The human body is a machine, albeit the most complex one in existence, and just like any machine out there, it can break down at any time. Fortunately, there are almost always telltale signs and symptoms that lets us know that it’s time to seek emergency medical care. However, in order to recognize those signs, you need to know what they are first.

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Shortness of Breath

Panting at the gym or after climbing the stairs is perfectly normal because you are just out of breath from exercising. However, if you find yourself panting suddenly and without any sufficient physical exertion, it’s a sign that you need to get yourself checked out. In fact, if the shortness of breath is accompanied by pain and doesn’t go away quickly enough, it’s time to call the emergency services for immediate attention because your life could be at risk.

Abdominal Pain

There are so many vital organs within the abdominal cavity that it’s impossible to tell what’s actually going on in there without the proper tests. Nevertheless, a sharp pain that doesn’t go away and is sensitive to touch is a sure indication that it’s urgent to see a physician and get yourself tested.

Swelling Limbs

Swelling limbs (legs in particular) can be indicative of health problems such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, vascular problems, poor circulation, congestive heart failure, infections, internal injuries and so on. So, if your limb is swelling up, it’s time to go see the doctor and find out the cause.

Internal Bleeding

Blood in vomit, coughing, stools, and urine are all signs that urgent medical assistance is necessary, because it shows that there is internal bleeding going on. It can be indicative of trauma, cancers, ulcers, tumors and other severe issues that are likely to be fatal if left untreated.

Sudden Weakness and Temporary Blindness

Temporary loss of vision in one eye, sudden weakness, or complete loss of sensation in one section of the body are all indicative of strokes or at least impending ones anyway. Even if the person in question is not old, strokes can at times affect people of any age, so a visit to the doctor is mandatory.

Intense Pain Inside the Head

Headaches are quite common, and they are not usually a reason for concern, especially if you have a flu, a cold, or if you have just had a wild party last night. However, if the headache is excruciatingly sharp and intense, along with being unfamiliar, it could be a stroke, an aneurysm, a tumor or a concussion. All these conditions are life-threatening and therefore, urgent and emergency assistance is necessary.

Tightness in Chest

One of the staple symptoms of a heart attack is tightness in your chest and a sensation of the chest being squeezed, accompanied by pain, sweating, nausea, throwing up. It could also be GERD, but even that needs to be treated properly. But just in case it isn’t GERD, ignoring it could be fatal.

If you can identify yourself or anyone close to you with any of the symptoms we just discussed, it’s time to pay a visit to a reputed medical laboratory near you. The faster you act, the better the patient’s chances of averting an emergency and getting better.