SAS Urban Survival Handbook (129 page)

Oil of bergamot, used in Earl Grey tea, contains agents that are suspected of being cancer-forming (though this is unproven). Even herbal teas, which can contain impurities, may have side effects. Some people may develop an allergy to camomile tea. Comfrey tea has been reported to cause liver toxicity and even liver damage.

Any kind of tea is best taken in moderation. It is wise not to drink the same variety of scented tea over long periods of time.

EMERGENCIES

There are numerous health emergencies that can occur or develop which might be hard to recognize. Some are much more common than others, but ALL of the following may be life-threatening.

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

Uncommon dangerous allergic reaction to a substance—penicillin, antitetanus, local anaesthetic, poison, drug, a particular food, an insect sting/ bite, a snake bite. Look for the possible cause.

SYMPTOMS
Pain in abdomen, swelling of the face, tongue or throat, diarrhoea, constriction of the airways to the lungs, itchy rash and a sudden lowering of blood pressure.

ACTION
Lay the victim down and raise his/her legs to ease the flow of blood to the heart and brain. If unconscious, place in recovery position. If breathing or heartbeat cease, give artificial respiration and/or cardiac compression (see
Save a life!
). In most cases, an injection of Adrenalin is required. Seek URGENT medical attention.

REMEMBER
ALWAYS carry a card which describes your particular allergy. People who are known to have a severe allergy which could lead to anaphylactic shock are encouraged to carry a syringe of Adrenalin at all times. If you know such a person, familiarize yourself with the procedure in case help is needed at any time.

APPENDICITIS

Acute and painful inflamation of the appendix. The cause is usually unknown, but may be due to an obstruction of the appendix by faeces. Without surgery, the appendix may become further inflamed and infected, which may cause gangrene (tissue death) in the appendix wall. The appendix may burst. Appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal surgery in developed countries. However, it is rare in the very young or the elderly.

SYMPTOMS
Discomfort in the central abdominal area. This commonly develops into a more intense pain in the lower right-hand side. It is usually accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, coated tongue and unpleasant breath.

ACTION
Seek URGENT medical attention.

GALLSTONES

Stones that develop in the gall bladder when a chemical imbalance occurs in the composition of bile.

SYMPTOMS
Most cases of gallstones do not have any symptoms, unless a stone becomes lodged and blocks the duct leading from the gall bladder. This can cause severe pain in the upper abdomen or between the shoulder blades, nausea and vomiting, flatulence, even jaundice.

ACTION
Seek medical attention, urgently if there is great pain or distress.

RISK GROUPS
Gallstones are unlikely to occur until after puberty. More women are affected than men—particularly if they have had several children. Being overweight adds to the risk.

HEPATITIS A, B & C

Inflammation of the liver, which is usually caused by viral infection. Hepatitis C (also known as non-A/non-B hepatitis) is caused by more than one virus.

Hepatitis A is transmitted by food and water that has been contaminated by faeces. Most of the world’s population has been infected by the virus at some point in life and a natural immunity has been established. Only those people with no immunity are at risk from the virus.

Hepatitis B is commonly transmitted sexually or by contaminated blood. Intravenous drug users are particularly at risk. Carriers may have no apparent symptoms and infect others unknowingly. A vaccine is available, but is only recommended for high-risk groups—people with many sexual partners, prostitutes and their clients, intravenous drug users, doctors and nurses. Preventative measures include practising safe sex, not sharing needles, and making sure that equipment for tattooing and ear or other piercing is properly sterilized.

Now that blood to be transfused is made safe by heat treatment, there is no danger of Hepatitis B or C being caused by blood transfusion in most countries. Transfusions and surgical procedures /equipment in underdeveloped countries, however, carry a greater risk to the patient.

SYMPTOMS
Slight to very severe flu-like symptoms, which do not pass. Weakness, lethargy, nausea (especially at the thought of food). Urine may be dark, while faeces may be pale. Jaundice tends to develop later.

ACTION
If a form of hepatitis is suspected, seek urgent medical attention. There is no direct treatment for types of viral hepatitis, but plenty of bed rest, a balanced diet and avoidance of alcohol all help.

KIDNEY FAILURE

Occurs when one or both kidneys become partially or totally unable to filter the blood (normally waste products are passed into the urine). Kidneys also help control blood pressure and salt levels. The condition may occur suddenly (acute) or over a period of time (chronic).

SYMPTOMS
Acute kidney failure is characterized by a reduced need to pass urine, lassitude, vomiting and shortness of breath. It may occur after serious illness, severe injury or physical shock, such as heart attack, heavy bleeding or burns.

Chronic kidney failure usually begins with nausea, loss of appetite and weakness. It may be a result of diseases that affect the kidneys such as diabetes mellitus. Diabetics should be aware of this risk. If the condition is not treated immediately it will lead to fatigue, vomiting, weight loss, headaches, bad breath, itchy skin and to collapse, coma and even death.

