Respiratory Problems, Age 12 And Older: Emergencies
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Emergencies
Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
- Breathing stops.
Note:
If breathing has stopped, after calling 911 or other emergency services, see Rescue Breathing and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the topic Dealing With Emergencies.- Moderate to severe difficulty breathing occurs.
- Difficulty breathing and choking on an object in the windpipe occurs.
Note:
If choking is present, go to the topic Choking Rescue Procedure. Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver if the person is still coughing or able to speak.- Chest discomfort or pain is crushing or squeezing or feels like a heavy weight on the chest.
- Chest discomfort or pain occurs with:
- Sweating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Pain that spreads from the chest to the back, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or one or both shoulders or arms. See an illustration of chest pain
.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- A fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
- Rapid swelling of the throat or tongue (angioedema) occurs.
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| Last updated: | March 06, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Editors: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer |
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