Oftentimes, a minor fall is nothing serious. However, as we age, these types of incidents become potentially more dangerous. In fact, falls are the top cause of injuries in older adults, accounting for more than 90% of emergency room visits for older people.
If you’ve suffered a fall , you might be wondering whether or not you need medical attention. Keep reading to learn more from your McAllen physicians about when to go to the emergency room and when to see a doctor after a fall.
When to Go to the Emergency Room After a Fall
If you were injured, it’s important that you seek medical attention as soon as you can, but not every injury will be an emergency.
You SHOULD go to an emergency room after a fall if any of the following apply:
- You feel any kind of extreme pain
- Your fall was greater than 15 feet
- Your pain worsens with movement
- You experience vomiting
- The fall caused bleeding
- You lost consciousness
- You experience confusion
- You have slurred speech
- Your head was struck
- You’re having trouble balancing or breathing
There may be other signs that your injury needs emergency care. If you have any reason to think your injury might require emergency attention, don’t risk your health by delaying treatment.
When to See a Physician After a Fall
Going to the emergency room is no small thing, and most of us would rather not go if there’s a safe alternative. While some injuries are potentially serious and require immediate attention, other injuries may be less urgent.
Still, it’s important to see a physician for a medical exam as soon as you can if you experience any of the following after a fall:
- Headaches or pain that won’t go away
- Mood swings
- Bruising or swelling that won’t go away
- Trouble concentrating
- Numbness
- Slurred speech
- Trouble concentrating
- Changes in eyesight or eye movement
- Fluid discharge from the ears or nose
- Trouble reading or writing
- Stomach pain
For Non-Emergency Care Visit Physician’s Injury Clinic in McAllen
Keep in mind that there may be injuries caused by falls that show very little or no symptoms at all. If your fall was serious, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, whether or not you’re experiencing symptoms. You could be suffering from brain trauma or internal bleeding and not know it.
If you’re not sure about the care you need after a fall, come see us at Physician’s Injury Clinic in McAllen. We can get you the answers you need to follow the road to recovery.
