When To Go To Urgent Care For Asthma

Asthma Attacks: Symptoms Treatment And When To Go To Urgent Care

Whether you have asthma or someone you love has just been diagnosed with this respiratory disorder, learn what the signs of asthma attacks are. That can help you know how to treat it, and when to go to urgent care. First Off, What Is an Asthma Attack? During an asthma attack, a couple of things happen.

Asthma Treatment In Miami

If you feel like you cant catch your breath or your inhaler does not reduce your asthma symptoms, come to a nearby UHealth Jackson Urgent Care center right away, before your discomfort escalates.

Our urgent care centers are open every day and you can walk in without an appointment to be seen quickly by a doctor.

How Our Urgent Care Can Help

Our doctors and providers are experienced in treating babies, toddlers, children, and adults with asthma. Well see you quickly and find ways to help ease your chest pain, cough and help you begin to breath easy.

While we can help with minor asthma concerns, a severe asthma attack can be life-threatening. If someone is having difficulty breathing, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

If You Dont Have An Asthma Action Plan Create One

Since youll be talking to a health care professional about your medications, its also a great time to discuss an asthma action plan. As the CDC explains, an asthma action plan is typically divided into three sections depending on how bad your asthma is flaring with instructions on what to do in each scenario, like how much of which medication you should take. Heres more information on how to create an asthma action plan.

Dr. Chinthrajah adds that its also important to monitor your asthma especially closely right now so you can tell if your symptoms are getting worse. We need patients to become their own asthma detectives, she says. For example, if you know that it normally takes you a couple of minutes to get your breath back after walking up the stairs and are noticing that its taking longer to recover than usual, your asthma symptoms may be getting worse, in which case you should follow your action plan.

You May Like: Ibuprofen For Asthma

Emergency Room Vs Urgent Care: When To Go Differences Costs Treatment

Cost should never be a barrier to accessing medical care. With Mira, you can sign up today and access care for as little as $99 per visit. With our comprehensive coverage for lab tests, discounted prescriptions, urgent care visits, and primary care visits join Mira today and become a healthier you.

What Does Urgent Care Treat

At University Urgent Care, we treat many medical conditions, including:

• Allergies

• Ear, nose, or throat issues

• Minor to moderate abdominal pain

• Pink eye

• Minor cuts or burns

• Sprains

Never delay medical care as it can lead to increased pain, illness, or other health problems. When you need medical care, visit our urgent care clinic as soon as possible.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Without Inhaler

When To Go To A Hospital Emergency Room

• Head to the ER or call 911 to have the following symptoms evaluated and treated:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain, left arm pain or left jaw pain
• Serious burns and cuts
• Seizures
• Severe allergic reaction
• Stroke symptoms, including slurred speech or sudden numbness/weakness in any area of your body, facial droop, loss of balance or vision
• A change in mental status
• Loss of consciousness
• Multiple injuries or a possible broken bone in areas like the ribs, skull, face or pelvis
• If youre pregnant and have vaginal bleeding or pelvic/abdominal pain

Urgent Care Vs Emergency Room Cost Without Insurance

The average urgent care visit costs patients $80 to $280 for primary care. Patients may incur additional costs for shots, x-rays, and labs. The average emergency room visit costs $2,200.

In general, going to urgent care is significantly less expensive when compared to the emergency room. Hereâs a breakdown of out-of-pocket pricing when it comes to certain services you may receive during a visit:

Also Check: How To Make A Homemade Inhaler For Asthma

When To Seek Urgent Care For A Sinus Infection

Most minor sinus infections get better on their own without the need for medical treatment. More severe sinus infections, however, require urgent care.

First and most importantly, it is important to seek urgent care for a sinus infection if the symptoms begin to worsen or last for an extended amount of time. In the event you have severe trouble breathing due to your sinus infection, then be sure to come in for a visit as soon as possible to have your sinuses cleared out. Also, keep a close eye on your symptoms and seek medical attention if they do not improve after a week.

Additionally, urgent care is highly encouraged if your child develops a sinus infection as they have less of an ability to fight off the infection quickly. Also, it can be much more challenging to diagnose the cause of the sinus inflammation in children. In some cases, the reason could be due to an underlying allergy that you were not aware about.

When you visit, expect us to thoroughly examine you or your childs symptoms and document any information that is relevant to make a proper diagnosis. It may be helpful for you and your child to make a list of all of the symptoms that you or your child has been experiencing, any medications that are currently being taken and any allergies that may exist. Also, consider any questions you may want to ask the doctor at your visit.

Read Also: Laughing Causes Asthma Attacks

When To Go To The Hospital For An Allergic Asthma Attack

The first step in treating an allergic asthma attack is to use a rescue inhaler or other rescue medication. You should also move away from any source of allergens that might be triggering the attack.

If symptoms dont improve after using rescue medications, or you have severe symptoms, call for emergency medical help. In the United States, that means dialing 911 to call for an ambulance.

