Never Delay Medical Care: Urgent Symptoms That Need a Doctor or 911 First

This page is information only and does not replace medical care. If you are unsure whether something is an emergency, treat it as one.

If this is an emergency

In the US, call 911. Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.

• Possible heart attack. Chest pain is the most common symptom. It can feel like a tight band, heavy pressure or bad indigestion, and may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, belly or back. Shortness of breath, nausea, fainting and lightheadedness can also occur. MedlinePlus says to call 911 or your local emergency number right away and not to try to drive yourself to the hospital. [1]
• Possible stroke. Use F.A.S.T.: a drooping face, an arm that drifts down, slurred or confused speech, and time to call 911. [2] Sudden weakness on one side, trouble speaking and sudden vision problems are other signs. [2]
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Signs include trouble breathing, swelling of the face, eyes or tongue, hives, dizziness and unconsciousness. Call 911, and if the person has emergency allergy medicine such as an epinephrine injector, it should be used right away. [3]
• Poisoning or overdose, including from a herb, oil or supplement. In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222. See Poisoning: What to Do First and Poison Help by Country.
• Thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis. In the US, the 988 Lifeline offers free, confidential support by call, text or chat, 24 hours a day. [4]

Natural treatments, supplements and other alternative approaches are not a substitute for emergency care in any of these situations.

Why waiting can cost time

NCCIH advises against using any health product or practice that has not been proven safe and effective to replace conventional cancer care, or as a reason to postpone seeing your health care provider about any health problem. [5] Its cancer guidance says delayed treatment of cancer reduces the likelihood of a remission or cure. [5]

The FDA raised the same concern about unapproved chelation products sold over the counter: patients may delay proven, sometimes essential medical care while relying on them. [6] For what research found on cancer, see what studies found about outcomes.

See a doctor before trying something new

NCCIH recommends gathering information about a product or practice and discussing it with your providers, especially if you have cancer. Questions it suggests include what is known about the benefits and risks, what the side effects might be, and whether it could interfere with your treatment. [5]

Check with a clinician first if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney or liver problems, or take medicines. The NHS (UK) says people in these groups should not take herbal medicines, and that herbal medicines are not recommended for children because not enough is known about their safety. [7]
• take medicines for diabetes, blood pressure, blood thinning, depression, cholesterol or hormonal contraception. The NHS names these as medicines that may not mix well with herbal medicines. [7]
• are going to have surgery. NCCIH says some supplements may increase bleeding or affect your response to anesthesia, so talk to your providers well ahead of the operation. [8]

Where practitioners fit

Licensed naturopathic doctors, unlicensed naturopaths, medical doctors and other clinicians differ in training, regulation and scope of practice. NCCIH says licensed naturopathic physicians complete graduate-level education at an accredited naturopathic medical school, while traditional naturopaths may train through various non-accredited programs and are not eligible for licensing. It adds that scope of practice varies by state, and that regulations, licenses or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any provider, conventional or complementary. [9] Whoever you see, an urgent symptom needs urgent care first. See credentials, licensing and scope of practice and coordinating complementary and medical care.

Quick checklist

1. Is this one of the emergency signs above? Call 911 first.
2. Is the symptom new, severe or getting worse? Contact a doctor before starting anything.
3. Tell every clinician what you take or use.
4. If someone advises you to wait, skip a treatment or stop a prescribed medicine, ask your prescribing doctor before changing anything.