Do I Need Emergency Care or Urgent Care?

When you're feeling sick or injured, it can be tough to know whether you need emergency care or urgent care. Both types of care involve seeing a doctor, but the services they provide are different. In this article, we will discuss the differences between emergency and urgent care, and help you decide which type of care is right for you!

 

Emergency Care

Emergency care is for life-threatening illnesses and injuries. If you are experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or severe trauma, you will need to go to the emergency room. Emergency care is also for serious conditions that require immediate attention, such as a head injury or an asthma attack. Knowing when to go to the emergency room can be tricky business. After all, it's not always easy to tell the difference between a minor problem and a true medical emergency. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you make the best decision for your situation. If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat, you should go to the ER right away. These symptoms could indicate a heart attack or other serious condition. Other red flags include severe abdominal pain, major head injuries, uncontrolled bleeding, and sudden changes in vision or speech. In general, if you are unsure whether or not your situation is an emergency, err on the side of caution and go to the ER. Better safe than sorry!

Go to the ER for:

• Bone breaks
• Chest Pain or stroke
• Injury to head/neck/spine/back
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Snakebite
• Serious burns
• Serious cuts
• Fever in babies under 8 weeks

 

 

Urgent Care

Urgent care is for less serious illnesses and injuries. If you have a minor injury or are feeling sick but not in life-threatening danger, you can go to urgent care. Urgent care centers can provide services such as x-rays and stitches. They can also help with conditions like colds, flu, and ear infections. Many urgent care centers are open on weekends when most doctors’ offices are closed. They usually offer services such as walk-in appointments, x-rays, and lab testing. Urgent care can be a great option for patients who are unable to get an appointment with their regular doctor or who need to be seen right away but do not require emergency care. In many cases, the cost of urgent care is also much lower than the cost of an emergency room visit. When deciding whether to seek urgent care or emergency care, it is important to consider the severity of the condition. If the condition is not life-threatening and can wait for a regular doctor's appointment, then urgent care may be the best option. However, if the condition is serious or life-threatening, then emergency care should be sought immediately.

 

Go to Urgent Care for:

• Sprains
• UTIs
• Cold or flu symptoms
• Ear infections
• Eye infections
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cuts with contained bleeding

 

If you're not sure whether your condition requires emergency or urgent care, you can call your doctor for advice. They will be able to help you figure out whether you need to go to the emergency room or if urgent care will suffice. In some cases, your doctor may even refer you to an urgent care center. If your doctor is not available to give advice, you could call the Urgent Care center.

 

No matter what type of care you need, it's important to see a doctor when you're feeling sick or injured. Emergency care and urgent care are both vital services that can help you get the treatment you need. So don't hesitate to seek out the care that's right for you!

 

If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately. Do not attempt to drive yourself unless directed by a medical professional on the phone. If your condition is not life-threatening but still requires prompt attention, you can go to an urgent care center.

 

Some conditions can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications and rest. However, if your condition is worsening or not improving after a couple of days, it's important to seek medical care.

For information about the Emergency Care services provided by Spring + Heights Hospitals in Houston,TX visit our website  www.SpringHeights.Care