It is not always an easy choice to make that decision to go to an ER like the Coppell ER. There is the consideration of the cost. Then it can be time consuming waiting to be seen. The ER can be a very busy place and many times unless it is a life or death situation the wait can be lengthy. There are times when it is obvious. A fracture to a bone is one such situation. A simple cold is the opposite end of the choice. There are many scenarios in the middle.

Of course, there is the potential embarrassment of finding out nothing is wrong. That goes with the idea of wasting the time of the ER physicians and medical personnel. They could have been helping someone else. The medical staff at Coppell ER will tell anyone that is better to err on the side of caution. Do not be upset that everything is fine. Be glad.

CHEST PAIN

This is an area where people tend to dismiss what is perceived as minor discomfort. A twinge or two that quickly disappears seems to be a waste of time to go to the ER. The problem is this could be an early warning of a heart attack or stroke. It may be that medication or observation in the hospital is in order. The only way to find out is to go to the ER. If it turns out to be nothing, then all that is lost is time and money. If it is serious, it can be a life saved.

CONFUSION

This is a general category of symptoms that require ER attention. Many are tied in to a heart attack or stroke. A person who is having trouble seeing, speaking, or in general seems confused and not themselves needs to get medical attention. This also includes problems with walking.

Other indications include numbness or weakness to a part of the body, fainting, or a severe headache. None of these conditions should be ignored. While each one can have a simple explanation, more than one can add up to a visit to the ER.

BLOOD

The sign of blood is a good indicator of a problem. A wound that will not stop bleeding needs medical attention. A simple cut that heals in a short time is one thing. If a person cannot stop the bleeding through normal pressure then it is time to get help.

Blood can also be coughed up and that is a good signal it is time to go to the ER. The same applies to blood in the urine. Both are not normal conditions. They should not be ignored. There may be a simple explanation but let the medical experts make that decision.

PAIN

Everyone experiences pain at some time. Usually it is not an urgent concern. However, if it is intense then that is a different matter. A particular area of the body is the abdomen. If the pain is in that area and persists then it can be a sign of a serious problem. It needs to be checked out.

The average person knows the difference between periodic pain and intense pain that will not go away. Again err on the side of caution. When in doubt get the pain checked out as soon as possible. Do not put it off.

The emergency physicians and staff at Coppell ER want every person to feel like their medical concerns are a high priority. They are there and on duty to treat all of the conditions mentioned above plus any other issue deemed important. Do not put off getting these medical issues addressed in a timely fashion.

Lashandra Holder