Thankfully, medical emergencies are few and far in between. But when they do strike, it’s important to be prepared. Knowing what to do and where to go can save time, reduce panic and possibly save a life. Here are some of the most common medical emergencies and how to approach them.
Bleeding
Not all bleeding events require an emergency department. Small cuts or scraps can be treated at home with a basic first aid kit.
The difficulty arises when severe accidents result in heavy bleeding.
For heavy bleeding always apply direct pressure to the wound immediately. This helps to stop or slow down the bleeding. At the same time, consider if the accident is something that needs urgent care at an emergency department.
Go to an emergency department for any of the following:
- The wound is still bleeding heavily despite applying direct pressure to it for a few minutes.
- An object is deeply embedded in the skin. If a large object is deeply embedded in the skin do not attempt to remove it. Doing so might worsen the bleeding. Call 911 immediately.
- If at the site of the injury you can see tissue or bone. Call 911 immediately.
Remember, if the patient complains of dizziness, feels unwell or appears pale this might be a sign of internal bleeding. This requires urgent and immediate medical attention.
Breathing Difficulties
Breathing difficulties are always a medical emergency. Breathing difficulties can be the result of a chest or heart problem (e.g. pneumonia, heart attack) or the result of an accident involving the chest/lungs.
As a general rule, anyone with breathing difficulties should always be seen by a medical professional immediately. Call 911 or if safe to do so, take them to a 24 hour emergency room.
Breathing difficulties may appear as
- Difficulty speaking in complete sentences
- Breathlessness
- Gasping for air
- A person appearing pale, sweaty or having bluish-coloured lips
Heart Attack
A heart attack does not always appear with obvious symptoms. Someone having a heart attack may not necessarily collapse. Instead, they may have signs like:
- Sudden onset chest pain.
- Pain that feels sharp, stabbing or has the sensation of extreme pressure.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Dizziness or unsteady on their feet.
If you or a loved one are having a heart attack or think you are then seek medical advice immediately.
Collapse
Witnessing a collapse can be very scary. There are a large number of events that can cause a collapse. They range from someone being dehydrated to more serious events like heart trouble. It might be difficult to know exactly what causes the collapse especially if it wasn’t witnessed first-hand. Keep the following points in mind:
- If someone has lost consciousness and is not breathing, call 911 for emergency medical attention.
- If a person has lost consciousness but does not appear to have any difficulties with their breathing then, if it is safe to do so, you can put them into the recovery position until help arrives. It is still advised to call 911.
Emergency in Houston?
Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is equipped to handle life threatening conditions quickly. Your emergency or concern is our priority! Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is your Houston ER for immediate definite care. Do not hesitate to call us today or stop by one of our houston emergency room locations: Willowbrook ER, Heights ER, or Summerwood ER.