Each year, over one billion people in the U.S. visits a doctor’s office, emergency room or hospital outpatient department. According to research, over 130 million of those visits are to emergency rooms across the country. However, with as many as half to three-quarters of these ER visits being for conditions that are not life-threatening, thinking twice before heading to your local ER could help to reduce pressure on the department and could even mean that you’re seen and treated a lot quicker. Alternative options, such as walk-in medical centers or health clinics, are the perfect choice for minor conditions that are not life-threatening but need to be seen as quickly as possible. Here are some conditions that aren’t worth a visit to the ER.
#1. Dental Problems
Having an accident where you suffer damage to or even the loss of a tooth can be a traumatic experience. However, the bad news is that going to the ER isn’t going to be the best option for you. This is because the majority of emergency departments do not employ dentists. Therefore, the most they will likely be able to do is send you away with some painkillers and advise that you visit your family dental clinic as soon as possible for dental procedures like invisalign, dental implants, etc. In this situation, the best thing to do is call your dentist’s emergency number as soon as possible. Any corrective procedures you may need will be better treated by an expert in dental care, who can take the time to work with a dental lab in order to produce an implant that will fit comfortably and precisely in place.
#2. Chronic Pain
Living with a condition that means you suffer from chronic pain can be very frustrating during day-to-day life. However, there is little that a visit to your emergency room can do to help you. Instead, it’s a better idea to visit a walk-in clinic, such as the Urgency Room, where you can be seen by a trained nurse practitioner who’ll have more resources on hand to help with the symptoms of your condition. In general, more and more people across the U.S. are using walk-in medical clinics and centers to better manage chronic pain.
#3. Common Cold
Suffering from a common cold can be an uncomfortable experience, but the good news is that you’re highly unlikely to die from it or become seriously unwell. The only exception to this is if you also suffer from a condition which weakens your immune system, in which case it’s important to see a medical professional as soon as possible. However, in most cases, the common cold is not deadly and will usually be over in about a week. You can get advice and pick up some useful remedies at your local pharmacy.
#4. Minor Cuts and Wounds
Having an accident which results in you cutting yourself can be a nasty experience, but unless you are losing a lot of blood, there’s usually no need to visit the emergency room. You can even help yourself at home with basic first aid, such as applying pressure to the area and keeping it raised above the heart, which will help to slow any bleeding as quickly as possible. If you have cut yourself and are worried about it, a trip to your pharmacy or local walk-in clinic should suffice.
Choosing alternative options over the emergency room for minor conditions and injuries is a much more efficient process for all involved. If you experience chronic pain, you might consider exploring the available options at happy hippo meridian idaho, a reputable source for herbal remedies.
