When an Ayurvedic Assessment Is Not Enough: Symptoms That Need Medical Tests

Urgent first

In the United States, call 911 for a suspected stroke or heart attack. Do not wait for an appointment, a pulse reading or a herbal remedy. MedlinePlus says to call 911 right away if you think someone is having a stroke. [1] Outside the US, use your local emergency number; the NHS (UK) advises calling 999 for the symptoms below. [2]

Call emergency services for:

• Possible heart attack: chest pain that feels tight or like squeezing, or spreads to the arms, neck or jaw, or severe difficulty breathing. [2] The NHS says not to drive yourself to the hospital. [2]


• Possible stroke: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side; sudden confusion or trouble speaking; sudden trouble seeing; sudden difficulty walking or severe headache with no known cause. [1]


• Possible sepsis: the NHS lists confusion or slurred speech among symptoms and says to get medical help immediately if you think you or your child might have sepsis. [3]


• Possible poisoning from an herbal or other product: call Poison Help in the US at 1-800-222-1222, or see poisoning: what to do first and poison help by country. Some Ayurvedic preparations may contain lead, mercury or arsenic in toxic amounts. [4]


• Thoughts of harming yourself: in the US call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.

Why an assessment is not enough

Ayurvedic pulse, tongue and constitution assessments are traditional methods. In one study, 15 Ayurvedic doctors examining 20 healthy people agreed little on pulse and tongue (average kappa 0.07 and 0.17). [5] They are not tests for heart disease, cancer, infection, anemia, diabetes or thyroid disease. See pulse diagnosis and the tongue examination.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not realize you have it. [6] A hand pulse reading cannot replace a blood pressure measurement. Chest pain can have many causes, and the NHS says not to self-diagnose and to see a GP if you are worried. [7] Doctors use tests, such as an ECG and blood tests, to find out if someone is having a heart attack. [2]

Symptoms that need a prompt medical check

Book a doctor's visit, rather than waiting for an Ayurvedic plan to work, for the following. The NHS notes that most of these symptoms are common and can have other causes, and that having them does not definitely mean cancer, but they need checking. [8]

• A new lump or swelling anywhere. [8]
• Losing weight without trying or feeling less hungry than usual. [8]
• Yellow skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice). [8]
• A mouth sore or ulcer that does not get better. [8]
• Unusual bruising or bleeding, such as bleeding from your bottom, blood in your pee or vomiting blood. [8]
• A cough or shortness of breath that does not get better or gets worse, or coughing up blood. [8]
• Changes in your poo that do not settle, or problems swallowing. [8]
• A high temperature that lasts a long time, heavy night sweats, or pain that is not usual for you. [8]
• Symptoms in babies, pregnancy, older adults or people with long-term conditions: seek care early rather than trying a remedy first.

If you see both an Ayurvedic practitioner and a doctor

NCCIH says not to use Ayurvedic medicine to postpone seeing a conventional health care provider about a medical problem, and to tell all your health care providers about the approaches you use. [4] In a Swedish study, clients used Ayurveda alongside other methods, including conventional medicine. [9] Do not stop prescribed medicines on your own.

See coordinating complementary and medical care, using Ayurveda alongside conventional care and talking with a health professional. For symptoms that need testing before starting herbs, see heavy metals and product quality.