Category Archives: Dallas TX

Five Reasons to Visit an Emergency Room

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Closeup on man treating his injured painful swollen forehead that needs the attention of an emergency room staffVisiting an emergency room is not something anyone ever wants to do. Still, if you are facing symptoms of a serious illness or an injury, you need immediate medical help. Obviously, if you have a condition like a gunshot wound or have been in an accident and sustained serious injuries, getting to the ER as soon as possible is a no-brainer. However, there are many situations where you need to visit Highland Park Emergency Room in Dallas.  Here are five key times when an illness means you should head to the ER.

A Fever in a New Born Baby

When a child is badly ill, it becomes very important to get to the ER because kids are at risk of lots of life-threatening illnesses that may not be as high risk to adults. If your child is under three months old, you should go to the ER if their temperature is 100.4 or higher.

A Fever of 102 or Higher in an Older Child

For older children, you may not need ER care until your child’s fever is 102 or higher. This is a serious symptom and can lead to many complications. High fevers that last for 4 hours or more can be life- threatening.

Fever, Headaches, and a Rash in Children

In addition, if your child is sick and symptoms include a bad headache, and a widespread rash, this could indicate a serious infection. A non-blanching rash could indicate conditions like sepsis or meningitis, which can be life-threatening.

Chest Pain in Adults

Remember, chest pain is the main indicator of a heart attack. If an older adult is suffering from chest pains or pain in their left arm, leave to the ER immediately. You may be saving a life.

Severe Abdominal Painemergency room female staff member putting a concerned hand on a woman suffering from abdominal pain

Finally, severe abdominal pain that lasts for several hours needs medical attention. Stomach aches, pregnancy, and food poisoning may be common, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit a doctor. Abdominal pain that lasts for several hours can point to a serious condition like appendicitis or bowel obstruction.

Choose the Right Emergency Room

When you have symptoms causing concern, visit the emergency room to make sure you aren’t dealing with anything serious. Many patients in Dallas come to Highland Park Emergency Room because we provide fast, efficient care without long waits. In addition, we have onsite lab and diagnostic capabilities to ensure your experience is both fast and effective. Contact us today to find out more.

Consequences for an Untreated Urinary Tract Infection

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Urinary Tract Infection written on chalkboard held up by a male doctorUrinary tract infections are uncomfortable, painful, and can pose serious risks to your health. With this is mind, it is important to get prompt medical help as soon as possible. At Highland Park Emergency Room, we diagnose and treat all kinds of medical issues, conditions, and emergencies. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, need to be treated in order to avoid serious complications. One UTI can begin a chronic pattern that can lead to kidney failure and death.

Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms

Women are more prone to UTIs than men. Initially, a UTI infection presents itself with a burning sensation when you urinate. This is typically accompanied by an uncomfortable feeling of having to go, yet nothing comes out when you do. Other symptoms can include pain in the lower abdomen, fatigue, and cloudy or strange smelling urine. You need antibiotics to treat the condition quickly and to avoid a possible recurrence.

Possible Complications

Complications that can result from one or more UTIs involve your kidneys. An untreated UTI can lead to repeated infections. The UTI can also move up to the ureters, and moveyoung woman getting a kidney ultrasound to diagnose her urinary tract infection up to your kidneys.  If a woman has three or more UTIs, there is a greater risk of repeated infections. As a result, you can develop a chronic kidney infection called pyelonephritis. This can cause permanent kidney damage that can lead to kidney failure.

Getting Treatment for a Urinary Tract Infection

If you are experiencing any symptoms of a UTI and you live in Dallas or surrounding areas, visit Highland Park Emergency Room right away. We make it as easy as possible to get a diagnosis and treatment, as our facilities promise no wait and an onsite laboratory for fast test results. Treat your urinary tract infection before it gets worse and you begin to experience more serious complications. For more information on how we can help, contact us today.

The Process of Healing a Broken Bone

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Xray collage of hands, torso, neck, etcPrompt treatment for a broken bone is essential for an effective healing process. As a result, you need to get an Xray right away after a fracture.  It takes a long time for a bone to heal, depending on the fracture. In addition, you need to war a cast for several weeks or months in order for it to heal properly. Highland Park Emergency Room provide quick diagnosis with Xrays and proper treatment. There are no better options in the Dallas area for fast medical attention with no wait.

