Tag Archives: Abdominal Pain

How Parents Can Be Prepared for a Pediatric Emergency

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Little girl holding inhaler mask.Kids get sick or hurt all the time, and you never know when you’ll be faced with a pediatric emergency.  You need to be prepared in case you have to get your kids help quickly when they are hurt. Highland Park Emergency Room in Dallas have two convenient locations so parents can seek assistance for their kids right away. Knowing where to take your children in case of illness will allow you to save time when they actually get sick or hurt. This will get you on the road and in the right direction more quickly.  You should also have a few things ready in advance. This way, you will be able to get your kids the care they require more quickly.

Being Prepared to Get Help in Case of a Pediatric Emergency

Parents should have a few things ready in case they ever need to respond to a pediatric emergency. For example, you should make a list of allergies that your children have. Remember to write down if your kids are allergic to any medications or have had an adverse drug reaction to any types of drugs they have taken. Kids could also be allergic to things like the dye that is used in CT scans or to latex in medical gloves. Having a list of allergies written down lets you provide this information to care providers. It also ensures that you will not forget anything important in the heat of the moment. If you are not home when kids get sick or hurt and a babysitter or relative needs to take your kids to the ER in case of a pediatric emergency, this list will be invaluable.

Other Ways to be Prepared for a Pediatric Emergency

In addition to listing allergies that children have, you also need to make a list of current medications that your kids are taking. These medications could interact badly with drugs or treatments that the ER may consider to tread your child’s current illness. Having a list in advance ensures that your child is not administered any drugs that could cause an adverse drug interaction.  Having your insurance card available can also be beneficial in case of an emergency, so you should keep your insurance card along with the list of allergies and drugs together in one place.

Responding to a Pediatric Emergency

If your child has a pediatric emergency, you and your son or daughter will benefit from your advanced preparations. Get your information together today! It’s impossible to foresee when a problem will arise. If an issue does occur, Highland Park Emergency Room in Dallas are prepared to help.

Do Your Symptoms Require a Visit to the ER?

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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.

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!

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.

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.

Abdominal Pain- Causes and Treatments

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If you are suffering from abdominal pain, contact us immediately. We have the tools and knowledge on hand to diagnose and treat the cause of your pain right now.
Abdominal Pain

Abdominal Pain

Treatment Procedures

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

Many injuries and conditions can cause abdominal pain.

  • Abdominal Organ-Related Conditions:
    • Appendicitis – A potentially deadly condition caused by the inflammation, infection and build up of pus in the appendix
    • Gall Stones – Hardened fluid deposits in the gall bladder that cause intense pain and fever
    • Bowel Blockage – Caused by scar tissue, tumors, or narrowing of intestine, resulting in build- up of food, gas and fluid in the bowels
    • Peptic Ulcer – A painful sore in the stomach lining and upper small intestine that can sometimes be accompanied by bleeding or vomiting
  • Gender-Related Conditions:
    • Menstrual Cramps – Caused by the approach or start of a woman’s menstrual cycle
    • Mittelschmerz – Minor pain on one side of the abdomen that occurs during ovulation
    • Ectopic Pregnancy – A life-threatening condition caused when an ovum attaching itself to and growing inside the fallopian tube
    • Endometriosis – Caused by the lining of the uterus growing in other areas of the pelvis and abdomen
  • Food and Digestive Conditions:
    • Food Allergies – Caused by an allergic reaction to dairy, red meat, gluten and other foods
    • Heartburn – The result of acid reflux and indigestion after eating
    • Food Poisoning – Vomiting or diarrhea caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages
    • Lactose Intolerance – A condition caused by the inability to absorb and digest lactose found in dairy
  • Conditions Caused by Other Organs:
    • Heart Attack – A life-threatening emergency caused when blood flow to the heart is restricted and causes part of the heart muscle to die.
    • Abdominal Aneurysm – A deadly enlargening or ballooning of the aorta that supplies blood f low to the abdomen, legs, and pelvis.
    • Pneumonia – A serious viral or bacterial infection in one or both lungs that causes coughing, shortness of breath, lethargy, high fevers, and pain in the stomach and ribs.
  • Other Causes:
    • Injury – A blow to the stomach, pelvis or lower chest can cause pain and swelling in the abdomen
    • Flatulence – Excess flatulence can cause pressure and pain throughout the abdomen
    • Anxiety – Worry, stress, anxiety and panic attacks can cause stomach aches and nausea

In order for us to alleviate your abdominal pain, we may need to perform some scans or tests. These include:

  • Abdominal x-ray – This procedure uses an x-ray machine to provide doctors with images of the intestines, spleen, stomach and other organs in the abdominal cavity. It may identify intestinal blockage, kidney stones or other causes of your pain or nausea. You may be asked to lie on a table or to stand as the x-ray machine captures images of the abdominal area.
  • Abdominal CT scan – This scan is similar to an x-ray, but it uses multiple rays in order to create cross-sectional images of organs and tissues in the abdomen. These images will allow us to identify any swelling, masses, infections or other issues that could be contributing to your pain. In order to receive these images, you will lie on a table that slides into the CT machine.
  • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography– MRCP helps us identify gall stones through the use of magnetic resonance imaging. The scan can also provide us with information about the liver, pancreas and bile ducts. You will be asked to lie on a table that will be moved into an MRI tunnel, which is where the equipment will gather images.
  • Abdominal ultrasound – We may order ultrasounds to help us check for liver disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms and issues with other abdominal organs. These ultrasounds are often performed quickly and can give us immediate images that may help us make a diagnosis. We will place a small amount of gel on your abdomen, and then we will rub the area with a transducer that sends the images to a screen for us to view.

Abdominal pain is defined as any pain that you feel anywhere in your stomach or groin area. It can be accompanied by nausea, bloating, excess gas, sweating, cramps or fever. Abdominal pain can appear gradually and become worse or it can appear suddenly with no prior warning. If your abdominal pain is not relieved with home remedies or over-the-counter medication or you experience other symptoms like bloody stools or vomit, you should immediately go to the nearest emergency room.

If you are experiencing abdominal pain, please visit one of our convenient locations. We are always open with no wait.