When you, or a member of your family, becomes unwell, it can be a distressing time. There are many illnesses that can precede an accident, and these need to be treated and managed to reduce the risk of further complications.
In this article, we will be discussing the common health issues children can face that may require urgent care as well as the symptoms you should watch out for.
Fractures
Fractures often require urgent care as they can cause serious complications. They can also be very painful, which makes them difficult to deal with.
Believed to be the most common type of injury, fractures are caused by a sudden, forceful impact to the bone, which causes it to break. They are often caused by car accidents and sports related injuries. If you suspect your child has suffered a fracture, try to keep them still to avoid further damage.
Fractures can be of different types depending on the injury. Open fractures are those that break through the skin, while closed fractures are those that do not break through the skin. They can also be classified into some other types depending on the location, the number of bones involved, the severity of the injury, and the type of treatment required.
Urgent care can be used to treat minor fractures, though serious ones will require a higher level of care. They are also used to treat bone infections and bone cancer. This is why knowing where your local urgent care facility is; if you don’t, search for the closest facility online. For example, searching “Utah urgent care” or urgent care Fairfield, CT will bring up a map of all the nearby options.
Fractures most commonly occur in the following bones:
- The pelvis
- The clavicle (collar bone)
- The radius and ulna (forearm bones)
- The ribs
- The mandible (lower jaw bone)
- The teeth
Fractures can be treated by an orthopaedic surgeon or an emergency room doctor. Depending on the severity of the injury, they can also be treated by a general practitioner. They are usually painful, and a doctor will recommend an analgesic to alleviate the pain.
You should get urgent care if you suspect your child has a fracture. The following are the symptoms that you should look out for:
- Pain
- Deformity
- Difficulty moving the bone
- Pain at the site of the injury
- Bruising around the injury
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Displacement
Sprains/Strains
Sprains and strains are common among children. They are caused when a ligament or tendon is stretched or torn. This can cause the joint to be unstable, which can result in discomfort.
They are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries. They can happen to anyone, especially athletes.
Sprains are injuries to ligaments, while strains are injuries to muscles or tendons. These injuries can be caused by a sudden, jerky movement of the joint. The most common cause of sprains and strains is falling on an outstretched hand.
Although rarely life-threatening, they can cause permanent changes to the joint. They can cause swelling, paralysis, and inflammation. To treat sprains and strains, the doctor will recommend a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). They will also recommend a course of physiotherapy to help with the healing process.
Sprains most commonly occur in the following parts of the body:
- The ankle
- The knee
- The hand
- The finger
- The shoulder
- The wrist
- The back
A doctor will usually diagnose a sprain by examining and palpating the injured part of the body. X-rays can also be used to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor will recommend rest and a course of physiotherapy to help treat the injury.
The symptoms of a sprain or strain are:
- Tenderness at the site of the injury
- Swelling
- Difficulty moving the joint
- Pain during movement
You should get urgent care if you suspect your child has a sprain or strain.
Choking
Choking is a common problem among children. It is caused when the child’s airway is obstructed by an object. It can be a very frightening experience, especially when you are unable to help your child breathe.
A choking episode is often accompanied by a fit, but this can vary depending on the cause of the obstruction. The main causes of choking include food, toys, pencils, and balloons.
Although choking is not directly life-threatening, it can cause damage to the airway. This can lead to a chemical pneumonitis and even death.
If your child is choking, do not try to remove the object from the throat. Doing this can cause more damage to the airway and cause choking to become more severe. Instead, you should call a doctor for urgent care.
The symptoms of choking include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Gasping for air
- Sudden coughing
- Turning blue
- Loss of consciousness
The following are some of the things you can do to prevent choking:
- Always keep a close eye on your child while they are eating.
- When feeding your child, make sure to cut food into small pieces to avoid choking.
- Encourage your child to chew their food well before swallowing it.
- Keep toys and other small objects out of the reach of children.
- Make sure your child is not wearing loose clothing.
- Make sure your child is not chewing gum.
- If your child is choking, call a doctor for urgent care.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a common problem in the USA. It is caused when you eat contaminated food that contains harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
The symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms usually begin within 6 hours of eating the contaminated food. They usually last for 24-72 hours.
With prompt medical attention, food poisoning is not life-threatening, though it can become serious in some cases.
You should get urgent care if you suspect your child has food poisoning. The following are the symptoms that you should look out for:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
You should also get urgent care if your child has been diagnosed with food poisoning and the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours.
To Conclude
Any one of these conditions can cause a medical emergency. If you suspect that your child is suffering from any of these, or any other potentially life-threatening condition, you should get urgent care right away.
It is better to be safe than sorry. Kids are more prone to injuries and conditions than adults. Getting urgent care will help your child avoid further complications and ensure a speedy recovery.
We hope this article has given you a better idea of what can happen to your child, and how you can play an active role in their health.