When Should You Go to the ER?
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: August 8, 2012
About 124 million Americans go to the emergency department every year. Accidents send about a third of them. In most other cases, it's up to you or your family to decide whether your illness warrants emergency care.
At Altoona Regional Health System, Emergency Chair Dr Matthew Bouchard says in some situations, it's a no-brainer.
He explained, "anything really significant, chest pain, shortness of breath numbness, severe headaches, severe pain, anything like fever in a child under 3 months of age, all those things you just come right to the ER." Dr Bouchard says sudden confusion or vision problems should also send you right to the emergency department.
He'll offer more advice about emergency care at a program on Friday, August 17th at 11 a.m. There is no fee, but you must register. Call 889-2630 or 1-888-313-4665,
At Altoona Regional Health System, Emergency Chair Dr Matthew Bouchard says in some situations, it's a no-brainer.
He explained, "anything really significant, chest pain, shortness of breath numbness, severe headaches, severe pain, anything like fever in a child under 3 months of age, all those things you just come right to the ER." Dr Bouchard says sudden confusion or vision problems should also send you right to the emergency department.
He'll offer more advice about emergency care at a program on Friday, August 17th at 11 a.m. There is no fee, but you must register. Call 889-2630 or 1-888-313-4665,
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.