While a few of these signs and symptoms may be obviously serious, some people just simply wait too long before they address them – and, unfortunately, that’s sometimes a little too late. So if you experience any of these symptoms, you may need to call 000; it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
1. Chest pain
If you have chest pain or pressure along with sweating, shortness of breath or nausea, it’s best to get help right away, especially if the pain or heaviness lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back again. It could be a sign of a heart disease or heart attack, particularly after you’ve been exercising.
2. Weakness in your arms and legs
If your arm, leg, or face, becomes weak or numb, it could be a sign of a stroke, especially if it’s only along one side of the body. Not being able to keep your balance, feeling dizzy or trouble with walking are also potential signs of experiencing a stroke.
3. Lower leg pain or tenderness
Lower leg pain and tenderness can be caused by blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. DVT can develop after you’ve been stationary for extended periods, such as sitting on a long plane trip, or lying in bed for a long time if you’ve been unwell.
If it’s a DVT, you are likely to feel the pain most when you stand or walk. There may also be some swelling. If a blood clot is not diagnosed early on, there is a risk of it breaking off and blocking blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke and other complications.
4. Blood in your pee
Haematuria, or blood in your urine, is a sign that there is damage to your kidneys. It could be caused by kidney stones, especially if you are feeling a lot of pain on the side of your body or in your lower back; a severe bladder or kidney infection, which can present with the increased urge to pee, peeing often or a burning sensation when you urinate; or kidney or bladder cancer. So don’t wait to see your doctor if you see blood in your pee.
5. Wheezing
Wheezing, or a whistling sound when you breathe, should be seen to immediately, because it can quickly worsen and become life-threatening. It can be caused by asthma, a lung disease, a severe allergy or breathing in chemicals. Wheezing can also be caused by pneumonia or bronchitis.
Read more at WebMD.
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