 Signs, symptoms & indicators of A Potentially Urgent Medical Need: | |  | | | Symptoms - Abdominal Pain |  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 lower-right/severe lower-left/severe lower abdominal pain |
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 4 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, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can all cause black stools or false melena. Stools should be tested for the presence of hidden blood. |
Frequent/significant red 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. |
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Symptoms - Head - Eyes/Ocular |
Pain in one eye or pain in both eyes| | Severe eye pain should be investigated aggressively to prevent the possible consequence of blindness. |
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Symptoms - Mind - Emotional |
Attempting suicide |
Symptoms - Respiratory |
Moderate/severe/significant chest pain
 Chest pain when breathing| | 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. |
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Symptoms - Skeletal |
Severe/significant neck pain| | Severe neck pain can indicate a potentially life-threatening condition, such as meningitis, encephalitis or a subarachnoid hemorrage. |
Significant/severe neck stiffness| | A very stiff neck can indicate a potentially life-threatening condition, such as meningitis, encephalitis or a subarachnoid hemorrage. |
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Conditions that suggest A Potentially Urgent Medical Need:
Risk factors for A Potentially Urgent Medical Need:
Recommendations and treatments for A Potentially Urgent Medical Need:
KEY | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Proven definite or direct link |  | | Strongly counter-indicative |  | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Abdomen (Abdominal)
That part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, pancreas and other organs.
Acute
An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.
Embolism
Obstruction of a vessel by an abnormal body, usually a detached blood clot.
Hemorrhoids
Varicose disorder causing painful swellings at the anus; piles.
Lung (Lungs, Pulmonary)
Organ of the body, located in the chest cavity which is designed to bring oxygen from the air into the blood stream, while also expelling carbon dioxide and other waste gases out of the body. Pulmonary: Related to the lungs.
Milliliter (mL)
0.001 or one thousandth of a liter.
Tablespoon (Tablespoons, tbsp)
Equivalent to 15cc (15ml).
Last updated: Apr 27, 2008
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