When faced with a concerning medical issue, the emergency room seems like the obvious choice. However, long wait times and an overwhelmed staff can leave patients suffering in silence.

Meet Alex, a 17-year-old football player who has been experiencing abdominal pain and nausea all day. He initially shrugged it off thinking it would resolve on it’s own. However, as the day progressed his condition worsened–he couldn’t keep food or liquids down. His mother attempted to give some over the counter nausea medication from the cabinet however this proved ineffective. After several more hours (now 9pm) of persistent nausea and vomiting, he and his mother, Kathy, finally went to seek emergency care.

Let’s dive into Alex’s story and see why ignoring persistent vomiting can be dangerous–and why traditional ERs often fail to prioritize cases like his.

The Long Wait at the Traditional ER

By the time Alex arrived at the hospital ER, he was extremely fatigued, nauseous, and experiencing increased stomach cramps. The waiting area was packed, with doctors and nurses rushing to address other cases throughout the hospital. Navigating through the chaos, they finally reached the receptionist, where Kathy explained Alex’s symptoms–intense nausea, persistent vomiting, and rising fatigue. Without looking up, the receptionist dismissed their concerns, stating that Alex’s condition wasn’t severe enough to be prioritized. This meant they would inevitably have to wait.

So they waited. And waited. And waited.

As the minutes crawled by, Alex’s condition worsened. He was clutching his stomach, and a look on his face that begged to make it all stop. Every few minutes, he rushed to the restroom vomiting up what little bile remained in his stomach. Kathy watched helplessly, dreading the possibility of waiting hours before any doctor saw him. She knew she had to act fast.

When Every Minute Counts – Choosing Surepoint Emergency Center

Determined to get Alex the care he needed, Kathy called a friend, who immediately recommended Surepoint Emergency Center. Kathy didn’t hesitate. The moment they arrived, compassionate staff members took immediate action. Recognizing the urgency from Alex’s symptoms, they quickly moved him to a treatment room to perform diagnostic testing.

Within minutes, Alex was hooked up to an IV for fluids to deal with his dehydration and medication to suppress his nausea and vomiting. The doctors and nurses moved quickly yet compassionately, making sure he was as comfortable as possible while receiving the best care. Once his symptoms were under control, they ran a full diagnostic exam to identify his issue; this included urine, and blood tests combined with a physical exam. The results confirmed Alex was dehydrated and had gastroenteritis or the stomach flu–a viral infection that affects the digestive system. Kathy was immediately informed of his condition and the treatment plan to help him recover. She breathed a sigh of relief while firmly grasping her son’s hand knowing her son was finally finding relief. Alex, after hours of strife was finally feeling better and was so thankful his mom got him the care he needed!

Why was Alex’s case more emergent than he realized?

After his exam the doctor was able to note that Alex stated he had been feeling a little “off” for a few days before he got sick. He mentioned they had been practicing outdoors more and that he could admit he hadn’t been drinking as much water as he should, and that he was feeling slightly dizzy at times. It appeared that Alex may have already been suffering from a mild case of dehydration. This combined with persistent vomiting created a recipe for emergency care!

When athletes are dehydrated and have a stomach flu, they face serious dangers like:

  • Electrolyte Imbalances: Vomiting and diarrhea, common symptoms of the stomach flu, lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss (like sodium, potassium, and chloride). These imbalances can disrupt muscle function, leading to cramps, weakness, and even cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Reduced Athletic Performance: Dehydration impairs physical and mental function, leading to fatigue, slower reaction times, and reduced endurance. Athletes may struggle to maintain focus, coordination, and overall performance.
  • Heat Stroke Risk: Dehydration exacerbates the body’s ability to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of heat stroke, especially in hot and humid conditions. A fever associated with the stomach flu further elevates body temperature, making heat stroke even more likely.
  • Kidney Damage: Dehydration can lead to reduced blood flow to the kidneys, potentially causing kidney damage, especially if severe or prolonged.
  • Gastrointestinal Issues: Stomach flu symptoms, like vomiting and diarrhea, can cause or worsen dehydration, creating a vicious cycle.
  • Other Complications: Dehydration can also lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, and in severe cases, syncope (fainting). 

When in Doubt, Choose Surepoint

At Surepoint Emergency Center, patients like Alex can usually expect to be taken back immediately. Patients at Surepoint Emergency Centers experience an average wait time of 7 minutes or less for most symptoms, a staggering difference compared to Texas hospital ERs, where wait times average 298 minutes (4 hours and 58 minutes) in high-volume hospitals and 233 minutes (3 hours and 53 minutes) for smaller hospitals. At Surepoint Emergency Center, there’s no long wait, just fast and expert emergency care when you need it most. We’re open around the clock to handle any emergency. Because when every minute counts, you deserve immediate, compassionate care!

When minutes matter, trust Surepoint Emergency Centers to get your loved ones feeling better fast!

Surepoint Emergency Center is a modern emergency medical facility open 24/7. As an alternative to the traditional hospital ER experience, we offer convenience and minimal wait time, along with highly-trained emergency medical staff and state-of-the-art equipment.

Our top priority is bringing high-quality emergency care, quickly and easily to your family. We are committed to making patients feel better faster in a comforting and compassionate environment.

Expert convenient care in your neighborhood.

      References

      Cleveland Clinic. (2023, July 10). Stomach flu. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12418-stomach-flu

      Diskin, A., MD. (2023, October 27). Emergent Treatment of Gastroenteritis Treatment & Management. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/775277-treatment#d9

      1. Shah, R., MD, & D. Rose, K., MD. (2023, March 1). Abdominal pain: ER or urgent care? Mass General Brigham. https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/abdominal-pain-er-or-urgent-care

      Texas Health. (2019, December 17). Understanding Emergency Department Wait Times. https://www.texashealth.org/areyouawellbeing/Health-and-Well-Being/Understanding-Emergency-Department-Wait-Times