In most instances, an injury can be treated by you or those around you. However, certain conditions and wounds require immediate attention from a medical professional. Otherwise, the injured person’s health could deteriorate quickly, and they could become permanently damaged, or worst-case scenario, they could die. So when should you call for help?
Here are 9 medical issues that require immediate medical attention.
Table of Contents
Head Injuries
Severe injuries to the head should be thoroughly checked out as damage to the brain can be fatal.
Suppose someone you know has suffered from a head injury. In that case, you must call for medical attention if they have been vomiting since the injury, they were knocked out after the injury but are now awake, their behavior isn’t normal, they are struggling to remember things, or they have been taking drugs or drinking prior to the accident.
Particular precaution should be taken if the person has a blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia, they take medication such as warfarin to thin the blood, or they have had brain surgery in the past.
Dental Emergencies
Toothache can be horrendously painful, and you may be tempted to seek urgent medical attention just to quell the pain. However, painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can dull the agony until you can get a routine appointment with a dentist.
Injuries to the mouth and teeth through an accident such as a collision in a football game or a bicycle accident may need emergency attention. If a tooth is chipped, cracked or has fallen out altogether, the injured person should flush their mouth with water and store the fallen tooth in some water or milk until an emergency dentist such as a dentist in Sandy, Utah, or another reputable establishment in the area can be located.
Heart Attack
It is essential to know the signs of when a person is suffering from a heart attack as time is of the essence, and medical help must be called as soon as possible.
A person could be experiencing a heart attack if they feel tightness, pain, and pressure in the center of their chest, they feel light-headed, nauseous, and dizzy, they are wheezing and coughing, or they feel pain in the rest of their body, especially in their left arm and in their neck, abdomen, and jaw.
Serious Burns
Burns can be caused by chemicals, boiling liquid, fire, sun exposure, and electricity.
There are varying degrees of burns. First-degree burns cause the skin to turn red and will generally heal in less than two weeks. They can usually be treated by placing the affected area in cold water for a few minutes and then covering in a soothing cream such as aloe vera gel.
Third and fourth-degree burns are the most serious and require medical attention immediately as they can lead to blood loss, shock, infection, tetanus, hypothermia, and hypovolemia. Some of these conditions can lead to death. These burns affect most or all of the layers of skin and may not even be painful because the nerves have been damaged. The burns look white and waxy or dark brown in color. They have a leathery texture, and blisters do not develop.
Stroke
Think FAST if someone displays facial changes like drooping eyes or mouth, they cannot lift their arms due to weakness; they struggle to speak or understand what is being said to them. If someone displays these symptoms, you will know it is time to call an ambulance.
Broken Bone or Dislocated Joints
Severe accidents can cause bones to break. Sometimes a person will hear the bone snap during the accident, or they may notice that the area where the bone is broken is deformed or the bone is poking through the skin. Broken bones require immediate attention in order for medical staff to set the bone back in the correct position. If breaks are left or not appropriately treated, an infection can set in, or the bone can be permanently deformed.
Joints can become dislocated if a person falls on them heavily. A dislocated shoulder is a common injury for those who play contact sports such as rugby. If somebody has dislocated their shoulder, they will be in great pain and unable to move their arm, the top of their arm bone may cause a bulge, and their shoulder will be square in shape rather than rounded.
Breathing Difficulties
Without oxygen, we die; therefore, breathing difficulties are a reason to call for medical care as soon as possible.
Certain conditions such as asthma, anaphylaxis, colds, and coughs can make people struggle to breathe. Sudden breathlessness, tightness in the chest, noisy breathing, and pain when breathing should be checked out as they can be life-threatening.
Seizures and Convulsions
A seizure is an electrical disturbance in the brain, and convulsions are Uncontrollable body movements where the body experiences muscles spasms and rigidity. Seizures can sometimes cause convulsions.
Epilepsy is a condition that can lead to a person experiencing a high number of seizures. When someone has a seizure, they may fall to the ground, move erratically and display facial movements such as eyelid fluttering and head jerking.
Epileptic seizures can be caused by missed medication, menstruation, flashing lights, alcohol, stress, and lack of sleep. Non-epileptic seizures can be brought on by severe stress and disturbing memories. Children can experience seizures if they become fevered.
Severe Bleeding
Bleeding that is severe and won’t stop after administering first aid is classed as a medical emergency. Very deep wounds, which look like they have a foreign body in them or have visible tissue or bone showing through them, should be treated by a professional immediately. If a person looks pale and feels dizzy from all of the blood loss, they are in danger of falling into unconsciousness.
In the event of a medical emergency, remember the Three C’s – Check, Call, and Care. Check the scene of the accident for danger to the injured party, other people, and yourself. Call the emergency services or ask a passerby to do so and care for the injured parties until emergency support arrives.