People often make the mistake of going to the ER when their condition is not an emergency. Not only is this a waste of time and money, it also causes stress and unnecessary disorder in the emergency room. Doctors such as Dr. Josyann Abisaab recommend that you think objectively about the condition you encounter, before making that decision. Here is a general list of symptoms which may need to be dealt with in an ER:
- Loss of consciousness
- Poisoning
- Signs of a stroke such as numbness or sudden weakness in one side of the body such as in the face, an arm or a leg; sudden loss of vision, especially in one eye; loss of speech, trouble talking or understanding; sudden memory loss; unexplained dizziness or sudden falls
- Serious traumatic injury (to the head, for example)
- Instant, severe, inexplicable pain
- Bleeding which does not cease after ten minutes of direct pressure
- Signs of a heart attack such as a feeling of pressure, squeezing, fullness or tightness in the chest for over two minutes; burning or aching under the breast bone; chest pain accompanied by lightheadedness
- Sudden severe/ persistent vomiting
