Now if only we could get the "Masses" to read and understand this:
When To Go To The Emergency Room. Physicians Create List Of Warning Signs
POSTED: 12:15 pm EST November 16, 2006
UPDATED: 8:44 am EST November 17, 2006
WASHINGTON -- At one time or another, just about everybody's wondered if they were sick enough to go to the emergency room.
To help spot the signs of conditions that require immediate medical attention the American College of Emergency Physicians created a list of warning signs on when to go to the ER.
Watch Doreen Gentzler's Report
Dr. Eric Glasser is an emergency room physician at Georgetown University Hospital who admits it can be tough for patients to know if they're dealing with an emergency.
"Think about the symptoms you are having, when they started, because that's very important. Think about past medical history," said Glasser. "Whatever you are doing at home, medications at home you normally take, allergies, these are all important things that go into when we look at the case, how sick the patient is," he said.
When you get to the ER, be very clear about what's wrong with you, be specific when describing your symptoms, because timing is key. Every second counts when it comes to surviving things like a stroke or a heart attack.
Linda Lewis of Northeast Washington is reminded daily of the stroke she suffered more than 20 years ago.
Words don't always come easy. Her right arm is paralyzed. And walking can be difficult.
Lewis's experience is not so unusual. She didn't realize she was having a stroke while it was happening.
She didn't know she should have gone straight to the emergency room. Instead, she went home to rest, hoping she'd feel better soon.
Today she hopes other people can learn something from an experience that changed her life.
"Headaches and whatever, you need to check it out," said Lewis.
Conditions Requiring Immediate Medical Attention:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Fainting, sudden dizziness and weakness
Changes in vision
Confusion
Sudden or severe pain
Pain or pressure in your chest or upper abdomen
Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
Uncontrolled bleeding
http://www.nbc4.com/news/10335993/de...211172006&ts=H
Copyright 2006 by nbc4.com.
When To Go To The Emergency Room. Physicians Create List Of Warning Signs
POSTED: 12:15 pm EST November 16, 2006
UPDATED: 8:44 am EST November 17, 2006
WASHINGTON -- At one time or another, just about everybody's wondered if they were sick enough to go to the emergency room.
To help spot the signs of conditions that require immediate medical attention the American College of Emergency Physicians created a list of warning signs on when to go to the ER.
Watch Doreen Gentzler's Report
Dr. Eric Glasser is an emergency room physician at Georgetown University Hospital who admits it can be tough for patients to know if they're dealing with an emergency.
"Think about the symptoms you are having, when they started, because that's very important. Think about past medical history," said Glasser. "Whatever you are doing at home, medications at home you normally take, allergies, these are all important things that go into when we look at the case, how sick the patient is," he said.
When you get to the ER, be very clear about what's wrong with you, be specific when describing your symptoms, because timing is key. Every second counts when it comes to surviving things like a stroke or a heart attack.
Linda Lewis of Northeast Washington is reminded daily of the stroke she suffered more than 20 years ago.
Words don't always come easy. Her right arm is paralyzed. And walking can be difficult.
Lewis's experience is not so unusual. She didn't realize she was having a stroke while it was happening.
She didn't know she should have gone straight to the emergency room. Instead, she went home to rest, hoping she'd feel better soon.
Today she hopes other people can learn something from an experience that changed her life.
"Headaches and whatever, you need to check it out," said Lewis.
Conditions Requiring Immediate Medical Attention:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Fainting, sudden dizziness and weakness
Changes in vision
Confusion
Sudden or severe pain
Pain or pressure in your chest or upper abdomen
Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
Uncontrolled bleeding
http://www.nbc4.com/news/10335993/de...211172006&ts=H
Copyright 2006 by nbc4.com.
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