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Warning-sign checks

Dyscrasias: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help for:

    • Bleeding that is heavy or will not stop
    • Vomiting blood or passing black, tar-like stools with weakness
    • Sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, or coughing up blood
    • Fainting, severe confusion, or difficulty staying awake
    • Sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, or severe imbalance

    These signs can have several causes, but they need immediate assessment.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your care team promptly if you have a diagnosed dyscrasia and develop new bleeding, fever, increasing breathlessness, rapidly worsening weakness, or symptoms that differ from your usual pattern.

    Fever or feeling suddenly unwell needs prompt assessment if you have been told that your infection-fighting white cells are very low.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment for unexplained tiredness, repeated infections, new easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, unusually heavy menstrual bleeding, or persistent small red or purple spots on the skin.

    These symptoms often have causes other than a dyscrasia, but they may justify an examination and blood test.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Dyscrasias. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.