24/7 Emergency Care. Our patients are first.
An asthma flare-up can turn serious quickly. If breathing is getting harder instead of better, or symptoms are not easing soon after your at-home medicine, treat it like an emergency. NHLBI specifically says to call 911 if your medicines are not relieving symptoms during an asthma attack or if breathing is still very hard.
Go to the ER now if asthma symptoms include:
These are danger signs of a serious asthma emergency, not a mild flare-up.
Children and higher-risk patients should not “wait and see.”
Get urgent help for a child with severe coughing, serious breathing problems, trouble eating or sucking, or a very pale or blue face, lips, or fingernails. NHLBI also notes that people with a history of hospitalization for asthma, life-threatening attacks, or recent oral steroid use deserve a lower threshold for urgent care.
What asthma actually is
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that inflames and narrows the airways. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. When those symptoms get worse than usual, that is an asthma attack or flare-up.
Common asthma triggers
Asthma attacks can be triggered by different things in different people. NHLBI lists common triggers such as pollen, exercise, viral infections, and cold air. Smoke, strong odors, and other irritants can also worsen symptoms.
not every asthma flare-up needs the ER
Some asthma flare-ups can be handled at home with your reliever inhaler and your asthma action plan. But if symptoms do not go away soon after using your rescue medicine, or the attack feels severe from the start, you need emergency care. That is the cleanest and most accurate line.
What Post Oak ER can do for asthma symptoms
At Post Oak ER, patients with asthma symptoms can receive emergency evaluation for shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, or a severe cough. Our physicians have in-house lab, imaging, and diagnostics to help evaluate respiratory symptoms quickly, and the facility is equipped for adult and pediatric emergency care, IV treatments, and cardiac/chest-pain evaluation when symptoms overlap with another emergency.
What emergency asthma treatment may involve
According to NHLBI, emergency asthma care may include medicines through a nebulizer, medicines through an IV line, and in more severe cases oxygen therapy or even ventilatory support. The goal is to open the airways, support breathing, and stabilize the patient quickly.
When asthma may not be “just asthma”
A bad asthma flare-up can feel similar to other emergencies, including pneumonia, viral respiratory illness, or even certain cardiac problems when chest tightness and breathing difficulty overlap. That is one reason a worsening flare-up should not be self-diagnosed at home if the usual treatment is not working. Post Oak ER’s on-site imaging and lab services matter here because they help emergency physicians sort out what is causing the breathing problem.
A simple rule to remember
If your symptoms are improving with your rescue inhaler, follow your action plan. If you are struggling to breathe, cannot speak normally, are turning blue or gray, or the medicine is not helping, stop waiting and get emergency help.
Whether you’re in Westchase, Midtown, or the Heights, getting to Post Oak ER is simple. We’re centrally located near major Houston routes like I‑610 and San Felipe — just a short drive from Memorial Park and River Oaks. Many patients reach us via Westheimer or Woodway Dr., depending on their neighborhood.
We accept most major insurance plans and also welcome self-pay patients with transparent, upfront pricing. Many Memorial-area patients visit us using Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Molina, and United Healthcare.
Yes. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our freestanding ER model is designed to minimize or eliminate wait times so you’re seen fast.
No. Walk in anytime. If it’s an emergency, come straight in or call ahead and we’ll be ready: 832-581-2277.
5018 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77056 — near The Galleria/Uptown. Free, convenient parking right by the entrance.
Yes. Our board-certified emergency physicians care for all ages, including pediatric emergencies.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache/migraine, abdominal pain, injuries and fractures, cuts requiring stitches, high fever, dehydration, allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and more. If you believe it’s life-threatening, call 911.
Yes. We offer on-site CT scans, digital X-rays, and a full laboratory, so most tests and results are done during your visit.
Absolutely. We routinely see patients from Uptown, The Galleria, River Oaks, Tanglewood, and Memorial.
A photo ID, insurance card (if available), a list of medications/allergies, and any recent medical records you have.
We accept most major private insurance plans. Coverage varies by plan; our team will help verify benefits and discuss any out-of-pocket costs. Questions? Call 832-581-2277.
Urgent care handles minor illnesses/injuries. ERs have advanced imaging, lab, medications, and emergency physicians for time-sensitive or severe conditions (e.g., chest pain, severe abdominal pain, serious injury, difficulty breathing).
Yes. If inpatient care or surgery is required, we coordinate a direct transfer to the appropriate hospital.
Times vary by condition and testing, but our no-wait intake and on-site diagnostics help you get answers and treatment as quickly as possible.