If you have been diagnosed with a serious medical condition, you may want to consider the installation of a medical alert system in your home. Many chronic health problems can require an emergent response by emergency medical services.
Many types of seizure disorders can be debilitating and life altering; seizures often occurring with little or no warning. While some people may have brief aura that gives them an indication of an impending grand mal seizure, others may suddenly fall to the ground. A fall may cause a significant head injury and result in an unconscious condition. Lying unconscious poses its’ own risk. Breathing may be impeded if a person lies on their back with their tongue resting against the back of their throat. Living alone increases the risk for those living with a seizure disorder.
Insulin dependent diabetics must follow a strict dietary regimen in order to maintain their blood glucose levels at a stable level. Eating regularly is an important step as well as ensuring that they consume a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in their diet. Should their blood sugar levels become low, a period of confusion is likely and may be followed by unconsciousness. A grand mal seizure may also occur. Having a readily accessible medical alert can make summoning emergency medical help much easier and more expedient for those that are by themselves.
Individuals with high blood pressure are at risk for having a stroke (cerebral vascular accident). The new term for a stroke is “brain attack”, which implies an emergency and a need for urgent and immediate evaluation. A medical alert can ensure that precious minutes are not wasted and that stroke patients are assessed and treated rapidly. While a stroke may not render you unconscious, it often results in confusion, slurred speech, and paralysis. It may be very difficult to obtain help trying to use the phone. When you need it most, a medical alert can be there for you. Should it be determined that the stroke is the result of a clot in one of the blood vessels in the brain, drugs can be administered in an attempt to dissolve the clot and minimize permanent disability. The window for drug intervention is very limited, making a stroke a time sensitive emergency. Immediate transport by ambulance to a facility that specializes in strokes is indicated. Physicians rely on the C.T. scan as an important tool in the evaluation of stroke patients to differentiate whether the stroke is caused by a clot and resultant interruption of blood flow or by a bleed from a blood vessel.
Heart disease is often a silent killer and sudden death may be the first symptom. In the event that you are home alone and unable to call for help, a medical alert can provide immediate assistance. An advanced model of a medical alert is also available, capable of detecting whether you have fallen. In the event of an emergency, it can automatically contact the monitoring system who will dispatch an ambulance to your location.
A medical alert can play an important role in helping those with medical conditions achieve independence with daily living.
