Toxicologic and Environmental Emergencies

Injuries due to cold weather are common among children and athletes who are involved in exercises and sports that are usually played in extremely cold conditions. Frostbite is defined as a direct freezing injury to the peripheral tissues and occurs when the skin temperature drops below -0.5 C. Common sites of frostbite including the nose, ears, fingers, and toes. These regions of the human body are far from the body’s core and are more likely to undergo vasoconstriction if they become too cold. Hypothermia can be defined as a drop in the core body temperature below 35 C. In this article, we will discuss the prevention and management of hypothermia and frostbite injury.

Drowning is defined as the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in a liquid. Submersion happens when the person’s airway goes below the surface of a liquid, whereas, immersion is a mechanism of drowning that involves water splashing over the face. In this article, you will gain an overview of drowning and learn more about the pathophysiology and in-water resuscitation for the perfect emergency medicine preparation.

Harbingers of summer, the first rays of sun are tempting us to go outside. Temperatures are still moderate but with a rising thermometer value, one should keep in mind the dangers that result from heat exposure over a long time. Thermic emergencies are often underestimated; however, they can be lethal. Burns and electric shocks also damage the tissue through heat. Learn more about these three types of thermic injury and how to act in case of an emergency.

The typical situation of an anaphylactic emergency: as an emergency physician you are called to a child who was stung by a wasp while playing in a swimming pool. When you arrive, the little patient is barely conscious, the skin is red and covered with welts. The carotid pulse is barely palpable. The connected ECG shows a tachycardia of 180/min. In addition, you recognize a strong wheezing and humming in all lung sections. The diagnosis of anaphylactic shock is made quickly. But how do you react properly in this situation? And what are the causes of this disease? Answers can be found here.

Regardless which specialization you choose later, you should know the main symptoms and treatment of the most common drug intoxications. Be it older patients with dementia, patients with a history of drug abuse or accidental poisoning in children after playing with the medicine cabinet. Brush up your knowledge for exams and practice and read everything relevant to the 5 major drug intoxications!