First Step: Getting an Xray

An Xray shows the exact nature of a bone fracture or break. Your doctor needs to know this information. There are four main types of bone fractures. These include displaced, non-displaced, open, and closed. Due to the different kinds of fractures, doctors must use Xrays to determine how to proceed.Xray of shoulder

Treating a Broken Bone

Finally, once the doctor knows what kind of fracture you are suffering from, they can proceed to properly treat it. In order to heal properly, broken bones have to be set correctly. Typically, broken bones that are set without surgery are put in a cast for a recommended time period. However, if you suffer from a more complicated fracture or an open fracture (the bone protruded out from your skin), surgery could become necessary in the future.

Get Help for a Broken Bone

At Highland Park Emergency Room, we have X-rays and other diagnostic imagine onsite for our patient’s convenience. We will set your broken bone quickly so the healing process can progress normally. Keep in mind, if you wait too long and the bone starts to heal in the wrong position, it might need to be re-broken to set properly. In addition, you an face limited mobility on an ongoing basis. Treat your bone fracture quickly, with diagnosis and proper treatment at Highland Park Emergency Room. Contact us today for more information.

Preston Hollow Emergency Room  |  214.217.0911

8007 Walnut Hill Lane  |  Dallas TX 75231

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Highland Park Emergency Room | 214.443.8131

5150 Lemmon Ave. Ste. 108 | Dallas TX 75209

Do You Know the Warning Signs of Appendicitis?

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young woman sitting on edge of bed, clutching stomach due to abdominal painAbdominal pain is a common symptom that people usually ignore. Considering all the delicious food that summer offers, it is hard to distinguish indigestion from anything serious. However, abdominal pain is a warning sign for many serious conditions, including appendicitis. At Highland Park Emergency Room, we know how important it is to diagnose appendicitis quickly in order to avoid ugly complications, including peritonitis and death.

Appendicitis Warning Signs

Appendicitis happens when your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. As a result, the appendix will continue to swell and can rupture, which can be fatal. Knowing the symptoms of this condition can help you seek medical care quickly to avoid any complications.

Abdominal pain

>Abdominal pain can mean a lot of different things. It can be caused by a simple stomach ache, muscle soreness, and any number of things. Typically, the abdominal pain associated with appendicitis is a dull pain near the belly button or upper abdomen. The pain becomes sharper as it moves to the lower right abdomen.

Loss of Appetite

If you have abdominal pain but you still have an appetite, chances are you do not have appendicitis. People suffering from appendicitis lose their appetite. The pain can be so debilitating that a meal is the last thing on your name.

Nausea

The pain from >appendicitis can also cause nausea and/or vomiting. If you do vomit, you might not feel any relief because, unlike a regular stomachache, appendicitis is a lot more serious.

Fever

Along with other symptoms, a fever can occur. If you have other symptoms point to appendicitis and a temperature above 99 degrees, then appendicitis could be the cause of your pain.

Inability to pass gas

Appendicitis pain, from abdominal pain to a fever, can feel ceaseless. An indicator that something is more than just abdominal pain or a sour stomach will be an inability to pass gas. With the inability to pass gas, it’s virtually impossible to feel any kind of relief.girl holding onto stomach with both hands due to abdominal pain

No one symptom is a telltale sign of appendicitis. If you live in the Dallas area, have one or more of these symptoms and think that it might be attributed to appendicitis, stop by or call Highland Park Emergency Room today. Contact us today!

What Do Doctors Use CT Scans For?

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Colored and enhanced X-ray brain medical scan probably made using CT scansHead injuries and trauma are a common result of many accidents and should be addressed, no matter how minor. What most people do not realize is the importance of getting proper medical care after such an accident. CT scans are one of the most important diagnostic tools available atHighland Park Emergency Room.  A CT scan is a very important because it makes it possible to study different parts of the body, including the chest, brain, and stomach.  Doctors can get a very clear picture of what is going on inside of you by using a CT scan.

