Medical Emergencies: Run To Your Doctor Once You Notice These Signs

There are body symptoms that may seem routine or ordinary but are actually medical emergencies because they are a threat to life.

We are here to identify them, and advice you to run to your doctor once you notice them.

After all, the National Library of Medicine, in situating medical Emergencies define them as injuries or illnesses that are acute and that pose immediate risk to life or long-term health.

Generally, the preponderance of such conditions and the associated risk has made health facilities and governments to prioritise Emergency Departments (EDs).

According to BMJ, an England-based medical research outfit, between April 2016 and March 2018, 26,738,514 people attended an emergency department in England: of which 5,249,891 of them were eventually admitted.

In all, 433,962 people died within 30 days of such medical emergencies. The overall unadjusted 30-day death rate was just under 9%. 

 READ ALSO: Why You Need These 10 Top Health Management Organisations (HMOS) Urgently

The three most common causes of death were stroke 315(25%), HIV related illnesses 126(10.0%), and heart failure 123(9.7%). Most deaths occurred less than 24hours of admission, 550(43.6%).

How do we identify medical emergencies.

A cross-disciplinarian overview shows that medical emergencies can be characterised by the following:

-breathing difficulties

-speaking difficulties

-unceasing bleeding (in the case of an injury)

-sudden severe or sharp pain

-unusual behavior suggestive of mental imbalance

-unusual chest pain

-choking

READ ALSO: Over 23,000 Residents Battling Hepatitis In This State – Ministry of Health

-coughing difficulty

-weak or ineffective coughing

-fainting or loss of consciousness

-suicidal tendencies

-head or spine injury

-unusual headache

-Severe or persistent vomiting

 – drowning

-sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision

-swallowing a poisonous substance

Fever followed by a change in mental status, stiffness in the neck or back

What to do when faced with medical emergencies

1. We have inferred before now the importance of having in place, a health action plan.

This should encompass having a hospital, either own-procured or under the auspices of Health Management Organi,sations (HMOs)

Medical emergencies do not give prior notices so it is safer to have a subsisting policy.

2. Whatever,  do not panic  when faced with medical emergencies.

3. If it is what the home first aid box could handle, go into action immediately, but without giving in to anxiety.

READ ALSO: How Personal Ego, Supremacy Are Jeopardising Lives In Healthcare Sector

4. Call emergency line (which may in fact be your HMO).

5. The average family or office should have members registered in a hospital which could come handy in the face of medical emergencies.

6. If you are a person of faith, back every action with prayers.