Is An ER Visit Necessary – Some Warning Signs | Kids 2 Kids Pediatric Medical Missions

emergency room visits

Is an ER visit necessary? Sometimes it can be difficult to know. The human body has a miraculous ability to shrug off illness – or even most injuries – but there’s a fine line between overreaction and simply shrugging off a problem.

So what are the warning signs that a trip to the local ER room might be required?

1. A Headache.

A headache could be something that really shouldn’t concern a parent or anyone suffering from one. But if it continues for an extended period of time then it may very well be a cause for serious concern.

If a headache that is experienced is sudden – a bolt out of the blue as it were – and it prevents normal functioning, it might be time to think whether the sufferer needs a visit to the ER. If that headache is also accompanied by a rash, elevated fever or neck pain, immediately head towards the ER. The sufferer could have meningitis, a potentially fatal disease.

2. Abdominal Pain.

Bad seafood or something more serious? Is an ER visit necessary? If it continues for a while and the pain is on the right lower side of your tummy, rather be safe than sorry. A burst appendix is not only no one’s idea of fun – it can be life-threatening.

3. Chest Discomfort.

Almost every adult is aware that gastric distress can lead to some chest pain. But sometimes it can be a lot more serious. More people are killed by heart attacks than any cause in the developed world. If you are experiencing pain in your jaw, arms or neck – and you are also experiencing chest pain, then it’s time for a trip to the ER. Shooting pains in your left arm and that jaw pain? Don’t wait. Get there immediately.

4. Sepsis.

Get bitten by a spider? Scratch yourself on a rusty nail? Stand on a thorn? Treat immediately with disinfectants. But keep an eye on that wound. Start throwing up and experiencing low energy levels or have a wound that simply will not heal, and it’s time to visit your local ER. And do not wait if it grows – especially from insect bites. There are several species of venomous insect such as spiders that can cause long-term health issues. They aren’t common – but best be safe.

NPR Children’s Health

Medical Detectives: The Last Hope For Families Coping With Rare Diseases December 17, 2018

When Nikki and Danny Miller's two young sons developed strange symptoms, they began searching for a diagnosis. Their odyssey ended when a team of medical sleuths solved the case.

Lesley McClurg

Teen Vaping Soared In 2018 December 17, 2018

A dramatic increase in vaping among high school students is the largest yearly change ever seen in a long-running survey tracking substance use and abuse by teens.

Rob Stein

ACA Sign-Ups Have Lagged For 2019. But What Does That Mean? December 14, 2018

The pace of enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans is slower than in past years. That could mean fewer people will have health coverage — or that more people are getting insurance via their work.

Alison Kodjak

Scientists Say Gene-Edited Babies Claim Is 'Wake-Up Call' For World December 13, 2018

U.S. National Academy of Medicine, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and Chinese Academy of Sciences call for international gene-editing standards. Critics blast statement as inadequate.

Rob Stein

Sleepless No More In Seattle — Later School Start Time Pays Off For Teens December 12, 2018

American teens are chronically sleep deprived, in part because of early school start times. But how much difference can a later start make? As Seattle's school district found out, it can help a lot.

Patti Neighmond