10 common A&E visits

1. Chest pain

Myocardial infarction (heart attack); pulmonary embolus (lung clot); pneumothorax (collapsed lung); aortic dissection.

2. Shortness-of-breath

Upper respiratory infection; pneumonia (bad lung infection); heart failure; COPD/asthma.

3. Abdominal pain or bleeding

Appendicitis, gastroenteritis (food poisoning), kidney stones, bowel blockage; rectal, vaginal or urinary bleeding, or vomiting blood.

4. Fractures and sprains

Fractured neck of femur; colles fracture (wrist); ankle sprain.

5. Accidents

Head injury, cut, burns, fall; road traffic accident (RTA); foreign body (food; plastic toys; small household items).

6. Back pain

‘Slipped disc’ (prolapsed intervertebral disc); spinal cord compression/cauda equina syndrome; crush fractures (spinal); disciitis (infection of a disc).

7. Infection (called ‘sepsis’ if severe) and allergies

Cellulitis (infection in skin, especially lower legs); urinary tract infection (UTI); allergies (to medication, food or anything).

8. Headaches

Tension headache; subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH); meningitis (brain surface infection); viral encephalitis (brain infection).

9. Collapse (including falls) or confusion

Epileptic fit; dementia; stroke; diabetes (blood sugar too high or low); medication (lack or excess or side-effect); alcohol/recreational drugs (lack or excess).

10. Mental health problems

Depression; anxiety; panic attack; considering suicide.

Summary

We have described 10 common A&E visits. We hope it has been helpful.