- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Emergency Department advises immediate treatment for Common Ailments
Head injuries, cuts and burns are the three most common accidents that happen in Abu Dhabi homes, and must be treated on an immediate basis, according to experts at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Emergency Department.
The most dangerous accidents are head injuries, which can lead to concussions. In some cases, the main danger can lie dormant as blood accumulates, causing pressure to build up in the skull and compress the brain tissue. This increase in pressure can lead to further brain injuries that can be life threatening, despite the signs not being obvious.
Dr. Jacques Kobersy, Chair of the Emergency Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: “It is important that anyone who has a head injury gets emergency medical evaluation as soon as possible, as there is a chance that a head injury can lead to a brain hemorrhage, or a hematoma – both of which can be fatal. Some symptoms that require urgent evaluation in an emergency department include bad headache, nausea or vomiting, visual changes, or loss of consciousness. When in doubt, it is best to get advice from an emergency department physician.”
Other common domestic accidents include cuts and burns, mainly due to incidents in the kitchen where knives and hot objects are commonplace.
Dr. Kobersy added: “If you cut yourself at home make sure to wash it with soap and water, apply a clean dressing, press down firmly on the wound, and raise it above your heart if possible. You can use any clean, absorbent material, such as a bandage, towel, or handkerchief. If the cut bleeds a lot, has a jagged edge, or is contaminated in any way, you should seek emergency medical attention.”
“For all burns we recommend that you visit an emergency department to dress the area correctly and receive appropriate management. However, for minor burns that you feel can be treated at home, you first should remove any constrictive clothing as burns can swell very quickly. Afterward, rinse the burned skin with cool water, not ice or ice water, as they can cause more damage, and keep rinsing until the pain dissipates. Although, if you have blisters, or the skin is discolored, you should come to an emergency department immediately to be assessed, added Dr. Kobersy.
After being treated at the emergency department for deep cuts or severe burns, those injured should monitor their wounds. It is important to check for redness, increased pain, pus, swollen glands, and fever, as these all can be signs of infection.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s 40-bed Emergency Department – which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year – is equipped with dedicated imaging and laboratory services to offer co-ordinated care to patients, and includes a Critical Care Transport services program.
The hospital is preparing to receive a higher number of walk-in patients during the first week of the Holy Month of Ramadan, when there is usually a rise in the number of people suffering from stomach ailments and issues caused by the heat.