Everyone has been there; It’s a weekend or a weeknight, your doctor’s office is closed, and you or a family member is experiencing symptoms that could be serious – or maybe not.
While a trip to the emergency room may give you peace of mind, there are many reasons people avoid it – from copays to waiting times to potential exposure to viruses like COVID-19. If you’ve ever wondered whether 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 attention.
So don’t think twice; go to the emergency room right away if you or a family member experiences any of the following symptoms.
Last April, emergency room visits for heart attack symptoms fell by nearly 40%, likely due to patients’ fear of exposure to COVID-19, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports.
But unexplained chest pain should never be ignored, the American Heart Association warns – especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, pain in one or both arms, or pain in other parts of the body, such as your jaw . , neck or back.
In addition, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness can also accompany a heart attack. Get medical help right away if you experience sudden chest pain or a 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 room physician. Whether the emergency room is a trauma center or not, it will have many more resources than your local emergency care center, such as advanced imaging equipment and diagnostic tests, general surgeons available 24 hours a day, and physicians trained in trauma medicine.
Don’t wait if you or a family member has experienced serious trauma – call an ambulance or go to the emergency room right away.
Life can be neck pain, so there are many reasons why you may experience neck pain. But if you experience neck stiffness along with a high fever, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. Both are symptomatic of meningitis, a deadly infection of the membrane that covers the spinal cord and brain, the Meningitis Research Foundation states.
If it’s not just something you ate, it may warrant a visit to the emergency room. Sudden pain on the right side of your 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 ruptured appendix spreads an infection through your abdomen and can be life-threatening.
If you experience the symptoms of a stroke, you need help quickly – and FAST is the best way to quickly recall the telltale signs: facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, and time to call the emergency number. The American Stroke Association urges anyone for 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 warrants a 911 call or a quick trip to the emergency room.
According to Everyday Health, the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include coughing, itchy throat or mouth, nausea and vomiting, itching or rash, or dizziness or vertigo. Every second counts if you have anaphylaxis, so go to the STAT of an emergency room.
In many people, COVID-19 can feel like a mild bug. 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 older people or those with pre-existing medical conditions.
If you have COVID-19 and have difficulty breathing, bluish facial lips, difficulty waking or staying awake, confusion or persistent chest pain or pressure, it is important to get medical attention.
Remember, every second counts when you experience a potentially serious medical problem, so never over-think a trip to the emergency room when your health is at stake. Steward Health Care’s health professionals are on hand to help if severe symptoms arise. Find the nearest emergency room for more information.