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10 Critical Health Conditions Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Every day, we make decisions about our health. We evaluate whether certain symptoms are worthy of going to the doctor or whether we can wait for the symptom to resolve on its own. This is typically a cost-benefit calculation we make that weighs our time and money against our sense of risk.

While there are many instances where taking a wait-and-see approach is warranted, some health conditions absolutely require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, you should see a doctor or visit an urgent care facility or emergency room right away.

1. Severe, Persistent, or Unusual Headache

Headaches come in all sorts of varieties. Most of them are benign, and there’s nothing to worry about. However, some types of headaches should make you immediately pick up the phone and call for medical attention.

Headaches that come on suddenly and severely could indicate a stroke or aneurysm. A headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking could also indicate a serious problem.

2. Chest Pain

Chest pain has a variety of causes, but it is often a sign of a serious medical condition. Chest pain that is severe, crushing, squeezing, or accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, or pain radiating down the left arm requires an immediate trip to the emergency room.

While chest pain may turn out to be a condition as benign as acid reflux, it could be a sign of a heart attack or another life-threatening heart condition.

3. Severe Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain usually has a clear source, like constipation, menstruation, or gas. However, severe abdominal pain requires medical attention, especially if it is:

• Accompanied by fever
• Accompanied by bloody stool
• Accompanied by persistent nausea and vomiting
• Severe and sudden
• Associated with trauma
• Accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain

Severe stomach pain could indicate appendicitis, an obstruction or perforation of the digestive tract, or another emergency medical condition.

4. Difficulty Speaking, Confusion, or Changes in Vision or Consciousness

Neurological changes often indicate serious health problems. Medical attention should be sought immediately for:

• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Confusion or personality changes
• Sudden changes in vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

These symptoms could indicate a stroke, which occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced. Strokes are among the leading causes of death in the United States and a major cause of serious disability for adults. Getting help within 3 hours of the first symptoms often leads to less disability 3 months after a stroke.

5. Shortness of Breath

Sudden, unexplained shortness of breath is always a medical emergency. While it can sometimes be attributed to extreme temperatures, strenuous exercise, massive obesity, or high altitude, difficulty breathing, or dyspnea, is a common symptom of a variety of severe health issues, including asthma, pneumonia, COPD, heart problems, and anxiety.

If you have unexpected shortness of breath, seek out medical attention immediately.

6. Unusual Bleeding

Unusual bleeding generally requires prompt medical attention. This includes:

• Vomiting blood
• Passing blood in stool
• Coughing up blood
• Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
• Heavy periods
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop

Internal bleeding is a severe medical emergency that can lead to shock or death.

7. Changes in Bowel or Bladder Function

Sudden changes in bowel or bladder function can signal a medical emergency. Of particular note are sudden persistent constipation and diarrhea. Constipation can indicate a bowel obstruction, while diarrhea can cause severe dehydration.

Blood in the stool could indicate a serious medical condition like colon cancer. While less emergent, be sure to talk to your doctor if you see blood in your stool.

8. Suicidal Thoughts

If you’re contemplating suicide, seek emergency medical attention. Suicidal thoughts are often a symptom of an underlying mental health condition that requires treatment. Most communities in the United States have suicide and crisis hotlines staffed with trained personnel who can talk with you and connect you with the support you need.

9. High Fever

While a low-grade fever is generally not a concern, a high fever can be. For adults, a fever above 103 degrees Fahrenheit generally requires medical attention, especially if accompanied by sensitivity to bright light, a stiff neck, confusion, breathing difficulties, abdominal pain, or persistent vomiting.

In infants, a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher should be brought to the attention of a doctor, especially in newborns to 3-month-olds.

10. Severe Burns

Burns requiring immediate medical attention include:

• Burns that affect large sections of the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or a major joint
• Third-degree burns (the skin cannot feel the burn because of nerve damage)
• Burns that appear white, charred, or leathery
• Chemical or electrical burns
• Burns covering a large area of the body
• Burns on infants or older adults

In addition to the ten above, any symptom that represents a significant change in your regular bodily functions or feels life-threatening should be brought to the attention of a medical professional. When in doubt, get it checked out. After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.