text: what exactly is a medical emergency and when is it right to go to the emergency room? is it just life/death situations? or what about if you are experiencing pain but you won't die if you wait a day to go to the docotor's office. it takes forever in canada to wait and even get an x-ray done if you go to the doctor's office. service is much faster at the emergency room if you might have some sort of infection? you can go to the emergency room for any reason.  it does not have to be a life and death situation.  people go to the er for diarrhea.  if you feel you need to be seen by a doctor, and you don't want to or can't wait for an appointment with your primary doctor.  than i would suggest you go, they will see you no matter what your problem is.  you just may have to wait alittle while if there are more serious patients than you.  and the bill may be alittle more than your primary doctor.  but your health and well-being is the most important thing.