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523 articles with this tag
A blocked airway, and what to do in the first seconds. Key takeaways Mild: can speak, cough or breathe — encourage coughing Severe: cannot speak, coug...
Continue Reading : Choking for Beginners: Where to Start
Controlling blood loss that will not stop on its own. Key takeaways First action: firm, steady direct pressure on the wound Do not remove: an embedded...
Continue Reading : The First Steps With Severe Bleeding
A severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction affecting breathing or circulation. Key takeaways First-line treatment: epinephrine, injected into the outer t...
Continue Reading : Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response: A Beginner-Friendly Start
Interruption of the blood supply to the brain, from a clot or a bleed. Key takeaways F.A.S.T.: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to...
Continue Reading : Suspected Stroke: A Beginner-Friendly Start
Blockage of a coronary artery, cutting off blood supply to part of the heart. Key takeaways Call 911: for chest discomfort lasting more than a few min...
Continue Reading : New to Suspected Heart Attack? Start Here
The body's extreme response to an infection, damaging its own tissues and organs. Key takeaways Can follow: any infection, including minor ones S...
Continue Reading : Sepsis: A Beginner-Friendly Start
Heat, chemical or electrical injury to the skin. Key takeaways Cooling: cool or cold running water (not ice) for at least 10 minutes Never use: ice, b...
Continue Reading : Burns and Scalds for Beginners: Where to Start
Injury to the head, from a minor bump to significant trauma. Key takeaways Blood thinners: any head injury needs prompt medical assessment Delayed sym...
Continue Reading : New to Head Injury? Start Here
Choosing a primary care provider — a family medicine, internal medicine or pediatric clinician — who becomes your regular starting point for care. Key...
Continue Reading : The First Steps With Finding a Primary Care Doctor
The hospital emergency room (emergency department), open around the clock for serious injury and illness. Key takeaways What it is for: chest pain, tr...
Continue Reading : When to Go to the ER: A Beginner-Friendly Start
The options between your regular doctor and the ER: after-hours lines, nurse advice lines, telehealth visits and urgent care centers. Key takeaways Nu...
Continue Reading : Using a Nurse Line or Urgent Care: A Beginner-Friendly Start
A scan that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to image soft tissue, with no X-rays involved. Key takeaways How long it takes: roughly 15 to...
Continue Reading : Having an MRI Scan for Beginners: Where to Start A sample taken from a vein, usually in the arm, for one of hundreds of different lab tests. Key takeaways How long it takes: usually under five minute...
Continue Reading : The First Steps With Having a Blood Test The steps that may be needed before you see a specialist or have a test or treatment covered: a referral from your primary care doctor, approval from...
Continue Reading : New to Getting a Referral and Prior Authorization? Start Here Asking a different clinician to review your diagnosis or treatment plan. Key takeaways Medicare: Part B covers a second opinion before surgery that is...
Continue Reading : Starting Out With Asking for a Second Opinion