If the abdominal pain on the left continues, look for symptoms of the following conditions:

Appendicitis

While appendicitis is usually associated with the right side of your body, the initial pain often starts near the belly button and can be misinterpreted as coming from the left. An appendicitis infection can cause serious problems if left untreated. Be on the lookout for pain moving to the right side of the abdomen, fever, nausea and vomiting, and seek medical treatment immediately.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is the inflammation of diverticula pouches in the large intestine. While diverticulitis is not always a serious condition, in some patients with severe infections surgery is required.

If you, or a loved one over 40, are experiencing abdominal pains, fevers and nausea, it may be diverticulitis.

Constipation

Another cause of abdominal pain on the left side of the body is constipation. Constipation is usually caused by dehydration or a diet that is low in fiber. Not all constipation requires a trip to the emergency room, but in some cases the sharp pain may warrant a visit. If the pain does not improve after using over-the-counter products, seek medical attention.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, or nephrolithiasis, are small deposits of calcium or uric acid that build up in the kidneys. They are incredibly painful when passing through the urinary tract. Common symptoms of kidney stones include abdominal pain, painful urination, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Contact Complete Care

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing abdominal pain in the left side of the body, seek medical treatment at your nearest Complete Care emergency room. With 18 locations across Texas, there is one near you.

The post Complete Care for You: Abdominal Pain first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Spring is here, and people are outside enjoying the lovely weather on playgrounds, in parks, and around the yard. And while we hope that your spring is injury-free, accidents do happen. Here is some great information on how to treat a compound arm fracture.

The medical term “fracture” refers to a broken bone. In most cases, a fracture does not involve broken skin or wounds that are visible on the outside of the body. However, a compound fracture can occur when the sharp edges of the affected bone break the skin.

If a foreign object wounds the skin and ends up penetrating the bone, this can also cause a compound fracture. In a compound or open fracture, the bone is visible. Open fractures often occur in the limbs, especially the arms. Here is some information about the emergency aid and treatment for compound arm fractures.

Emergency Aid for Compound Arm Fractures

While all broken bones require emergency medical care, it is even more important that compound arm fractures receive immediate attention from a team of first responders. Fast treatment will reduce the chance of infection and ensure that the compound fracture heals properly. Therefore, if an individual suffers a compound fracture, it is important to call 911 immediately.

If you didn’t see the accident, ask the individual how he or she was injured. Depending on the amount of blood loss and the severity of the injury, it is possible that the individual may become unconscious. If this occurs, you may need to  tell the first responders how the accident happened.

Once you know this vital information, you should try to make the person as comfortable as possible. Use a blanket or jacket to keep the individual warm and check his or her vital signs. Do not touch the wound. If there is a foreign object in the wound, do not attempt to remove it.

Treatment for Compound Arm Fractures

In order to prevent infections, physicians will administer prophylactic treatments like antibiotics. The patient will receive IV antibiotics to prevent infections caused by a variety of bacteria. The individual will be given a tetanus booster if he or she has not received one in the past five years.

Once the risk of infection is reduced, it is likely that the patient will have to undergo surgical treatment to treat the compound arm fracture.

For more information about emergency aid and treatment for compound arm fractures visit your nearest Complete Care Emergency Room location.

The post Complete Care for You: Compound Arm Fractures first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.