CT Scans and Head Trauma

When you suffer a blow to the head, it is imperative to get checked out by proper medical professionals as soon as possible. Head injuries can present themselves over time, and you may not show symptoms of a problem. Subdural hematomas, or bleeding in the brain, can be a life threatening man who suffered a head bump who should be diagnosed with CT scanscondition whose symptoms can take days or even weeks to present themselves. Unfortunately, by that time it can be too late to effectively treat the condition. CT scans can identify conditions like this, enabling doctors to catch the condition before it is too late.

Getting an Accurate Diagnosis with CT Scans

CT scans can help doctors to identify exactly what is wrong so you can get the most effective treatment possible.  If you have suffered a fall or another type of accident, you can get CT scans performed at Highland Park Emergency Room in Dallas. Our staff is always ready to help you, so contact us today!

Is it Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning?

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Young woman suffering from food poisoning or the stomach flu, vomiting into the toilet bowl If you are vomiting, you need to determine if you have a stomach flu or if you have food poisoning. Determining what the cause of your vomiting is can help a doctor to identify what treatment, if any, you should undergo.  When you are feeling nauseous and ill, it is also important to get medical help so you can be kept hydrated and watched for signs of complications. These are usually common symptoms that bring people into an emergency room. At Highland Park Emergency Room, our emergency medical professionals are available at all times to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.

Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning

Stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, can be caused by a parasite, virus, or bacteria. When you have the stomach flu, it is often accompanied by:

  • fever
  • chills
  • aches
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea

Other symptoms can also occur. Food poisoning can have very similar symptoms to stomach flu, although a fever, headaches, and muscle aches are more likely to be signs of the flu than food view of woman's abdomen, in a sweater and blue t-shirt, clutching her stomach in an attempt to prevent vomitingpoisoning.  By contrast, physical pain in the belly is more likely to be caused by food poisoning than by stomach flu. Either way, vomiting can result in dehydration, complicating your condition.

Address Your Vomiting Symptoms

It is imperative that you go to a doctor if you have bloody diarrhea, if your stomach pain is severe, if you are throwing up blood, if you cannot drink or eat, or if symptoms persist. A doctor may run blood tests, urine tests, and take fecal samples, among other diagnostic tools. The goal is to find out if you have food poisoning or the flu and to identify the pathogens that are making you sick so you can be treated correctly. Highland Park Emergency Room have emergency board certified doctors available 24/7, including holidays, to provide treatment. Contact us to find out more today.

The Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool

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woman getting ultrasound diagnostic from doctor- available at Highland Park Emergency Room in DallasAn ultrasound is a diagnostic test that works based on sound waves.  Ultrasounds can be used during pregnancy, but also for many other reasons as well. When you have an internal problem, getting help from medical professionals who can provide an ultrasound and interpret the results is essential.  Ultrasounds are a diagnostic tool that is used in both Highland Park Emergency Room by qualified medical professionals to correctly diagnose your health emergencies.

How Does an Ultrasound Work?

Ultrasounds work by transmitting sound waves into the body, where they travel until they hit a boundary in between different types of tissue, bone, or fluid. When the waves bounce back, an image is created based on the sound waves.  In conventional ultrasound, the image is displayed in thin flat sections. Advancements have now allowed for 3D ultrasounds to be taken when necessary for diagnostic purposes or when pregnant women want to get a clearer look at their babies. This diagnostic imaging is typically used for:

  • Fetal Health and Development
  • Exploratory Examinations
  • Finding Tumors and Growths
  • Detecting Blocked ArteriesScanning the neck to check a thyroid with an ultrasound
  • Diagnosing Vascular Problems
  • Pinpointing Problems in the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, prostate, kidneys and testicles

Getting a Diagnosis Using an Ultrasound

You need a trained professional to conduct an ultrasound in order to get an accurate test and result to treat your emergency or condition. At  Highland Park Emergency Room, ultrasounds are available and medical professionals can perform ultrasounds for diagnosis. Our freestanding ERs offer no wait, fast results, and quaity medical care by emergency board certified professionals  you can count on. Contact us today for more information.

How to Know if You Have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

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Paper with urinary tract infection and pills.A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is a very common condition that people get. In fact, UTIs are the second most common infection type that people come down with.  They can occur anywhere in the urinary tract, and it could be caused by fungus, by a virus, or by bacteria. Bacteria is the most common cause of urinary tract infections.  You will need to see a doctor if you suspect you have contracted one, whether bacteria or another pathogen is the cause of it. Highland Park Emergency Room provide diagnostic care and treatment for not only UTIs, but other major and minor emergencies as well.

