We know how busy the holiday season is, and because of it, eating well and resting can often be put on the back burner for many of us. Since you might not be watching everything you ingest, and your only exercise might be running in and out of the stores, you need to be aware of when something is seriously wrong. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms below, you should immediately head to the ER.
Chest Pains
We know the extra holiday munching can lead to some indigestions and gas pains, but persistent chest pain should never be ignored. Though you may feel like it could be a simple case of gas, it’s better left for the doctor to diagnose. Worst case scenario, that pain could be signaling a heart attack. If it comes on suddenly and strongly, head to the ER.
Stomach Pains
Abdominal pain can be caused by a wide array of conditions, some of which can be life-threatening. You should head to the ER if your severe abdominal pain is accompanied with:
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Fever
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Vomiting
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Chest pains or difficulty breathing
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Feeling like you’re going to pass out
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Irregular heartbeat
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Dark stool
These symptoms could all be signs of a more severe condition such as appendicitis or a heart attack.
Difficulty Breathing
Being out of breath might be a regular event when you go for a run or if you suffer from anxiety, but if you suddenly have trouble breathing and it’s not a common occurrence, you’ll want to head to the ER. Labored breathing or not being able to catch your breath could signal that you’re having an allergic reaction. If you find these symptoms paired with chest pains, you might be suffering from a heart attack.
Other sudden reasons to head to the ER:
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A sudden and Severe Headache
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Head Injury
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Severe Cuts or Burns
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High Fever
If you do find yourself dealing with a holiday health emergency, Dallas Medical Center has a no-wait, full-service ER and trauma center which is always open.