Headaches and dizziness aren’t just annoyances. They can signal a deeper issue that needs attention. Even more alarming is a head injury or a suspected minor concussion. If you have suffered any of these, you may be unsure whether to wait for an appointment with your primary care doctor or head to urgent care in Dearborn or even the ER. Many times, urgent care is a smart choice, as you can get seen quickly, which in turn can save you discomfort while avoiding potentially serious complications.
Don’t Ignore the Symptoms
A headache can be due to something as simple as stress or dehydration. However, when it’s persistent or intense, is coupled with vertigo, or comes after a bump to the head, you should be looked at sooner rather than later.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of a concussion include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Confusion or foggy feeling
- Amnesia surrounding the event
- “Seeing stars”
- Blurry vision
In addition, other people may observe these symptoms in you:
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Slurred speech
- Dazed appearance
- Delayed response to questions
- Forgetfulness
Vertigo, a sensation of spinning or motion, can be caused by inner-ear disturbances, vestibular issues, or subtle neurological changes. Dizziness should be assessed in a timely manner, especially if it occurs in conjunction with a head injury.
Speaking of head injuries, even a minor impact can cause a concussion. Yes, many concussions are mild, but they should still be assessed and treated to rule out more serious issues.
Knowing When to Visit Urgent Care vs. ER
Here’s a breakdown of when it’s safe to visit urgent care for headaches, vertigo and minor concussions, and when you should head straight to the ER.
Urgent care:
- A headache that comes on after a fall or bump to the head, paired with mild dizziness or imbalance.
- Vertigo or dizziness that has started suddenly, but you are otherwise alert and stable without numbness or weakness.
- Your hit your head, you feel dizzy or foggy, and you have mild symptoms (headache or nausea) but you did not lose consciousness.
- You have persistent symptoms that interfere with your daily routine and can’t get an appointment with your regular doctor in a reasonable amount of time.
Emergency Room
- Loss of consciousness
- Worsening or severe headache
- Repeated vomiting or nausea after blow to the head
- Weakness, numbness, slurred speech, vision changes, and balance problems
- Clear fluid (or blood) draining from nose or ears after head injury
- Extreme drowsiness with difficulty waking
- Personality or behavior changes
No matter which option you seek, it’s never a good idea todelay evaluation of persistent headaches, unexplained vertigo or head trauma. This delay can lead to further complications, worsening symptoms, longer recovery times, and missed diagnosis of something more serious. Early intervention is key.
In urgent care, you can expect to get:
- History and symptom review
- Physical and neurological exam
- Diagnostic tests as needed
- Treatment plan or referral
- Education and monitoring
While headaches and dizziness can happen to anyone, they are more serious when occurring after a head injury or when associated with other neurological symptoms.
Contact Specialty Urgent Care
When headaches, vertigo or a suspected concussion is involved, don’t wait and assume your symptoms will get better. If you have any of the symptoms above, don’t hesitate to just walk in or call ahead for more information.