Monthly Archives: January 2017

When to Visit an Emergency Room – Traumatic Brain Injuries

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man who suffered from a neck and head injury massaging his neckA traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious issue that millions of Americans experience each year. In 2010 alone, roughly 2.5 million United States citizens went to an emergency room due to a TBI. While getting hit in the head is not always a major cause for concern, most head injuries should receive prompt medical attention to make sure that a TBI is properly addressed. If you need medical attention, be it urgent or for an emergency, visit Highland Park Emergency Room today. 

What Causes a TBI?

TBIs occur when brain functioning is disrupted by a blunt blow to the head. Minor TBIs are also called concussions, and they commonly result from sports injuries, car accidents, and major falls.

TBI Symptoms

TBIs and concussions are often accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Confusion / Difficulty thinking clearly
  • Decreased coordination
  • Drowsiness
  • One dilated pupil
  • A severe headache

If you or someone you know is experiencing more than one of these symptoms, we recommend you visit the ER. While many people bounce back quickly after a head injury, some experience internal bleeding that can be life threatening without proper medical treatment.

How to Diagnose TBIs

An ER doctor will perform several tests to determine the severity of the head injury. He or she may ask a series of questions or implement a variety of motor-skill tests. CT scans or MRI scans may also be used to take pictures of the brain and determine the level of trauma. Sometimes the brain injury does not show up on the digital images, but that doesn’t mean that a TBI is not present. An ER doctor will do a thorough check-up to ensure that the head trauma victim is properly diagnosed.

Recovering from a TBI

A concussion or mild TBI can often be overcome within a couple of weeks, but the key to recovery is rest. Most emergency room doctors recommend that victims of a TBI abstain from reading, watching television, and using electronics. This may be for a few days or a few weeks, but cognitive rest is necessary. Getting proper sleep is also imperative in the healing process. People who suffer from a traumatic brain injury are likely to be more tired than normal.

Don’t Hesitate to Visit the Emergency Room

The risk associated with brain trauma is high, and TBIs can cause death in extreme cases. If there is any chance that you or someone you know may have a concussion or TBI, visit a medical professional at the ER promptly. At Highland Park, Preston Hollow, and Lakewood Emergency Room, we have the medical equipment and the detailed knowledge to diagnose TBI’s and recommend treatment protocols. Don’t hesitate to visit an ER – the risk is too high.

A 24 Hour Emergency Clinic Can Treat Food Allergies

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common foods that people are allergic toEach year, nearly 200,000 people visit a 24 hour emergency clinic due to anaphylaxis, a serious and potentially deadly allergic reaction to food. Broken down incrementally, that averages out to one person experiencing a severe allergic reaction to food every three minutes. Considering that food is supposed to function as a source of health, energy, and nourishment for our bodies, an astonishingly high amount of people are harmed by the intake of specific foods. Highland Park Emergency Room are ready to help.

Food Allergies are Increasing, and the Reasons are Unclear

A recent statistic put out by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network estimates that between 12 million and 15 million Americans deal with food allergies to some degree. While no one can pinpoint or outline the exact reasons why food allergies occur, the amount of people who are affected by them has increased steadily over the last few decades. Scientists are quite certain that food allergies are genetic, but exactly which genes they come from is yet an unanswered question. Moreover, many people develop food allergies later on in life, and this has left many allergy experts scratching their heads as to the possible causes.

Top Food Allergies and Intolerances

While we still have many unanswered questions about food allergies, we do have some leads about which foods typically produce allergic responses. The top foods that cause allergic reactions are peanuts, eggs, shellfish, wheat, and dairy. This list is not exhaustive of course, and if you continuously suffer from minor allergic reactions without knowing the cause, it is recommended that you get tested to avoid any future problems that could land you in a 24 hour emergency clinic. Notably, there is a difference between food intolerance and food allergies. Intolerance to wheat, for example, might cause uncomfortable bloating and hives, while a wheat allergy may cause swelling that obstructs breathing completely. Usually, people who suffer from a food intolerance can digest small amounts of the food. People who suffer from a severe allergy, however, may go into shock if they have a bite of the food they are allergic to. Given the risks involved and the dramatic differences between each person, it is very important that individuals with food allergies/intolerances are aware of which foods they react to and how severe the reaction is.

A 24 Hour Emergency Clinic Responds to Anaphylaxis Quickly

At our Highland Park, Lakewood & Preston Hollow Emergency Room locations, we understand how serious an allergic reaction to food can be. These >medical emergencies happen unexpectedly, and victims do not always have epinephrine (in the form of an EpiPen) available to calm symptoms. People who suffer from a severe allergic reaction to food should not hesitate; it is important that victims of anaphylaxis visit a 24 hour emergency clinic immediately. Contact Highland Park or Preston Hollow Emergency Room for more information.