Top Conditions Treated Under Acute Care Services: A Detailed Guide

Health conditions, at present, aren’t confined to just chronic ailments like heart diseases and diabetes. With factors like stress, pollution, poor lifestyle choices, health issues can arise without warning, ranging from infections to injuries.

This is where acute care services come into the picture and at Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness, our medical experts are here to address sudden-onset conditions that require immediate attention but do not necessarily warrant a visit to the emergency room.

Curious about the conditions that we treat under our acute care services? This detailed guide will cover it all.

When Should You Choose Acute Care Over Emergency Room?

Knowing when to opt for acute care and when to rush to an emergency room is crucial in disease management and to prevent risks of fatalities.

It is best to choose acute care if you experience:

Moderate pain or fever
Minor injuries or infections
Sudden but manageable breathing issues
Urinary issues or gastrointestinal distress

However, if you are experiencing issues like uncontrolled bleeding, suspected heart attack or stroke, loss of consciousness, seizures and severe breathing difficulties, that’s when an ER should be your choice.

What Conditions Are Treated Under Acute Care Services at Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness?

Providing the best acute care in Dallas, there are numerous conditions that we treat at Lakewood primary care and wellness.

Here’s a breakdown for your understanding:

1. Upper Respiratory Infections

This includes issues like common cold, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis. They usually result from a viral infection but can sometimes be bacterial induced too.

Some of the common symptoms that warrant a visit are:

Sore throat
Nasal congestion
Cough
Fever
Headache
Postnasal drip

Our acute care approach involves evaluation of the severity of symptoms and ruling out potential complications like pneumonia or strep throat, following which a treatment plan is prescribed. This can include antiviral or antibiotic treatment (if necessary) or symptomatic relief.

2. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Another common condition treated under acute care is UTI, which occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract, causing infections in the bladder, urethra, or kidneys. This is more prevalent in women and causes common symptoms like:

Burning during urination
Frequent urge to urinate
Cloudy or bloody urine
Pelvic pain
Fever (in severe cases)

Getting prompt and holistic treatment is crucial to prevent potential adversities like kidney infections. At Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness, you will get urinalysis, followed by a targeted treatment plan with antibiotics, pain relief medications and proper hydration.

3. Acute Injuries

This includes injuries like sprains, strains, minor fractures, and other musculoskeletal issues. To prevent prolonged and permanent damage, getting prompt treatment is crucial.

Some of the potential symptoms that warrant a doctor’s visit are:

Sudden joint or muscle pain
Swelling and bruising
Limited mobility
Inability to bear weight

Following the standard in-clinic assessments, you will be prescribed certain imaging tests like X-ray to get a better understanding of the issues. Based on the diagnosis, splints or wraps might be prescribed, followed by pain management and physical therapy (if needed).

4. Gastrointestinal Issues

If you are experiencing GI issues like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, those warrant a visit down to our acute care department at Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness.

Usually, these symptoms could be from food poisoning, viral infections, or reactions to medications and without timely interventions, they can lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. Some of the symptoms to watch out for are:

Abdominal cramps
Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Bloating

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you will first undergo a physical evaluation at Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness and get thorough testing, after which a treatment plan will be prescribed to you.

5. Skin Infections and Rashes

The onset of sudden rashes or infections such as cellulitis, abscesses, impetigo, or contact dermatitis need immediate attention to avoid spreading or worsening.

Common symptoms that you might want to pay attention to are:

Redness and swelling
Itchiness
Pain or warmth at the site
Pus or discharge (in case of infections)
Fever (in severe infections)

Our team will first start with the physical evaluation and assessing your current physical health and medical history, following which a treatment protocol will be prescribed. This might include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory creams, allergy assessment and further follow-ups to monitor how your skin is doing.

6. Ear Infections

More than in adults, ear infections in children can get worse quickly. They usually occur from colds or sinus infections that spread to the ear, causing symptoms like:

Ear pain
Fluid drainage
Hearing loss
Fever
Irritability in children

Prompt intervention by our doctors at Lakewood Primary Care ensure quicker recovery with appropriate antibiotics, ear drops and further guidance on care at home.

7. Allergic Reactions

At times, mild allergic reactions are also treated under acute care. However, if the allergic reaction is severe, to a point its causing breathing issues and anaphylaxis, that’s where you need urgent interventions.

Some of the symptoms of mild allergic reactions are:

Rash or hives
Swelling (especially lips or throat)
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Dizziness or fainting

Our doctors will first assess your condition and current vitals, and then prescribe antihistamines and corticosteroids to calm down the issues. Also, a detailed allergen identification counseling will be recommended too.

Beyond these conditions, other health issues that are also treated under acute care at Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness include eye infections, sinus and throat infections, gout, fever evaluation, etc.

Your Partner in Immediate Health Needs!

Don’t let sudden illness or injury disrupt your life. For prompt and expert care for acute conditions, trust Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness. Our dedicated team is here to provide the immediate attention you need to get back on the path to recovery.