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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency care for sudden loss of bladder control with severe lower back pain, new leg weakness, numbness around the genitals or buttocks, or loss of bowel control.
These can be signs of serious pressure on the nerves at the bottom of the spine.
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
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek prompt medical advice if you have:
Burning or pain when urinating
Fever, chills, or pain in your side or back
Visible blood in the urine
New difficulty starting urination or emptying the bladder
Repeated urinary infections
Pelvic pain or unexplained weight loss
An inability to urinate with increasing lower abdominal pain also needs urgent assessment.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine appointment if urgency or leakage is recurring, affects sleep or daily activities, or causes you to avoid leaving home.
You should also seek assessment if symptoms begin after starting a medicine or if you often feel that your bladder has not emptied.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Urge incontinence. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.