BODY WATCH
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These days, we all think twice about whether to go to an emergency room for treatment. But there are definite times--some obvious, some not--when the ER should be a consideration, especially for the elderly and the young:
* Life- or limb-threatening situations.
* Chest pain or prolonged rapid heartbeat.
* Severe bleeding.
* Ingestion of toxic materials.
* Loss of consciousness.
* Shock.
* Head injury.
* Severe or sudden abdominal pain.
* Breathing difficulties.
* Sudden loss of vision.
* Loss of function such as speech or movement.
* High fever.
* Burns with blisters on the face, extremities or genitals.
* Sudden, unusual or severe headache.
Source: Dr. Joel Geiderman, director and co-chairman of the emergency department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
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