Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
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."
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
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
RELATED:
#2
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.
#3
As an ER nurse (and this is in no way medical advice, just one man’s thoughts), I always tell people to listen to the part of your brain that’s telling you that things are off. You know how you feel every day and no one else does, so you’re the only one that can be trusted to understand when something just does not feel right.
Also, if you are awoken from sleep with chest pain, get your a*s to the ER.
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
As a nurse, a really high five. You may get stared at, as in well, why are you at the ER just because something doesn't feel right. As in previous post about a cardiac patient "I don't know. I just don't feel right" should be listened to.
According to labor and delivery Nurse Holly, time is a mystery when it comes to labor.
"There’s no definitive time when or how long someone will be in labor. I’ve known patients that will have contractions for 2 weeks before the baby is delivered," she told Bored Panda.
"On the flip side, I know patients that came in for a headache and a little abdominal pressure and delivered their baby 30 minutes later."
#4
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.
#5
Speaking from experience here, if you suddenly feel no pain after feeling what has to be some of the worst pain imaginable, it means your appendix has burst, and you need to get to the hospital IMMEDIATELY, otherwise, you WILL die.
#6
When you throw up and it looks like coffee grounds.
Nurse Holly told us about what she and her colleagues look for when seeing to patients. "As a labor and delivery nurse, we look for frequency of contractions and cervical change to give us a better idea as to how your body is responding to labor," she said.
"Time is always the million-dollar question. The best advice I can give, keep in contact with your providers during these times of questionable labor. Utilize their on-call service, let the provider know what you are experiencing. The provider will ask follow-up questions to help you make an informed decision on the next step."
#7
You took a new medicine and your throat is closing up. Anaphylaxis can kill you.
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
Call 911 and if you can't talk bang the phone on the table, or something else hard. That is a universal sign to dispatch that you are in serious trouble. It's lights and siren time. (Don't know the numbers for other areas of the world)
#8
Signs of stroke.
Face or mouth drooping
Arm weakness
Speech slurred
Time to call an ambulance
So think FAST
MaddaPanda 2 years ago
Everyone should know that you should be able to raise both arms and smile. If not, call an ambulance.
#9
Honestly, (the following all together) lack of appetite, frequent urinating, vomiting, severe fatigue. Everyone thought my sister had the flu, but my mom took my sister to the hospital anyways.
She had diabetic ketoacidosis. Her blood sugar was 717. She was almost in a coma. She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 8 years old.
Sadly, it is understandable why some people refuse to go see a doctor even when their health is on the line. It’s a problem that many Americans have to deal with. Some of them are uninsured; and even the ones who are might not get their entire hospital fees covered.
As Dr. Andrew Carroll, a doctor from Arizona, explained to Bored Panda sometime earlier, insurance companies do not have their clients’ best interests at heart. At the core of how they operate is money, not the desire to help someone in need.
“Unfortunately in the US, since the insurance company is the payer for a patient’s care, they are heavily involved in the provision of that care. Their job is not to pay for healthcare but avoid paying for healthcare. It is a terrible system,” Dr. Carroll explained to us.
#10
Losing the ability to see color in one or more eye, sign of major issue in brain.
#11
If your pee is so dark that it looks like Guinness, go to the hospital immediately.
Aran Lindvail 2 years ago
But it can be colorful with no medical issue, depending on what you ate! E.g. beets, some fungi, blueberries, excessive vitamin pills will lead to weird but harmless urine colors.
#12
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.
“We are trained very early, almost like soldiers, to work hard and long hours, deal with extremely stressful conditions, and work through the emotional turmoil of death, debility, and the effect those things have on the patient and their families,” the healthcare professional shared how tough the job of medical staff can be.
However, for Dr. Carroll, being a doctor is his calling. And it has been one ever since he can remember.
“I love what I do because I could not see myself doing anything else. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was 5, since I myself had a major medical issue. I remember the care and compassion my doctors when I was that age showed me, and helped me get through my very tough time. I wanted to do that for others, and so far I think I have done so,” he shared with Bored Panda.
#13
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.
#14
When everything you type is suddenly jibberish. Went to the ER thinking I had a stroke, came out of the hospital a week later with an MS diagnosis, going quickly prevented the damage to my brain from getting worse.
Same vein, if you look down at you feet and electricity shoots up your body in a wave of tingles, that's your spinal cord being eaten by your immune system, see a doctor.
#15
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.
Hseed 2 years ago
My father almost died on this diagnosis. He was told he had gastroenteritis, he didn't get better so we forced him to ER (he was quite stubborn) and he ended up having a exploded appendix and the infection spread to his whole abdominal area. Doctors said an hour late would have been lethal. So yes, please. Do what the post says.
