Dr. William T Durkin M.D.
Emergency Physician
3101 N. Hampton Dr. 505 Alexandria VA, 22302About
Dr. William Durkin practices Emergency Medicine in Alexandria, VA. Dr. Durkin assesses patients who seek immediate medical attention at any time of day or night. Emergency Medicine Physicians are trained to efficiently work with each patient and situation no matter how acute or life-threatening. Dr. Durkin examines patients, determines means of testing, diagnoses conditions, and decides the best treatment methods.
Board Certification
Emergency MedicineAmerican Board of Emergency MedicineABEM
Provider Details
Dr. William T Durkin M.D.'s Expert Contributions
My son won't stop bleeding. Should I take him to the ER?
Maybe. Apply pressure to the area. The head and face are highly vascular and, therefore, bleed easily. If there is a cut (laceration) he should go to an urgent care or ER to have it repaired. READ MORE
Can I go to urgent care for muscle strain?
Yes. Urgent care clinics are there for these types of problems. READ MORE
Will the ER do an MRI for back pain?
Unlikely. With the exception of a stroke, MRI's need to be scheduled ahead of time. Most back pain is musculoskeletal in nature and can be treated with analgesics, muscle relaxants and possible physical therapy. If you have pain radiating down a leg, have weakness or numbness in a leg, then you need to be seen right away. READ MORE
How does the ER treat a herniated disc?
IF there are no neurological deficits, we treat the symptoms and refer to an orthopedist who does back care. READ MORE
Does hyperbaric medicine help someone with covid?
No READ MORE
Should I go to the ER for an eye injury?
Yes READ MORE
When should you go to the hospital for throat pain?
You should see his doctor or go to an urgent care to have it looked at. READ MORE
Should you go to the ER for a painful earache?
An urgent care clinic, his doctor's office are probably more appropriate. Absent those options, an ER is your only choice. READ MORE
What is the emergency and first aid management for a burn?
Cold compress is best. So long as it is a first degree burn, just treat it like a sunburn. READ MORE
How is hyperbaric oxygen therapy performed?
The patient is placed in a chamber and the pressure is increased to an appropriate level. The time one is in the chamber depends upon the condition being treated. READ MORE
Unusual discharge?
For 2 years? So, by definition, it is not an emergency. Call your gynecologist and get an appointment for an exam. Also, ask them to check your blood sugar. Persistent yeast infections, if that turns out to be what this is, can be a sign of diabetes. READ MORE
Can I go to the hospital for a clogged ear?
You can but, probably more appropriate to go to an urgent care or your primary care doctor's office. READ MORE
When should you go to the ER for low potassium?
Unless you are on a diuretic, there probably is no reason to do so. Leafy greens (spinach), citrus juices, tomatoes are all good natural sources of potassium. There are also supplements and the sports drinks (Gatorade) are also good sources. Diuretics are the most common reason one's potassium gets low. Heart palpitations can be an indicator, as well as extreme fatigue. For a healthy woman of your age who is not on a diuretic, you should be able to get enough potassium orally without having to go to a hospital. READ MORE
How do you feel when blood sugar is high?
The most common signs are extreme thirst and frequent urination. The body tries to get rid of the extra glucose (sugar) by secreting it into the urine. This results in increased urination which, in turn, causes increased thirst. READ MORE
What makes emergency medicine different from regular medicine?
In emergency medicine, we seek to eliminate the possibility of a life or limb threat. In other words we focus on conditions which, if not treated right now, could result in your immediate demise or loss of function of a limb or one of the senses. Once those problems are ruled out, we send you home with instructions to continue care through your primary doctor. We focus on emergency conditions. Absent one of those, you can see your doctor and let them figure out the rest of your care. READ MORE
When are emergency consultations needed?
We screen for suicidal ideation/attempts, as well as determine if you are able to function and care for your own needs. If that screen is Ok, we send you out to see a psychiatrist/counsellor on the outside. So, if you are not on the verge of harming yourself or someone else, you probably should see your doctor and go from there. READ MORE
What are the blood tests necessary in a ER?
It all depends on why you are there. Sometimes, we order no blood tests. Not sure why they got blood tests on your dad as I was not his doctor. If he has a history of migraines and this headache was typical, most likely no blood work ordered. If they were worried about a cerebral hemorrhage, a blood count, blood chemistry test would be routine. READ MORE
Should I go to the ER for a UTI?
Abdominal pain is not common with a UTI. You should see a doctor, be that in an ER, urgent care or office is your choice. READ MORE
How can we revive a person who passes out?
The first step is to secure the airway - make sure that the person is breathing. Then check for a pulse, and if there is none, immediately call for help and start CPR. READ MORE
What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
The common sign is an altered level of consciousness or unresponsive. The patient appears drunk or under the influence; not acting appropriately, personality changes, and uncoordinated movements are the usual signs. READ MORE
Dr. William T Durkin M.D.'s Practice location
Dr. William Durkin, MD
3101 N. Hampton Dr. 505 -Alexandria, VA 22302Get Direction
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