24/7 Emergency Care. Our patients are first.
If your child’s breathing looks hard, fast, noisy, or “not right,” don’t wait.Breathing problems can worsen quickly — and it’s better to be cautious.
Go to the ER right away (call 911 if severe) if your child has:
Trouble breathing (working hard to breathe, can’t speak/cry normally, or looks panicked)
Blue/gray lips, face, or skin
Breathing pauses or episodes of not breathing
Severe wheezing, persistent noisy breathing, or a harsh high-pitched sound with breathing
Chest retractions (skin pulling in between ribs/neck) or belly/chest moving in a “see-saw” pattern
Grunting, nasal flaring, or they must sit leaning forward to breathe
Extreme sleepiness, difficult to wake, or they look unusually weak/ill
Breathing trouble after choking—even if they “seem better” afterward
(These are widely recognized warning signs of respiratory distress/low oxygen in children.)
Newborn irregular breathing can be normal — but some signs are not.
Normal pattern (often harmless): Many newborns have periodic breathing—brief pauses followed by faster breaths—especially during sleep. It usually resolves by about 6 months.
Get emergency care now if your infant:
Stops breathing and is unresponsive (start CPR and call 911)
Has breathing pauses with color change (blue/gray), limpness, or unusual unresponsiveness
Has repeated episodes that worry you, even if they recover quickly (events like this may be evaluated as a BRUE depending on age and features).
What “changes in breathing” can look like
Breathing changes aren’t always just “fast breathing.” Watch for:
Work of breathing (retractions, nasal flaring, grunting)
Noisy breathing (wheezing, stridor/high-pitched sound, persistent barking cough)
Low oxygen signs (blue/gray lips or skin, extreme fatigue, poor responsiveness)
Feeding issues in babies (can’t feed because they can’t breathe comfortably)
If your child looks like they’re struggling, trust what you’re seeing and come in.
Breath-holding spells: scary but usually not dangerous (with exceptions)
Some children (most commonly 6 months to 6 years) may hold their breath during crying/upset and briefly turn blue or pass out. These episodes are often benign — but seek emergency care if:
the episode includes a seizure
your child has prolonged unconsciousness
they do not return to normal quickly or something feels different than prior episodes
After a choking episode: when to get checked
If your child turned blue, had significant distress, or you suspect something could still be in the airway—even if they look improved—ER evaluation is reasonable. Airway irritation or a retained object can cause delayed problems.
ER or urgent care?
Choose the ER now if there’s any sign of breathing distress (retractions, grunting, blue lips/skin, pauses, extreme fatigue, poor feeding in infants, or your child looks seriously unwell).
Consider urgent care/primary care only if symptoms are mild, your child is comfortable at rest, and there are no red flags (no retractions, no blue color, no breathing pauses, no lethargy).
What Post Oak ER can do for breathing concerns (Houston)
At Post Oak ER, we can evaluate and stabilize breathing issues quickly with:
Immediate vitals + respiratory assessment
IV treatments when clinically appropriate (for dehydration, medications, support care)
On-site imaging (X-ray, CT, ultrasound) when needed to look for complications or causes
Trauma care support if breathing problems follow an injury
24/7 care for children and adults, no appointment needed
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.