10 Common Reasons to Visit Urgent Care (And When to Go Instead of the ER)

We all feel a bit under the weather once in a while, but sometimes it’s difficult to know what’s wrong because the problem doesn’t present the typical symptoms. Visits to the doctor result from many signs of illness, like coughing, blood pressure problems, mood changes, chronic pain, headaches, skin problems, and various infections.

But if you can’t get to your primary care physician, and you need medical help, what are your options? Urgent care facilities have become a common source of medical care, covering a wide range of injuries and illnesses. 

Our team at Michigan Avenue Primary Care in Chicago, Illinois, is here to address your medical needs, including those requiring urgent care. 

Let’s explore the reasons urgent care may be the best choice for your care and determine when a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

What is urgent care?

Urgent care facilities are designed to alleviate the pressure of emergency care while managing less severe problems that still require immediate attention to prevent them from worsening or spreading to others. With over 9,000 centers throughout the United States and approximately 122 million patients seen annually, urgent care has become a go-to solution for medical issues.

While these locations aren’t open at all hours, they do give you access to treatment during times when many physicians aren’t available, including weekends. This makes it a vital form of intermediate care.

What conditions are treated at urgent care?

Urgent care provides an excellent solution for managing non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, treating many conditions, including:

• Sprains and strains
• Minor fractures and breaks
• Dehydration
• Allergies
• Upper respiratory infections
• Cuts and lacerations
• Burns
• Urinary tract infections
• Skin conditions
• Headaches

When is the ER a better option?

The emergency room is for people dealing with more severe, life-threatening issues that other medical care facilities aren’t equipped to manage, such as:

• Heart or lung problems
• Stroke
• Chest pain
• Severe bleeding
• Major head trauma
• Sudden weakness in your limbs 
• Major bone fractures (complete breaks, multiple fractures, and shattering)
• Loss of consciousness
• Breathing issues
• Sudden problems with speech

Our facility offers a range of urgent care services in addition to the services of our primary care physicians. If you’re feeling unwell, contact our team at Michigan Avenue Primary Care today for treatment.