Determining if You Have a Urinary Tract Infection

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection can vary from person to person. In general, however, some of the common red flags that could suggest you might have a UTI include:

  • a strong urge to urinate which often results in passing only a small amount
  • a burning feeling during urination
  • passing urine that looks cloudy, red, pink, or the color of coke

When women come down with it, they frequently feel pelvic pain in the area located around the public bone.  Both men and women with a UTI usually have urine which smells very strongly.  Young man doctor holding a urine and blood sample for urinary tract infection diagnosis

Getting Treatment Help for a Urinary Tract Infection

Many adults discount the symptoms or treat those symptoms as something else.  You need to get a diagnosis and make sure you treat a UTI before the infection spreads and complications arise. Treatment is usually possible with antibiotics and you can get fast relief from symptoms as well as making sure you don’t experience further health issues. Contact us today or visit Highland Park Emergency Room for help treating this issue before it gets worse. We’re here to help.

Broken or Sprained- How an Xray Can Tell

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doctor reading xray

If you’re injured and aren’t sure if you’ve broken a bone or just suffered a sprain, you need to get an Xray. An Xray makes it possible to look inside of the body to see if the bone is fractured or if the bone is intact. If you are in Dallas and want an accurate diagnosis of a broken bone, you can get an Xray done at Highland Park Emergency Room. You should get this testing done as soon as possible to find out if you need a cast because if the bone starts to heal on its own and does not heal correctly, it could need to be re-broken to be set.

How Does an XRAY Diagnose a Broken Bone?

Xrays must be performed by trained radiologists. You will be positioned by the radiologist so the correct pictures can be taken.  Only the soft tissue- like organs and skin- allow the Xray beams to pass through.   The denser materials, like the bones of the body, absorb the radiation that is being doctor and older man looking over xrayprojected in the thin beam.  The film is developed and it is easy to see where the beam passed through. The solid areas where it did not pass through are the bone structure, so the doctor can see where the bones are and whether they are broken. Broken bones should be set as soon as possible so the bone can begin healing in the correct position.

Getting An Accurate Diagnosis for a Fracture or Sprain

Highland Park Emergency Room both have diagnostic imaging technology and trained radiologists on staff. All of our physicians and nurses are emergency board certified, guaranteeing that they are ready for any and all emergencies. Visit these ERs if you suspect you may have a fracture so you can get the diagnosis you need, or contact us for more information today. 

Is it a Cramp or Something Worse?

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close up of a torso of a person experiencing abdominal pain

Abdominal pain could be caused by cramps, and can sometimes be a minor inconvenience that goes away on its own. Sometimes, however, abdominal pain is a sign of a very serious condition like appendicitis.  Effectively self-diagnosing your abdominal pain is difficult because you may be unable to tell exactly what the cause of the discomfort is. Don’t take a chance on your pain going undiagnosed if it could be something serious. If you are in the Dallas area, visit Highland Park Emergency Room to get help.

Causes of Abdominal Pain

Common causes of abdominal pain that can require an ER visit include:

  • food poisoning
  • viral gastroenteritis, which is also called the flu
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • menstrual cramps
  • acid reflux
  • urinary tract infections
  • indigestion; gallstones
  • endometriosis
  • appendicitis Female having abdominal pain. Abdomen bloating concept.

You should look for other symptoms that could help  a doctor shed more light on what the cause of your abdominal pain is. You should also consider whether you may have eaten anything contaminated or been exposed to the flu.  You can share this information with a medical care provider when you seek a full diagnosis of your condition.

When to See a Doctor for Abdominal Pain

Deciding when to go to the doctor is a challenge, especially if you have limited or no insurance coverage and if you are worried about having a long wait when you seek medical help. Waiting too long to get help can be detrimental to your health though, so you want to get medical help in a timely manner. The good news is, care is available at  Highland Park Emergency Room for affordable prices. Treatment is provided by qualified professionals, and you should be able to get an accurate diagnosis and get on the road to recovery quickly. Contact us today for more information.