Do you know where to go when you are sick or injured? A hospital's emergency room is reserved for acute and life-threatening conditions that may only be addressed in a hospital. Symptoms of a lifethreatening case may include the following:

• Chest pains
• Other severe pains
• Broken bones
• Heart palpitations
• Difficulty breathing
• Open wounds
• Fainting
• Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Head injuries
• Sudden weakness or paralysis

If you are not in a life-threatening emergency, your doctor is the first person you should contact for treatment. He or she knows you and has your medical history on file and, therefore, is aware of your chronic ailments and knows the medications you are taking. Furthermore, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, if needed. Your doctor's co-payment may cost you less than the emergency room and may take less time than either the ER or urgent care.

In the event that you need medical treatment but your doctor isn't available, urgent care may your best bet. In most cases, urgent care may cost you less than a trip to the emergency room. Symptoms that are best addressed by your primary care physician or urgent care may include the following:

• Cold and flu
• Painful urination
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Sore throat
• Persistent diarrhea
• Sprains
• Ear infections
• Skin conditions