Knowing when an injury or illness is serious enough to visit the Emergency Room (ER) can be a difficult decision. The following are tips to help you decide when an ER visit is warranted:
- heart attack symptoms (pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in center of chest; tightness, burning or aching under breastbone; chest pain with lightheadedness)
- stroke symptoms (sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg on one side; sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye, loss of speech, trouble talking or understanding speech; sudden severe headache; unexplained dizziness)
- shortness of breath
- sudden or severe pain
- uncontrolled bleeding
- coughing or vomiting blood
- severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- poisoning or suspected drug overdose (if possible, call poison control for immediate treatment advice)
- suicidal/homicidal thoughts or actions
- serious burns or cuts
- broken bones
- neck or head injury
- seizure
- temperature of 103o or greater
- severe/worsening reaction to insect bite/sting or medication
For non life-threatening illness or injury contact your PMG Family Medicine, Internal Medicine or Pediatrician for advice as to when/where to receive care.