What Conditions Require a Trip to the ER?

What Conditions Require a Trip to the ER?

Oct 01, 2019

Sometimes it’s obvious when someone needs to visit the emergency room, but most situations are not. People don’t want to waste resources or worry about how they’ll be perceived when they go to the ER, but people also shouldn’t downplay the seriousness of their condition. When someone is considering the option of going to emergency care near them, they should determine if they have some of the following symptoms and conditions:

  • A squeezing, painful sensation in the chest
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Intense abdominal pain
  • Uncontrollable or unstoppable bleeding
  • Fever with convulsions
  • Any fever in children younger than 3 months
  • Confusion, disorientation, or lightheadedness
  • An inability to see, speak, or walk
  • Intense coughing

These symptoms and others can all be signs of the four major reasons individuals end up in the ER: Bronchitis, Heart Attack, Hypertension, and Stroke.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lungs that results in coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can be chronic or acute. Chronic bronchitis is when an individual has a cough for three months and the condition recurs on a regular basis for two years. Acute bronchitis is typically caused by a virus and lasts for a couple of weeks.

Normally, bronchitis is not a serious condition and will dissipate on its own after 1-2 weeks. However, patients who are experiencing chronic bronchitis or a bout of the illness that doesn’t dissipate need to seek treatment. It is likely the patient has developed an infection in the lungs that needs to be treated using antibiotics.

The Difference between Bronchitis, Allergies, and Asthma

Anyone who is having trouble breathing on their own needs to go to an ER near them. Difficulty breathing can be caused by a variety of conditions like bronchitis, allergies, and asthma. All three are similar in that they cause a restriction in the lungs. Allergies and asthma, though, are in response to outside stimuli like pollen in the air. With allergies, the stimuli causes the body to produce excess mucus and start sneezing, while asthma responds with spasms in the bronchi.

When someone goes to the ER for any of these conditions, the medical staff can supply treatments that open the lungs and make it easier to breathe without difficulty. They might also prescribe long term medications to help you manage the condition, including nasal sprays and inhalers.

Heart Attack

A heart attack is when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the heart, meaning the blood backs up and the muscle tissue in the heart starts to die from a lack of oxygen. If you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, it is crucial to seek treatment immediately to eliminate the clot and allow blood to flow normally. Symptoms include:

  • A squeezing, tightness, or painful sensation in the chest
  • Fatigue
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • A cold sweat
  • Increased anxiety
  • Indigestion, heartburn, or nausea
  • Abdominal pain

Hypertension

Hypertension refers to high blood pressure, which is when the movement of a person’s blood is exerting too much force. It is often caused by a variety of factors, including little physical activity, a diet full of salt and fat, and smoking. Someone with hypertension is at high risk of experiencing other conditions like a heart attack or stroke.

Stroke

A stroke is caused by a blocked artery in the brain. The brain no longer receives the blood and oxygen it needs and starts to cease function, resulting in difficulty moving, talking, and understanding. You might also experience paralysis or similar symptoms. Anyone experiencing these symptoms needs to be brought to an ER immediately for treatment, otherwise permanent paralysis or death can occur.

Where to Go

If you are seeking an emergency room in Houston that is open 24/7, consider visiting Ascent ER. The medical staff are trained to handle crucial situations and can ensure prompt treatment of serious conditions, including bronchitis, asthma attacks, hypertension, strokes, and heart attack. Do not put your health at risk by avoiding treatment. Instead, when you start to experience unpleasant symptoms, head to an ER immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Are you looking for an emergency room in Houston, TX? At Ascent Emergency Room, we care about your health and their emergency needs. We are located just a little away from you and provide exceptional and comprehensive emergency care appointments for the surrounding Houston area:

  • (Southampton) University Place
  • Rice Village
  • Bellaire
  • Old Braeswood
  • Gridiron
  • Brookhaven
  • Southside
  • Riverside Terrace
  • Greater Third Ward
  • Greater Eastwood
  • East Downtown
  • Midtown
  • Montrose
  • Westmoreland Houston
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