Medical emergencies are some of the most frightening events one will encounter. A medical emergency requires an immediate visit to the hospital ER (emergency room). But what is a considered a medical emergency and what isn’t? And why do you need to know about it?

What is an ER case?

Aside from doing research on what medical emergencies are, we got our answers straight from the medical experts. We asked Dr. Johnny B. Sinon, a  medical doctor and  a consultant for Makati Medical Center ER Department, on what constitutes  a medical emergency.

According to Dr. Sinon, a medical emergency is any condition or situation that threatens a person’s   life or loss of limb. Incidents such a losing an arm, leg, or serious wounds  are medical emergencies. A heart attack and stroke are life threatening as well so it is paramount to get immediate medical treatment at a hospital emergency.

Some diseases or medical conditions such as appendicitis or allergic reactions that constrict breathing require immediate treatment as well. Other conditions that require ER care includes severe pain or anything that a person thinks will seriously damage any part of the organs, bodily functions or their health.

Here are some of the conditions that require immediate medical attention as well.

     - Internal bleeding

     - Electrical and lightning injuries

     - Severe Head injury

     - Poisoning

     - Food poisoning

     - Coma

     - Severe burns

     - Convulsion or seizure, no history or unusual

     - Severe eye injury

     - Severe respiratory problems

There are a number of symptoms that people have when they have these life-threatening illnesses and medical emergencies. A quick visit to the Internet can help tell you what these symptoms are. Should you experience these conditions or someone does,  go to the ER immediately.

What is a non ER-case?

And what is a non-medical emergency? Dr. Sinon said that a typical non-ER case is when people think they have a condition but they really don’t have it.

Hyperventilation is one such medical condition that doctors and nurses normally encounter in a hospital ER. When people feel tense or nervous due to work or other personal matters, they tend to over breathe and then they start having other symptoms.

Dr. Sinon also said that they’ve encountered people going to the ER only to find out they only have cough and cold or a slight fever.If a person is experiencing these minor illnesses, then over-the-counter medications such as analgesics, decongestants and cold medicine should help them.He also said that non-emergency room cases are best handled in a doctor’s clinic. Physicians at these medical clinics also have more time to perform more exhaustive tests to figure out medical conditions and other health issues (if there are any).

Why is it important to know what is an ER case from a non-ER case?

According to Dr. Sinon, overcrowding is a big problem in most hospital emergency rooms. People with non-life threatening medical concerns  go to the ER, then it distracts the ER doctors and nurses from the real emergency cases. It takes precious resource and time from helping out people who are in dire need of medical assistance.

It’s a common problem that ER physicians have to deal with, every day.  But should a person ever need to visit an ER, they won’t be turned away. All ER personnel  will still treat the patients who go  to the ER even if their conditions aren’t serious or life-threatening.

Read more. Know more

But as always, it’s best to know more about your medical emergencies. Read more about medical conditions on the internet or visit the Philcare web site. for more information. You could also ask your local doctor for your medical inquiries. If you have Philcare health care plans, make sure that you know what constitutes a medical emergency. Talk to your appointed Philcare physician or a Philcare representative. They’ll also tell you what is covered by your healthcare plan.

Just remember, if you are in serious physical pain, or you are experiencing way too many symptoms of a particular life-threatening  condition, go to the ER immediately. If you don’t have any life-threatening illnesses or medical condition, go to a clinic for a more thorough check up. We just hope you never have an medical Emergency case. But if you do, best be prepared and be informed.