Tag Archives: emergency care

Do You Really Need The Emergency Room?

Millions of Americans choose the emergency room for routine health care instead of visiting a regular physician. Some are forced to do this because they lack health insurance or cannot pay bills. Some people believe they will get problems dealt with faster at the emergency room, instead of calling for an appointment with a regular family doctor or general practitioner. In 2005, there were approximately ten million emergency room visits for non-emergency care. An average visit to the emergency room costs more than $380, while the average visit to a physician’s office costs around $60. Unnecessary emergency room visits can … Continue reading →

Providing For Your Pet In An Emergency

Do you have plans for your pets, should you become ill or incapacitated? The unexpected is “unexpected” for a reason — you can’t really know what is going to happen. Do you have someone in mind who will care for your pets in an emergency? Talk to at least two responsible friends or family members who will agree to take care of your pets in an emergency. Make sure they have a key to your house, the name and phone number for your veterinarian, and information about your pet’s care, feeding, and health. Make sure the person you pick to … Continue reading →

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Most heart attacks start slowly. A person having a heart attack may not know something is seriously wrong… and may wait too long before getting help. Here are the most common symptoms of a heart attack. Chest discomfort. You may feel pressure, a feeling of squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest. The discomfort may last for several minutes or may appear and come back. This is the most common symptom of a heart attack! Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain in one or both arms, in the back, in the stomach, or in the jaw. … Continue reading →

A Pet First Aid Kit

Are you prepared, in case of an accident involving your pet? Do you know what to do if they have been injured or attacked? One good way to be prepared is to have a Pet First Aid Kit set up. You may already have a lot of these items around the house, or in your family’s First Aid Kit. You should keep a list of phone numbers with your first aid kit, in case you need to call for help. You may want to include the following important phone numbers: Your vet Your vet’s emergency backup The nearest 24-hour animal … Continue reading →