Some emergency situations and what to do when they arise
Stroke
Signs and symptoms: Disorientation in person, time and space, Confusion (difficulty in concentrating or comprehending), Dizziness, Paralysis e.g. tilted tongue or lips, drooped eyelids, sagging cheek, Inability to talk, see, or move body part, Numbness, Vomiting.
Cause: Hemorrhage of blood vessel in the brain, Blood clot and block of artery supplying part of the brain.
Risk factors: Overweight and high blood lipids, Hypertension, alcohol consumption, Smoking, Stress.
What to do: Immediate measures; Keep the victim calm and allow for oxygen by not crowding the victim's breathing space, Call for help(911) ; Preventive measures; Watch what you consume, your weight and exercise regularly.
Heart attack
Signs and symptoms: Shortness of breath, Dizziness, vomiting, Squeezing sensation in the chest, Excruciating pain in the chest, neck or jaw which may extend to the left or both arms, Cold sweat.
Cause: Block of coronary(heart) artery.
Risk factors: Overweight and high blood lipids, Hypertension, Smoking, alcohol consumption, Stress.
What to do: Immediate measures; Keep the victim calm and allow for oxygen by not crowding the victim's breathing space, Nurse with the back in a reclining position and supported with pillow, Call for help(991). If alone, Do not panic, Take deep breaths as a measure to massage the heart in case it stops beating and in order to to inhale enough oxygen to supply the brain and help reduce panic; Preventive measures; Watch what you consume, your weight and exercise regularly.
Anaphylactic shock
Signs and symptoms: Confusion, Cold sweat, Shortness of breath, Weak and rapid pulse, Dizziness.
Cause: Allergy to drug or other allergen.
Risk factors: History of allergy.
What to do: Lie down and raise the legs above the level of the heart, Rehydrate and transport to hospital.
Heat stroke
Signs and symptoms: Flushed, dry skin, High body temperature, Strange behavior, Hallucination, Disorientation, Rapid pulse, Difficulty breathing.
Cause: Inability to chill out following exhaustion and severe dehydration.
Risk factors: Exertion in high ambient temperatures, The elderly and children.
What to do: Move to a cool place and place in a reclining position with the head supported with a pillow, Hose with cool water and rehydrate, avoid tea , coffee or alcohol.
Hypothermia
Signs and symptoms: Pale skin, Shivering, Low body temperature, confusion, Slurred speech, Clumsiness, Fatigue, Numbness and pain in the extremities.
Cause: Exposure to chilly weather or cold water.
Risk factors: The elderly and children, Alcohol consumption.
What to do: Immediate measures; Replace wet attire with dry, Use hot water bottle to warm the body starting with the chest and neck and then the limbs, Sip lukewarm drink, not hot. Preventive measures; Dress in layers in chilly weather and avoid drenching your garment or body, Eat energy-giving foods during cold weather.
Panic attack
Signs and symptoms: Racing and thumping of the heart, Cold sweat, Fear, Squeezing chest pain, Phobia associated with revisiting places or seeing objects that were associated with the attack.
Cause: Psychological or neurological disease.
Risk factors: Stress.
What to do: Take deep breaths, Move about to use up the adrenaline, which is responsible for the symptoms.
Dr. Oliver Verbe Birnso
Signs and symptoms: Disorientation in person, time and space, Confusion (difficulty in concentrating or comprehending), Dizziness, Paralysis e.g. tilted tongue or lips, drooped eyelids, sagging cheek, Inability to talk, see, or move body part, Numbness, Vomiting.
Cause: Hemorrhage of blood vessel in the brain, Blood clot and block of artery supplying part of the brain.
Risk factors: Overweight and high blood lipids, Hypertension, alcohol consumption, Smoking, Stress.
What to do: Immediate measures; Keep the victim calm and allow for oxygen by not crowding the victim's breathing space, Call for help(911) ; Preventive measures; Watch what you consume, your weight and exercise regularly.
Heart attack
Signs and symptoms: Shortness of breath, Dizziness, vomiting, Squeezing sensation in the chest, Excruciating pain in the chest, neck or jaw which may extend to the left or both arms, Cold sweat.
Cause: Block of coronary(heart) artery.
Risk factors: Overweight and high blood lipids, Hypertension, Smoking, alcohol consumption, Stress.
What to do: Immediate measures; Keep the victim calm and allow for oxygen by not crowding the victim's breathing space, Nurse with the back in a reclining position and supported with pillow, Call for help(991). If alone, Do not panic, Take deep breaths as a measure to massage the heart in case it stops beating and in order to to inhale enough oxygen to supply the brain and help reduce panic; Preventive measures; Watch what you consume, your weight and exercise regularly.
Anaphylactic shock
Signs and symptoms: Confusion, Cold sweat, Shortness of breath, Weak and rapid pulse, Dizziness.
Cause: Allergy to drug or other allergen.
Risk factors: History of allergy.
What to do: Lie down and raise the legs above the level of the heart, Rehydrate and transport to hospital.
Heat stroke
Signs and symptoms: Flushed, dry skin, High body temperature, Strange behavior, Hallucination, Disorientation, Rapid pulse, Difficulty breathing.
Cause: Inability to chill out following exhaustion and severe dehydration.
Risk factors: Exertion in high ambient temperatures, The elderly and children.
What to do: Move to a cool place and place in a reclining position with the head supported with a pillow, Hose with cool water and rehydrate, avoid tea , coffee or alcohol.
Hypothermia
Signs and symptoms: Pale skin, Shivering, Low body temperature, confusion, Slurred speech, Clumsiness, Fatigue, Numbness and pain in the extremities.
Cause: Exposure to chilly weather or cold water.
Risk factors: The elderly and children, Alcohol consumption.
What to do: Immediate measures; Replace wet attire with dry, Use hot water bottle to warm the body starting with the chest and neck and then the limbs, Sip lukewarm drink, not hot. Preventive measures; Dress in layers in chilly weather and avoid drenching your garment or body, Eat energy-giving foods during cold weather.
Panic attack
Signs and symptoms: Racing and thumping of the heart, Cold sweat, Fear, Squeezing chest pain, Phobia associated with revisiting places or seeing objects that were associated with the attack.
Cause: Psychological or neurological disease.
Risk factors: Stress.
What to do: Take deep breaths, Move about to use up the adrenaline, which is responsible for the symptoms.
Dr. Oliver Verbe Birnso
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