Article created by: Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Your health and that of your loved ones is the most important thing in the world. However, it doesn’t become a priority for many people until there’s something wrong, something that needs a doctor’s help, urgently.
However, for some, going to see a doctor makes them uncomfortable. Or it might incur a hefty fee in some countries. So even if they’re in pain or very worried, they put off seeing a professional until it’s far too late. It is vital to recognize when you absolutely must get to the hospital ASAP. And a bunch of redditors shared their first-hand experiences with their health issues, noting the signs that indicate you should seek medical assistance immediately. Immediately.
When you’re done reading these tips, be sure to let us know in the comments if there are any other health-scare signs that you think are important for others to hear about, dear Pandas.
Bored Panda got in touch with labor and delivery nurse Holly D. to hear her advice on when pregnant women should rush to the hospital. She told us that false labor and actual labor can be difficult to distinguish. She explained to us what should be done in the case of painful contractions.
"We encourage patients that are having painful contractions to note contraction frequency when resting. A rule of thumb is drink two large cups of water and rest (lay down feet up) then start tracking contraction frequency. Most providers would recommend if you continue to have contractions 3-5 min apart for 1 hour, it’s appropriate for you to come to Labor and Delivery to be triaged," nurse Holly explained to us.
"Any bleeding or if the patient is experiencing leaking of fluid or decreased fetal movement or extreme pain it is recommended to come in to triage and be seen."
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If you feel like you have the worst migraine of your life, go to the emergency room. My sister has always dealt with bad migraines but one day she said she felt like she got hit by a bat on her head and she had a horrific migraine. The emergency room doctor would not give her an mri despite my father bringing it up. Because the doctor said it was just a migraine, my sister went on without medical treatment for a full 7 days. On that seventh day something told her they needed to go in again and what do you know? She has a brain aneurysm that has burst and she has been bleeding into her brain for an entire week. Thank god she ended up getting surgery and surviving it with little to no residual effects on her. Her neurologist said that he doesn’t believe in miracles, but her case is the closest thing to one he’s ever seen
The worst headache of your life, which came on very quickly. (Also known as a 'Thunderclap headache'). Even with no other symptoms, this needs to be looked at immediately. Could be any range of things, but what they're most concerned with is a ruptured aneurysm.
A "feeling of impending doom". Really, it's actually considered a clinical sign and can indicate impending stroke, heart attack, or other things. Can also be a panic attack but if it comes out of nowhere and isn't associated with a known anxiety disorder, don't be afraid to take it seriously.
When you throw up and it looks like coffee grounds.
You took a new medicine and your throat is closing up. Anaphylaxis can kill you.
Signs of stroke.
Face or mouth drooping
Arm weakness
Speech slurred
Time to call an ambulance
So think FAST
Losing the ability to see color in one or more eye, sign of major issue in brain.
If your pee is so dark that it looks like Guinness, go to the hospital immediately.
You were bit by an animal. ALWAYS ASSUME IT WAS RABID. if you don’t get rabies treatment within something like 48 hours you could cross the threshold into guaranteed death.
If one of your pupils is fully dilated to the point you can barely see your iris, but the other eye is normal. Get your butt to the E.R Stat.
You were told 48 hours ago that you had gastroenteritis ("stomach flu") and you did everything the doc said and not only don't you feel better, you feel worse.
There are a lot of things it could be, but gastroenteritis is probably not it, and some of the other possibilities are potentially lethal.
For women on birth control: serious shortness of breath (as in a relatively healthy person being winded just walking to/from car) and unexplained pain in your legs, mainly inside thighs. Blood clots/embolisms. They can kill you VERY fast if they break loose and travel.
I had a headache for a week and was getting confused at work.
2 brain tumors and hydrocephalus led to immediate intake
When you're dehydrated and still throwing up
Growing pain in your back near your kidney? Stones. Go to the hospital before the pain gets unbearable.
Skin/white of the eyes turning yellow. This probably caused by accumulation of bilirubin in the blood which can be caused by severe liver failure.
Sudden hearing loss. The faster you get to the hospital the better the chances of reversing it (statistically)
In my case I left it two weeks and I’m now living with tinnitus.
Sudden or gradually increasing numbness or weakness in either or both legs.
Recent urinary retention or incontinence.
Numbness / lack of sensation around the saddle region (groin and inner thighs).
All of these are signs of spinal cord compression and suggest an issue called Cauda Equina which can result in paralysis of the lower body or reduced strength and control.
When that wound you got on your foot by stepping on a rusty nail smells like rot.
If you have chest pain and especially if it's combined with sweating, nausea/vomiting, left arm pain, and/or a sense of impending doom.
