These 4 Scary Symptoms Are Often False Alarms
Who hasn’t felt something? “off” in their body—a lump, a skipped heartbeat, a sudden sharp pain—and gone down an internet rabbit hole investigating what it could be, even before calling the doctor? Certain symptoms can be alarming, so it is worth doing some research.
You should always seek medical attention if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms. But worrying while you wait for answers doesn’t help anything—and experts say that in many cases, these scary scenarios turn out not to be as serious as you may fear.
Doctors were asked which symptoms are most likely to be false alarms. Their answers might help you feel more at ease the next time you have one. Read on to find out which symptoms—while still warranting a call or visit to the doctor—may not be as dire as you think.
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It’s not difficult to see that it is frightening not being able either to catch your breath or take a full, deep breath.
“Shortness of breath can be concerning, and uncomfortable, for most people, as they tend to believe it’s a heart-related problem,” ” Mahmud KaraMD physician at KaraMD. But, he suggests, your heart may be fine.
“The most common cause of shortness of breath in non-serious medical events are post-nasal drip, acid reflux, or panic attacks,” explains Kara. Your healthcare provider can help you get to the root of the problem and recommend the best course of action.
“As alarming as shortness of breathing, chest pain is similar to shortness of breathe. This is what most people mistakenly think of.” a heart attack,” says Kara. “However, just like shortness of breath, the more common cause of chest pain in non-serious medical events are musculoskeletal (chest wall) pain, panic attacks, or acid reflux.”
But, if you’re experiencing chest pain If you have a new, severe or unrelated problem, dial 911. The Mayo Clinic experts can help. “Don’t waste any time for fear of embarrassment if it’s not a heart attack. Even if there’s another cause for your chest pain, you need to be seen right away.”
A thudding, or skipping of the heart can be as alarming as chest pain. As with chest pain, a thudding or skipping heart can be alarming.
“I have often had experiences where patients experience palpitations in the context of anxiety, and they go to the emergency room (ER) and [are] found to be having a panic attack,” ” Bruce Bassi, MD, an addiction psychiatrist TelepsychHealth
“Palpitations can be caused by a number of reasons that would not be worrisome to an ER physician, such as premature atrial contractions,” He says it. Best Life. “Of course if the symptoms are new, changing, or associated with other symptoms, then go get checked out in the ER. Even seasoned ER physicians have been known to be fooled by symptoms that on the surface seem to not appear cardiac in nature, which is why they routinely obtain an EKG and run tests to check for cardiac enzymes.”
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“Numbness and or weakness on one side of the body can often be an indication of a stroke, which causes people to mistake numbness or tingling in your extremities (e.g. fingers or feet) with stroke symptoms,” says Kara. However, “in most non-serious medical events, this numbness or tingling can be related to more peripheral neurological conditions, like a pinched nerve.”
Kara emphasizes that you should always check in with your healthcare provider or visit an urgent care centre if needed. “If you have concerns about any health symptom, it is best to consult a medical professional right away,” He urges.
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