Stay safe and healthy this fall at UW-Green Bay and St. Norbert College by learning the most common reasons students visit the ER.
As we enter the fall season, students at UW-Green Bay and St. Norbert College are settling into campus life and all the excitement it brings, such as classes, football games, social events, and more. While college life is full of fun and learning, it’s also important to make your health a top priority.
Whether you’re a first-time student, a returning upperclassman, a visitor, or an alum, health issues and accidents can happen unexpectedly. Knowing when a situation calls for a visit to the emergency room can help you stay safe and get the care you need quickly.
Common Reasons College Students Visit the ER
1. Sudden Injuries
Whether you’re playing intramural sports, walking across a slippery sidewalk, or just goofing around in the dorms, accidents can happen. Some of the most common injuries among college students include chipped or broken teeth, sprains and strains, fractures and broken bones, and concussions or head injuries.
Even if an injury seems minor, it’s important to seek a professional medical opinion to ensure it isn’t more serious.
2. Sudden Illness
Sharing close spaces with roommates and attending crowded classes increases your risk of getting sick — especially in the fall, when viruses spread more easily. Common illnesses that bring students to the ER include severe allergic reactions, respiratory infections, stomach bugs, dehydration, and complications from chronic conditions.
If you’re feeling unusually unwell or your symptoms come on suddenly and severely, don’t wait for answers. The ER can provide fast diagnosis and treatment.
3. Stress-Related Symptoms
College life can be overwhelming, especially for first-year students adjusting to life away from home. Stress can affect your physical health just as much as your mental well-being. If you’re experiencing chest pain or a rapid heartbeat, dizziness or fainting, severe headaches or migraines, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or digestive issues, you may need immediate care. These are serious symptoms that should not be ignored.
4. Mental Health Emergencies
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it’s okay to ask for help. Seek immediate care if you’re experiencing severe anxiety or panic attacks, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, sudden changes in behavior or mood, or overwhelming feelings of depression or hopelessness.
Our newly implemented compassionate and confidential behavioral health support is available 24/7. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can walk through our doors and receive the care they need when they need it most.
24/7 Emergency Care That Feels Like Home
At Green Bay ER & Hospital, your health is our top priority. We understand the fast-paced life of a college student and are here to help you feel better quickly and compassionately.
With 24/7 emergency care, advanced laboratory testing, and state-of-the-art emergency and mental health services, our expert team is available anytime to help you feel better, no matter the illness or injury. Experience no long waits, no crowded lobbies, just quality care when you need it most.
Visit us and experience healthcare that feels like home.
Good luck this semester, Phoenix and Green Knights! Stay safe, stay healthy.
Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Green Bay ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.