If you suddenly have severe chest pain while you're at home, or if your child is vomiting continuously and is losing consciousness, you might immediately think, "Oh my God, is this an emergency? Do I need to go to the hospital's ETU right now?". The most important thing in times like these is to not panic, but to act with knowledge. Because, a quick and correct decision can save someone's life. So today, let's talk about what this medical emergency is, how to recognize it, and what we should do in such a time.
Simply put, what is this medical emergency?
Simply put, a medical emergency is any health condition that requires immediate medical attention. This means that if not treated immediately by a doctor, it could result in permanent disability , organ damage, or even death .
Doctors generally consider an emergency based on three main factors:
1. Risk of serious harm to health: This may involve a risk not only to one's own life, but also to the lives of others. For example, this includes a situation where the health of a pregnant mother or her unborn child could be harmed.
2. Severe impact on body function: This means that the body is unable to perform a certain function properly. Think of it as suddenly losing your eyesight.
3. Serious damage to an organ or part of the body: This is when an organ or part of the body stops working properly. For example, something like a limb being amputated.
What are the symptoms that could indicate an emergency?
Although it is not possible for a normal person to accurately diagnose an illness, some symptoms can indicate that it may be an emergency. Let's take a look at some of the most common symptoms in the table below. If you or someone you know has any of these, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Blood in the urine, stool, or vomiting blood | Blood in the urine is called hematuria . If you have black, tarry stools (melena) , it could be bleeding inside your stomach. These are serious signs. |
| Severe chest pain | Chest pain (angina) can be a sign of a heart attack and should be treated immediately. |
| Difficulty breathing | Feeling short of breath (dyspnea) . If you feel a tightness in your chest, it can also be a serious condition. |
| Fainting | Syncope is a sudden, unexplained fainting spell. It can be caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain. |
| Loss of consciousness on one side of the body | If you experience numbness or weakness on one side of your arm, leg, or face (hemiplegia) , it is a symptom of a stroke. |
| Severe fever | If the fever is 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) or higher, it may be a sign of a serious infection in the body. |
| Severe headache or stomach ache | A headache like never before in your life or an unbearable stomachache. |
| Persistent diarrhea or vomiting | This can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous. |
| Sudden loss of vision | Sudden loss or blurring of vision in one or both eyes. |
Remember, sometimes the symptoms of a common illness can be similar to those of a serious illness. For example, migraines and strokes share some of the same symptoms. So, if you have any doubts, it's best to see a doctor to make sure it's not something serious.
What are the medical conditions that require emergency medical treatment?
There are some medical conditions that require immediate medical attention as soon as symptoms appear. Let's look at a few such conditions.
- Heart attacks: Chest pain, difficulty breathing.
- Strokes: Loss of power on one side of the body, difficulty speaking.
- Asthma attacks: Severe asthma that cannot be controlled with the inhaler used.
- Appendicitis: Severe pain in the right side of the lower abdomen.
- Severe allergy (Anaphylaxis): Rash and difficulty breathing after eating something or taking a medicine.
- Seizures: Having a seizure for the first time in life, having a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or having a series of seizures (status epilepticus).
- Poisoning: Ingestion of something poisonous. In such a case, if possible, contact the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital .
- Serious accidents and injuries: broken bones, major wounds that bleed uncontrollably.
- Mental emergencies: Thoughts of harming oneself or others.
- Sepsis: A serious condition in which an infection spreads throughout the body and affects the entire body.
What should I do in an emergency like this?
If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, the first and most important thing to do is not to panic. Next, immediately call 1990, the Sri Lankan emergency ambulance service .
Never attempt to drive an emergency patient to the hospital in your own vehicle. It can be very dangerous.
Why do we need to call an ambulance? There are several reasons:
1. Expertise and training
Ambulance personnel have the training and equipment to stabilize a patient in an emergency. If the patient's condition worsens on the way to the hospital, they can provide the necessary basic care.
2. Travel safety
Imagine you are driving someone who is having chest pains. What if they lose consciousness on the way? Or what if you have an emergency while you are driving? That could be a danger to you, the patient, and other people on the road.
3. Ability to move quickly
Ambulances can reach the hospital quickly, even through traffic or other obstacles on the road. In times like these, every second counts.
4. Speeding up treatment
Ambulance personnel can call the hospital and inform them about the patient's condition in advance. Therefore, medical teams are ready to start treatment as soon as the patient arrives at the hospital. This makes it much faster for the patient to receive treatment.
Should I go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) or a regular clinic?
This is also a problem for many people. Generally, private dispensaries or clinics in our country are not places equipped to provide emergency care. Those places are suitable for situations that are not urgent, but require immediate treatment. For example, things like stitching up a small wound, getting medicine for a common cold, etc.
But if you have any of the serious symptoms mentioned above, never waste your time going to a regular clinic. Go straight to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) . If you go to the wrong clinic, they will have to call an ambulance and send you to the ETU. This wastes valuable time.
The best thing to do is, if you have any doubts, always err on the side of safety. That means going straight to the Emergency Department (ETU).
Take-Home Message
- A medical emergency is any situation that could be life-threatening if medical treatment is not received immediately.
- Always be on the lookout for symptoms such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, weakness on one side of the body, and bleeding that cannot be stopped.
- If you suspect an emergency, do not drive to the hospital in your own vehicle. Immediately call 1990 and call an ambulance.
- If you are not sure whether this is an emergency or not, it is safest to treat it as an emergency and act accordingly. Even if you find out that it is not serious after going to the hospital, it is not a problem.
- Always remember that by staying calm, making quick, and correct decisions, you can save a life.
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