55+ HEALTH NEWS
WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED...
ellismedicine.org
When to Go to an Emergency Department
Whenever an illness or
injury occurs, you need
to decide how serious
it is and how soon to
seek medical care.
Consideration must also
be given to whether it’s
best to call your doctor,
go to an urgent care clinic
or head to an emergency
department right away.
Go to an emergency department or call 911 for help
for problems such as:
n Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Treatment in an
emergency department
can cost two to three
times more than receiving
the same care in your
doctor’s office. Think
about that, and the
specific symptoms and
health issues listed here
when deciding where you
need to go for care.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
16 55PlusLivingGuide.com
Passing out, fainting, sudden dizziness
Pain in the arm or jaw
Unusual or bad headache, especially if it started suddenly
Sudden inability to speak, see, walk, or move
Sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the body
Dizziness or weakness that does not go away
Inhaling smoke or poisonous fumes
Sudden confusion
Heavy bleeding
Possible broken bone, loss of movement, especially if
the bone is pushing through the skin
Deep wound
Serious burn
Coughing or throwing up blood
Severe pain anywhere on the body
Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, hives
High fever with headache and stiff neck
High fever that does not get better with medicine
Throwing up or loose stools that do not stop
Poisoning or overdose of drug or alcohol
Suicidal thoughts
Seizures