How To Know If It's Time To Head To The Nearest ER
A lot of people struggle with determining whether they should go to the nearest ER or wait for an appointment with their primary care doctor. To help you better understand the need for emergency care, you will want to spend a little time reviewing the following points.
A High Fever
If you have a high fever that you are not able to break on your own at home, it might be time to go to the nearest emergency care center. This is because high fevers can be dangerous and even deadly in extreme cases. The emergency room will be able to completely assess you and help get your fever down to a manageable level.
Pains In Your Chest
Chest pain can be caused by numerous things, such as anxiety, GERD, and heart attacks. If you are unsure as to the cause of your chest pains, you will want to go directly to the ER. Do not drive yourself there because it can be dangerous. Your pain could become too severe to concentrate on the road or you could become unconscious. Have a friend or family member take you to the ER immediately or call for an ambulance. If it is a heart attack, you want to be treated by medical professionals right away. Every minute counts.
Trouble Breathing
You will want to go to the nearest ER if you are experiencing any trouble breathing. Whether it's labored breathing or you feel like you can't get enough oxygen no matter how hard you try, you will want to go to the emergency room. Calling an ambulance for a ride there is a good choice because they can give you supplemental oxygen if it's needed. Don't wait it out to see if you can get your breathing under control on your own.
Uncontrollable Bleeding
You can have wounds examined by primary care doctors, but you do not want to wait to have your wound checked out if it's still bleeding. Uncontrollable bleeding should be addressed by professionals in the ER. You might need stitches or even some medication that can help the wound clot. Keep pressure on the wound to try to help control the bleeding while someone takes you to the emergency room.
As you can see, there are many instances where waiting to see a primary care doctor is not ideal. You will want to call an ambulance or a friend to take you to the ER if you experience any of the previously mentioned issues or anything else that is causing you a lot of concern. For more information, contact the nearest ER.