What exactly is a medical emergency and when is it right to go to the emergency room?

Is it just life/death situations? Or what about if you are experiencing pain but you won't die if you wait a day to go to the docotor's office. It takes forever in Canada to wait and even get an x-ray done if you go to the doctor's office. Service is much faster at the emergency room if you might have some sort of infection?

I've been experiencing sudden sharp lower back pain, abdomenal pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. All this is very sudden... Is this something to go to the emergency for?

You can go to the emergency room for any reason. It does not have to be a life and death situation. People go to the ER for diarrhea. If you feel you need to be seen by a doctor, and you don't want to or can't wait for an appointment with your primary doctor. Than I would suggest you go, they will see you no matter what your problem is. You just may have to wait alittle while if there are more serious patients than you. And the bill may be alittle more than your primary doctor. But your health and well-being is the most important thing.

If you have a temperature over 102. If you are vomiting a lot. If you can't control bleeding. If you pass out. Don't
go for something a regular visit could handle.

An emergency other than life or deat is up to the person who is having the pain. If one has an ear infection and they are in super duper pain, ER may be the way to go, even though they will not die from it. If it is a matter of not wanting to wait in a clinic, gee, who pays the ER bill? FOr me I pay a deductable and ER automatic 75 so I think twice before running to the ER. ALso the ER is a good place to catch a virus, TB or some other creepy thing.

You won't be jailed for trying. Use your own judgement.

Depends on the pain level that you have. If you feel like the pain is unbearable then head to the ER. If it's just something minor that you think will go away then there is no point to go. Try to rate yourself on a scale for pain (source).

If it's just for an X-Ray you don't need to go to the ER, but maybe just being able to see a radiologist.

ask yourself can i wait until tomorrow. how bad is the pain am i loosing a lot off bodily fluids. is it life threatening. have i suffered trauma.

I'd say that a medical emergency is anything that can not wait for a doctor visit. Besides life threatening emergencies- stitches- sharp acute pain, respiratory problems, chest pains, heavy bleeding, signs of stroke.
A headache or cough would not consititute an E.R. visit although I have seen people use the ambulance service for the simple fact that they didn't have a ride to the doctor. And we wonder why medical costs are high. Some really abuse the system while others who need to get medical attention immediately don't because of fear or lack of insurance- its messed up.

I recently had a situation like this. I had accidentally stuck an 18 penny nail through my hand and wrist with a nail gun . after doing it i was tempted to take the nail out by myself with a pair of pliers.... good thing my buddies talked me out of it . they took me to the emergency room and x-rayed it . the nail had gone through my artery in my wrist.. had i taken it out away from the emergency room i could have bled profusely and possibly to death . but by leaving the nail in until i got to the emergency the nail "plugged" the bleeding . where they could take it out and control it . goes to show... when in doubt go to the emergency room .

u can go to the er for any reason say the drs r closed and u r in pain go to the er for any reason they dont care what is wrong with u i know ppls who have called a emblance for scrething and bleeding

ya, you're right! EMERGENCY in a DOCTOR's CLINIC or in a HOSPITAL's jargon is a SITUATION BETWEEN LIFE and DEATH, outside of this will be just NORMAL and can WAIT. The following can be considered as EMERGENCYies:
1. a HEART ATTACK
2. a STROKE
3. LOSS of too much BLOOD due to BLEEDing.
4. COMA due to infections, etc.

You can go to the ER for any reason. Rate your pain on a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 being no pain and 10 being the worst you ever had. If you feel you can't control your symptoms at home and can't wait for your regular doctor by all means go to the ER. ER's now a days have what they call Fast Track. Its part of the ER, but thats where they put patients that are not seriously injurted or ill. I myself go to the ER for my migraines when I can't controll an episode at home. The best advice, use common sense. A cold, the flu, minor cut, that kind stuff does not need emergency medical attention. Just use your best judgement.

if your shortness of breath occurs even at rest, see your doctor or head to the ER. the dizziness may be secondary to the shortness of breath.

yes this is something to go to the emergency room for it could be your kidneys, liver or even your gall bladder causing the pain which could lead to more serious problems.