Medical Situations in Pearland, TX: Do You Need Urgent Care or the ER?
Urgent care clinics are designed to handle non-emergency medical situations. They are usually open on weekends, holidays and overnight hours when other clinics might be closed. They are also a good option if you suffer a minor illness or injury while out of town.
Many people prefer urgent care to an ER due to the cost difference. Urgent care is typically much cheaper than an ER visit. However, urgent care isn’t designed to handle all types of medical emergencies, which means you will need to have a grasp on what’s happening before you make a decision about visiting one.
Urgent Care: What Conditions Do They Treat?
Before visiting urgent care, it makes sense to double check that they will be capable of handling your condition. Urgent care is generally best for:
• Diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and other digestive issues.
• Minor injuries.
• Low-grade fevers or infections.
• Sore throat and cold symptoms.
• Pain with urination.
• Other minor symptoms.
ER: When a Visit is Necessary
Unless your symptoms are obviously severe, it can be tricky to tell when you should visit the ER. Ideally, the ER should be reserved for the most life-threatening of emergencies, but are often viewed the same way as urgent care centers. This leads to long wait times and an overburdened medical staff, which is why you should avoid visiting except in an emergency. That said, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Medical situations that require the ER include:
• Sudden loss of vision.
• Injuries to the head or eye.
• Serious injuries, such as cuts, stab wounds, broken bones or dislocated joints.
• Paralysis, difficulty speaking, or altered mental status.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing.
• Chest pain or heaviness as well as other heart attack symptoms.
• Anal or intestinal bleeding.
• Any fever in a newborn child.
• A seizure when there is no previous epilepsy diagnosis.
• Any other severe pain or symptoms that seem abnormal.
Dialing 911: When Emergency Services Should be Used
In a serious emergency, it might not be safe to drive yourself to the ER. Calling an ambulance can be expensive, which makes many people hesitant. A good rule of thumb is to never drive yourself if you’re feeling dizzy, weak, having trouble breathing or experiencing chest pains. This is true regardless of whether or not you have a loved one to drive you. Having someone else at the wheel will prevent you from passing out and injuring others, but your loved one will not be able to provide you with medical attention.
If you’ve determined that urgent care is what you need, it’s time to find a place in your immediate area. Prime Urgent Care is ready to handle all of your urgent care needs in Pearland, Texas.
