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southern new mexico surgery center
 
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    Older Adults

    When to Call for Help

    Anytime you're not comfortable with a medical situation, call 911 or your local emergency number, go to your nearest emergency room, or call your family healthcare provider.

    When to get help right away

    According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), these conditions need medical attention right away. Call 911:

    • Trouble breathing or shortness of breath

    • Choking

    • Chest or upper belly pain or pressure lasting 2 minutes or more

    • Fainting, sudden dizziness, or weakness

    • Changes in vision

    • Confusion or changes in mental status or unusual behavior

    • Any sudden or severe pain

    • Uncontrolled bleeding

    • Severe vomiting or diarrhea, or vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't stop

    • Coughing or vomiting blood

    • Feelings about harming yourself or others

    • Trouble speaking, or numbness or weakness in any part of your body 

    • Unusual belly pain

    Additional conditions

    Other conditions and symptoms that need emergency attention include:

    • Poisoning

    • Drug overdose

    • Loss of consciousness

    • Major burn

    • Spinal cord, head, or brain injury

    • Severe allergic reaction

    • A fast heartbeat (more than 120 to 150 beats per minute) at rest, especially if linked to shortness of breath or feeling faint

    • A broken bone with a piece of bone poking through the skin

    • Drowning

    Emergencies for children

    ACEP says to get help right away if any of the following occur:

    • Any significant change from normal behavior

    • Confusion or delirium

    • Child is less responsive or alert, or is unconscious

    • Very sleepy

    • Is irritable

    • Seizure or abnormal shaking or twitching

    • Strange or withdrawn behavior

    • Severe headache or vomiting, especially if the child injured their head

    • Uncontrolled bleeding

    • Child can't stand up or is unsteady when walking

    • Breathing problems

    • Skin or lips that look blue or purple, or gray for darker-skinned children

    • Trouble feeding or eating

    • Pain that gets worse or is very bad

    • Fever with a change in behavior. This could be a sudden, severe headache, mental changes, neck or back stiffness, or rashes.

    • Severe vomiting or diarrhea, or vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't stop

    When to call for help

    Remember, if you're not comfortable with a medical situation, call for help. By acting fast, you may prevent a serious emergency and could save a life.

    Online Medical Reviewer: Eric Perez MD
    Online Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD
    Online Medical Reviewer: Tara Novick BSN MSN
    Date Last Reviewed: 1/1/2023
    © 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

    Disclaimer