The Blue Ribbon Foundation, a charity based in Kent has suggested that there are 20 symptoms that you should go and talk to a doctor about. Below is what the Blue Ribbon Foundation said.
The first 10 symptoms are as follows:
1. Shortness of breath
You must go to the doctor if you suffer a sudden shortness of breath. It could be a sign of a collapsed lung, a heart attack or a pulmonary embolism, It could also be a sign of lung cancer, lung disease or pneumonia.
2. Chest pain
It is also important to see a doctor if you have chest pain, as this could be the sign of a serious health problem such as a heart attack. If you have chest pain that radiates to your jaw, down your left arm, or into your back, or if it’s accompanied by pressure on your chest, sweating and nausea, go to an emergency room immediately.
3. Allergic reactions
If you experience swelling of your lips and tongue, itching in your throat, wheezing, coughing, difficulty swallowing, rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, or fainting, call 999 immediately. If you carry epinephrine for these emergencies, use it right away. See your doctor to discuss what may be causing them and how you should take care of yourself or prepare for an emergency, if you have mild allergic symptoms.
4. New onset of severe headache
You should get help, if you experience a severe headache unlike one you’ve ever had before. Also watch out for headaches with vision changes, loss of balance, confusion or a fever. The headache itself could be a sign of meningitis, a brain aneurysm, a stroke, or another serious health issue.
5. Coughing blood
Call 999 if you are coughing blood along with chest pain, as that could be due to a pulmonary embolism. If you only have blood-tinged sputum, particularly with other symptoms, such as fever, weight loss, and fatigue, you should also see a doctor.
6. New, sudden onset of confusion
A sudden onset of confusion could be a sign of a stroke, an infection, or a mass pressing on brain tissue (including brain cancer). These require immediate emergency care. New onset of confusion can also be a sign of low blood sugar, often a complication for people taking insulin or medications for diabetes, oxygen deprivation for people with lung disease, side effects from a medication, and more.
7. Severe abdominal pain
You should get emergency care if you have abdominal pain after a trauma, or with bloody stools, fever, abdominal swelling, persistent nausea and vomiting, and/or severe tenderness when you press on it, seek emergency medical help as soon as possible. It could be a sign of perforated bowel, heart attack, appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, heart attack. Blue Ribbon states that, “getting help quickly could save your life.”
8. Sudden changes in vision
You should get emergency care if you suffer a sudden severe pain in your eye, loss of vision in either or both eyes, and sudden extreme sensitivity to light. Blue Ribbon notes that, “immediate treatment may prevent or limit vision loss.”
9. Weakness on one side of your body
Call for an ambulance if you feel a sudden weakness on one side of your body, even if it’s only one part, like your face or just your arm or leg. This can be a sign of a stroke or some other issue with your brain. The Blue Ribbon Foundation reminds us that, “if you suspect a stroke, think FAST – does one side of your face droop (F), can you lift both arms (A), can you speak clearly (S) – and T is for time.”
10. Severe lower back pain
You should see a doctor if you have continual back pain. It is also mentioned that, “if you have sudden severe back pain accompanied by stomach pain, fever, inability to move one or both legs, loss of bowel or bladder control, sudden weakness, nausea and vomiting, or loss of consciousness, this is a medical emergency and could be life threatening.”
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