There are little things as unsettling as a health scare and it is one thing you should never ignore. A blinding headache or a sharp pain in the chest is a sign of something very dangerous and should not be ignored. Even if you have rashes due to insect bites, head to Lyme disease pain managementimmediately. There is a reason why these symptoms cause a lot of concern- they are signs of life-threatening conditions and could be dangerous if not looked into. If you experience the sudden, severe onset of some symptoms, they should be seen and evaluated at the earliest. It makes no sense to wait for the symptoms to go away, instead, head to a medical emergency and contact the doctor right away. Here are the signs you need to rush to the doctor immediately.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath can be caused due to many reasons including weight gain to blood clots, lung infections, heart attack, stroke, and asthma. If you happen to experience it occasionally due to physical exercise or a change in weather, it is fine but if it is severe and sudden, and hampers your daily activities, you need to rush to a doctor to rule out the serious causes.
2. Upper abdominal pain
An infection in the lungs or acid reflux can lead to pressure or pain in the chest but only a proper history can determine the cause. They are common heart attack symptoms and if the pain comes on suddenly and cannot be relieved by rest, it should not be taken lightly. If the pain is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating, and lightheadedness, it is something serious.
3. Weakness, fainting
Frequent fainting or dizziness episodes can have a lot of causes like allergies, neurologic conditions, cardiac or infections. These symptoms warrant a trip to the hospital. If you notice a sudden weakness in the lines or facial muscle, it could be a symptom of stroke and should be checked out immediately.
4. Heavy headache
If you often feel the worst headache of your life, it means you are having a stroke. A severe, sudden headache that gives the worst pain ever is a sign that you need to head to the hospital. The sooner you reach a doctor, the better it is. This means the doctor will be able to stop the bleeding at the earliest and the damage will be less serious. If you have a serious headache with a high fever and a stiff neck, it means meningitis or the bacterial infection of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain.
5. Difficulty in seeing
A change in vision could happen due to several reasons and one of them is a result of injury. A blow to the head could lead to a change in vision and even allergies or infections can cause trouble seeing clearly. If you experience blurred vision or a loss of vision, you should have a doctor evaluate the condition.
6. Severe pain
Any form of sudden or severe pain could happen due to a number of causes including infections, herniated discs, inflammation, and muscle spasms. If there is a sharp or sudden abdominal pain, it is a sign of bladder infection, appendicitis, kidney infection, infectious diarrhea, or colitis. If the pain comes on suddenly and does not go away, you need to see a doctor right away.
7. Bleeding
When bleeding does not stop after five minutes of applying pressure, it is considered uncontrolled and no matter the cause, you need to head to a doctor immediately. It could be a condition like hemophilia or leukemia but only a professional can identify the cause.
8. Severe diarrhea or vomiting
Symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea can be due to gastroenteritis but they could also be caused due to food poisoning, appendicitis, or meningitis. If it is gastroenteritis, it will resolve on its own but if you have a fever with diarrhea, it could be a bacterial infection and you will need antibiotics. If the symptoms are not under control and you cannot keep any fluids or foods down, there is a risk of dehydration and you need to head to the hospital.
9. Vomiting blood
There are times when you may occasionally see a bit of blood when you cough due to a cold but it is only because of a dry throat. However, if you cough up blood often, it could be a severe case of a blood clot in the lungs, bronchitis, tuberculosis, or cancer. If the blood cough is accompanied by fever, it could be a case of pneumonia. It is a serious symptom and needs medical attention.
Not all medical conditions will indeed require you to rush to the hospital but there are some conditions you should never ignore. They could lead to serious illnesses and need to be checked by a professional.