When To Go To The Emergency Room: Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
You feel a stab of pain in your chest, abdomen, or head that makes you wonder what just happened. Is it a sign that something is wrong? Is it serious? Should you ignore it, or go to the nearest ER? For many of us, deciding when to go the ER can be a difficult decision.
The specially trained staff at the Lakewood Hospital Emergency Room recommends that you error on the side of caution, especially if the person is elderly or a child. Oftentimes, when an older person becomes ill or falls, they can quickly take a turn for the worst. A child’s condition can also become more life threatening in a shorter amount of time than an adult.
We hope that you never have to visit Lakewood Hospital’s ER, but if you do, we want you to know that we’re here for you, 24/7.
Our ER treats more than 34,000 patients each year and is always staffed with highly trained ER doctors, registered nurses and paramedics who treat patients of all ages with medical issues ranging from broken bones to strokes and heart attack.
So, what symptoms should you not ignore? Here are some top symptoms you should not ignore:
Adults:
- Chest Pain and/or Shortness of Breath
- Unexplained Weakness/Numbness
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Headache: migraine, classic or other
- Coughing/Vomiting Blood
- Abdominal pain
- Persistent Fever
- Extreme case of Vomiting/Diarrhea
- Seizure
- Severe pain due to injury
Children:
- Severe convulsions
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Severe neck stiffness or pain
- Unusual fussiness
- Extreme sleepiness, difficulty waking up, or lack of alertness
- Fever of 105 degrees (40.6˚C) or higher 30–60 minutes after giving fever-reducing medicine
- Any signs of urinary tract infection, ie: frequent and/or pain or burning with urination
- Signs of severe dehydration: sunken soft spot, no tears, dry diaper, weak
- Asthma / Respiratory Distress
- Difficulty breathing
Lakewood Hospital’s ER is proud to serve you and your family in any emergency.
For more information or to order a free medication tracking magnet, visit www.lakewoodhospital.org/ER .
You can also download a handout that can help you determine when you or your loved one should go to the ER and what to expect when you arrive.