medical education - mom's are smart! who knew?!

I am currently in my Emergency Medicine rotation working at Jeanes ER in Philly. I am amazed at the kinds of things that come in. Like what, you ask? Gunshots? Stabbings? NO. People come in if they have "vomited a couple times since this morning" or "I had a fever of 102" or "I twisted my ankle." When asked, "have you tried anything to help this?" the response is either "no, I didn't know what to take," or "no I don't like to take pills." The ER is for Life-threatening or limb-threatening (you cut your finger almost off and it is hanging by a sinew is considered limb-threatening) emergencies. For my dear friends and family, sometimes the easiest way to prevent going to the ER is by doing what mom says (moms are smart). See below:

Vomiting: a couple times in one day, albeit miserable, is not a reason to go to the ER. Stick it out. Take clear liquids for a day after the vomiting stops because it is easier on your digestive tract.

Fevers: A fever of 100, 101 or 102 is not too concerning in most people. Hint: take some ibuprofen or even Tylenol and wait up to an hour to see it come down. It will.

Twisting ankles: If there is an obvious deformity like a bone sticking out of the skin, go to the ER. Swelling in a spot on the ankle does not count as an obvious deformity. If it is painful and swollen, apply ice, and take ibuprofen to help reduce the inflammation. You probably don't need an X-ray.

It's ok to take ibuprofen occasionally (Dad, note: "occasionally," not by the handfuls) for aches and pains. Take it like the package says. If it says to take 2 200mg tablets, take 2! Don't take just one. If it says take 2, take just 2 - not 4! There are reasons the labels say what they do.

Also BTW, while we are talking about it, just take something! Don't not and hope that going to the ER will make it go away. We'll give you medicine to take. So if you don't like taking stuff, do it anyway!

In short, do what mom says: clear liquids if vomiting (chicken broth, popsicles, water, etc), apply ice if it is swollen, take a fever reducer to bring a fever down! Remember that Xrays don't cure things.

Forgive my sarcasm. I am really amazed that people come in with stuff that is really simple. Since I know only one person is probably reading this, I am a bit more obvious than I might otherwise be. BTW, do NOT take this as medical advice. Also, I am NOT a medical professional (I'm just a student)