Memorial Heights 24 HR Emergency Center

Don't Become a Danger to Yourself: How to Know When to Seek a Psychiatric Evaluation

Mental illness is a growing problem among United States citizens. In fact, studies by Mental Health America show that approximately 54 million Americans suffer from some kind of diagnosable mental disorder. There are over 200 different classifications of mental illness, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. While a 24-hour emergency room can provide the urgent care you need, it is important to recognize when you may need to seek a psychiatric evaluation.

Symptoms in Adults
Adults suffering from mental illness may experience a number of symptoms that vary based on the type and severity of the condition. Common symptoms to look out for include prolonged depression, excessive fear or anxiety, social withdrawal, inability to cope with daily life, denial, and strong feelings of anger. Individuals suffering from any of these symptoms may want to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine the underlying cause of these feelings. Additionally, be sure to seek immediate treatment from your 24-hour emergency clinic if you begin to experience recurrent thoughts of death, feelings of impending doom, or suicidal thoughts.

Symptoms in Teens
It is equally important for parents to become aware of the signs of mental illness so they can recognize when their children need to visit an emergency clinic. Symptoms in teens and pre-adolescents may include frequent outbursts of anger, prolonged negative mood, defiance of authority, excessive complaints regarding physical ailments, changes in sleeping or eating habits, inability to cope with daily problems, and substance abuse.

Symptoms in Children
The symptoms of mental illness in younger children may include changes in their school performance, persistent nightmares, hyperactivity, excessive anxiety, frequent disobedience, and repeated temper tantrums. It may be time to consider a psychiatric evaluation if your child is exhibiting any of these aforementioned symptoms.

Whether you’re in need of a psychiatric evaluation or acute medical care, the Memorial Heights 24 HR Emergency Center in Houston is here to help. Give us a call at (281) 914-4015 for more information on our services.

How to Tell the Difference Between an Ankle Sprain and an Ankle Break

Most people will suffer an injury to their lower extremities over the course of their lives, mostly in the foot and ankle region.

This video provides tips on how to tell the difference between a sprained and broken ankle during an emergency. Discoloration and deformity are often symptoms of a broken bone. While a sprained ankle will often cause swelling and discoloration, there is usually no deformity to the area. Watch this full video clip to learn more about the symptoms of a broken ankle.

Give the Memorial Heights 24 HR Emergency Center a call at (281) 914-4015 or visit us online for more information on our urgent care services in Houston.

What You Can Do to Help Prevent a Potential Heart Attack

Heart attack symptoms are among some of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that approximately 785,000 Americans suffer from their first heart attack each year while another 470,000 who have already suffered from an attack will have another. While your risk for heart attack may be impacted by your family history, the things you do on a daily basis can greatly affect your chances for developing heart disease:

• Eat a Healthy Diet
  Help decrease your risk for a heart attack by maintaining a heart-healthy diet that is low in fat, cholesterol, and salt. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products will also help you create a diet plan that protects your heart.
   
• Exercise Regularly
  Regular exercise reduces your chances of developing conditions that put strain on your heart, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Participating in 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense exercise several days per week will help to strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system, improve heart failure symptoms, and improve your circulation so your body can better use oxygen.
   
• Avoid Tobacco Products
  A large part of reducing your risk for a heart attack is avoiding tobacco products. The nicotine in cigarette smoke narrows your blood vessels, which increases your blood pressure and heart rate so that your heart is forced to work harder. Cigarettes also make your heart work harder, as they contain carbon monoxide, which replaces the oxygen in your blood.

When you are showing symptoms of a heart attack you’ll want to seek urgent care with a qualified 24-hour emergency room. The sooner you seek treatment, the lower your chances of suffering irreversible damage to your heart.  Get the care you need by contacting the Memorial Heights 24 HR Emergency Center in Houston at (281) 914-4015 today.

How to Stop the Bleeding

Did you know that your body naturally contains nine units of blood?  In this video, you can get an overview on how to stop bleeding during an emergency. Start by putting on a pair of disposable gloves and elevating the bleeding body part above the heart, as this will help to slow the bleeding. After cleaning the area, cover the wound with sterile gauze and press down firmly while keeping the pressure steady and consistent.

You will want to seek immediate care from your 24-hour emergency clinic for bleeding that continues after 15 minutes of applying direct pressure or for bleeding accompanied by lightheadedness, rapid breathing, nausea, or changes in consciousness. Contact the Memorial Heights 24 HR Emergency Center in Houston at (281) 914-4015 for more information on our services!

Never Let Embarrassment Keep You Away From the Emergency Room

A number of factors dictate the level of care needed when you’re suffering from an injury or illness, including the severity, part of the body affected, breathing capabilities, and mental status. However, one factor that should never interfere with your ability to obtain urgent care from an emergency room is embarrassment over your condition.

The circumstances surrounding certain injuries may be embarrassing for the injured party. For example, a highly qualified construction worker with several years of experience may fear seeking urgent care after suffering a self-sustained injury, such as nailing his own finger or dropping a hammer on his foot. Similarly, an office worker may suffer embarrassment after slamming his hand in a file cabinet or hurting himself on another piece of office equipment.

Letting embarrassment keep you away from a 24-hour emergency room can lead to a number of serious consequences. Avoid the risk of infection and other health complications by seeking urgent care as soon as possible.Signs that you may need to visit your 24-hour emergency clinic include:

• Chest pain or upper abdominal pain that lasts longer than two minutes
• Changes in vision
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Difficulty speaking
• Confusion
• Sudden dizziness or weakness
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Loss of consciousness
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea

At over 6,000 square feet with eight separate treatment rooms, the Memorial Heights 24 HR Emergency Center is fully equipped to handle any emergency situation. Our stand-alone facility provides urgent care services for headaches, head injuries, eye problems, asthma and breathing problems, respiratory illness, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, allergic reactions, lacerations and burns, pregnancy complications, and even pediatric illnesses and injuries.

Learn more about our urgent care services by contacting our emergency clinic in Houston at (281) 914-4015!