Signs You May Have a Fracture

Did you know that the average person experiences two fractured bones during their lifetime? While fractures, or broken bones, are very common during childhood, they can become more serious as we age. A fractured bone is considered a medical emergency, and it is important to go to an emergency room immediately.

What are the symptoms of a fractured bone?

• Swelling or bruising on the bone
• Deformity over the affected area
• Pain around the injury that becomes worse when given pressure
• Bone protrusion
• Difficulty or pain when putting weight on the area

How is my fractured bone diagnosed?

If you believe you or a loved one have experienced a fractured bone, it is extremely important to bring them to Trusted ER right away! Our doctors will evaluate your injury and take some x-rays. If your fracture does not show up in an x-ray, we can perform a series of other tests to see if you have broken a bone. In some cases, like a wrist, hip, or stress fracture, these additional tests are necessary.

How is my fractured bone treated?

Your fractured bone will be set back into its place and held by a cast or splint to heal properly. It’s important to rehabilitate the injured area immediately, even if you’re still in a cast. This will promote healthy healing, prevent blood clots, and encourage healthy blood flow. Once your cast is removed, the injured area will often be stiff and swollen – but don’t worry, it will go away after a few weeks! Be patient with your body. It will take a few weeks to regain your former strength. Talk with our doctors about exercises and activities that are safe for your body as you heal.

Have you suffered from a fractured bone? Come to Trusted ER immediately! We will help make you feel as comfortable as possible while we treat your fracture.

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Chemical/Caustic Burns

Chemical or caustic burns can happen in the safety of your home, in your workplace, or at school. They are caused by accidentally coming into contact with a chemical or misusing a chemical product.

Chemical Burn Symptoms

Although chemical burn symptoms can differ, they pose serious threats to your health. Symptoms will vary depending on how and where the burn occurred. When you come in for treatment we will want to know a bit about the burn to treat you properly:

• How long was your skin in contact with the chemical?
• Did you inhale or swallow the chemical?
• Did you have any open cuts on your skin during contact with the chemical?
• Which part of your body did the chemical touch?
• Was the chemical in liquid or solid form? Was it a gas?
• How strong was the chemical?
• What amount came into contact with your body?

Common symptoms caused by chemical burns include the following:

• Numbness or pain
• Loss of vision (if chemicals touched your eyes)
• Redness, burning, irritation in the area surrounding the burn
• Dead skin caused by acid

If you accidentally swallowed a chemical, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Seizures
• Dizziness
• Cardiac arrest
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath

Chemical Burn Causes

Anytime you are exposed to chemical materials, you are at risk for a chemical burn. The most common causes of chemical burns are:

• Bleach
• Toilet bowl cleaners
• Teeth whitening products
• Ammonia
• Denture cleaners
• Car battery acid
• Pool chlorinators

Treatment

Your chemical burn must be treated immediately. Remove the chemical and rinse your skin under constantly-running water for up to 20 minutes. If a chemical splashed into your eyes, it is important to rinse your eye for a minimum of 20 minutes before heading to Trusted ER. If you are wearing any clothes or jewelry that came into contact with the chemical, remove them.

Gently wrap the affected area with a sterile cloth. If the burn is larger than three inches or if it occurred on your face, hands, feet, buttocks, or groin, head to Trusted ER immediately. If the burn happened on a major joint, like your elbow or knee, it is important to visit us right away. Otherwise, head to Trusted ER if you aren’t able to control your pain with over-the-counter medications or if you have any symptoms of shock.

At Trusted ER, your chemical burn will be diagnosed based on a few factors. These factors will include how deep your burn is, if there are any signs of an infection, if there is any swelling, and what your level of pain is.

Minor chemical burns will heal quickly with treatment. However, for a more severe burn, you may need long-term treatment.

A chemical burn is a medical emergency! Have you or a friend suffered from a chemical or caustic burn? Come into Trusted ER –  we are here for you 24/7!

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Causes and Risk Factors of Hypothermia

While Dallas winters are mild compared to those of Maine or Minnesota, it’s still important to understand the causes and risk factors of hypothermia. Mild hypothermia can come from simply lingering outside in cold weather, while more severe hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold water or weather.

What causes hypothermia?

Hypothermia’s most common trigger is cold air or water, but cold-water immersion brings it on most quickly. Classified as a medical emergency, falling into cold water whisks heat away from your body 25 times faster than air does. Once out of the water, wearing wet clothes can also create issues, as wet clothes also remove heat from your body.

Mild hypothermia can occur if a person is outside on a cold day without a coat. Wind chill can be a factor in hypothermia too, as it reduces body heat faster. A combination of wind and cold water together can be extremely dangerous.

