HERE ARE A FEW OF THE MOST COMMONLY ENCOUNTERED MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. KNOWING AND IDENTIFYING THESE CONDITIONS IS OF UPMOST IMPORTANCE SO THAT THE PATIENT CAN GET TIMELY MEDICAL ATTENTION.
1. Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction):
Symptoms:
1. Chest pain or discomfort that may feel like pressure, squeezing, or fullness
2. Pain radiating to the arm, back, neck, or jaw
3. Shortness of breath
4. Nausea/ vomiting/ sweating
5. Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
First Aid Steps:
Call emergency services immediately.
If the person is unconscious, not breathing and without a pulse, start CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) immediately.
When to Seek Help: Immediate medical attention is critical. Time is crucial in minimizing heart muscle damage and improving survival chances.
2. STROKE:
Symptoms (using the FAST acronym):
FACE: Sudden facial droop or uneven smile
ARM: Sudden inability to raise one arm or weakness on one side
SPEECH: Slurred or garbled speech, or difficulty speaking
TIME: Call emergency services immediately, cuz window period? 4.5 hours till we can thrombolyze a patient First Aid Steps:
Call emergency services immediately.
Keep the person comfortable and monitor their symptoms.
Note the time when symptoms first appeared, as this is critical for treatment.
When to Seek Help: Stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent brain damage and potential long-term disability.
3. Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis):
Symptoms:
1. Difficulty breathing or wheezing
2. Swelling of the face, lips, or throat
3. Hives or rash
4. Rapid or weak pulse
5. Dizziness or fainting
First Aid Steps:
Call emergency services even if symptoms seem to improve.
Keep the person lying down with their legs elevated if possible.
When to Seek Help: Anaphylaxis can progress rapidly, and prompt medical treatment is crucial. Even after using epinephrine, follow-up medical evaluation is necessary.
4. Diabetic Emergency (Hypoglycemia or Hyperglycemia):
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) - More often than not, the reason most people fall unconscious all of a sudden is hypoglycemia. 
Symptoms: Shakiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, headache
First Aid Steps:
Give the person a quick source of sugar (e.g., glucose tablets, fruit juice, or a sugary snack).
Monitor their response and administer more sugar if symptoms persist.
Seek medical help if symptoms do not improve or if the person is unconscious.
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
Symptoms: Excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue
First Aid Steps:
Encourage the person to drink water to help flush out excess sugar.
Follow their prescribed insulin or medication regimen.
Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or do not improve.
When to Seek Help: Severe or persistent symptoms of either condition require professional evaluation to avoid complications.
5. Severe Trauma or Injury:
Symptoms: Depends on the nature of the trauma, including severe bleeding, broken bones, unconsciousness, or visible deformity.
First Aid Steps:
Control bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.
Immobilize the injured area to prevent further damage.
Avoid moving the person unless necessary, especially if a spinal injury is suspected.
Call emergency services immediately.
When to Seek Help: Severe trauma often requires urgent medical care to address potential internal injuries and prevent complications.
6. Respiratory Distress:
Symptoms:
1. Shortness of breath or wheezing
2. Rapid or shallow breathing
3. Chest tightness or pain
4. Difficulty speaking full sentences
First Aid Steps:
Help the person use their prescribed inhaler or medication.
Encourage them to sit upright.
Seek emergency medical help if the distress is severe, if the person is unable to breathe adequately, or if symptoms do not improve.
When to Seek Help: Immediate medical intervention is necessary if the person’s breathing difficulties are severe or worsening.
7. Seizure:
Symptoms:
1. Convulsions or muscle spasms
2. Loss of consciousness
3. Staring or unresponsiveness
First Aid Steps:
Ensure the person is in a safe position and away from potential hazards.
Place a soft cushion or folded clothing under their head to prevent head injury.
Do not restrain the person or put anything in their mouth.
Time the seizure duration. If it lasts more than five minutes or if another seizure starts immediately, call emergency services.
When to Seek Help: Medical attention is needed if it is the person’s first seizure, if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, or if another seizure follows immediately.
8. Unconsciousness:
Symptoms:
Unresponsiveness to verbal or physical stimuli
Absence of normal breathing or pulse
First Aid Steps:
Check for breathing and pulse. If neither is present, begin CPR immediately.
If breathing is present but the person is unconscious, place them in the recovery position (on their side) to keep their airway clear.
Call emergency services immediately.
When to Seek Help: Unconsciousness is always an emergency. Immediate medical evaluation is necessary to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
9. Burns:
Symptoms:
Redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area
Blisters or peeling skin in more severe burns
First Aid Steps:
Cool the burn under running cold water for at least 10 minutes.
Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick bandage.
Avoid applying ice, ointments, or greasy substances.
Seek medical attention for severe burns, burns covering large areas, or burns on sensitive areas like the face or genitals.
When to Seek Help: Burns that are deep, large, or on sensitive areas require professional medical evaluation and treatment.
10. Poisoning:
Symptoms: Vary depending on the poison, but may include nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, confusion, or unusual odor.
Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a medical professional.
11. SNAKE BITE:
Symptoms: Visible bite marks, pain at bite site, bleeding, weakness of limbs, bruising, vomiting
First Aid:
Unlike popular opinion, never 'suck' the venom. Try and remember what the snake looks like since that helps the medical professional to find out the type of snake and treat the patient accordingly. 
Compress the bite site using a tourniquet to prevent the spread of venom to other parts of the body and approach a hospital as soon as possible.
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