Top 3 Common Emergency Room Visits

There are situations when it is clear that a medical emergency is happening, but in many cases, it may not be immediately obvious. Making a timely decision on whether to seek emergency medical care can be critical, especially when time is of the essence. The question now is, how do you know whether a visit to the emergency room is necessary?

Physicians Premier’s freestanding emergency facilities offer 24-hour emergency care, including prompt life-saving interventions and treatment for persistent pain. Our emergency rooms are staffed by board-certified physicians and equipped with advanced imaging technology. If you are unsure about whether to seek emergency medical care, this article will go over the top three common emergency room visits and reasons to consider going to the ER.

The CDC stated that over 130 million people would go to an emergency room each year. However, merely 27% of these visits are due to injuries. Although Physicians Premier has the capability to deal with a broad range of emergency situations, below are the top three reasons why you may need to visit an emergency room that is not injury-related.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is a common reason for emergency room visits, accounting for 5 to 10% of cases. With many possible causes for stomach aches and abdominal discomfort, it can be challenging to know when to be alarmed, particularly in children who may struggle to articulate their symptoms accurately.

If you are experiencing abdominal pain, when should you consider seeking emergency medical attention? While some stomach aches may subside on their own, there are certain signs and symptoms that warrant prompt medical evaluation, including:

• Breathing difficulties
• Pain that is so severe it hinders normal movement, such as sitting or walking
• Persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Severe tenderness in the abdomen
• Abdominal swelling
• A persistent high fever that does not respond to fever-reducing medications
• Vomiting of blood or blood in the stool
• Yellow discoloration of the eyes or skin
• Associated pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder
• Vomiting of blood or blood in the stool

Food poisoning is a common cause of abdominal pain that drives people to seek emergency medical care. It occurs when contaminated food is eaten and can manifest as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, typically within a few hours after consumption. While most people recover within 24 hours without medical intervention, an emergency room visit may be necessary if symptoms include bloody stools or severe dehydration.

Abdominal pain resulting from accidental ingestion of household chemicals and appendicitis are additional causes that prompt individuals to seek emergency medical care.

Fever

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, fever was responsible for approximately 7.9 million emergency room visits annually.

In what situations should you go to the ER for a fever?

A fever is classified as “high” when it exceeds 103 degrees Fahrenheit for adults, 102 degrees for children, or 100.4 degrees for infants. While fevers are the body’s natural response to fighting infections, there may be situations in which over-the-counter pain relievers are insufficient in reducing fever.

Although there is no fixed temperature that automatically qualifies a visit to the emergency room, the presence of other symptoms in conjunction with a fever may indicate a need for urgent medical attention. Symptoms such as seizures, breathing difficulties, severe pain, a stiff neck, difficulty swallowing, confusion, dizziness, or a headache may warrant a trip to the ER.

Chest pain

Chest pain is a common reason for emergency room visits, with over 8 million cases reported each year, and can indicate serious conditions like a heart attack or a blood clot in the lungs. However, it can also be caused by less severe conditions such as heartburn, esophageal issues, or panic attacks. So, how can you determine if your chest pain requires a visit to the emergency room?

Since the chest houses both the heart and lungs, it can be challenging to identify the precise cause of pain without consulting a healthcare professional. While only a small percentage (5.5%) of chest pain-related ER visits result in a severe diagnosis like a heart attack, it is important to be aware of the heart-related symptoms associated with chest pain:

• Experiencing a burning sensation or intense pain that may radiate to the neck, jaw, back, shoulders, or one or both arms.
• Feeling pressure or tightness in the chest area.
• The pain may persist, or it could be intermittent, becoming more intense during physical activity.
• Cold sweat
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Weakness

Chest pain associated with a heart attack will typically not subside or be alleviated by changing positions, taking pain medication or antacids, breathing deeply, or exercising. If you suspect that you or a family member is experiencing a heart attack, call 911 or go to your local ER right away.

Medical emergencies can arise unexpectedly, at any time and in any location. Physicians Premier, your Portland ER, is open round-the-clock, every day of the year, with minimal waiting periods and access to first-rate diagnostic and treatment facilities. We understand that you may not be feeling your best when you arrive, but we are committed to providing top-notch care and support to help you feel better because you are more than just a patient to us!

Sources:

“Emergency Department Visits,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm
“Evaluation of the adult with abdominal pain in the emergency department,” UpToDate, https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-adult-with-abdominal-pain-in-the-emergency-department
“Emergency Department,” National Hospital Care Survey Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhcs/factsheet_ed.pdf
“Chest Pain is Common but Actual Severity is Rare,” University of California San Francisco, https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2016/06/403211/chest-pain-common-actual-severity-rare