10 Most Common Reasons for Emergency Room Visits

Ever wondered why emergency rooms are always so busy—no matter the time of day or night?
The truth is, people visit the ER for a wide range of reasons, from sudden pain and trauma to complications that can’t wait until morning.

If you’ve ever been to the emergency room, you know it’s not just about major accidents or heart attacks.
Sometimes it’s a fever that won’t break.
Sometimes it’s chest pain that might be serious.
Sometimes, it’s the panic of not knowing what’s happening in your own body.

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So, what are the 10 most common reasons people go to the emergency room?
Let’s break them down in a way that reflects both the data and real-world experience.

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1. Chest Pain or Discomfort

Any chest pain is scary.
I’ve seen patients rush in, thinking it’s a heart attack—and sometimes it is.
Other times, it’s a panic attack or acid reflux.

Why is it common?
Because chest pain could signal:

• Heart attack
• Pulmonary embolism
• Angina
• Severe anxiety

When the cause is unknown, the emergency room is the safest place to be.

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2. Shortness of Breath

Trouble breathing can feel terrifying.
It often brings people to the ER because it feels urgent.

Shortness of breath is commonly caused by:

• Asthma
• COPD
• Heart failure
• Anxiety attacks
• COVID-19 or pneumonia

Breathing is life, so it’s no surprise this is one of the top reasons for emergency room visits.

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3. Abdominal Pain

Stomach pain is tricky.
It can range from gas or indigestion… to appendicitis or a ruptured organ.

The ER sees abdominal complaints all the time, and doctors usually need:

• Bloodwork
• CT scans
• Ultrasounds

to figure out if it’s something simple—or something that needs surgery right now.

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4. High Fever (Especially in Children)

A fever can feel alarming, especially if it spikes suddenly.
For adults, we usually say over 103°F is concerning.
For infants under 3 months, any fever is a red flag.

Common ER fever causes:

• Flu
• COVID-19
• Ear infections
• Strep throat
• Urinary tract infections

And sometimes, the fever is just the body doing its job. But if it won’t go down, parents and patients don’t take chances.

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5. Injuries from Accidents or Falls

Trauma is a classic ER reason.
From car accidents to kitchen slips, people come in with:

• Fractures
• Concussions
• Dislocations
• Bleeding wounds

Sometimes the injury seems small—but an X-ray or scan reveals more.

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6. Headaches or Migraines

I’ve seen people cry from migraine pain.
They arrive barely able to speak, begging for the lights to be turned off.
And while most headaches are not dangerous, a sudden or unusual headache could be something serious.

Doctors are ruling out:

• Stroke
• Brain bleed
• Meningitis

Head pain, especially when it’s “the worst headache ever,” is never ignored in the ER.

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7. Stroke Symptoms

This is one of the most time-sensitive conditions.
People come in with:

• Slurred speech
• One-sided weakness
• Facial drooping
• Vision loss

When a stroke is suspected, every second counts.
Clot-busting drugs only work if given fast enough—usually within 3 to 4.5 hours.
No wonder this makes the list of most common reasons for emergency room visits.

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8. Back Pain or Neck Pain

While it doesn’t always seem like an emergency, severe back or neck pain can signal:

• Herniated discs
• Spinal infections
• Kidney stones
• Even an abdominal aneurysm

The pain can be so intense that patients can’t sit, walk, or rest.
And for elderly people, spinal injuries after a fall are a major concern.

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9. Mental Health Crises

In recent years, emergency departments have seen a rise in psychiatric emergencies.
This includes:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Panic attacks
• Psychosis
• Substance withdrawal

When someone is at risk of harming themselves or others, the ER becomes the first line of protection and assessment.
Unfortunately, many areas don’t have enough mental health resources—so the ER ends up being the default option.

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10. Allergic Reactions

When your throat starts closing up or your lips swell, you don’t wait around.

Common triggers:

• Food (like peanuts or shellfish)
• Medications
• Insect stings

ER teams jump into action quickly with:

• Epinephrine
• Antihistamines
• Steroids

Even mild reactions are treated with caution because they can escalate fast.

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Final Thoughts: Why the ER Is Still the Frontline of Urgency

The emergency room isn’t just a place for dramatic traumas or heart attacks.
It’s where uncertainty meets urgency.

From chest pain and broken bones to mental health and sudden fevers—these 10 most common reasons for emergency room visits show the variety of human health emergencies that can strike at any time.

We go to the ER because something feels wrong, and we need answers now.
Because when it’s your body—or your child’s body—you don’t wait and see.

Knowing these reasons can help you decide when an issue is urgent, and when it’s something to monitor or handle in a clinic.

But when in doubt, always choose safety.
That’s what emergency rooms are for.

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