Medical emergencies can strike at any time, anywhere. Unfortunately, as is the nature of a medical emergency, you are given very little notice as to their arrival, and one moment you are fine, the next you are in excruciating pain, unable to do anything other than call for help. Recognising a medical emergency in its early stages is crucial to recovery and potentially survival. Knowing how to recognise the signs of a medical emergency is very important, and by the end of this page, you will have acquired the knowledge to be able to do that.
This page will hope to tell you how important it is to recognise medical emergencies. Allowing a medical emergency to go unattended can be potentially fatal for the person who is experiencing health problems. Act fast, act decisive, and act responsibly.
How important is it to recognise medical emergencies? Let’s find out, shall we?
Seek medical aid
Before moving onto the main body of this article and explaining the importance of recognizing medical emergencies, let us first discuss the importance of seeking medical aid. Many people, because of how complicated and hard to deal with doctors and healthcare providers can be, refuse to book appointments, but according to the medical specialists of myhealth1st, it does not have to be this way [and it mustn’t]. There are many online services that can streamline the medical process, making it easier to get in touch with a doctor, and easier to get the help that you need. You must never ignore your symptoms in times of potential medical emergency, simply because healthcare services are a bit of a headache to deal with. Ignoring your symptoms in times of medical emergency can be fatal. Always seek medical aid, and when is necessary, phone an ambulance.
The importance of recognising medical emergencies
It can be very difficult to discern some medical emergencies from simple health problems. In order to recognise medical emergencies when they arise, some healthcare knowledge is required. You must be able to determine what is innocuous, and what is serious. Recognising a medical emergency immediately is crucial to saving or preserving the life of the person who is exhibiting symptoms. If you do not recognize medical emergencies immediately, the patient’s condition can quickly deteriorate, and their injuries can worsen significantly. Recognizing a medical emergency early is crucial to saving their life.
Examples of medical emergencies
We will now go on to discuss what some examples of medical emergencies might be. The reason for this is so that you can see that it is very easy to miss something serious by attributing the symptom to something less severe. Most serious medical conditions can often start out with symptoms that can be indicative of something very simple. The following list of medical emergencies will be some of the most commonly reported in healthcare units throughout the world, and some of the most fatal. Here are a few of those examples:
Chest pain
Sudden chest pain is most often associated with heart attacks but can be the symptom of a panic attack or an anxiety-related disorder. If you or somebody else experiences sudden chest pain, it is important that you contact a healthcare provider immediately. Not doing so can be fatal.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath can also be indicative of a heart attack, but also many more conditions (such as anxiety). If you notice yourself or your loved one experiencing shortness of breath suddenly, then it is important for you to contact a healthcare provider, or in some cases, an ambulance.
Excruciating headaches
Excruciating and unexplained headaches are never to be ignored. If you begin to suddenly experience agonizing pain in your head, it is important you report to a doctor or a healthcare facility immediately. These can often be the symptoms of a migraine but can also be indicative of conditions much more severe.
Tingling and numbness
If you begin to experience tingling and numbness in your body, you must see a doctor urgently. This can be the symptom of many very serious conditions, but also many that are not-so-severe. Distinguishing between severity and harmless is something that only a doctor can do.
Blindness
Blindness in your eyes is clearly a medical emergency. Some bouts of blindness can be temporary, others permanent. If you begin to notice vision loss, you must consult a doctor immediately. Ignoring vision loss can result in permanent vision loss, which of course, nobody wants.
With the help of this page, you now know how you can recognize the importance of medical emergencies, and why it is important that you do so. Allowing a medical emergency to go unchecked can be a very bad idea, but with this page, will be significantly easier now.
Tommy Williamson did his degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
