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Warning-sign checks

Mitchell disease: 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 for chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, fainting, confusion, or sudden weakness or speech difficulty.

    These are not typical flares and may indicate a separate emergency.

    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 prompt medical advice if:

    • The skin has developed a blister, ulcer, discharge, or increasing tenderness
    • Redness is spreading or is accompanied by fever
    • A limb suddenly becomes much more swollen or painful
    • Symptoms change sharply from their usual pattern
    • Cooling has caused numb, pale, hard, or damaged skin
    • Pain is no longer manageable with the agreed plan
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if you have repeated episodes of burning pain, warmth, and redness, particularly when they interfere with sleep, walking, work, or school.

    Medical review is also important if symptoms are new, mainly affect one side, or began after starting a medicine.

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