AlphaCare Regional Day of Grifols in Hamburg – Topic: Emergency management in cases of respiratory distress
Author
Marion Deter, as published in Alpha1 Journal 1-2019
AlphaCare hosted a regional event with Dr. Deimling from Schleswig as the speaker. His topic was emergency management for respiratory distress, which he presented very well and clearly. With 33 participants, the event was well-attended and featured lively interaction with the speaker.
Many people experience shortness of breath and then panic. That's why it's important to stay calm and breathe slowly. Everyone who hears this immediately thinks it's impossible. But Dr. Deimling explained to us that the air needs to be released (overinflation). Therefore, everyone should practice slow breathing calmly (as part of their normal daily routine), for example, using pursed-lip breathing. Only those who can mentally understand it will be better able to implement it in an emergency. The mind plays a significant role in this.
Shortness of breath can have many causes, such as infection, cold air, and changes in air pressure.
In the case of an infection, there are several signs that indicate a worsening of the illness: frequent use of the emergency inhaler, increase in cough and mucus, possibly greenish sputum, decrease in peak flow value, and exhaustion.
Anyone experiencing these signs should take action to prevent the situation from worsening. However, these signs often appear when the family doctor is unavailable. Therefore, it is all the more important to develop an emergency action plan with your doctor. This plan may include:
- Which spray can be used how often per day at most,
- how it can be inhaled (amount, frequency),
- Cortisone (amount, frequency), it is important to know that cortisone can raise blood sugar and lead to sleep problems.
Of course, the action plan is no guarantee that the overall situation will improve. A high fever (over 38.5°C), lethargy, fatigue, and the symptoms mentioned above may develop, and they may worsen. If this happens, action must be taken. In an emergency, call emergency services and, if necessary, be admitted to the hospital.
Everyone can prepare for this exceptional situation in case the caller panics and doesn't know where to call emergency services. It helps to keep a piece of paper with your name and address next to the phone; then you only need to read it, preventing further panic.
It would also be advisable to prepare an "emergency information sheet/folder," which simplifies the work for the emergency services or hospital because the sheet can be taken along. It should contain the following current information.
- Name and health insurance company
- disease
- Medication plan
- Allergies
- Telephone number of relatives
- Possibly copies of the latest doctor's or hospital reports.
- possibly care level and care service
Everyone can carry this basic information in their wallet in case something happens while traveling.
These are all situations that nobody wants to imagine, but should they occur, it is important to be prepared so that no additional panic arises because of the data.
Dr. Deimling emphasized that every manager is aware of their illness and can therefore to some extent control how emergency management in the event of respiratory distress would look.
Marion Deter, as published in Alpha1 Journal 1-2019.
The AlphaCare Regional Days are a collaboration between Alpha1 Germany e.V. and Grifols Germany GmbH. The aim is to link theory and practice through interesting and informative topics. You can expect interactive exercises, informative presentations, and an intensive exchange with other affected individuals and their families.
You can find more information about AlphaCare on the official website.
