I read an article recently that discussed some interesting things that I never really thought about before.
Arthritis is considered a chronic condition, meaning something that you will unfortunately have to live with for the rest of your life. Sadly this means that we need to learn how to manage our symptoms and pain. There will be good days, and there will be bad days… but for some of us, there will be acute situations that can create emergencies and a trip to the hospital ER.
Do you know when to go to the ER?
Most people who have been living with arthritis know the usual warning signs that may be pointing towards a potential medical emergency. Rheumatologic emergency for example, is serious and requires immediate medical attention.
It is important that you recognize what these situations are and seek immediate medical attention. The American College of Emergency Physicians has compiled a list of warning signs.
The warning signs include:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
- fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness
- changes in vision
- confusion or mental status changes
- sudden or severe pain
- uncontrolled bleeding
- severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- coughing or vomiting blood
- suicidal thoughts
- difficulty speaking
- unusual abdominal pain
For Rheumatic Disease patients, especially with connective tissue diseases or vasculitis, there can be dangerous and life-threatening circumstances that require immediate treatment (trip to the ER or 911 call).
Other situations that are considered rheumatologic emergency include:
- septic arthritis
- gout attack
- atlantoaxial subluxation with spinal cord damage (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- renal crisis (e.g., scleroderma)
- digital ulcers/gangrene (e.g., scleroderma)
- blood clots (e.g., anti-phospolipid antibody syndrome)
- amaurosis fugax – sudden, painless, temporary loss of vision in one eye (e.g., giant cell arteritis)
- pulmonary-renal syndrome (e.g., vasculitis)
- severe infection
Regardless of your health, any sudden changes or situations that seem severe are also valid reasons to seek immediate attention. It’s a good idea to discuss with your health care provider any possible health emergencies that you should be aware of with your form of arthritis.
The bottom line is this, tryst your first instinct regarding going to the emergency room and don’t overthink whether you should go or not. It’s best to be safe rather than sorry.
