Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

9 ‘Innocent’ Symptoms That Warrant a Trip to the ER

Photo by Spotmatik Ltd from Shutterstock
  • Abdominal pain – You might be suffering from tummy aches or belly bloat. Either way, abdominal pain is the number one non-injury reason in cases of adult emergency room visits. The pain can have various factors, from gas or a pulled muscle to the stomach flu or more serious conditions, such as appendicitis or urinary tract infections. If you’re experiencing intense localized pain in the right lower part of your abdomen or your right upper region, you should be worried about your appendix or gallbladder, in which case you need to head to the ER right away.
  • Chest pain – Heart attacks are the number one killer for both American men and women. By knowing this, it’s no surprise that any sudden chest pain is scary and represents one of the leading causes of emergency room visits for adults. If you’re experiencing chest pain, but also shortness of breath, decreased activity tolerance, and sweating, you should consider heading to the ER. This is not a situation where you can simply go for a walk-in or urgent care clinic, as any situation related to cardiac issues is for the ER.
  • Infection – Infection can mean many things: it can be a simple infected skin wound or a kidney infection. The majority of infections are viral, which means that they won’t respond to antibiotics and can be treated at home. The important thing is to look at the severity of the symptoms because the more severe infections can lead to sepsis (infection throughout the body), pneumonia, meningitis, and a weakened immune system. You should head to the ER if you feel confusion, lethargy, low blood pressure, or inability to tolerate any oral fluids.
  • Blood in your stool or urine – Blood should never be found in your stool or urine. If you see it in either situation, it’s important to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. Blood in the urine can be caused by an infection, like a urinary tract or kidney infection. But when it comes to stool, although it’s often benign, it can also be a sign of something very dangerous. You should immediately rush to the ER if you notice large quantities of blood in your stool or urine, and also if you experience other added symptoms, such as fever, rash, or fatigue.
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Pinterest
Reddit
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

READ NEXT

10 Breast Cancer Myths Debunked

You don’t have to worry if no one in your family had breast cancer – While it may be true that having a genetic predisposition for breast cancer can raise your

10 Surprising Things That Make You Age Faster

You’re way too stressed Everybody has rough days, weeks or even months – but spending every single day of your life worrying about, well, everything, is definitely not a good

7 Health Benefits of Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are used in everything from smoothies to baking, but why, exactly, should you eat them? This superfood is loaded with all sorts of benefits, ranging from heart health to

8 Tips That Help You Cope With Your Chronic Pain

Learn deep breathing or meditation to help you relax. Deep breathing and meditation are techniques that help your body relax, which may ease pain. Tension and tightness seep from muscles

Here’s How Sleep Can Impact Your Skin

Whether it’s sun exposure or certain diets, a lot of things can impact your skin’s health and appearance. And as you may know, how much and how well you rest

A Doctor Explains What Causes Your Salt Cravings

Salt isn’t “bad” per se, says integrative medicine physician Pooja Amy Shah, MD. “It’s one of the most important components in our bodies,” she says. Sodium, the primary component of

5 Surprising Heart Attack Triggers

Kidney problems A study of elderly patients in Rotterdam in the Netherlands found that having weak kidneys, even without full-blown kidney disease, can put you at a significantly higher risk

7 Types of Medication That Cause Dry Eyes

Nasal Decongestants What’s soothing to a stuffy nose may not be so gentle on the eyes. Over-the-counter decongestants are the go-to medicines for easing cold and flu symptoms, hay fever

Scroll to Top