When a health emergency strikes, many turn to Google for a quick answer. However, certain symptoms that commonly trigger an online search are serious red flags that require immediate medical attention,
not a search engine.
Dr Kamal Palta, Principal Consultant, Emergency Medicine, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket shares all you need to know:
At the top of the list is sudden, severe chest pain or pressure, especially with pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back, accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, or sweating. This classic heart attack symptom cluster is never something to “wait out.”
Similarly, sudden onset of the worst headache of your life, often described as a “thunderclap,” is a hallmark sign of a brain aneurysm or bleeding in the brain. It demands an instant Ambulance call. Any sudden weakness, numbness, or confusion, particularly on one side of the body (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), signals a potential stroke where every minute is critical for preserving brain function.
Pay close attention to vision changes. Sudden loss or blurring of vision in one or both eyes is a medical emergency that could signal a stroke, retinal detachment, or other critical issue. This is not a symptom for a next-day optometrist appointment.
Other urgent symptoms people dangerously search include sudden, severe abdominal pain (which could indicate appendicitis or a ruptured organ) and difficulty in breathing not linked to temporary exertion or anxiety. Coughing or vomiting blood also warrants an immediate emergency room visit.
Finally, suicidal or homicidal thoughts are a psychological emergency requiring immediate intervention, not online searching.
While the internet can provide general information, it cannot perform a physical exam, run tests, or make a diagnosis. Searching for explanations during a true emergency wastes precious time when permanent disability or death can be the consequence of delay. Trust your instincts: if a symptom is severe, sudden, or unlike anything you’ve experienced before, bypass the browser and call for professional help immediately. It is always better to err on the side of caution.
