Here’s a primer on how to ‌provide‌ ‌first‌ ‌aid‌ ‌in‌ ‌case‌ ‌of‌ ‌attacks‌ ‌

Our lifestyles have become such that we barely have any time to stand and stare. Unfortunately, our busy lifestyles do come at the cost of our health. This means that we ignore our health to make wealth, and when things go wrong, we lose wealth to make our health. Although hefty hospital bills could be a reality if you continue being casual, you can contain the situation at home, when it comes to certain conditions like heart attacks, stroke, panic attacks or even asthma attacks. The good news is that you can use first aid to handle all of them. 

But what exactly is first aid? As the name suggests, first aid is immediate assistance given to any person, suffering from a minor or serious illness or injury. This is done to preserve life or prevent the condition from worsening. 

The World First Aid Day 2021 was observed recently, and honestly, we can’t emphasise enough on its importance. 

Let’s find out different ways to use first aid for various health conditions: 

1. Heart attack

The increase in the incidence of heart attacks is alarming to say the least. What’s even more shocking is how age is no longer a bar, when it comes to cardiac-related illnesses today. A heart attack is generally characterised by chest pain, pressure or tightness. There’s pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or even the upper abdomen. 

Here’s what you can do:

1. First of all, do contact a local hospital for an emergency. 
2. Until then, chew an aspirin, since it helps the blood from clotting. 
3. In case you are helping a friend or relative, give them CPR, in case they are unconscious. 
4. Push hard and fast on the centre of their chest. 

Also, read: Big Boss 13 winner Sidharth Shukla’s death turns spotlight on increasing heart attacks among youngsters

2. Stroke

Another health condition that has become increasingly common is stroke. It happens when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted or reduced. This prevents the brain tissue from getting adequate oxygen and nutrients. This then leads to brain cells being killed in no time. 

Here’s what needs to be done:

1. Call for emergency help.
2. If you are taking care of someone who is having a stroke, check if they are breathing properly. If not, perform CPR. 
3. Loosen their clothing, in case it is tight or constrictive. 
4. Wrap a blanket around them, so that they can keep warm. 
5. Do not give them anything to drink or eat. 

3. Panic attack

As the name suggests, a panic attack is an episode, where a person experiences intense anxiety, which can then manifest in the form of a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness as well as muscle tension. 

Here’s what needs to be done:

1. Provide them reassurance, because you need to calm them down. 
2. Speak to them in a positive manner. 
3. Remove anything that causes them distress. 
4. Ask them to breathe deeply and calmly to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide. 
5. They can have small sips of water.
6. Try grounding techniques. 
7. Wrap them in a blanket, so that they feel warm. 
8. Ask them to focus on different sensations.

4. Asthma attack

When a person has an asthma attack, the airways become constricted, and extra mucus is produced. This causes the bronchial tubes to narrow down. An asthma attack may show up in the form of symptoms like coughing, wheezing and heavy breathing. 

Here’s what needs to be done:

1. Sit the person upright.

2. Give four puffs of the inhaler.
3. Wait four minutes. If there’s no improvement, give four more separate puffs.
4. If there is still no improvement, rush to a hospital. 

You may also like

Heart Failure: Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore Watch Video

Do you actually need a water flosser? Read Article