Emergency? Go to the nearest ER or call 911

By Franck Tameze-Rivas, MD, MBA

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Guides

Heart and blood vessels

Atrial Fibrillation Feeling fine does not mean the stroke risk is gone. Blood Clots The clot clears over weeks to months. The first weeks matter most. Chest Pain About half of people go home without one clear cause. Fainting Most faints are harmless. The ones without warning are different. Heart Failure Feeling better means the fluid improved, not that the problem is gone. High Blood Pressure Most people cannot feel it. Repeat readings matter more than one.

Breathing, throat, ears and nose

Asthma and COPD The rescue inhaler works fast but treats only part of the problem. Ear Infections Middle-ear pain may not ease on day one, even with antibiotics. Nosebleed Most stop with firm pressure held a full 15 to 20 minutes. Pneumonia Fever ends first. Cough and tiredness can last two weeks or longer. Shortness of Breath Breathlessness is real even when the oxygen number looks normal. Sore Throat & Colds Most are viral and end in about a week without antibiotics.

Stomach and gut

Abdominal Pain Most improve within days, but pain that returns still matters. Dehydration Most improve once the losses stop and fluids are replaced. Diarrhea Most cases end in 3 to 7 days. Bloody stool still matters. Nausea and Vomiting Most sudden vomiting comes from a short virus and improves in days.

Kidneys, bladder and blood sugar

Acute Kidney Injury About two-thirds recover within a week. The repeat blood test still matters. High Blood Sugar A lower number does not mean the danger has passed. Kidney Stone Passing can take weeks. Fever with a stone is an emergency. Low Blood Sugar A low from some diabetes pills can come back hours later. Urinary Tract Infection Most settle within a week. Fever or side pain changes the picture.

Head, brain and nerves

Concussion Brief rest, then gentle activity. Strict rest can slow recovery. Dizziness & Vertigo Inner-ear spinning often improves within days, and it can come back. Headache A returning headache is common. A worsening one changes the picture. Stroke and TIA Feeling normal again is not an all-clear. Risk is highest early.

Bones, joints and back

Ankle Sprain Early movement with support works better than long rest or a cast. Fractures, Splints and Casts Pain is the first warning sign. It comes before the limb looks wrong. Low Back Pain Moving is the treatment. Bed rest makes it worse.

Skin, wounds and eyes

After a Cut Is Closed Infection, if it happens, usually shows up 2 to 7 days later. Cellulitis and Abscess Redness can spread for a day or two before it improves. Cut and Wound Care Moist and covered heals faster than dry and open. Eye Scratches & Foreign Objects A tiny scratch hurts a lot, and most heal within a week.

Whole body

Allergic Reactions Symptoms can return within two days without a new exposure. Fever How the person looks and acts matters more than the number. Sickle Cell Disease A written plan is your strongest tool.

Do not wait

Some signs cannot wait until morning.

Chest pressure. Trouble breathing. Fainting. Bleeding that will not stop. Go back to the emergency department, or call 911.

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What this is

Help for the days after your ER visit

Free, general health information written by an emergency physician. It adds to the discharge papers you were given. It does not replace them, and it does not replace your own doctor.