Moderate breathing difficulties
If you have any doubt about your ability to breathe on your own or whether a bout of wheezing is normal, it’s best to get yourself checked out at an emergency room. These things can be symptoms of something serious, but they’re also more common than people realize. More than 10 million Americans visit ERs each year because of breathing difficulties alone, and a whopping 80 percent are released back into their lives without being properly diagnosed with anything. Take control over your care by seeking help from medical professionals with experience diagnosing potential issues at an ER. It’s never worth risking your health for cost savings.
If you’re having trouble catching your breath, it could be something as simple as a cold or a serious condition such as pneumonia. Breathing too quickly or shallowly is one of those classic symptoms that means you should seek medical attention. If you have difficulty breathing and have difficulty doing basic tasks, then it’s probably time to go see a doctor. Coughing up blood: While there are some conditions (such as bronchitis) that can cause coughing up blood, if it continues for an extended period of time and causes extreme exhaustion, make sure you don’t ignore its warning signs. Headaches: When headaches turn into migraines without any warning, seek medical attention. Signs include things like numbness or tingling on one side of your face.
If you can’t breathe, you need emergency care right away. But many people with breathing problems are afraid they might be a hypochondriac or that they won’t get good care in an ER. The best way to ensure that your problem is taken seriously and addressed by a qualified professional is to know what symptoms signal that you should go straight from urgent care or your doctor’s office to a hospital. If you are experiencing trouble breathing, numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking, swallowing, vision problems or chest pain—the main symptoms of a heart attack—you need immediate medical attention.
