Know your health ABCs
Know what to do in a medical emergency by using these handy memory joggers.
With the wealth of health information out there, it can be hard to remember what you need to do in an emergency or how to calmly spot symptoms of a problem that might need investigating – which is why health experts come up with handy ways to remember things. They’re called mnemonics and here are nine we think you need to know.
RICE
YOU’LL NEED IT IF: you get a sports injury.
Implemented immediately after an injury like a sprain, bruise or general bump, and carried on for the next 48 to 72 hours, RICE can help prevent further damage and mean less time away from your sport or activity. It stands for:
R
Rest. You need to avoid using the damaged area for 48 to 72 hours.
I
Ice. Apply for 20 minutes every two hours.
C
Compression. Apply something like a wide elastic bandage; this also helps you keep an ice pack in place.
E
Elevation. This helps reduce bleeding, swelling and pain. Try and raise it above the level of the heart if you can.
Also, remember HARM in the first 24 hours after any injury – avoid Heat, Alcohol, Rubbing and Massage. They will all increase inflammation and may make the problem worse.
ICE
IT HELPS: doctors get to your next of kin fast.
Chances are you’ve heard of this – you might already have it saved in your cellphone. But are you using it correctly? It stands for:
In Case of Emergency
If it’s found on your phone, the number attached to it is who the paramedics or hospital will phone. Many people think this is so someone is informed, but it’s also to get important medical information from you. It’s essential your ICE contact knows your blood type and is aware of any allergies/illnesses/medication.
AMEGA
YOU’LL NEED IT IF: you’re first at the scene of a road accident.
This five-point action plan can be used in any first-aid situation, including a motor vehicle accident.
A
Assess what’s happened. See who is hurt and how badly – is anyone trapped in their car?
M
Make the scene safe. Switch off any running engines and get people to move away from fuel leaks or the edge of the road. Put out an emergency triangle if you have one.
E
Emergency aid. See if anyone requires immediate assistance that you can offer.
G
Get help. Call ER24 on 084 124 and tell them where you are, how many cars are involved, how severe the injuries are and if anyone is trapped.
A
Aftercare. Get some support for yourself as you could go into shock. Record what has happened and pass any details to emergency services.
FACES
IT HELPS YOU SPOT: the signs of heart failure.
“This is a chronic disease and many people have slowly developing symptoms which may be ignored, but diagnosis can both improve quality of life and survival,” says cardiologist Dr Stephen Gottlieb, who came up with the idea. It stands for:
F
Fatigue. Feeling tired and weak all the time.
A
Activities limited. Finding it hard to do simple activities like carrying groceries.
C
Chest congestion. A cough you can’t shake or unexplained wheezing.
E
Edema. Swelling of the ankles, feet, legs or belly.
S
Shortness of breath. Be that when walking or sitting down.
SIT DOWN, SIR
IT’LL HELP YOU: get the most out of your doctor’s appointment.
This mnemonic is what pharmacists will use to try and diagnose an illness, but it’s also a good list of things for you to think about when describing your symptoms to a GP:
S
Site of the symptoms. Where are you suffering?
I
Intensity or severity. On a scale of one to 10, how much does it hurt?
T
Type or nature. What does it actually do?
D
Duration. How long have you had it; how long does it last?
Ο
Onset. When did it start?
W
With. Did anything else happen at the same time?
N
Annoyed or aggravated by. What makes it worse?
S
Spread or radiation. Affect?
I
Incidence or frequency. How many times has it happened?
R
Relieved by. What makes it stop?
SNOOP
IT HELPS YOU: work out if a headache needs further investigation.
If you get regular headaches, or suffer with sudden pain, the first thing that pops into your head (after ‘where’s the painkiller?’) is ‘is this something serious?’. “In most cases it’s not, but a small number of people may suffer headaches that are caused by an underlying problem, such as an infection or brain tumour. SNOOP can help spot them,” says headache specialist Dr Todd Schwedt, one of the team who came up with the mnemonic. It can also pinpoint a migraine. Seek help if you have one or more of the following issues:
S
Systemic symptoms. Does your headache come with other symptoms, that is, fever, night sweats, visual disturbance, weight loss?
N
Neurological symptoms. Like weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
O
Onset. Did the pain suddenly become severe like a thunderclap, rather than gradually increasing?
O
Older onset. Are you over 50 and have just started suffering from headaches?
P
Prior history. If you get a substantial change in headache characteristics or frequency.
BEAT
HELPS YOU SPOT: potential signs of ovarian cancer.
Created by British charity Ovacome, BEAT gives you an idea of what symptoms should be investigated (don’t panic if you have them as they can also have many other causes). Knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer is vital to help women get diagnosed and start treatment early.
B
Bloating that is persistent and doesn’t come and go.
E
Eating less and feeling fuller.
A
Abdominal pain.
T
Tell your GP.
FAST
IT HELPS YOU DETERMINE IF: someone may have suffered a stroke.
“When a stroke occurs, the brain starts to die because it is not receiving vital nutrients. Act fast, though, and with the most common form of stroke, caused by a blood clot, rapid treatment with clot-busting drugs can reduce or, in some cases, reverse the consequences,” says Dr Erin Lalor. Remember:
F
Has their Face drooped?
A
Can they lift both Arms?
S
Is their Speech slurred?
T
Time is critical.
Call 0860 999 911 – https://www.bankmed.co.za/portal/individual/in-an-emergency
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