Symptoms that need urgent medical attention

Some symptoms should never wait for a scheduled appointment, homeopathic or otherwise. If you or someone with you has any of the warning signs below, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call an ambulance: 112 (national emergency number) or 108 in most Indian states. Acting quickly can make a real difference to the outcome.

This page is a general guide, not a complete list. If something feels seriously wrong, trust that feeling and get help.

Chest pain, heart and breathing

• Chest pain, pressure or tightness, especially if it spreads to the arm, jaw, neck or back
• Chest discomfort with sweating, nausea or breathlessness
• Severe breathlessness, or being unable to speak a full sentence
• Blue or grey lips or fingertips
• Coughing up blood

Do not drive yourself to hospital with chest pain. Call an ambulance or ask someone to take you.

Signs of a stroke (FAST)

Use the FAST check: Face drooping on one side, Arm weakness or numbness, Speech slurred or confused, Time to call for help immediately. Sudden loss of vision, severe dizziness, loss of balance or sudden confusion also need urgent assessment. Note the time the symptoms began; hospital doctors will ask for it.

Head, nerves and consciousness

• A sudden, severe headache unlike any before
• A seizure, especially a first one
• Fainting, confusion or unusual drowsiness
• Headache with fever, a stiff neck, or a rash that does not fade when pressed
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg

Bleeding, injury and abdominal pain

• Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure
• Vomiting blood, or black, tarry stools
• Severe, sudden abdominal pain, or pain with a rigid, swollen belly
• A head injury followed by vomiting, drowsiness or confusion
• A suspected broken bone, deep wound or serious burn

Allergic reactions, poisoning and high fever

• Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty swallowing or breathing after a sting, food or medicine
• Swallowing poison, a chemical or too much of any medicine
• Very high fever with confusion, a severe headache or a rash
• Signs of severe dehydration: no urine for many hours, extreme thirst, dizziness on standing

Heatstroke in hot weather

In Rajasthan and other hot regions, heatstroke is a real emergency. Warning signs include a very high body temperature, hot dry skin or heavy sweating, confusion, fainting, fits or vomiting after time in the sun. Move the person to shade, cool them with water and fanning, and call 112 or 108. Elderly people, young children and outdoor workers are most at risk.

Infants and children: red flags

• Any fever in a baby under three months
• A child who is floppy, unusually sleepy or hard to wake
• Fast or laboured breathing, or the skin pulling in between the ribs
• Refusing feeds, or far fewer wet nappies than usual
• A fit (convulsion), or a rash that does not fade when pressed

For colds that keep coming back, read when to see a doctor about recurrent cold and cough.

Prepare before an emergency happens

• Save 112, 108 and the number of your nearest hospital in every family member's phone
• Know the route to the nearest hospital with a 24-hour emergency department
• Keep an up-to-date list of medicines, allergies and major illnesses for each family member
• Keep recent reports and discharge summaries together in one folder
• Learn basic first aid and CPR if you can

What to do while waiting for help

Stay with the person, keep them calm and still, and do not give food or drink if they may need surgery or are drowsy. Keep their regular medicines and any recent reports ready to hand to the emergency team. If the person stops breathing and you are trained, start CPR.

After emergency care

Once an urgent problem has been assessed and treated, you are welcome to consult the clinic. Bring the discharge summary, and continue every treatment the hospital has prescribed. Homeopathic care, where appropriate, is given alongside that treatment, never in place of it.

For ongoing complaints, see chronic disease management at the clinic.

The clinic's position on emergencies is set out in full in the Medical Disclaimer.

Common questions

What number should I call for a medical emergency in India?

Call 112, the national emergency number, or 108 for an ambulance in most Indian states. If it is faster, go straight to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Should I contact a homeopath first in an emergency?

No. Emergency symptoms such as chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty or heavy bleeding need hospital care first. You can consult the clinic after the emergency has been assessed and treated.

What are the warning signs of a stroke?

Use FAST: Face drooping on one side, Arm weakness, Speech slurred or confused, Time to call for help. Sudden loss of vision, severe dizziness or loss of balance also need urgent assessment.

When is a fever in a child an emergency?

Any fever in a baby under three months, or a fever with a child who is floppy, hard to wake, breathing fast, refusing feeds or has a rash that does not fade when pressed, needs urgent medical care.