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Health & Nutrition:
Self Care

Isn't it dangerous to take care of yourself?

The concern that you might miss an emergency condition is the most common barrier to using self-care strategies. Health emergencies are those situations in which seconds and minutes count. The wrong action, or lack of action, can cause permanent disability or even death. A true emergency is not the time to use the full self-care decision-making process! Careful observation can lead to a better decision about first aid and seeking emergency care. A true emergency will usually provide signals for action such as :

• Difficulty with breathing
• Signs of poor circulation, pale, gray, or blue mucus membranes or skin color, cold sweat
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Mental confusion or unconsciousness
  
• Obviously broken bones protruding through skin, or deformed
• Deep, or large burns
• Pain, especially in upper chest or abdomen
• Weakness on one side of the body

If you observe these general body responses which indicate an emergency, seek immediate medical care. If not, use a few minutes to investigate the health concern. If in doubt, get help…self care is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare provider, or substitute for professional healthcare.