Medical emergencies often occur quite unexpectedly. It can be you or your family member getting sick or getting injured due to an accident. Usually, the first thing that anyone would think of is to get quick medical attention by rushing to the nearest medical facility. While this is quite understandable, it is essential to take note of the place you go to for the treatment. It is good always to pause and think of the most appropriate place to go.
Most of the times people rush to the Emergency Room whenever they have a medical condition only to find out that they did not need Emergency Room level of treatment anyway. More than half of the people who visit emergency rooms do not require emergency care. This post by Frontlinne ER Dallas is meant to help you learn the kind of situations that warrant you a visit to the Emergency Room.
Visiting an Emergency Room or not is determined by the severity of the condition. The severe conditions that are life-threatening or that can cause one to lose their limbs are what require Emergency Room treatment.
Major Symptoms to Visit for ER
Heart Attack Symptoms
Having a heart attack can lead to death. It is crucial that anyone who notices signs and symptoms of a heart attack rush to the nearest ER as soon as possible. Some of the symptoms are pretty similar to those of other illnesses, but the general symptoms of a heart attack are a pain in the jaws, left art ad chest. For women, the signs can be quite different. Nausea, sudden dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath and unexplained sweating are some of the warning signs that women might experience.
Stroke Symptoms
A stroke is yet another serious medical condition that needs particular ER attention. The symptoms that warn a person of the possibilities of them having a stroke include weakness or numbness in a limb or just one side of their face, having trouble seeing, having difficulties with your speech, loss of body balance and inexplicable pain.
Loss of consciousness
Loss of consciousness can be as a result of some factors. You can lose consciousness when you receive a relatively substantial blow to your head that knocks you out, or it can be due to fatigue, hunger or another medical condition. Sometimes it just occurs with no danger to one’s health, but a loss of consciousness can, also, be an indicator of problems with blood circulation, heart problems or a stroke. It is only in an Emergency Room that you can receive a proper diagnosis to avert any possible adverse outcomes.
Sudden confusion or disorientation
It is among the signs that lead to one either having a seizure, a stroke or any other medical condition. It can, also, be a sign that one is dehydrated. If you happen to experience such, seek ER treatment as fast as possible.
Having a severe physical injury like a sharp cut, a burn or a broken bone
If cut yourself and the bleeding fails to stop even after applying pressure to the wound for a long time get to the ER fast. It is particularly important to seek treatment soon especially when an artery is injured.
Broken bones can only be treated at the ER. If you have an injury and your joint gets displaced or broken, go to the ER. If it is just a minor sprain, then there is no need to visit the ER.
Burns covering large areas should, also, be attended to by a physician in an ER for specialized treatment and care.
Severe pain in the back and abdomen
Experiencing sharp pain on your back to the sides of your spine could be indicators that you have a kidney infection. Severe abdominal pain could, also, signal danger. It can be an indicator of gallstones, appendicitis or ectopic pregnancy in case it is a woman. Ignoring such signs can be life-threatening.
Repeated Vomiting or diarrhea
Repeated vomiting and diarrhea usually result in a person being dehydrated. In case you are experiencing any of these, and they don’t seem to stop even after taking some medication, purpose to visit the Nearest ER as soon as possible as the more the vomiting or diarrhea continues, the more you become dehydrated which opens avenues for other serious medical challenges.
Other symptoms that can be best addressed in an ER include altered mental conditions, severe heart palpitation, sudden testicular pain and, also, swelling, injuries to the eye, high fevers or severe flu. For expectant ladies, if you happen to have vaginal bleeding before you give birth, have an Emergency Room physician treat you fast to avert any pregnancy-related complications. Also, if your newborn baby is experiencing very high fever, rush them to the ER for immediate treatment.
Not all medical complications require you to make a trip to the Emergency Room. Sometimes the issue is just small and can be handled by your physician or at an Urgent Care Center. Given the fact that ERs are usually crowded, knowing when to visit the ER can save you a lot of time and money.
