How to Recognize a Medical Emergency

updated April 13, 2026

For most of us, a medical emergency, or at least an urgent medical condition, is new, unexpected, worse than usual, uncontrolled, of unknown origin, not responding to treatment, not going away, and interrupts normal life.

However, to physicians and other health care personnel, the definition of an emergency is specific.

An emergent medical condition is one that

Threatens life
Threatens one or more limbs
Threatens vision/hearing/speech/mental function/ function of any major internal organ or organ system
Has the potential, if not treated promptly, to cause death or long term and/or permanent harm.

Some examples of conditions that meet this definition are

Acute changes in heart function, like a myocardial infarction (heart attack), arrhythmia (abnormal heart rate or rhythm) or congestive failure (poor pumping capacity)
Acute brain conditions including stroke, head trauma, seizure, psychosis
Pulmonary (lung) dysfunction including pulmonary embolus (blood clot), severe pneumonia, asthma or COPD
Multiple trauma , including large burns or trauma to any major organ
Significant changes in components of the blood; for example high blood sugar, low blood potassium, low platelets
Severe depression

When should you suspect any of these conditions?

The SYMPTOMS of an emergency include

Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, especially if not associated with exertion
Uncontrollable bleeding
A seizure, especially in a person with no previous diagnosis of seizures
Sudden or severe loss or difficulty with vision, hearing , speech, or other functions such as swallowing, thinking, walking, passing urine or stool
Fainting, passing out, loss of consciousness
Hallucinations, confusion, thoughts or threats of harm to self or others
In a pregnant woman- any of the above plus loss of fetal movement

You notice that I did not list PAIN and FEVER. Even though these are symptoms that concern patients the most, BY THEMSELVES they do not define an emergent condition. However, if they occur with any of the other symptoms, or are severe, then it is reasonable to call it an emergency.

Reliable keys to recognize a medical emergency

How to know when an ER visit is needed for a medical problem

Keep reading

November 20, 2017January 17, 2024

Chest pain must always be taken seriously, even if mild.

Although in persons under 40 years old it is less likely due to a heart attack, there are other life threatening conditions that can occur in this age group. Again, especially if it is associated with any of the other symptoms, it is emergent.

While on a mission trip to Panama, my husband had a near emergency when a board flew into his leg causing a deep gash; our medical team members took care of the injury right on the clinic site, and he recovered without permanent damage — While on a mission trip to Panama, my husband had a near emergency when a board flew into his leg causing a deep gash; a local surgeon was working with our medical team , and with their help he sutured the wound at the small rural church where we were holding clinic; his leg has healed well, just a scar to remind us of the adventure.

So assuming it is an emergency, what do you do now? You do not call your doctor’s office or answering service, your mother, your best friend, or post a question on social media (which I have seen done!)

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 911!

Helicopters transport of emergency patients can make the difference between life and death.

Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care

If it’s not an emergency but is urgent, then the next best options are calling your doctor’s office or going to an urgent care clinic. Posting on social media is still a bad choice. Do you really want your “friends” giving you medical advice about something they know nothing about?

I think it is acceptable to go to an emergency room for problems that are serious but not emergencies. Since an emergency center is staffed 24/7, it should be utilized; there’s no reason to waste our health care resources.

And sometimes it may be your only choice- if your doctor’s office is closed or the schedule full, if you are away from home, or you don’t have a primary care physician.

Just be aware if you go to an emergency room instead of an office, clinic or urgent care facility you may

Wait longer to be treated
Pay more for that treatment

If you have any of these “99 ways to die”, you should go to an emergency room.

How 99 Ways to Die Might Save Your Life-a book review

In this post I review “99 Ways to Die and How to Avoid Them.” Dr. Ashely Alker, an emergency physician, humorously outlines various health risks and preventive measures. Combining personal anecdotes with medical insights, she emphasizes the importance of awareness in avoiding fatal incidents and advises readers to prioritize health habits over misinformation, and seeking…

Keep reading

by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D. March 12, 2026March 11, 2026

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Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.