A medical
emergency can happen at any time, to anyone. But do you know what types of
injuries and illnesses are serious enough to warrant a trip to your local
emergency department?

In
general, the hospitals in our area are equipped to handle a wide range of
medical emergencies – from broken bones and sprained ankles, to chest pain,
breathing problems, stroke, burns, trauma, work-related injuries, sports
injuries, sudden illnesses, and more.

According
to theAmerican College of
Emergency Physicians (ACEP), it is important to call 9-1-1 or go to the closest emergency
department if you or a loved one ever experiences these signs of trouble:

·
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·
Pain or pressure in your chest or abdomen

·
Unexplained change in vision

·
Problems with speech or difficulty in communicating

·
Confusion or changes in state of mind

·
Weakness in an arm or leg; facial droop

·
Uncontrolled bleeding

·
Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

·
Coughing up or vomiting blood

·
Suicidality

Special Circumstances – Get Help Right Away

· Stroke is a type of cardiovascular
disease caused by a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel in the brain. Certain
treatments to restore blood flow to the brain must be given within the first
three hours after the start of symptoms, so it’s important to get to the
hospital right away if you think you might be having a stroke. Common warning
signs of stroke include sudden feelings of weakness or numbness in the arm,
leg, face, or one side of the body; slurred speech or trouble understanding
others; confusion, problems with balance or coordination; a severe headache
that comes on quickly; or problems seeing in one or both eyes.

· Chest pain is another potentially
life-threatening warning sign that never should be ignored. If you or a loved
one is experiencing unusual pain or pressure in your chest, seek out immediate
medical attention. You could be having a heart attack.

· Severe burns from hot
liquids or steam, electricity, chemicals, and other sources may require urgent
medical care, particularly if the burns cover large areas of your skin or cause
respiratory distress, unconsciousness, or shock.

ICE Your Cell Phone

If you ever become unable to speak for yourself due to illness or an
injury, first responders or the emergency department staff will need to notify
your loved ones. For this reason, the ACEP recommends that you and everyone in your
family add one or two “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) phone numbers into contact
list of your cell phones; for example, “ICE1 – Husband” or “ICE2 - Mom.”

It also is a good idea to keep a list of your medications, known
allergies, and diagnosed health conditions in your wallet or purse. If you have
elderly homebound parents, you might wish to hang a “File of Life” on
their refrigerator. The File of Life is a red vinyl pouch in which you place a
card that lists an individual’s name, emergency contacts, medical insurance
information, health status, medications, and other critical health-related
information. For more about the File of Life, call 1-800-814-1788 orclick here.

For more information on medical emergencies, download this informative
brochure, “Seconds
Save Lives,” from the ACEP.

*Joshua
Feinberg, D.O., is a family medicine physician in practice at the Crozer Health
Pavilion, 145 Brinton Lake Road, Suite 201, Glen Mills, PA
19342, 610-459-1619