I am not a doctor, nor do I aspire to be a doctor. Consult a doctor if you have medical issues, and dial 911 if you are in an emergency. There are several signs you should pay attention to ensure you stay safe. Your family would prefer you visit the emergency room, rather than the morgue. 

Time To Go To The Emergency Room

Blood

Blood needs to not just stay inside of your body but stay in the correct organ systems. If you visit the porcelain palace and see red, either from stool or urine, there is an immediate problem. Dark blood is often riskier than the red color you’d see if you cut your finger. Blood in vomit is also a significant concern and warrants an E.R. visit.

Additionally, too much blood loss from a deep cut or flesh wound can be a reason to head to the emergency room. If you find yourself in a remote situation or have time before you can make an E.R. visit, you should try to treat the wound as an interim step. 

Don’t bleed out and get yourself to the hospital.

Signs to look for:

● Blood in stool

● Blood in urine

● Blood in vomit

● Bleeding that won’t stop 

● Cuts or tears you can’t close on your own

Bones

Bones are great when they don’t leave their intended place in the skeletal structure. If a bone is exposed, broken, or dislocated(circumstances vary), you should ask a loved one or call an ambulance for a ride. Without proper attention and care, broken bones can heal incorrectly, tear or damage connective tissue, ligaments, or tendons. Breaks or fractures untreated can cause permanent damage to the affected area. 

Signs to look for:

● Compound Fractures

● Breaks

● Dislocations (bones that pop out of their intended joint)

Head

Head injuries and concussions are no joke. Falls and impacts leading to confusion or concussed states should be evaluated immediately. It is easy to act tough, but your brain is arguably the most crucial organ in your body; get it checked out. Additional underlying issues can arise from head injuries, including internal bleeding.

Concussions have several varying symptoms. Decreased mental status, persistent headaches, constant dizziness or change in vision, mental fog, difficulty concentrating, and nausea are the most notable signs that warrant an E.R. visit. 

Seizures or strokes display similar signs but have different underlying causes. However, they can leave you with severe underlying and lasting medical issues. An Emergency Room visit is necessary if you exhibit any of their symptoms, including but not limited to numbness on one side of your body or parts of your body, difficulty speaking, confusion, convulsions, and loss of bodily control.

Signs to look for:

● Blunt impacts (changing mental state)

● Slips, trips, or falls that involve head impact (changing mental state)

● Numbness on one side or parts of your body

● Loss of bodily control

● Unexplained weakness

Organs 

Internal organs are a big deal, and because we don’t consciously use them, it is difficult to figure out when something is wrong. No pun intended, but you need to use your gut. Quit googling that stomach pain. If you feel acute or dull pain that isn’t normal, it might be time to call a doctor. If it is persistent and increasing, make an E.R. visit. Something as simple as a ruptured appendix can kill you; don’t risk the biscuit.

Difficulty breathing is an emergency room qualifying visit. With the onset of pneumonia with common viruses (both old and new), you do not want to wait long if breathing becomes labored or difficult. If you can’t breathe properly, your organs can’t get the oxygen required to function. 

Chest pain is an easy indicator to listen to your body. This pain coupled with shortness of breath, weakness or pain in your arms or shoulders, and feeling weak or light-headed are sure signs that you need to see an E.R. doctor asap. Often less acute diseases can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, but you should play it safe, not sorry with this one.

Signs to look for:

● Difficulty breathing

● Acute Pain

● Persistent Dull Pain

● Chest tightness or pain

● Feeling weak/light-headed

● Excessive sweating

Quit Googling That Stomach Pain And Go To The E.R.

Two months ago, I was driving down the road with my wife and kids when my stomach pain was so grave that I looked at my wife and told her to take me to the E.R. I am not one to visit the doctor, let alone the Emergency room. However, deep down, I knew something wasn’t quite right. It took some time and an extensive hospital stay, but ultimately they found and removed cancer from my colon. It was the size of a tennis ball. My symptoms ranged from bloody stool to alternating sharp and dull stomach pains that only intensified over six weeks. I am not the age of an individual who should even start getting colonoscopies. However, I listened to my body and knew something was off. 

Look for the signs and, more importantly, listen to your body to know when to go to the Emergency room. I’d rather see you alive and well with a bit of medical debt than dead.