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Warning-sign checks

Fluid imbalance: 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

    Call emergency services if you or someone else has:

    • A seizure, collapse, or loss of consciousness
    • Severe confusion, extreme drowsiness, or difficulty waking
    • Severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness
    • Blue or grey lips or skin
    • Signs of shock, such as cold, clammy skin with faintness
    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

    Seek urgent medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down, have repeated vomiting or severe diarrhea, pass very little urine, or become increasingly dizzy when standing.

    Rapidly worsening swelling, new shortness of breath, or a large unexplained weight change also needs prompt assessment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
    • is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine follow-up for recurring thirst, swelling, cramps, or unusual changes in urination.

    Also seek review if symptoms repeatedly make you alter your drinking.

    These problems usually require an examination and tests rather than self-diagnosis.

The article also says

Babies, frail older adults, and people with heart, kidney, liver, adrenal, or blood glucose disorders may become unwell more quickly.

Get advice early if their intake or urine output falls or their behaviour changes.

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