Medical emergencies are not new for many; they’re inevitable. Several families and individuals always prepare for such emergencies by preparing first aid kits in their homes. However, medical crises can happen anytime, anywhere, and while we can take some preventive action, there are some emergencies where only medical professionals can help.
Here’s a list of medical health cases emergencies with tips on what to do while waiting for medical professionals.
- Severe Bleeding
There are different reasons for bleeding: small cuts and bruises, to name a few. Many times, people think bleeding is a casual situation. Nonetheless, severe bleeding is a different case. It can develop other complications and may lead to blood loss.
Take note that these situations need medical attention:
- When proper first aid treatment is not enough to stop the bleeding.
- When your bones or flesh are already exposed.
- When there’s a deeply impaled object in your body. (Do not move or remove anything without proper guidance from doctors and health professionals)
These emergencies can cause stress and panic attacks in anyone. Try your best to stay calm, ask for help and call an ambulance immediately. Any delay will only aggravate the situation. So, be alert.
- Fracture and Dislocation
Strong bones are essential to everyone. A minimal discomfort to the wrist or shoulders is not a big deal for the majority but fractures and dislocations need thorough medical attention.
Here are the things that you can do when an accident has led to fracture or dislocation:
- Treat the injury straight away.
Moving the patient is not advisable unless their life is in jeopardy. If the patient is in a severe medical crisis and needs immediate treatment, move the patient to a safer environment and treat the injuries with higher threats before proceeding with the fractured bones.
- Assist and brace the injured area.
Immobilizing will help prevent further damage and bleeding out. Putting some bandages and other first-aid treatments would suffice while waiting for the ambulance.
- Electrocution
The effect of electrocution goes from mild to life-threatening situations. Burnt skin is the usual result of this accident. When such events occur, be alert and perform these actions to prevent critical cases.
- Turn off all power supplies. Pull the plug or cut the cable using a wrench. Using a knife is not an option.
- Move the patient away from any electrical source and treat the patient carefully using insulating materials. Wrap the patient with a blanket or rugs. Loosen patient’s clothing. If the patient is responsive, let them drink water.
- Seizures or Fits
In some cases, seizures are not critical. Many people experience this maybe a couple of times and are not bothered. Seizure is also not new, especially for those people who are diagnosed with epilepsy. When someone’s having seizures, a person might feel some coerced and uncontrollable shaking or twitching in other parts, if not the entire body.
Another manifestation of seizure is when the patient is immobile and can only move a portion of their body. In this situation, the patient will not be able to respond to anyone. If that’s the case, wait for the patient to stop shaking and call an ambulance for immediate treatment.
- Difficulty of breathing (DOB)
The difficulty of breathing should not be considered as a casual scenario. When someone is having a hard time breathing for no reason, the patient might have some medical conditions. It might be because of an allergic reaction, flu, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other respiratory and disease. Most don’t recognize the severity of this case. If this happens suddenly and without any provided reason, this should be considered an emergency.
These are the things you need to observe:
- Sudden chest pain when taking deep breaths
- Shortness of breath or faster than a normal breathing
- Wheezing or whistling sound while breathing
Try to assist and calm the patient when having difficulty or breathing. Stay focused, assure the patient, and call for urgent medical attention.
- Stroke
A stroke is a critical condition that needs medical attention. It usually happens for two reasons: 1, a blocked artery, a.k.a. ischemic stroke or 2, leaking or bursting of a blood vessel or hemorrhagic stroke.
Be alert and quick when someone is having a stroke. The faster a patient can get medical treatment, the greater their chance of surviving. If you think that someone is experiencing this, ask them to do the following steps.
- Ask them to smile. If the patient does have a hard time and the face is distorted on one side, that might be an
- early sign.
- Ask them to lift both of their arms. If the person is having a stroke, one or both arms might get numb.
- Ask them to say or repeat something. If the patient’s speech is slurred and unclear, the patient may be experiencing a stroke.
Awareness and quick thinking are important when dealing with medical emergencies. If everyone has the proper knowledge, saving other’s lives will always be possible.