Severe asthma attacks share many symptoms with mild to moderate asthma attacks. The key difference is that the symptoms of a severe allergic asthma attack dont improve after taking rescue medication.

You might wonder how you can tell the difference between symptoms of a severe attack that requires emergency treatment versus a mild attack that you can treat on your own. Always seek emergency medical attention if your rescue medication doesnt seem to be working. You should go to the hospital if you notice any of these symptoms:

• intense shortness of breath and difficulty speaking
• very rapid breathing, coughing, or wheezing
• straining chest muscles and difficulty breathing
• a bluish color in the face, lips, or nails
• difficulty inhaling or exhaling completely
• gasping
• confusion or exhaustion
• fainting or collapsing

If you use a peak flow meter a device that measures your peak airflow you should go to the hospital if your readings are low and arent improving.

Don’t Miss: What Is Type 1 Asthma

If You Have Any Of The Following You Should Head To The Nearest Er As Soon As Possible:

• Severe chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Compound fracture
• Convulsions, seizures or loss of consciousness
• Fever in newborn
• Heavy, uncontrollable bleeding
• Deep knife wounds or gunshot wounds
• Moderate to severe burns
• Serious head, neck or back injury
• Pregnancy-related problems
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Suicidal or homicidal feelings

If none of these conditions apply, your best bet is to try to get into your Primary Care Physician . If you cant get into your PCP , the next best place to go is to Urgent Care.

Treatment And Prevention Of Asthma

There are ways to control asthma. If you take your prescribed medications regularly and avoid or limit interactions with the common triggers of asthma, your symptoms can be lessened or even contained. However, it is important to take your maintenance asthma medication as prescribed, even though you experience no symptoms and feel fine.

Common Asthma Treatments:

• Oral Steroids

Don’t Miss: How Long Do Asthma Symptoms Last

Asthma Cancer Symptoms Causes And Treatment

Symptoms

Urgent care is appropriate for people with mild to moderate asthma symptoms, such as:

• Bothersome coughing or wheezing
• Mild chest tightness or shortness of breath
• Difficulty sleeping due to shortness of breath or coughing

These symptoms may worsen in cold weather, during exercise or when exposed to irritants like pollen or certain chemicals.

Emergency asthma treatment is sometimes necessary. Call 911 immediately if you or a loved one are experiencing signs of severe asthma, which may include:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, even while at rest
• Little to no improvement in symptoms after using a rescue inhaler

Causes

Multiple genetic and environmental factors can lead to asthma, even though its root cause isnt fully understood. Substances, behaviors and illnesses that cause asthma symptoms are known as triggers. Each persons asthma triggers will vary, but common triggers include: Stress and anxiety

Dont Miss: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Without Inhaler

When To Take Your Child To Er

It can be upsetting and worrying to see your child struggling to breathe due to asthma.

The key signs that you need to take your child to ER or call an ambulance include:

• They are coughing and wheezing a lot
• They are complaining that their chest hurts or feels tight some children may also say their tummy hurts
• Theyre getting no relief from their reliever inhaler
• Theyre having difficulty breathing
• Theyre unable to walk or talk easily.

Try to keep your child as calm as possible and get them to sit up lying down will make things worse. If you are waiting for an ambulance to take you to hospital, get your child to use their reliever inhaler with their spacer. Take one puff every 30 to 60 seconds, up to a total of 10 puffs.

Read Also: What Does A Asthma Attack Feel Like

Severe Asthma: Symptoms That Require Er Care

Asthma can be a serious condition. When symptoms escalate and become severe, they can turn life threatening and will require immediate ER treatment. Please call 911 if you experience the following:

• Severe Asthma Attack
• Previous History of Severe Asthma with Hospitalizations, Intubations, or ICU Admissions
• Blue Lips or Blue Nail Beds
• Child Seems To Be Using Abdominal Muscles to Breathe or the Lower Ribs Seem to Retract Inward
• Unable to Speak in More Than One or Two Word Sentences
• Somnolence, Confusion or Any Altered Mental Status

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please call 911 immediately.

Going To Urgent Care For A Severe Asthma Exacerbation

My First Urgent Care Visit for Asthma After a nebulizer treatment again had less than stellar effect on my peak flow, I opted to go to urgent care. Visiting urgent care. In more than a decade with asthma, Ive always felt able to handle things without heading to urgent care or emergency.

You May Like: Small Airways Asthma

I Thought I Could Handle My Asthma Attacks Until I Ended Up In The Er

I was laying flat on my back, barely moving in the still darkness of my childhood home as my breath slowly wheezed in and out of my chest. My breathing was shallow and my chest ached it felt as if a cinder block was pressing me deep into the bed. I was trying, and failing, to stay calm.

