Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
These symptoms usually need assessment but are not automatically an emergency.
Call emergency services for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, a seizure, loss of consciousness, or new severe confusion.
These signs may reflect dangerous fluid, heart, glucose, or mineral disturbances and need immediate care.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent same-day help if you:
Pass much less urine than usual
Develop rapidly increasing swelling
Have repeated vomiting or cannot keep fluids down
Become unusually drowsy or weak
Have very high or low blood glucose that is not responding to your usual plan
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine medical follow-up if you have diabetes and have missed your kidney screening, or if you notice persistent ankle swelling, repeated foamy urine, increasing tiredness, or changes in urination.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Diabetes and kidney disease. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.