Injuries That Require Emergency Care
We live in a culture that encourages us to minimize our own pain and suffering especially when it comes to injuries. That’s especially true with men, many of whom grow up being taught that expressing any vulnerability is a sign of weakness, and “real men” never show weakness. Watch a game of football or basketball on TV, and there’s a good chance you’ll hear the announcers laud one or more players for their “toughness” and “grit.” Who doesn’t want to be tough? The problem is, toughness comes with a price. You shouldn’t sacrifice your physical well-being in an attempt to live up to what’s basically an impossible standard.
The importance of acting fast
There are some medical conditions that are annoying but usually don’t require medical care within a few hours. Sinus infections are frustrating, especially when you get so congested that you have to breathe almost entirely through your mouth. But unless a sinus infection develops into something more severe like pneumonia, most sufferers can wait to make a doctor’s appointment. At worst, they might need to go to a walk-in clinic to get a prescription for antibiotics.
On the other end of the spectrum are things that obviously require immediate medical attention, and maybe even an ambulance. If you’re in a vehicle accident that leaves you dizzy and bleeding, you should get to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. We’re talking minutes, not hours. You may be worried about your automobile insurance. You may be wondering whether or not your pickup truck is totaled or can be repaired. That can be taken care of later. It’s a lot harder to drive a truck when you’re dead.
Between sinus infections and potentially traumatic brain injuries is a gray area for cases that seem troublesome but may not be a full-fledged emergency. Maybe you sprained your ankle during a friendly game of basketball, and now it’s swelling up and bruising. You don’t think it’s going to kill you, but it doesn’t seem to be getting better on its own, and that’s concerning. In cases like that, you can always play it safe and head to the emergency room. You can also head to your local urgent care center. Urgent care centers are great for those in-between cases. They’re usually cheaper and come with less waiting than a trip to the ER.
The price of good health
Speaking of price, that’s another uniquely American problem related to healthcare. The United States is just about the only country of its kind where people regularly go bankrupt due to medical bills. That’s true even if you have what you think of as “good” insurance. That’s led to an environment where people are afraid to go to the doctor because they genuinely fear they won’t have enough money. Telling those people “just go to the emergency room” isn’t particularly helpful, as the emergency room can stabilize you if you have a heart attack, but it can’t provide follow-up treatment. If you are having a heart attack, though, you should still go to the emergency room. Worry about your health first and the bills later, even though that’s much easier said than done.