“Insurance companies make it difficult though, and nearly force cold, inhumane, and compassionless rules on patients when they are most vulnerable,” the doctor said.
There are financial incentives for US insurance companies to keep the system as it currently exists, Dr. Carroll says. “It will be very difficult to reduce the administrative costs without overhauling the payment system altogether.”
Insurance providers simply do not have a patient’s best interests at heart. "Unfortunately, these payers tend not to have altruistic intentions towards their members. They cater to the advantage of the employers paying for the benefits, who want to try and spend the least amount of money they can." What this means is that an insurer can, for example, make cost-effective decisions on their clients' part that might not actually be best for their health.
#16
When you have tiny little red dots all over your body. This happened to my wife. We learned she has almost no platelets in her blood anymore and it starting to come out her capillaries. She was rushed to the hospital and was there for a week. Later was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma and went through a 3 year experimental chemotherapy to keep it from going full blown blood cancer.
#17
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.
Rick Seiden 2 years ago
Happened to my daughter within weeks of her 18th birthday. It would have killed her if left untreated.
#18
Any kind of sensation, localised to one side of your body. This had been happening to me for over 8 months, and I just done the old...... "Ehhh it'll be fine" and went on about my business. Turns out it was a brain tumor. Luckily all seemed to be benign and I've had it removed..... But sometimes..... You just don't know what you're living with..... Sometimes it can be something pushing on your thinky meat.
#19
I had a headache for a week and was getting confused at work.
2 brain tumors and hydrocephalus led to immediate intake
David Woollands 2 years ago
We had a colleague at work that seemed confused and generally not themselves. She was struggling with simple tasks and was usually very smart and had a fun and bubbly personality. Turned out to be a brain tumour!!
#20
When you're dehydrated and still throwing up
#21
Growing pain in your back near your kidney? Stones. Go to the hospital before the pain gets unbearable.
Helenium 2 years ago
I had gallstones. Because I was anorexic. No one noticed my massive weight loss. When I was in agony crying in pain throwing up they said I’m doing it for attention and would get me a doc. I went to doctors who said it’s hormones. Six years. Finally my idiot parents who I no longer speak to got a doctor who gave me Valium. Hospital scan. Gall stones. My sister on the hand. She had wind. Whisked her right up the hospital no problem
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
Orange Is Aging 2 years ago
Is tinnitus curable? Now that I think about it, I’m not quite sure!
#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.
#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
Miss Frankfurter 2 years ago
Amen to all of that, especially meds. But really, everyone with a chronic health issue, takes prescription meds, has allergies, please get a medic alert bracelet. Cant tell you how many times that saved us critical time finding all that out with simply looking on the bracelet and us making just one phonecall.
#28
When that wound you got on your foot by stepping on a rusty nail smells like rot.
BAN CAPITAL LETTERS 2 years ago
you should probably get it checked out before it starts smelling like rot. getting cut/pierced by something rusty is bad if you're not up to date with your tetanus shots
#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.
#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.
What do you think ?
BigFish Artwire 2 years ago
Don't downvote it, I mean it. Hypochondria or health related anxiety is quite impairing. Although some of the things described here are proper symptoms of important stuff (that trust me, people with anxiety know them all) many are rather random things than in particular cases ended up being a big deal, but are usually irrelevant. Like you can have a headache if you have a brain tumor, but most headaches aren't caused by one. Someone with health anxiety will be significantly overwhelmed by this thread.
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
As an MD: We'd rather be bothered by someone who thinks it's lethal than have a corpse roll in, okay? If you worry about the bill, then hey, you're alive to worry about it. We know you're scared. We are too when it's our health. So that chest pain ended up being a rib issue. You still needed to be tended. So that pain was constipation. Now you know. OK? OK. Thank you.
ƒιѕн 2 years ago (edited)
Thanks for posting this, better to feel embarrassed than end up dead.
Load More Replies...
John Louis 2 years ago
Both my mother and father died of a heart attack. They both ignored symptoms of shortness of breathe. I went to the ER at the first sign of chest pain and discovered I had 95% blockage in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) also known as the widow maker. Because they got to it immediately I recovered and am in good health.
Just saying 2 years ago
My mum went to the doctors with shortness of breath, turns out she had already had TWO heart attacks - which she thought were just 'funny turns'. What she described as feeling sick and 'greasy' sweating.
Load More Replies...
