Injuries Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Introduction:

Injuries that endanger a person’s life or long-term health are considered medical emergencies and require immediate medical attention. Delayed treatment of such injuries may result in serious long-term consequences and can also lead to death. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of these injuries and know when to take the person for emergency medical care.

Which Injuries Are Medical Emergencies?

Minor injuries occur on a day-to-day basis. One can treat and manage them at home. Therefore, seeking emergency medical care for minor injuries is not necessary. The injuries that require immediate medical care include the following:

• Fractures (broken bones).

• Head injuries.

• Severe neck or back injuries.

• Eye injuries.

• Deep wounds - knife wounds, gunshot wounds.

• Moderate to severe burns.

• Electrical injury.

What Is the ABC of First Aid?

The ABCs of first aid are a mnemonic to help remember the critical steps to take when providing initial care to someone in need. These three letters stand for:

• A - Airway: Make sure to keep the airway open and clear. Check for obstruction and open the airway if the person is unconscious, gently tilt their head back and lift their chin.

• B - Breathing: Examine the area for breathing by feeling, hearing, and seeing for breaths. Start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or rescue breathing if the person is not breathing.

• C - Circulation: Examine the radial artery (wrist) or the carotid artery (neck) for a pulse. Start CPR or rescue breathing in addition to chest compressions if there is no pulse. The objective is to maintain blood flow to essential organs.

Additionally, it is also important to consider

• D - Defibrillation: It may be necessary for some situations, particularly when dealing with cardiac arrest, to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

• E - Exposure and Environment: Make sure the person is not in contact with any dangerous substances (such as intense heat or cold). Take into account the surroundings' safety for the victim as well as the rescuer.

The ABCs of first aid are a general guideline, and the specific actions may vary depending on the situation.

Do Fractures Need Immediate Treatment?

Accidental falls, road accidents, severe blows to the bones, and other accidents can cause bones to break. Fractures or broken bones commonly occur in children and adults of all ages. In addition to the fracture, if the person is unconscious, bleeding profusely, or has difficulty breathing, immediate medical care has to be provided. It is easy to identify fractures as emergencies when a bone protrudes through the skin. But, in most cases, it becomes difficult to know if the bone is fractured. If the injured person has bruising, pain, and swelling at the injury site, and if he cannot move the bone or joint normally, the bone is probably broken and needs immediate medical attention. One should treat it as a fracture and call for emergency care whenever in doubt.

How Serious Are Head Injuries?

Head injuries can occur due to minor slips and falls or major accidents. Minor injuries may result in a harmless bump in the head. But head injuries can be life-threatening, so it is wise to look for specific symptoms. The most common and easily overlooked sign of head injury is concussion (temporary brain function loss due to brain injury). If a person becomes unconscious after an injury to the head, it could be a concussion requiring emergency healthcare services. Initiate prompt treatment if the injured person experiences any of the following after a head injury:

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Dizziness.

• Worsening headaches.

• Convulsions.

• Decreased coordination.

• Numbness and weakness.

• Confusion.

• Restlessness.

• Agitation.

• Slurred speech.

• Loses consciousness.

• Severe bleeding.

• Severe pain and swelling at the injured site.

When to Seek Medical Care for Neck or Back Injuries?

Neck and spinal cord injuries are life-threatening and can lead to paralysis. It is advised not to move a person with a neck or spinal injury to avoid further damaging the nerves (which may lead to paralysis). If a neck or back (spinal cord) injury is suspected, the presence of the following symptoms mandates immediate medical attention:

• Contorted head or body.

• Unconsciousness.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Difficulty standing.

• Difficulty walking.

• Radiating numbness.

• Unable to move arms or legs.

• Stiff neck or neck pain.

• Headache.

• Loss of bladder or bowel control.

When Should One Seek Immediate Medical Care for an Eye Injury?

Common irritations, pain, or redness of the eyes do not require emergency treatment. Cuts, burns, chemical exposure, and trauma from sharp objects can lead to eye injuries and emergencies. Without treatment, these eye wounds can lead to loss of vision. Prompt medical care is necessary if the injured person has any of the following:

• Chemical exposure or fumes-related eye injury.

• Blood in eye appearance.

• A visible eye wound.

• Partial or total loss of vision.

• Blood or fluid leaks from the injury.

Do Wounds Require Emergency Care?

Common minor cuts and wounds resolve with proper home care (cleaning, antibiotic ointments, and bandages). Though these do not require emergency medical attention, one must care for them as they can cause serious infections. Immediate medical attention is mandatory for deep wounds like gunshot wounds or deep knife wounds. Prompt medical care is necessary if the injured person has any of the following:

• Continuous bleeding from the wound.

• Deep and gaping cuts that might require stitches.

• Deep cuts involving nerves.

• Deep wounds involving major blood vessels or organs.

• Injury over a possible bone or joint fracture.

• Wounds impairing function (cuts on lips or eyelids).

• Puncture wounds (caused by metal objects).

• Cuts or wounds with a foreign body in them.

• Difficulty in breathing.

• Injuries on the chest or neck.

• Cuts amputate (partially or fully) fingers.

When Should One Seek Emergency Care for Burns?

Contact with fire, scalding liquids (like cooking oil), chemicals, and electricity (like touching electrical wires) can lead to burns. Minor burns like over-exposure to the sun or a first-degree burn do not require immediate professional medical attention. Moderate to severe burns (like those caused by prolonged fire exposure) require emergency care as they can permanently damage the tissues and are extremely painful. Burns that demand immediate medical care include:

• Severe burns.

• Burns cover a large area.

• Burns in the eyes, ears, hands, mouth, feet, and genitals.

When Should One Seek Emergency Care for an Electrical Injury?

Accidental contact with wiring or electrical outlets and cords causes electrical injury and burns. These have profound implications like damage to the skin (burns), muscles, heart (cardiac arrest), and brain. Minor electrical injuries or burns do not require professional medical treatment. At-home remedies like a cold compress, mild antibiotics, and bandages are sufficient to treat minor burns due to electrical injury. One must seek immediate medical care for severe electrical injuries and burns with any of the following:

• Loss of consciousness.

• Breathing difficulty.

• Large blisters and skin burns.

• Headache after the injury.

• Weakness or numbness, tingling.

• Muscle pain.

• Suspected bone fractures.

• Irregular heartbeat.

• Cardiac arrest.

Conclusion:

Injuries are common in our day-to-day life. Most of these are mild injuries that do not require professional medical treatment. Knowing when to seek emergency care is essential. Life-threatening injuries like head, neck, and spine injuries, fractures, eye injuries, severe burns, deep cuts, and wounds require immediate medical attention. If one delays treatment, it can lead to disabilities, life-long complications, and even death. In case of doubt regarding the severity of the injury, it is advisable to treat it as a medical emergency.