What is A&E for?
You should go to A&E if you have one of these 10 problems which is severe. Each is a red flag problem.
For each of the 10, we will give a few serious (or common) causes of the problem.
1. Chest pain
e.g. myocardial infarction (MI; heart attack), pulmonary embolus (PE; lung blood clot), pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Chest pain is one of the most common reasons why people visit A&E. The more serious causes can lead to cardiac arrest, and that is one reason to go to A&E. These situations are common in A&E, and many patients survive.
2. Abdominal pain or bleeding
e.g. appendicitis, gastroenteritis (food poisoning), ureteric colic (due kidney stones), vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer
Many people visit A&E every day due to abdominal pain. They may be less serious (gastroenteritis) but may be a condition that needs surgery soon (e.g. appendicitis) or a blocked bowel (obstruction), or urgent investigation or pain relief (kidney stones).
3. Broken bones and severe sprains
e.g. fractured neck of femur, or arm, colles fracture (wrist), ankle sprain (?fracture)
Broken bones and sprains are a common occurrence that can happen to any individual regardless of their age or condition. They can be caused due to accidents or twisting an area of the body while playing sports or other physical activities. Not all sprains require A&E although broken bones need to be looked at immediately.
4. Shortness of breath
e.g. heart failure, COPD/asthma, PE, pneumothorax, pneumonia
Infections and viruses are another common cause of people visiting A&E. The flu and common cold (and now COVID-19) are widespread diseases; and may require emergency treatment in severe cases. Heart failure and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)/Asthma are other common breathing problems.
5. Significant head injuries and major cuts or burns
e.g due to aport, work injury or road traffic accident (RTA)
Head injuries and cuts are one of the most common reasons why people visit A&E. They can occur through any activity and may require urgent emergency attention. The majority of cuts are due to accidents with a glass or a knife and in case of severe bleeding, a trip to A&E becomes necessary.
6. Infection (called ‘sepsis’ if severe)
e.g. UTI, pneumonia, cellulitis, gastroenteritis or meningitis
An initially mild infection like a UTI, cellulitis or chest infection can bring on other symptoms and can spread rapidly over the body in severe cases. These can all cause of sepsis, which means severe infection. But any infection can cause it. It is life-threatening.
8. Severe allergies especially anaphylaxis
e.g. due to food or new tablets
Allergies can occur with food but anything can cause an allergy, and they are increasingly common.
9. Collapse or reduced consciousness
e.g. due to infection, stroke, heart problem, low blood pressure, epilepsy, medication, drugs/alcohol, or body chemistry problem (including diabetes)
Collapse or reduced consciousness can have very many causes. Don’t forget drugs (prescribed or recreational) and alcohol – too much or too little. What’s the blood sugar?
9. Severe mental illness or feeling suicidal
e.g. due to depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disease
Go to A&E especially for the latter. Psychiatric hospitals do not have A&Es, so go to your local one
10. Confusion (new, or worsening)
e.g. due to infection, stroke, heart problem, low blood pressure, epilepsy, medication, drugs/alcohol, or body chemistry problem (including diabetes)
New (or worsening) confusion has these and many other causes – and can be serious.
Don’t forget drugs (prescribed or recreational) and alcohol – too much or too little. What’s the blood sugar?
Yes they are similar to the causes of collapse and reduced consciousness. Go to A&E.
Note. Stroke can present as collapse, confusion or reduced consciousness – as well as more recognised problems e.g. weakness on one side of body, or disturbance of vision or speech.
Summary
We have described what is A&E for? It is primarily for 10 problems. If you think you may have one of the problems above, and the symptoms are severe, you should go to A&E now.