Kristin Ingersoll 2 years ago
Some of these have many issues. Lots of good information here from people who seem to be very qualified (thank you EMTs, Docs, Nurses, Techs, etc!!!) but I would suggest, if you have time, checking the MAYO Clinic site, or something similar. Not just any google result. But a verified medical site. And always err on the side of caution. It's better to get to the ER and be told you're constipated, rather than hold out and have your bowel rupture.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Thank you. I also endorse MAYO CLINIC. Tehy are calm, safe, reliable, annd give you ideas of questions to ask that are far less .... um.... Well, just avoid medline/webmd/etc. Mayo!
Load More Replies...
Beth Adams Arledge 2 years ago
OMGOSH why did I read this after waking up waaaay too early due to anxiety?
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Adding again: When in doubt, seek help. Please. Don't worry oabut your hurt feelings or your hurt wallet. My dad blew it off, collapsed while driving, I had to drive from the *passenger side* to get us safe. My mom (40-plus years a nurse!) blew it off and it was her second heart attack. My hubby wanted to blow it off, but I marched him to an ER, and he had a really bad appendix. The list goes on ---- wihtout my mentioning actual patients. Please, for the love of your own life, call for help if anything seems *too* amiss to you. And if you are told you're a hypochondriac, get a shrink to confirm it *after* every other specialist finds nothing. I was told I was hypochondriac. I have epilepsy!
Random Girl on the Internet 2 years ago
I have to chew over 100 times in order to swallow. I went to at least 3 doctors, did so many tests, nothing. The last one made me sad. He said "It's healthy to chew slowly", right. I'm aware of what healthy chewing is, but this just males me annoyed to eat, also I can't gain weight and will probably get underweight. That doctor (along with my home doctor who just wants his patients to leave as quick as possible) made me hate doctors in my area.
Load More Replies...
cybermerlin2000 2 years ago (edited)
Out of personal experience, I can definitely recommend a hospital visit for anyone of these symptoms: A persistent chesty cough. Excessive peeing. Shooting pain from the left shoulder towards the left elbow. Heavy pressure sensation on the chest. Severe back pain between the shoulder blades. Waking up in the night struggling to breath, Rapid heart beat, pale facial skin and dark eyes, smelling rust and also bloody stools. Breathlessness for little or no reason. Loss of energy, loss of appetite. Cold wet burning sensation in the chest or the upper thighs. These could indicate diabetes, heart failure, respiratory failure, sleep apnoea, cancer to start you off
Caffeine72 2 years ago
If you can't touch your chin to your chest, GO. It's one of the first signs of meningitis.
TahJia Williams 2 years ago
Let me go ahead & out my shoes on. I'm sure ill find some reason in here to get up & go to the ER
Lisa Watson 2 years ago
When you go to have a bowel movement, and fill the bowl with blood, go to the hospital. I have ulcerative colitis, it's treatable. I had gotten a blood clot and was put on blood thinners, 3 days later in the hospital to find out what is going on with my gut. I was lucky to avoid a Crohn's diagnosis.
Summer Mason 2 years ago (edited)
For women who have recently gave birth. Placenta attachment after birth can tare your uterus open. If you think your bleeding for too long and too much blood is coming out.. get to the ER now! Trust me I almost died from this.
Becky Samuel 2 years ago
Seek medical advice as quickly as possible if you get a weird and incredibly itchy rash that is regional to one side and part of your body. Like, it will have clear borders that stop right on your midline. Shingles can be treated successfully, but the window for treatment is a matter of hours, and a full blown attack can last months and is agonising.
Valerie Lessard 2 years ago
In some countries like Australia it's so hard to know what's an emergency and what isn't. It's never fully explained. They seem intent on convincing you there's nothing wrong with you. I was sent away by various medical professionals telling me I just had a flu. Almost died of septic shock.
Madeleine Flowers 2 years ago
A few months ago, I had some of the symptoms and now I'm freaking out. I had a ton of pain in my abdomen (right word?) to the point where I couldn't walk. Lasted for maybe 45min-1hr. After I ate something, I felt fine and was able to get back to doing stuff. It hasn't bothered me since. Thoughts?
BigFish Artwire 2 years ago
Don't downvote it, I mean it. Hypochondria or health related anxiety is quite impairing. Although some of the things described here are proper symptoms of important stuff (that trust me, people with anxiety know them all) many are rather random things than in particular cases ended up being a big deal, but are usually irrelevant. Like you can have a headache if you have a brain tumor, but most headaches aren't caused by one. Someone with health anxiety will be significantly overwhelmed by this thread.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
As an MD: We'd rather be bothered by someone who thinks it's lethal than have a corpse roll in, okay? If you worry about the bill, then hey, you're alive to worry about it. We know you're scared. We are too when it's our health. So that chest pain ended up being a rib issue. You still needed to be tended. So that pain was constipation. Now you know. OK? OK. Thank you.
ƒιѕн 2 years ago (edited)
Thanks for posting this, better to feel embarrassed than end up dead.
