Urgent symptoms

Topics to discuss

• Call 911 for sudden one-sided weakness, facial droop, or trouble speaking. Do not wait for a routine programme appointment.
• Rapidly increasing weakness with trouble breathing needs emergency care
• Seek prompt assessment for a new foot wound, redness, warmth, or swelling, especially with diabetes

Choosing the next step

Use the warning signs above to decide when emergency help is needed. This page cannot check your symptoms or tell you that it is safe to wait. If symptoms are severe, sudden, or getting worse quickly, seek urgent medical help. A routine appointment request is not an emergency service, and a message may not be read right away.

For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused, or unable to travel safely. If possible, have someone stay with you while help arrives. Bring your medicine list and allergy information if they are easy to reach, but do not delay emergency care to collect records.

Sources

• Peripheral Neuropathy — NIDDK (NIH)
• Diabetes & Foot Problems — NIDDK (NIH)
• Peripheral neuropathy: clinical overview — MedlinePlus (NIH)