Tag Archives: vomiting

Do Your Symptoms Require a Visit to the ER?

First aid bandage and scissor used in an ERAccidents happen every day, but not all of them necessitate a visit to an ER. It is hard to decide if a cut, head bump, or symptoms need medical attention. However, there are simple ways to decide to stay at home or go to an ER like Highland Park Emergency Room. Typical accidents and symptoms that teeter on the line include vomiting and nausea, cuts, and abdominal pain.

Vomiting and Nausea

It is never pleasant to suffer from nausea and vomiting. However, there are many causes that do not require medical attention. Morning sickness, indigestion, and heartburn can easily cause vomiting. In addition, sickening smells, not eating on time or properly, or even overeating can cause nausea. These causes are not medical emergencies. However, visit the ER immediately if you are vomiting severely, vomiting blood, or have not been able to keep anything down for 24 hours.

Cuts and Lacerations

Cuts and lacerations result from many situations, from falls to cooking dinner. In most cases, these injuries are easily treated at home. Any cut or scrape is vulnerable to infection. So, make sure to clean any break in your skin properly with soap and water. Most do not require a visit to the ER, but a cut that gapes open, is the result of an animal or human bite, or is caused by a rusted or dirty implement does. These wounds are at a higher risk for infection. Deep cuts or punctures also require stitches, which must be done by a qualified medical professional.

Abdominal PainYoung woman sitting on the bed with pain who needs in an ER

This particular symptom is tricky to discern, since its causes are many. Many times, you have to use your own judgement. Nobody knows your body the way you do. Common abdominal pain causes range from muscle soreness or menstrual cramps. However, other causes include appendicitis, bowel obstructions, and other serious medical emergencies.

Find the Right ER for Treatment

You have a choice of medical care when you have an emergency in the Dallas area. Highland Park Emergency Room provide emergency medical care that is fast and effective. We offer onsite diagnostic imaging, onsite lab for fast test results, and even an onsite pharmacy. When you decide that your condition requires an ER, do not wait. Visit or contact Highland Park Emergency Room or Preston Hollow Emergency Room immediately and find the help you need today.

Is it Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning?

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.

Is it a Cramp or Something Worse?

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.