You see TV documentaries and read stories all the time about people who have been involved in traumatic accidents or fallen ill suddenly. Nobody wants to think about the prospect of needing urgent care, but it’s always beneficial to know what to do if you do find yourself in this situation or you come across another person who needs help. If you don’t know what you would do in an emergency situation, here are some tips to help you out. Hopefully, you’ll never need them, but it’s always good to be prepared.
Calling 911
Every year, more than 240 million calls are made to 911. This is an emergency line, which should only be used when urgent care is required. If you have a minor ailment, there are lots of other options you can take. It’s essential to use 911 only in extreme cases to prevent using valuable resources, which could be directed to those in greater need. If you do encounter somebody who needs attention immediately or you find yourself in a situation where you need urgent help, don’t hesitate to make the call.
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Some scenarios you may come across include:
Heart attacks
Heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarction, occur when the blood supply to the heart is disrupted. This prevents oxygen from traveling around the body in the red blood cells. Symptoms of a heart attack include pains in the chest, which may radiate to the shoulders, arms, and back, a feeling of tightness in the chest, dizziness, sweating and feeling sick. Many people also experience severe anxiety, which may feel similar to having a panic attack. If you come across somebody who is displaying these symptoms, call an ambulance and wait for them. Reassure them, try and calm them down, and encourage them to stay still.
Sporting injuries
Playing sports is so good for your health, but there are usually risks of injuries, and they can be severe. Examples of serious injuries that need urgent attention include dislocations, head injuries and severe fractures. You may not need to go to the ER in every case, but it’s a good idea to contact a clinic that offers quick care hours. You may need an urgent X-ray, or you may be advised to have scans or further tests to determine the extent of your injury. If you do sustain a head injury or your child is playing sport, and they get a knock, get the injury checked out. Sometimes, symptoms can appear after a period of time, rather than being evident immediately. If you have a concussion, for example, you may find that headaches, dizziness, and double vision come on hours after the incident. Even if you feel fine, it’s always best to see a doctor, just in case there is a risk of delayed symptoms.
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Breathing difficulties
Breathing difficulties can be caused by several different conditions and underlying health complications. They may also arise as a result of extreme anxiety or following an injury or infection. If you’re struggling to catch your breath or your breathing has suddenly become very labored or shallow, seek advice immediately. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner they can work out a possible cause and identify treatment options. If you have a severe allergy or you suffer from asthma, make sure you have your EpiPen or inhaler with you and wear a wristband, which has details of your allergy.
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Unexplained bleeding
Bleeding is very common after a fall, or when you accidentally catch your skin on something sharp, and usually, there’s nothing to worry about. If you’re bleeding for no apparent reason or you’ve recently had treatment, and you start bleeding, call your doctor. The primary aim is to work out why you’re bleeding and to stem the blood flow. You don’t need to rush to the ER if you’ve opened up a cut or you have a graze, but don’t try and patch up a wound that is bleeding excessively. It’s also worth attending an urgent care clinic if you spot blood in your urine or stools.
Traumatic accidents
If you’ve had a fall or you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s wise to seek medical help, even if you feel fine. When you’re in shock, you may not notice other symptoms, and it is possible that you could have sustained internal injuries. It’s particularly important to see a doctor if you hit your head at any point.
If you’ve had a fall or you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s wise to seek medical help, even if you feel fine. When you’re in shock, you may not notice other symptoms, and it is possible that you could have sustained internal injuries. It’s particularly important to see a doctor if you hit your head at any point. Also, it’s always best to contact an auto injury attorney to help you recoup your losses
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Who to call and when?
The trouble with illnesses and injuries is that they don’t pay much attention to your schedule. Accidents can happen at any time, and illnesses often develop quickly without prior warning. If you do start to feel ill or your partner or child develops symptoms, consider who you need to call. Call an ambulance or visit the ER in urgent situations when emergency help is required. If the injury is serious or you’re worried about the severity of symptoms, urgent care clinics may be the best option. If the injury is less severe, you need general advice, or you’re struggling with an illness like an ear infection, schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you’re not sure what to do, but you think there’s a chance that symptoms could progress very quickly, it’s best to err on the side of caution and get help as quickly as possible.
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Life can be very unpredictable and often, we encounter situations we never expected to at the start of the day. Whether you start to feel ill or you come across somebody who needs help, it’s always good to be prepared and to know exactly what to do in an emergency situation. Often, you’ll be able to treat minor injuries and ailments at home without any trouble at all, but sometimes, you may need intensive treatment as quickly as possible. If you come across another person who has fallen ill suddenly or they have been involved in an accident, call 911 and wait with them until help arrives. If the situation is less serious, but it’s likely that the individual will need treatment of some kind, contact an urgent care center. It’s also wise to have your doctor’s number stored in your phone in case you need advice, or you need to make an appointment for a minor illness.