Load More Replies... John Louis 2 years ago
Both my mother and father died of a heart attack. They both ignored symptoms of shortness of breathe. I went to the ER at the first sign of chest pain and discovered I had 95% blockage in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) also known as the widow maker. Because they got to it immediately I recovered and am in good health.
Just saying 2 years ago
My mum went to the doctors with shortness of breath, turns out she had already had TWO heart attacks - which she thought were just 'funny turns'. What she described as feeling sick and 'greasy' sweating.
Load More Replies... Kristin Ingersoll 2 years ago
Some of these have many issues. Lots of good information here from people who seem to be very qualified (thank you EMTs, Docs, Nurses, Techs, etc!!!) but I would suggest, if you have time, checking the MAYO Clinic site, or something similar. Not just any google result. But a verified medical site. And always err on the side of caution. It's better to get to the ER and be told you're constipated, rather than hold out and have your bowel rupture.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Thank you. I also endorse MAYO CLINIC. Tehy are calm, safe, reliable, annd give you ideas of questions to ask that are far less .... um.... Well, just avoid medline/webmd/etc. Mayo!
Load More Replies... Beth Adams Arledge 2 years ago
OMGOSH why did I read this after waking up waaaay too early due to anxiety?
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Adding again: When in doubt, seek help. Please. Don't worry oabut your hurt feelings or your hurt wallet. My dad blew it off, collapsed while driving, I had to drive from the *passenger side* to get us safe. My mom (40-plus years a nurse!) blew it off and it was her second heart attack. My hubby wanted to blow it off, but I marched him to an ER, and he had a really bad appendix. The list goes on ---- wihtout my mentioning actual patients. Please, for the love of your own life, call for help if anything seems *too* amiss to you. And if you are told you're a hypochondriac, get a shrink to confirm it *after* every other specialist finds nothing. I was told I was hypochondriac. I have epilepsy!
Random Girl on the Internet 2 years ago
I have to chew over 100 times in order to swallow. I went to at least 3 doctors, did so many tests, nothing. The last one made me sad. He said "It's healthy to chew slowly", right. I'm aware of what healthy chewing is, but this just males me annoyed to eat, also I can't gain weight and will probably get underweight. That doctor (along with my home doctor who just wants his patients to leave as quick as possible) made me hate doctors in my area.
Load More Replies... cybermerlin2000 2 years ago (edited)
Out of personal experience, I can definitely recommend a hospital visit for anyone of these symptoms: A persistent chesty cough. Excessive peeing. Shooting pain from the left shoulder towards the left elbow. Heavy pressure sensation on the chest. Severe back pain between the shoulder blades. Waking up in the night struggling to breath, Rapid heart beat, pale facial skin and dark eyes, smelling rust and also bloody stools. Breathlessness for little or no reason. Loss of energy, loss of appetite. Cold wet burning sensation in the chest or the upper thighs. These could indicate diabetes, heart failure, respiratory failure, sleep apnoea, cancer to start you off
Caffeine72 2 years ago
If you can't touch your chin to your chest, GO. It's one of the first signs of meningitis.
TahJia Williams 2 years ago
Let me go ahead & out my shoes on. I'm sure ill find some reason in here to get up & go to the ER
Lisa Watson 2 years ago
When you go to have a bowel movement, and fill the bowl with blood, go to the hospital. I have ulcerative colitis, it's treatable. I had gotten a blood clot and was put on blood thinners, 3 days later in the hospital to find out what is going on with my gut. I was lucky to avoid a Crohn's diagnosis.
Summer Mason 2 years ago (edited)
For women who have recently gave birth. Placenta attachment after birth can tare your uterus open. If you think your bleeding for too long and too much blood is coming out.. get to the ER now! Trust me I almost died from this.
Becky Samuel 2 years ago
Seek medical advice as quickly as possible if you get a weird and incredibly itchy rash that is regional to one side and part of your body. Like, it will have clear borders that stop right on your midline. Shingles can be treated successfully, but the window for treatment is a matter of hours, and a full blown attack can last months and is agonising.
Valerie Lessard 2 years ago
In some countries like Australia it's so hard to know what's an emergency and what isn't. It's never fully explained. They seem intent on convincing you there's nothing wrong with you. I was sent away by various medical professionals telling me I just had a flu. Almost died of septic shock.
Madeleine Flowers 2 years ago
A few months ago, I had some of the symptoms and now I'm freaking out. I had a ton of pain in my abdomen (right word?) to the point where I couldn't walk. Lasted for maybe 45min-1hr. After I ate something, I felt fine and was able to get back to doing stuff. It hasn't bothered me since. Thoughts?
Related on Bored Panda