Signs and Symptoms

Understanding the signs and symptoms of hypothermia is important – and could even save a life.

Mild Hypothermia – When the body begins to cool down, it will try to keep itself warm and begin to shiver in order to generate heat. One of the initial and most obvious signs of hypothermia is uncontrollable shivering. Other signs include:

• Loss of fine motor skills, like difficulty texting
• Decrease in blood circulation and temperature
• Quietness, drawing inward, not communicating with others
• Experiencing pain or discomfort

Mild hypothermia can be reversed by drinking something warm and moving to a warmer environment. However, if it’s not reversed, your body’s temperature will continue to drop.

Moderate and Severe Hypothermia – When experiencing severe hypothermia, your body will stop shivering, as it tries to conserve energy. If your body’s internal temperature drops below 95 degrees, it is considered moderate hypothermia. Moderate hypothermia should be treated immediately, otherwise it will progress to severe hypothermia, which poses a serious medical risk. Patients with severe hypothermia are at risk for cardiac arrest, because their heart muscles do not operate normally at a low temperature. Warming them can be dangerous too, as the patient could experience a cardiac arrhythmia.

Other symptoms of moderate or severe hypothermia include:

• Confusion/exhaustion
• Unconsciousness
• Dilated pupils

When to Come to Trusted ER

Any type of hypothermia can be cause for alarm and should receive medical attention. If you suspect a friend or loved one is experiencing these symptoms, bring them immediately into Trusted ER.

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Staying Safe and Healthy on New Year’s Eve

What are you doing on New Year’s Eve? Whether you’re headed to a party or staying in for the night, we want to ensure your New Year’s Eve is spent safely. Many people spend the evening celebrating at parties and drinking heavily, but it’s important to remember the side effects that accompany large quantities of drinking.

Avoid Driving
Even if you haven’t been drinking, try to stay off the roads on New Year’s Eve. Driving while intoxicated can even begin during the day on New Year’s Eve. Be wary of other drivers.

Never Drink and Drive
If you’re attending a New Year’s Eve party, consider leaving your car at home and taking a cab there and back. Or hire an Uber, a Lyft, or take public transportation. Have a friend who doesn’t drink? Talk to them about being a designated driver. Or try staying overnight at a friend’s house or booking a local hotel within walking distance from the party.
Alcohol impairs your senses and reflexes. Getting behind the wheel after drinking puts your life in danger, and endangers the lives of everyone else on the road.

Be Aware
If you have a friend who becomes deeply intoxicated while celebrating, letting them sleep the alcohol off might not be the right answer. They need to be monitored while they sleep. There have been fatalities because an intoxicated person vomits while sleeping and chokes.
Never mix alcohol and drugs, prescribed or not. This can result in serious side effects.

New Year’s Day
It’s a new year! Start 2019 off right by healing your body from the previous day’s activities, and setting good habits to carry with you into the new year.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Just like caffeine, alcohol is a diuretic and can quickly empty your body of necessary fluids. If you drank too much alcohol on New Year’s Eve, spend New Year’s Day replenishing your body by drinking water, herbal tea with lemon and honey, and fruit and vegetable juices.

Eat Properly
There are a variety of foods that help cure hangovers. Eggs are one of the most common cures, due to their amino acid called cysteine. Bananas, crackers, and other light foods can soothe an upset stomach and give your body some needed nutrients.

Take Vitamins
Drinking excessively can weaken your immune system, but taking vitamins will help your body heal by replenishing depleted nutrients. Vitamins C and B and magnesium supplements are especially important after drinking.

Here at Trusted ER, we hope you have a safe and healthy 2019!

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Trusted ER Open 24/7 During Christmas and New Years

Everyone wants a holly-jolly Christmas, but did you know that emergency room visits spike during the holidays? There are a variety of things that can send a patient to the ER during Christmas, from decorating the house, to slipping on icy sidewalks, to gorging on tasty holiday foods. We hope your holiday season stays injury-free, but here are some tips to help prevent holiday disasters.

Enjoy the Treats, but Don’t Over-Indulge
It’s the season for festive cookies, fruit cakes, candy canes, and yule logs. But during this time of year, many people end up in the ER due to something they ate or drank.

• Oftentimes people on low-sodium diets over-indulge during the holidays by eating rich casseroles and decadent desserts. As a result, their bodies are unable to process the excess salt. It’s okay to enjoy holiday foods, but make sure you control your portion sizes.
• During the holidays, food poisoning is a common reason to head to the ER. People sometimes eat undercooked meat or dishes that were not prepared properly. Make sure your food is cooked thoroughly.
• Another common cause for holiday ER visits is consuming too much alcohol. Pay attention to the amount of alcohol you consume, and never drink and drive.
• Don’t forget your food allergies. Visiting family or friends for the holidays? Be sure to let them know about your allergies ahead of time, so they can prepare the food accordingly.

