Recognizing medical emergencies
Medical emergencies - how to recognize themGetting medical help right away for someone who is having a medical emergency can save their life. This article describes the warning signs of a medical emergency and how to be prepared.
Information
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the following are warning signs of a medical emergency.
In adults:
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Bleeding that will not stop
Bleeding
Bleeding is the loss of blood. Bleeding may be:Inside the body (internal)Outside the body (external)Bleeding may occur:Inside the body when blood le...
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Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath)
Breathing problems
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing)
Change in mental status
Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...
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Chest pain or discomfort lasting for two minutes or more
Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
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Choking
Choking
Choking is when someone is having a very hard time breathing because food, a toy, or other object is blocking the throat or windpipe (airway). A chok...
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Coughing up or vomiting blood
Coughing up
Coughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract). Hemoptysis is the medical term for cough...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleVomiting blood
Vomiting blood is regurgitating (throwing up) contents of the stomach that contains blood. Vomited blood may appear bright red, dark red, or look lik...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Weak or ineffective coughing
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Fainting or loss of consciousness
Fainting
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleLoss of consciousness
Unconsciousness is when a person is unable to respond to people and activities. Doctors often call this a coma or being in a comatose state. Other c...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Feeling of committing suicide or murder
- Head or spine injury
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Sudden injury due to a motor vehicle accident, burns or smoke inhalation, near drowning, a deep or large wound, or other injuries
- Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body
- Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision
Dizziness
Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might fai...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Swallowing a poisonous substance
- Severe abdominal pain or pressure
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
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Unusual headache
Unusual headache
A headache is a pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Common types of headaches include tension headaches, migraine or cluster headaches, s...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Inability to speak
- Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue
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Bluish skin color (cyanosis)
Bluish skin color
A bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.
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- Significant change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, irritability)
- Lack of alertness or diminished response
- Increased sleepiness
- Unable to stand or walk
- Trouble or abnormal breathing
Trouble or abnormal breathing
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Difficulty in eating or feeding
- Bluish or grey coloration of the skin (cyanosis)
Bluish or grey coloration of the skin
A bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Seizure
Seizure
A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Fever followed by a change in mental status, stiffness in the neck or back
- Unstoppable bleeding
BE PREPARED:
- Determine the location and quickest route to the nearest emergency department before an emergency happens.
- Keep emergency phone numbers posted in your home where you can easily access them. Also enter the numbers into your cell phone. Everyone in your household, including children, should know when and how to call these numbers. These numbers include: fire department, police department, poison control center, ambulance center, your health care provider's phone numbers, contact numbers of neighbors or nearby friends or relatives, and work phone numbers.
- Know at which hospital(s) your provider practices and, if practical, go there in an emergency.
- Wear a medical identification tag if you have a chronic condition or look for one on a person who has any of the symptoms mentioned.
- Get a personal emergency response system if you're an older adult, especially if you live alone.
If you or someone you know is thinking about hurting yourself or others, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.
You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.
If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.
Always take suicide attempts and threats seriously.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP:
- Stay calm and call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or rescue breathing, if necessary and if you know the proper technique.
CPR
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency life-saving procedure that is done when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stoppe...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Place a semiconscious or unconscious person in the recovery position until the ambulance arrives. DO NOT move the person, however, if there has been or may have been a neck injury.
Upon arriving at an emergency room, the person will be evaluated right away. Life- or limb-threatening conditions will be treated first. People with conditions that are not life- or limb-threatening may have to wait.
CALL 911 OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER IF:
- The person's condition is life threatening (for example, the person is having a heart attack or severe allergic reaction)
Heart attack
Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSevere allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - The person's condition could become life threatening on the way to the hospital
- Moving the person could cause further injury (for example, in case of a neck injury or motor vehicle accident)
- The person needs the skills or equipment of paramedics
- Traffic conditions or distance might cause a delay in getting the person to the hospital
References
American College of Emergency Physicians website. Know when to go. www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/know-when-to-go-overview. Accessed February 28, 2023.
Blackwell TH. Emergency medical services: overview and ground transport. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap e12.
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Stopping bleeding with direct pressure - illustration
Bleeding from most injuries can be stopped by applying direct pressure to the injury. This keeps from cutting off the blood supply to the affected limb.
Stopping bleeding with direct pressure
illustration
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Stopping bleeding with a tourniquet - illustration
When there is severe bleeding where a major artery has been severed, pressure may be insufficient and a tourniquet may be necessary. Tourniquets are an effective way of stopping bleeding from an extremity. They do, however, stop circulation to the affected extremity and should ONLY be used when other methods, such as pressure dressings, have failed (or are likely to fail). Pressure from tourniquets must be relieved periodically to prevent damage to the tissue from lack of oxygen.
Stopping bleeding with a tourniquet
illustration
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Stopping bleeding with pressure and ice - illustration
Bleeding from most injuries can be stopped by applying direct pressure to the injury. This keeps from cutting off the blood supply to the affected limb. When there is severe bleeding, where a major artery has been severed, pressure may be insufficient and a tourniquet may be necessary.
Stopping bleeding with pressure and ice
illustration
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Neck pulse - illustration
To measure the pulse on the neck, place the index and middle finger just to the side of the Adam's apple, in the soft hollow area. This pulse is felt in the common carotid artery.
Neck pulse
illustration
-
Stopping bleeding with direct pressure - illustration
Bleeding from most injuries can be stopped by applying direct pressure to the injury. This keeps from cutting off the blood supply to the affected limb.
Stopping bleeding with direct pressure
illustration
-
Stopping bleeding with a tourniquet - illustration
When there is severe bleeding where a major artery has been severed, pressure may be insufficient and a tourniquet may be necessary. Tourniquets are an effective way of stopping bleeding from an extremity. They do, however, stop circulation to the affected extremity and should ONLY be used when other methods, such as pressure dressings, have failed (or are likely to fail). Pressure from tourniquets must be relieved periodically to prevent damage to the tissue from lack of oxygen.
Stopping bleeding with a tourniquet
illustration
-
Stopping bleeding with pressure and ice - illustration
Bleeding from most injuries can be stopped by applying direct pressure to the injury. This keeps from cutting off the blood supply to the affected limb. When there is severe bleeding, where a major artery has been severed, pressure may be insufficient and a tourniquet may be necessary.
Stopping bleeding with pressure and ice
illustration
-
Neck pulse - illustration
To measure the pulse on the neck, place the index and middle finger just to the side of the Adam's apple, in the soft hollow area. This pulse is felt in the common carotid artery.
Neck pulse
illustration
Review Date: 1/2/2023
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.