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."
#21
Growing pain in your back near your kidney? Stones. Go to the hospital before the pain gets unbearable.
Report
106points
#22
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.
Report
101points
#23
Sudden onset abdominal pain and vomiting. Appendicitis doesn’t always present as pain in the lower right quadrant. If it bursts you’re f*cked.
Report
96points
#24
If life gets good. Really, really good. Like too good- like you realize you’re one of the most powerful people on the planet. Like you realize you’re smarter than everyone else. And that you’re God’s favorite. And you know because he told you so. Himself. With his words. In your head.
Report
95points
#25
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.
93points
#26
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.
Report
87points
#27
One very high blood pressure on one arm, and one very low blood pressure on the other arm, coupled with pain radiating from the shoulder/chest to your back could be a sign of aortic dissection. While it is very rare, it is also life threatening.
Additionally,
Chest pain/pressure - “an elephant is sitting on my chest”
A sudden change in mental status - “do you know where you are? Do you what today is? Do you know who the president is?”
Shortness of breath with chest pain (especially if you had recent surgery) - this could be a sign of a blood clot or if it moves to the lungs, a pulmonary embolism.
More often than not, you need to go to your doctor or an urgent care. However, I can’t tell you how many times a night I say, “it’s a good thing you came in, you made the right choice”
Pro tip: keep a handy list of your meds, and allergies and bring a phone charger
Report
84points
#28
When that wound you got on your foot by stepping on a rusty nail smells like rot.
72points
#29
If you are completely melopaused and you start bleeding like a period, it is not a period and you need to go to the hospital asap.
Also, if you have been electrified but you feel fine, still go to the hospital because blood clots are no jokes.
Report
72points
#30
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.
Report
67points