Everyone has been there; it’s a weekend or a weekend in the evening, the doctor’s office is closed and you or a family member is experiencing symptoms that may or may not be severe.
While an emergency trip can provide you with peace of mind, there are many reasons why people tend to avoid it, from co-payments to waiting times to possible exposure to viruses like COVID-19. If you’ve ever wondered if a trip to the emergency room is necessary, especially during a pandemic, it’s important to recognize the types of symptoms that require immediate medical help.
So don’t think twice; go directly to the emergency room if you or a family member experience any of the following symptoms.
Last April, emergency room visits for heart attack symptoms decreased by nearly 40%, probably due to patients’ fear of COVID-19 exposure, reports the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. .
But unexplained chest pain should never be ignored, the American Heart Association warns, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, pain in one arm, or both. or pain in other areas of the body, such as the jaw. , neck or back.
In addition, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness may also accompany a heart attack. Get immediate medical attention if you experience sudden chest pain or any combination of these symptoms.
An emergency physician should always treat a bad fall, a deep cut, a car accident, a gunshot wound, or a head injury of any kind. Whether or not the emergency room is a trauma center, you will have many more resources than your local emergency care center, such as advanced imaging equipment and diagnostic tests, 24-hour general surgeons, and trained physicians. in trauma medicine.
Don’t wait if you or a family member has experienced severe trauma – call an ambulance or go straight to the emergency room.
Life can be a pain in the neck, so there are many reasons why you may experience neck pain. But if you have neck stiffness 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 about something you’ve eaten, you may need an emergency room visit. Sudden pain in the right side of the abdomen can be a case of appendicitis and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and swelling.
If you have appendicitis, time is of the essence, as a broken appendix spreads the infection all over the abdomen and can endanger your life.
If you experience the symptoms of a stroke, you need help quickly and FAST is the best way to quickly remember the telltale signs: falling face, weak arm, difficulty speaking, and time to call 911. The American Stroke Association urges anyone who experiences any of these symptoms to call an ambulance or go to the emergency room immediately.
For people with severe allergies, there are some things that Benadryl cannot cure. Severe anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock justifies a 911 call or a quick trip to the emergency room.
According to Everyday Health, symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include coughing, itching in the throat or mouth, nausea and vomiting, itching or rash, or dizziness or lightheadedness. Every second counts when you experience anaphylaxis, so go to an emergency STAT.
In many people, COVID-19 may seem like a slight mistake. 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 with pre-existing medical illnesses.
If you have COVID-19 and have difficulty breathing, blue lips on your face, difficulty waking or staying awake, confusion or persistent pain, or pressure in your chest, it is important to seek emergency medical attention.
Remember that every second counts when you have a potentially serious medical problem, so never think about a trip to the emergency room when your health is at stake. Steward Health Care health professionals are ready and prepared to help you when severe symptoms appear. Look for the nearest emergency room for more information.