Warning - Texting May Be Dangerous for Your Health

Ergonomics researchers are taking a look at college students to evaluate what texting could mean for their health. Most adults between the ages of 18-21 prefer texting on their phone to e-mail or phone calls. Judith Gold, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work, thinks that they may be jeopardizing their health.

At the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, she presented her preliminary findings showing that college students who texted more had more pain in their neck and shoulders than did those who texted less. This is quite a new area of research, since texting is a new phenomenon. However, she says that, "Given the similarities in body position, findings from research on overuse injuries from computers could be applicable here.”

Office workers who experience on-the-job injuries often show carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis and tendonitis. These are issues that emergency room physicians like Josyann Abisaab will then see, or that a family physician will need to examine.

Common conditions which do not require a visit to the emergency room include, but are not limited to:

• Earaches

• Cuts where the bleeding is under control

• An animal bite which is no longer bleeding; However please note you should contact a doctor to clarify whether or not a rabies shot is needed.

• A broken bone does not require an ER visit. Rather, call your doctor. If it is not possible to call your doctor, or the fracture/break is self-evident, then yes go to the ER.

• Sprains, rashes, sunburns and other burns do not need an ER visit.

• Insect sting, unless there are signs of breathing difficulties. If this is the case, rush to the ER or else call 911 immediately.

• Fever does not need a visit to the ER unless it is accompanied by convulsions.

• Colds, flu symptoms, a cough or a sore throat is not a reason to go to the emergency room.

• STDs do not require an ER visit.

Reasons to Visit the Emergency Room

The following is a list of symptoms which require a visit to the emergency room:

• Loss of consciousness.

• The following signs of a heart attack which last longer than two minutes: Pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest; tightness, burning or aching under the breastbone; chest pain with lightheadedness.

• The following signs of a stroke: sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body; loss of vision or dimness suddenly, especially if it’s in one eye; inability to talk, or trouble talking, or understanding someone else talking; a severe and sudden headache with no explainable cause; dizziness, unsteadiness, sudden falling which are unexplained, particularly if they occur with other symptoms of stroke.

• More than normal shortness of breath.

• Bleeding which continues even after the application of direct pressure for ten minutes.

• Sudden, instantaneous and severe pain.

• Poisoning- however it is important to note that if it is at all possible to contact a poison control center first, it is better to get immediate advice. There are some poisons that need to vomited-up immediately, and others which need to be diluted with water immediately. Quick action in this regard can save a life.

• If there is an allergic reaction to an insect bite, sting or medication, particularly if it becomes difficult to breath. The symptoms become worse over time.

• Traumatic and serious head injury.

• Disorientation, sleepiness, or stupor which is unexplained.

• Coughing or vomiting up blood.

• Sever vomiting which is unabated.

• Feelings of a suicidal or homicidal nature.

Handle with Care: Emergency Room Care

There is a growing trend today to go to the emergency room even when there is no indication of a real emergency. In many cases people are refraining from scheduling a visit with their doctor in favor of an expensive and uncomfortable emergency room visit.

Non-emergency patients may find that they have to wait upwards of 2 hours or more to be seen by a physician in the emergency room. This is due to the fact that the ER practices triage, a system which assures that the most urgent cases, the real emergencies, get the immediate care that they need without having to wait on line. In many cases in real emergencies having to wait for care could mean the difference between life and death.

But what about the in-between cases in which one is not sure whether they are experiencing a “real” emergency or it is something better seen by your doctor in his office after scheduling an appointment.

The first rule is that if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, then you should not hesitate to go to the ER. Short of that, it might be prudent to first call your regular doctor, describe your symptoms, and have your doctor help you decide what you should do. It is possible that your doctor will tell you to come to his office to check you, and squeeze you in between his regularly scheduled patients to be sure you either do or do not need to go to the ER.
Most primary care doctors are available 24 hours a day, or else are part of a practice with a group of doctors in which there is always someone on call.

It is a good idea to become familiar with the kind of symptoms requiring an ER visit. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) published a booklet describing the signs and symptoms of illnesses and injuries which need immediate medical attention in an emergency room. To receive a free copy you can call the ACEP at 800-446-9776.