WARNING Acute kidney failure can be cured if treated without delay. If it is allowed to develop, chronic kidney failure cannot be cured. Seek urgent medical attention.

LIVER FAILURE

May be as a complication of acute/chronic hepatitis, but also associated with cirrhosis of the liver, which may be caused by alcoholism.

SYMPTOMS
Weakness and loss of appetite, vomiting, aching muscles, restlessness, fatigue and possibly coma. Jaundice may develop. The brain may be affected.

ACTION
Seek urgent medical attention.

MENINGITIS

Inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord usually caused by a bacterium or virus. A vaccination is available, but so far it is of only limited use. Bacterial meningitis is the more dangerous. Most cases are young children.

SYMPTOMS
Unremitting headache, fever, vomiting, and a need to keep away from light. Babies may have high-pitched cry, blotchy skin, fretfulness and difficulty with waking and feeding. Viral meningitis (fairly common in winter) is less serious and has influenza-like symptoms.

ACTION
Seek URGENT medical attention. Viral meningitis usually requires no actual treatment. The worst symptoms usually clear in a week or two, but some headache and lassitude can persist for as long as three months. Bacterial meningitis needs immediate treatment, usually with intravenous antibiotics. There is a slight risk of some damage being caused to the brain and the condition can be life-threatening.

PEPTIC ULCERS

These affect one in eight people at some time in their lives and may occur in the duodenum, stomach or oesophagus.

SYMPTOMS
May include a burning pain in the abdomen which is relieved by eating but returns after a few hours. A common complication is bleeding from the ulcer, which may result in blood being vomited and the production of black faeces. Such bleeding may cause anaemia and is life-threatening.

ACTION
If you think you may have a peptic ulcer, seek medical attention. Antacid medication will neutralize the excess acidity and help the ulcers to heal. Drugs to treat peptic ulcers are now commonly available.

REMEMBER
Some ulcers respond to self-help. Stop smoking, avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and aspirin, eat several small meals a day rather than two or three large ones. As psychological stress is a factor, investigate the causes of stress in your life, and look into relaxation techniques.

RUPTURES/HERNIAS

Ruptures/hernias are caused by an organ or other tissues pushing through a weak area of muscle. Usually abdominal, they have been known to occur where incisions have been made for an operation.

Groin ruptures are common. In men, these appear as a bulge in the groin or scrotum; in women, as a swelling at the top of the thigh. Sometimes the bulge can be pushed back, but when this is impossible, there may be great pain.

Ruptures and hernias are often caused by lifting heavy objects—especially in older people with weaker muscles, people who are overweight and people with a congenital abdominal weakness. Other causes are persistent coughing, straining to pass faeces and sporting injuries.
WARNING ‘Strangled’ hernia: A rupture which is accompanied by vomiting may indicate that the swelling has cut off the blood supply. Lay the victim in a half-sitting position with head and shoulders supported. Do not attempt to reduce swelling. Seek urgent medical attention. Surgery may be necessary.

SEPTICAEMIA

Serious, possibly life-threatening condition—otherwise known as blood poisoning. Caused by the multiplication of bacteria and the subsequent release of toxins. Septicaemia can result from an existing infection or an infected burn or wound. In some cases, septic shock may occur. This involves tissue damage and a dramatic drop in blood pressure, which interferes with the circulatory system and can damage the kidneys, heart and lungs.

SYMPTOMS
Shivering, fever, ‘panting’, headache and (usually) confusion or delirium. Hands may be hot. There may be rashes or jaundice. In septic shock, a feeble rapid pulse signals an emergency.

ACTION
Antibiotic drugs and intensive treatment mean that the likelihood of death through septicaemia has been greatly reduced. The survival rate for septic shock, however, is still as low as 50 per cent. Seek URGENT medical attention.

TETANUS

Disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) caused by the bacterium
Clostridium tetani.
Infection can occur through cuts and wounds. Tetanus vaccination is given as a matter of course to all children, in the UK at least. Booster vaccines are recommended every ten years. NEVER neglect any wound or animal bite, particularly if it is deep. Bathe wound immediately. ALWAYS seek medical attention.

SYMPTOMS
Contraction of the facial muscles resulting in a fixed grimace, stiffness at the hinges of the jaw (lockjaw) and aches in the back and abdomen. There may also be fever and heavy sweating. If untreated, there may be painful spasms in the muscles. Rarely, these lead to suffocation.

ACTION
Tetanus can be fatal, but the majority of people who are treated sufficiently early make a complete recovery. Seek URGENT medical attention.

SAVE A LIFE!

In an urban situation medical help is never very far away. A phone call will bring an ambulance. Untrained people should NOT attempt to give treatment that goes beyond first aid—which aims to sustain life and prevent the
situation deteriorating before medical help arrives.