A Potentially Urgent Medical Need


	A Potentially Urgent Medical Need

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Signs, symptoms and indicators | Conditions that suggest it | Contributing risk factors | Recommendations


	Emergency medicine can be life-saving. Even if you have some philosophical, religious or financial objection to doing this, it is in your best interest to take action unless you are very sure of what is causing the significant symptoms you have reported or you have already seen a qualified doctor recently regarding them.

Signs, symptoms & indicators of A Potentially Urgent Medical Need:

Symptoms - Bowel Movements

Black or tarry stools

Blood, as seen in the stool, can originate anywhere along the intestinal tract. A black stool (called melena) usually means that the blood is coming from the upper part of the tract. At least 2 Tablespoons (60ml) of blood must have been lost in order to make the stool black. Maroon-colored stools suggest that the blood is coming from the middle portion of the intestinal tract, and bright red from the large bowel or rectum. If stools change color suddenly, it can be evidence of internal bleeding which requires immediate medical attention.

The ingestion of black licorice, lead, iron pills, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can all cause black stools or false melena. Stools should be tested for the presence of hidden blood.

(Frequent/significant) blood in stools

Significant bleeding from anywhere in the body requires immediate medical attention. Small amounts of red blood, especially on the toilet tissue, are most likely from hemorrhoids.

Symptoms - Gas-Int - General

Severe abdominal discomfort

Severe acute or prolonged abdominal pain is a possible symptom of many serious conditions. You are advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible, unless you already know the cause of the pain.

Severe right/severe/severe left lower abdominal pain

Acute/recent abdominal pain

Counter-indicators:

Chronic abdominal pain

Symptoms - Head - Eyes/Ocular

Unilateral/bilateral eye pain

Severe eye pain should be investigated aggressively to prevent the possible consequence of blindness.

Symptoms - Respiratory

Chest pain when breathing or chest pain when breathing in or chest pain when breathing out

The sensation of a "catch" at the end of a deep breath is clinically important as a symptom of pulmonary embolism (a clot to the lung). This requires immediate evaluation by a physician.

Symptoms - Urinary

Having blood in urine

Conditions that suggest A Potentially Urgent Medical Need:

Autoimmune

Ulcerative Colitis

Due to blood and electrolyte loss, as well as the need to prevent further tissue damage, early diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease is important.

Crohn's Disease

Infections

Malaria

Pyelonephritis

Cellulitis

Metabolic

Anorexia / Starvation Tendency

Hospitalization is recommended for anorexics with any of the following characteristics:

Weight of 40% or more below normal; or weight loss over a three-month period of more than 30 pounds.
Severely disturbed metabolism.
Severe binging and purging.
Signs of psychosis.
Severe depression or risk of suicide.
Family in crisis.

Hospital treatment includes individual and group therapy as well as refeeding and monitoring of the patient's physical condition. Treatment usually requires 2-4 months in the hospital. In extreme cases, hospitalized patients may be force-fed through a tube inserted in the nose (nasogastric tube) or by over-feeding (hyperalimentation techniques).

Hyperkalemia (Elevated Serum Potassium)

Personal Background

Not being under doctor's supervision

Seeing a doctor on a regular basis can help prevent the sudden and unexpected health crisis.

Risk factors for A Potentially Urgent Medical Need:

Circulation	Angina
Personal Background	Counter-indicators: Being under medical/being under alternative care or being under joint medical supervison

Recommendations for A Potentially Urgent Medical Need:

Action

See a Doctor at Earliest Opportunity

KEY

		Weak or unproven link
		Strong or generally accepted link
		Proven definite or direct link
		Strongly counter-indicative
		Very strongly or absolutely counter-indicative
		Highly recommended

GLOSSARY

Acute: An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.

Electrolyte: An element or compound that, when melted or dissolved in water or other solvent, breaks up into ions and is able to carry an electric current.

Embolism: Obstruction of a vessel by an abnormal body, usually a detached blood clot.

Hemorrhoids: Varicose disorder causing painful swellings at the anus; piles.

Iron: An essential mineral. Prevents anemia: as a constituent of hemoglobin, transports oxygen throughout the body. Virtually all of the oxygen used by cells in the life process are brought to the cells by the hemoglobin of red blood cells. Iron is a small but most vital, component of the hemoglobin in 20,000 billion red blood cells, of which 115 million are formed every minute. Heme iron (from meat) is absorbed 10 times more readily than the ferrous or ferric form.

Metabolism: The chemical processes of living cells in which energy is produced in order to replace and repair tissues and maintain a healthy body. Responsible for the production of energy, biosynthesis of important substances, and degradation of various compounds.

Pulmonary: Pertaining to the lungs.

Tablespoon: (Tbsp) Equivalent to 15cc (15ml).