Medical Treatment

The first priority in the emergency department is to protect the airway (breathing) and maintain adequate blood pressure.

The emergency team will make sure that your airway is open and that you are getting adequate oxygen.

• Oxygen may be given through tubes into the nose or by face mask.



• In severe respiratory distress, mechanical ventilation may be required. In this situation, a tube is placed via the mouth into the air passages to keep the airway open. The tube is connected to a ventilator ( providing oxygen directly into the lung )



• In rare cases, a simple surgery is performed to open an airway.

If blood pressure is dangerously low, medication to increase blood pressure will be given.

• An intravenous (IV) catheter may be inserted



• This is used to give saline solution to help boost blood pressure.



• The IV line may also be used to give medication.

You may need to be admitted to the hospital for further monitoring and treatment.