#AIR-CLINIC FIRST AID FRIDAY: Drug Overdose!

Hello Air-Clinicians & Friends,

Hurray! It's a First Aid Friday! Those who are interested in techniques for saving lives on the go will definitely enjoy these series of posts. We have treated drowning, snake bite, scorpion bite etcz. Let's delve into drug overdose.

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WHAT IS DRUG OVERDOSE?

According to Wikipedia;

Drug overdose (or simply overdose or OD) describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced. An overdose may result in a toxic state or death.

Drug overdose and intoxication are significant causes of accidental death. Drug overdoses are sometimes caused intentionally to commit suicide, parasuicide or as self-harm, but many drug overdoses are accidental, the result of intentional or unintentional misuse of medication.

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SYMPTOMS OF O.D

The symptoms of drug overdose is usually associated with the particular kind of drug involved. For example if it is a sympathomimetics agent it may lead to elevated blood pressure, heart rate, dilated pupils, and arrhythmias.

VICTIM MAY BE HAVING;

• Seizures
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of consciousness
• Vomiting
• Fever

A necessary sign that needs to be looked out for is the presence of the drug container beside a victim. Victim may also be known to be using such an agent for some time.

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FIRST AID THERAPY!

• Note the medication(s) involved because you may need to report it to the appropriate agents.
• It may be an illicit drugs or something common like paracetamol. Something common like paracetamol
• remember the mnemonic DR ABC
• CALL FOR HELP!
• Check for signs of life!
• Remove the remaining drugs from his/her mouth
• DO NOT do any maneuvers like giving oil or any any form of substance because it might make matters worse.
• Most times you need to rush patient to the nearest hospital. Time is of the essence here. Death could happen very quickly.
• At the hospital they can stabilize the airways and the heart. Additionally the use of antidotes and gastric lavage may be the difference between life and death.

Further tips...

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RESPONSIBLE DRUG USE

Responsible drug use maximizes the benefits and reduces the risk of negative impact on the lives of both the user and others.

Duncan and Gold argue that to use drugs and medicines responsibly, a person must adhere to a list of principles.:

• understanding and educating oneself on the effects, risks, side effects and legal status of the drug they are taking
  measuring accurate dosages, and take other precautions to reduce the risk of overdose when taking drugs where an overdose is possible.
• taking a small dose first when taking a new drug
• if possible, chemically testing all drugs before use to determine their purity and strength
• having a trip sitter (or "copilot") when taking hallucinogenic drugs
• avoiding mixing or combining drugs, especially unknown drugs and drugs with known dangerous interactions
• not trusting someone else with the responsibility for your health and safety
• knowing basic first-aid techniques and taking responsibility for applying them appropriately in cases of drug emergencies
  avoiding the injection of drugs
• recognizing that one's own drug-taking behavior and attitudes in the presence of others will influence others, especially children
• never tricking or persuade anyone to use a drug
• being morally conscious of the source of the drugs that a person is using

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STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS!!! MEDICATIONS MUST FOLLOW A PRESCRIPTION FROM A QUALIFIED HEALTH EXPERT!!

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