Feeling a bit breathless when you’re lifting weights or working out is pretty common. But when you’re gasping for air without any obvious reason, it might be a sign that something’s not quite right with your heart or lungs. This calls for a proper diagnosis and the right treatment.
If you have difficulty breathing accompanied by chest or lower back pain and persistent dry cough, it could be a sign of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos used in the manufacturing and mining industry.
Remember, timely diagnosis and treatment can improve your life expectancy. You can also get in touch with mesothelioma attorneys if you believe that you developed the condition due to someone else’s neglect. These qualified professionals can help you file a lawsuit against your employer or any other responsible party and get you the financial compensation you deserve.
Besides mesothelioma, shortness of breath can be tied to other serious health issues. If you suddenly find yourself huffing and puffing, especially when you’re lying down, it could be a sign of a medical emergency. Risks include blood clots in your lungs, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or even a heart attack. It can also happen due to viral infections like SARS, SARS-CoV-2, and pneumonia.
Whether the shortness of breath has appeared out of the blue or developed over time, immediately call for help and get yourself medically evaluated to diagnose the underlying issue and get prompt treatment.
Chest Pain
Chest pain is perhaps the most intimidating sensation that might make you think you’re having a heart attack or heart failure. Yet, chest pain doesn’t always mean that. Recent surveys reveal that 50-75% of patients who visit the ER complaining of chest pain are diagnosed with minor indigestion or muscular pain issues. People who have GERD or acidity issues or have compressed nerves due to cervical ribs also experience moderate to severe chest pain, which subsides with medical treatment or goes away on its own.
If you have sharp, stabbing chest pain, especially on your life side, that radiates to your armpits and lower side of the arm, hands, and lower jaw, it’s time to call for medical assistance. Such chest pain is a typical symptom of angina pain or an active heart attack. You can be almost certain about a heart attack when the chest pain increases to an intolerable level when you lie down. Other visible symptoms of an active heart attack include cold sweats, difficulty breathing, pressure on your chest, and nausea.
Additionally, severe chest pain can signal serious medical conditions and cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, pericarditis, artery tear, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thick heart muscle). If you already suffer from cardiovascular disease, keep a strict check on chest pain and associated symptoms and head to the ER if you experience them.
Seizures
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled surge of electrical activity in the brain. This unprecedented increase in electrical activity can cause visible changes in an individual’s behavior and movements. They may even partially or completely lose consciousness and experience tightened muscles. For some people, a seizure lasts for a few minutes, after which they gradually get back to normal. If a person experiences two or more seizures within a 24-hour timeframe without a known cause, it is considered to be chronic epilepsy.
Seizures can also be caused by high-grade fever, substance abuse, an abrupt brain injury, development problems in children, and other underlying medical conditions. If you notice symptoms like temporary confusion, flashing lights, cognitive or emotional changes, or a staring spell, don’t hesitate to call 911 or rush to your nearest ER. However, make sure you don’t drive to the hospital yourself.
Uncontrollable Bleeding
Rapid blood loss can lead to a dangerous condition known as hypovolemic shock, which occurs when a significant amount of blood or fluids is suddenly lost from the body. When you lose too much blood, your body is unable to sustain optimal temperatures. Your heart becomes inept to pump blood. The reduced blood pressure and blood flow eventually deprive cells of oxygen and jeopardize your body’s ability to clot blood. This is why doctors or paramedical staff consider excessive bleeding a life-threatening condition.
Apart from accidental cuts and bruises, uncontrolled bleeding can occur due to various factors, such as complications from surgery, type-2 diabetes, or congenital medical conditions like hemophilia. Rectal bleeding, bloody vomits or stools, and bleeding from the nose and ears are other symptoms of some serious medical conditions that demand immediate attention. If a nose and ear bleed is accompanied by headache, nausea, confusion, or seizure, it could be a sign of a brain bleed, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Unusual Headaches
Getting headaches from time to time is pretty common, especially if your sleep schedule is extremely disturbed or you’re dealing with a lot of stress. Most of these headaches eventually settle with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest. However, if you experience headaches that don’t go away with medicines or get worse over time, you must get yourself thoroughly examined by a qualified healthcare professional.
Headaches and their severity can tell a lot about the gravity of the situation. Headaches like migraines are common, but if you leave them untreated, they can convert into chronic migraines or even increase the risk of cardiovascular events.
If you have a severe and unusual headache accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, you need medical care urgently:
- Head injury
- Disorientation
- Slurred speech
- Facial asymmetry
- Numbness on one side of the face
- Confusion and brain fog
- Loss of consciousness
- Being unaware of your environment or time of the day
- One-sided weakness
- Ear or nose bleed
- Neck and face pain
- Severe headache after physical exertion
- Headache that affects your personality, vision, and muscle control
- Headache that increases in intensity over time
Final Thoughts
The secret to long-term physical and mental well-being lies with proactive behavior. If you take care and stay vigilant of the above critical health indicators and red flags, you can get immediate medical attention and significantly enhance your chances of leading a healthy and fulfilling life.
Remember that early intervention often means more effective treatment and a better prognosis. Besides monitoring the above signs, regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and open communication with healthcare professionals are essential elements of maintaining good health.
James Martin is a passionate writer and the founder of OnTimeMagazines & EastLifePro. He loves to write principally about technology trends. He loves to share his opinion on what’s happening in tech around the world.
