Everyone was there; it’s a weekend or an evening during the week, your doctor’s office is closed and you or a family member have symptoms that may be severe – or not.
While an emergency trip can give you peace of mind, there are plenty of reasons why people tend to avoid it – from coping to waiting times to possible exposure to viruses like COVID-19. If you have ever wondered if a trip to the emergency room is necessary – especially during a pandemic – it is important to recognize the types of symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
So don’t think twice; go straight to the emergency room if you or a family member has any of the following symptoms.
In April last year, visits to the emergency room for symptoms of myocardial infarction fell by almost 40%, probably due to patients’ fear of exposure to COVID-19, reports the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
But unexplained chest pain should never be ignored, warns the American Heart Association – especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms of a heart attack, such as difficulty breathing, pain in one or both arms or pain in other areas of the body, such as it would be the jaw, neck or back.
In addition, nausea, vomiting or dizziness may also accompany a heart attack. Get immediate medical attention if you have sudden chest pain or any combination of these symptoms.
A serious fall, a deep cut, a car accident, an accidental gunshot wound or a head injury of any kind should always be treated by an emergency physician. Whether or not the emergency room is a trauma center will have far more resources than the local emergency care center, such as advanced imaging equipment and diagnostic tests, general surgeons available 24 hours a day, and trained physicians in trauma medicine.
Do not wait if you or a family member has suffered a serious injury – call an ambulance or go directly to the emergency room.
Life can be a sore throat – so there are many reasons why you may have a sore throat. But if you experience stiff neck combined with high fever, call 911 or go straight to the emergency room. Both are symptomatic of meningitis, a deadly infection of the membrane that covers the spinal cord and brain, says the Meningitis Research Foundation.
When it’s not just something you ate, it may justify a visit to the emergency room. Sudden pain in the right side of the abdomen can be a case of appendicitis and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and bloating.
If you have appendicitis, time is of the essence, as a torn appendix spreads the infection all over the abdomen and can be life-threatening.
If you feel the symptoms of a stroke, you need quick help – and FAST is the best way to quickly remember the telltale signs: a drooping face, weakness in the arm, blurred speech, and time to call 911. The American Stroke Association urges anyone of these symptoms to call an ambulance or to go immediately to the emergency room.
For people with severe allergies, Benadryl cannot cure some things. Severe anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock requires a 911 call or a quick trip to the emergency room.
According to Everyday Health, symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include cough, itching in the throat or mouth, nausea and vomiting, itching or rash or dizziness or dizziness. Every second counts when you experience anaphylaxis, so you reach an emergency STAT.
In many people, COVID-19 can feel like a light insect. But keep in mind that the virus has killed more than 400,000 Americans according to the New York Times and can be extremely serious, especially in the elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions.
If you have COVID-19 and have difficulty breathing, blue lips, difficulty waking or waking, confusion or persistent pain or pressure in the chest, it is important to seek emergency medical attention.
Remember, every second counts when you face a potentially serious medical problem, so never think about a trip to the emergency room when your health is at stake. Steward Health Care healthcare professionals are trained and ready to help you when severe symptoms occur. Find the nearest emergency room for more information.