Imagine that you suddenly experienced shortness of breath. You wonder whether or not you have a medical emergency and whether you should make a trip to the ER. Sometimes, for all of us, it’s difficult to decide whether or not we should make that trip. Many times it’s obvious that a medical situation is an emergency and you need medical help. But, often we might think an issue is not severe enough, or it’s a lot of trouble to go in, or you may just not want to bother the ER staff. Sometimes, for these and other reason, we wind up not seeing medical professionals when, in fact, we should have.
Being on the fence about whether or not to go to the ER is a risky business. Significant symptoms you may not have noticed or maybe have ignored may be signaling a severe underlying condition that needs medical treatment. By not seeking a professional diagnosis, you run the risk of developing more severe symptoms or worse. As a general rule, it is better to visit the ER and learn you do not need treatment than to ignore your symptoms and discover your condition is serious. When it comes to deciding on a trip to the ER, better safe than sorry is a sage approach.
It’s also important not to ignore certain symptoms. The following list of symptoms should never be discounted, and each of them warrants a trip to the ER. This is not a complete list, so if you suspect you should go to the ER, you should go ahead and go. It is much better to make the trip and not need the visit then not to go and need it. If nothing else you will gain peace of mind knowing a medical professional has evaluated your symptoms. But, if you have any of the following symptoms, call 911 or visit an emergency room immediately.
Symptoms that should not be ignored include:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fainting or dizziness / unable to stand
- Confusion or alteration in a person’s mental state
- Chest pain
- Fractures, dislocations, open wounds, or sprains
- Intense localized pain, especially abdominal pains, or elsewhere
- Any bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Any fever in children under three years old
- Fevers with accompanying convulsions or very high temperatures
- Head injury, such as in sports or elsewhere, intense headache, or possible concussion (especially important if the person has taken aspirin or a blood thinner)
- A sudden numbness, weakness, or loss of coordination/loss of ability to speak, walk, move, or see
- Blood in the urine
- Bloody stool or bloody diarrhea
Other symptoms which could represent serious conditions and should be seen in the ER include:
- Flu-like symptoms, colds, sore throats
- Rashes, hives, and skin irritations
- Pink eye or other eye irritations
- Infections and wound treatment
- Earaches
- Mild injuries, sprains, and pulled muscles.
The above represents a guideline only and is not medical advice. Also, these are not complete lists so if there is any question in your mind about going to the ER, remember, it is much better to err on the side of caution and make the trip.
The medical professionals and staff at Emergency Hospital Systems ER’s are ready and able to assist you with any medical condition, or urgent care needs you may have. They are happy to help any person who feels their condition should be examined by the medical team. If no treatment is required, then you and the team can consider the visit a success. Our mission is to see that our patients are provided with the very best in ER care available. We welcome walk-ins, or you can phone for an appointment. There is plenty of free, close-in parking, and we operate 24/7/365 for your convenience. Call today for questions or to schedule an appointment, 281-592-5400.