Reasons People Visit the ER

Top 10 Most Common Reasons People Visit the ER

Emergency rooms can treat all ailments at any time of day or night, making them your best ally when accidents or sudden sickness happen.

According to the CDC, more than 131 million people visit the emergency room annually for various reasons.  These are the top 10 reasons people go to the ER.

At Supreme Care ER the finest emergency room in Cypress Texas, we’re happy to provide you with the emergency care that you need in the event of a medical emergency.

Chest Pains

The first of the Reasons People Visit the ER is chest pains.  Although experiencing chest pains is not a death sentence, they can be a warning sign of a serious health problem. Therefore, please never ignore them.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. If you have chest pains accompanied by nausea, shortness of breath, sweating, or a history of coronary heart disease or diabetes, please visit the nearest ER for evaluation and treatment.

And if your chest pain turns out to be a case of indigestion, don’t worry; remember, the Prudent Layperson Standard protects you. If you think you are having a medical emergency, you are entitled to receive emergency medical care.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain ER visits are on the rise which places this condition near the top of our list of Reasons People Visit the ER.  The condition can have several causes, ranging from indigestion, food poisoning, bacterial and viral infections, kidney stones, appendicitis, and more severe chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Please seek emergency medical care if you also have nausea or uncontrolled vomiting in addition to abdominal pain.

Bone Fractures, Sprains, and Strains

If you ever suspect a broken bone, you will want to get immediate medical emergency attention. Broken bones are usually the result of a bad fall or being struck with sufficient force. X-rays are necessary to diagnose bone fractures. And depending on the severity of the break, a brace, cast, or even surgery may be required.

Likewise, severe sprains and strains require prompt medical attention to help prevent long-term injuries.

You should seek emergency care for sprain and strains when:

• The injured area is hot and swollen
• You develop a fever; this might be a sign of infection
• You have severe pain and swelling
• You are unable to move the joint normally
• Your joint pain does not diminish after 2-3 days

Respiratory Infection and Asthma

Viral infections such as the flu and, more recently, COVID-19 send countless Americans to the ER every year.

While most people recover at home, others may develop severe symptoms and complications like pneumonia requiring emergency medical attention.

Signs you need emergency care include:

• Severe breathing problems
• Blue color around the lips and face
• Cough with mucus or blood
• High fever, sweating, and chills
• Sharp chest pains that worsen when taking a deep breath
• Unexplained confusion, especially in older adults
• Asthma attack that does improve with the use of a rescue inhaler

Cuts and Lacerations

Deep cuts and those that won’t stop bleeding require medical attention. Additionally, you may need antibiotics if your laceration becomes infected.

High Blood Pressure

There are two types of hypertensive crises. First, an urgent hypertensive crisis means your blood pressure is 180/120 or higher, but there are no signs of organ damage. The other type is a hypertensive emergency, which means your blood pressure is 180/120 or greater, and there are signs of life-threatening damage to your organs.

Please call 911 if your blood pressure is 180/120 and you have chest pains, shortness of breath, or show signs of a stroke such as numbness or tingling, slurred speech or difficulty speaking, and vision changes.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

This type of injury usually results from a violent head or upper body blow or a foreign object lodged in the skull, suck as a bullet.

TBIs can cause swelling and hematomas on the brain, leading to severe complications and long-term disability without prompt medical attention.

Traffic Accidents

A car accident can happen to anyone at any time, resulting in severe injury.

A big concern with traffic accidents is internal injuries which require imaging tests to diagnose and treat.

State and federal law offer protection to motor vehicle accident victims, guaranteeing emergency care access. So please don’t hesitate to visit the ER if you’ve been involved in a car or pedestrian accident.

Back Pain

Severe back pain is a leading cause of ER visits.

There are many causes of back pain, including

• Spondylosis -The degeneration of cervical or lumbar discs
• Herniated discs
• Trauma from daily activities involving lifting
• Falls
• Arthritis
• Kidney Stones

Please seek emergency care if you have unrelenting back pain that is not relieved by rest and over-the-counter medications or if any of the following symptoms accompany it:

• Recent trauma
• Fever
• Numbness or weakness
• Bowel or urinary incontinence (loss of control)

Headaches

Some headaches, such as migraines and cluster headaches, can cause severe pain that warrants a visit to the ER.

Sometimes, headaches can be a warning sign of other severe illnesses, including meningitis, brain hemorrhage, or brain tumor.

You should seek emergency care if you have a severe headache along with any of the following:

• High fever, stiff neck, confusion, slurred speech, numbness or weakness on one side of your body
• Your headache medication does not relieve your symptoms
• Upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting

At Supreme Care ER in Houston, the finest emergency room in Cypress, Texas, we’re happy to provide you with the emergency care you need in the event of a medical emergency. We are conveniently located at 9530 Jones Road, Houston, Texas, 77065. We’re fast and remain open 24 hours year-round.