I was trying to focus on taking one breath at a time. I then had to go to the bathroom, so I sat up slowly to avoid a head rush and took a few steps forward. Panic set in as I realized my airways werent opening. The bathroom down the hall looked impossibly far away. I turned and stumbled back into bed. I could get a breath in a little bit more easily if I was lying down.

I whispered my boyfriends name. He had come with me to visit my family for a few days over the holidays, two years ago . He couldnt hear me. I tried again. Each Chris that came through my lips was labored as my chest tightened. I raised my arm and nudged him awake. He asked if I was OK and if I needed anything. Mom, I whispered.

He went toward my parents bedroom door at the same time that my mom was coming out. It was almost 6 A.M., and she was getting up to walk the dogs. She leaned down close to me and asked what I needed. Despite my hesitation, I desperately needed to get to a hospital. It got to the point where I didnt want to know what would happen to me if I didnt. She asked if I was sure, and I noddedso she grabbed her keys.

Related:

When To Seek Medical Help For An Asthmatic Reaction

Asthma attacks range from mild to severe. This is because the body has different responses to different allergens. Depending on how strongly the body reacts to the allergens, you may experience a simple allergic reaction, an asthma attack, or anaphylaxisa very dangerous reaction that can be deadly.

Heres how to tell which youre experiencing, and when to seek medical attention fast:

You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Attack

Whats The Treatment For Asthma

Several forms of preventative, long-term care treatment are available for asthmatics. These include corticosteroids, biologics, beta agonists, bronchodilators, and other medicines. They can be inhaled or taken orally.

Asthma patients often use rescue inhalers during an attack, as well. An inhaler delivers an immediate dose of medication to the airways. This helps to reduce inflammation, loosen the muscles around the airways, and clear out excess mucus.

If an attack does not respond to treatment, its important to get to an urgent care facility or hospital or call for an ambulance.

Lifestyle And Home Remedies

All asthma attacks require treatment with a quick-acting inhaler such as albuterol. One of the key steps in preventing an asthma attack is to avoid your triggers.

• If your asthma attacks seem to be set off by outside triggers, your doctor can help you learn how to minimize your exposure to them. Allergy tests can help identify any allergic triggers.
• Washing your hands frequently can help reduce your risk of catching a cold virus.
• If your asthma flares up when you exercise in the cold, it may help to cover your face with a mask or scarf until you get warmed up.

Don’t Miss: How To Help Your Asthma Without An Inhaler

Faqs Doctors Are Asked Regarding Asthma

If you or a loved one has asthma, you likely have a lot of questions. Fortunately, asthma is a treatable and manageable condition that wont impact your quality of life if you work with an experienced doctor. Here are some frequently asked questions about asthma that the providers at Cornerstone Urgent Care often discuss with patients.

How Long Does An Attack Last

The duration of an asthma attack may be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Usually, the asthma patient will have a good sense of how long his or her attacks are. They will also be able to determine whether this is a mild attack that will likely pass on its own, or if medical attention is necessary.

Also Check: Asthma And Humidifier

What Are Symptoms Of Seasonal Allergies

If you have hay fever, seasonal allergy symptoms can feel a lot like symptoms of a cold. A tip for telling the difference is to note if you have a fever or body aches. Since allergies dont cause either of these symptoms, you probably have a cold.

Seasonal allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe. The most common seasonal allergy symptoms include:

• Runny nose

• Tight chest or pressure in the chest
• Sweating
• Difficulty talking

Since seasonal allergies are typically inhaled, they can be particularly problematic for people with asthma. If you have asthma, its a good idea to have a rescue inhaler ready to use during allergy season.

Dont Miss: Can You Join The Army If You Have Asthma

Table 2 Classifying Asthma In Children Based On Symptom Severity And Lung Lunction9

Class FEV, 80% predicted, variability 20% to 30% Moderate-persistent Daily symptoms, use of SABA > 1 time/week FEV, 60% to 80% predicted, variability< 30% Daily symptoms which limit activity Frequently FEV, < 60 predicted, variability > 30% FEV, forced expiratory volume in 1 second SABA, short-acting beta agonist.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Without Inhaler

When To Go To Urgent Care For A Medical Issue

1. Your medical issue is not threatening your life or a body part. Lets say you were slicing an avocado and cut your hand badly enough that an adhesive bandage wont quite stanch the flow, but the wound isnt spurting blood, you dont see bone or anything else thats super worrisome. Urgent care is likely your best option here.

Depending on what caused your shortness of breath, they may give you various kinds of medication. You might get them through an inhaler or through an IV. If a long-lasting condition like COPD or asthma led to your breathing problems, youll need follow-up care from your doctor.

1. Your medical issue is not threatening your life or a body part. Lets say you were slicing an avocado and cut your hand badly enough that an adhesive bandage wont quite stanch the flow, but the wound isnt spurting blood, you dont see bone or anything else thats super worrisome. Urgent care is likely your best option here.