Anyone can have a medical emergency. If there is an immediate threat to your health, you should go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital for treatment.
Emergency departments are always open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The ED provides immediate care.
What is Emergency Care?Emergency care is needed when you have a sudden medical problem that requires immediate hospital care. Call 999 if you have to get to the hospital right away. Medics can start treatment on the way to the hospital.
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, these are warning signs that you are having a medical emergency:
• Bleeding that will not stop
• Breathing problems
• Change in mental status (unusual behavior, confusion)
• Chest pain
• Choking
• Coughing up blood
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Feeling like harming yourself or someone else
• Head or spine injury
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Sudden injury such as a car accident, burns or smoke inhalation, near drowning, deep or large wound, etc.
• Sudden, severe pain anywhere in your body
• Sudden dizziness, weakness or change in your vision
• Swallowing a poisonous substance
• Upper abdominal pain or pressure
Source: MaineHealth