Plan Ahead
Before you head out of town, make sure to pick up any medications you need at the pharmacy and check in with your doctor before you leave. Some doctors and pharmacies have shortened hours during Christmas, so make sure to visit in early December.
It’s important to take your medication with you during a trip, even if you’re just going away for a few days. If you’re flying, keep your medication with you in your carry-on bag. That way, if your luggage is lost, your medication will be with you.

Deck Your Halls with Caution
Everyone loves a festive home, but be sure to stay safe as you decorate. Did you know that, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 12,000 to 15,000 people end up in the ER every year due to accidents from decorating?

• If you’re decorating the outside of your house, make sure your ladders are safe and secure, and have someone there to spot you. Always read the warning labels on your ladder.
• Having young children over to your house for the holidays? Check for things like low-hanging mistletoe or other poisonous plants, open fireplaces, uncovered outlets, or stairs without gates that could lead to a child falling and injuring themselves.
• Keep lit candles within your sight and blow them out before you leave the house or the room.
• If you’re setting up a fresh tree, keep it away from fireplaces and other sources of heat. Give it fresh water every day.
• Check all of your lights and throw away any damaged strands.

We know that heading to the ER on Christmas is not something on your wish list, but if you come, here’s what to bring: a friend and a positive spirit. We are here for you throughout the holidays 24/7 at Trusted ER, and we will make your stay special.

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Pneumonia: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…except when pneumonia makes an appearance. ‘Tis the season for dealing with colds, the flu, and pneumonia. While colds and the flu can be frustrating but short-lasting, pneumonia can last much longer and present more serious issues.

Pneumonia Symptoms
Pneumonia’s symptoms vary in severity, depending on your age and level of health. The young and old will have more severe symptoms, as will those with chronic health issues or weakened immune systems. While many of pneumonia’s symptoms mirror those of colds and flu, they last much longer. Its symptoms include the following:

• Severe cough
• Exhaustion
• Fever
• Chest pain caused by coughing or breathing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Difficulty breathing

Pneumonia Causes
Pneumonia is caused by a variety of germs, from bacterial to viral. Bacterial pneumonia can appear on its own but often follows a cold or the flu. Viral pneumonia is often the least serious (though in some rare cases, it can become quite serious). It is often most common in children under five years of age. Other types of pneumonia are usually found in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Pneumonia Risk Factors
Pneumonia is especially dangerous if you are older than 65 or younger than two.
In these cases, it can be life-threatening, so it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible.

Pneumonia Prevention
To help prevent pneumonia, prioritize good hygiene. Wash your hands often and stay home when you are sick. Boost your immune system by eating healthy, taking vitamins, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Make sure you are up to date on your vaccines and talk to your doctor about getting the pneumonia vaccine.

Do you suspect you have pneumonia? Visit Trusted ER if you are experiencing chest pain, struggling to breathe, suffering from a bad cough, or dealing with a fever of 102 degrees or higher. Our doctors are here to help you kick pneumonia to the curb!

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Tips for Avoiding Holiday Depression Triggers

There are gifts to wrap and lists to make and parties to attend and festive meals to cook. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but, for some of us, the holidays trigger depression instead. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s important to take time for you; and remember to breathe deeply and find moments filled with peace and quiet.

Keep Expectations Modest
Your holiday doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t even need to be the same as it has always been. You don’t need to buy family and friends loads of presents or host the perfect family dinner. Make things easy on yourself by doing a gift exchange or hosting a holiday potluck meal. Scale down your holiday decorations. Remember to focus on enjoying your loved ones rather than the number of things you accomplished while preparing for your festivities.

Do Something Different
Just because it’s tradition doesn’t mean it has to be done. It’s okay to do something different from what you’ve always done. If a holiday tradition is causing anxiety or high levels of stress, it’s okay to say no. Create a new tradition with your family instead – something relaxing to you. It’s okay to eat out for a holiday dinner, go to the movies on Christmas, or choose to stay home from a Christmas party. Pick one or two traditions to celebrate this year – give yourself the freedom to not do it all.

Volunteer
Sometimes serving others brings us joy. Try volunteering at a soup kitchen or giving to families in need. Find a local charitable organization that could use your help.

Lean on Your Support System
Talk to your family and close friends about how you are feeling. Check in regularly with your therapist. Schedule daily or weekly time with your loved ones, either in person or over the phone. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help. Ask your family to help with the holiday cooking and preparations this year. Give yourself the freedom to receive help from the people close to you.

If this holiday season has triggered seasonal depression, give Trusted ER a visit. We are here for you 24/7, and we want to help you enjoy this Holiday season. 

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