In the modern world of 2023, medicine and healthcare systems have advanced to the stage where a range of life-threatening conditions may not result in the death of a patient who experiences them. Only a few decades ago, some severe and chronic illnesses lacked suitable treatment pathways and effective interventions, and in some cases, many people who had these conditions were expected to decline without much hope.
Thanks to the rapid rate of innovation in healthcare systems and hospitals, new technology and medical treatments are emerging every year. These improvements can lead to seriously ill people recovering and continuing to live a healthy, happy life. In this article, three severe medical conditions will be explored in detail. There will also be a discussion of some of the current treatments and interventions that are used by medical professionals to help patients recover.
Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires rapid assessment and transport to a healthcare facility. There are two basic types of strokes: those caused by a blockage in the blood vessels in the brain (known as an ischaemic stroke) and those that are caused by a rupture in the blood vessels in the brain that leads to internal bleeding (a hemorrhagic stroke). Both types of stroke will elicit an emergency medical response, but in the case of ischaemic strokes, medical professionals may use advanced clot-busting drugs to resolve the blockage (known as thrombolysis).
This treatment has proven to be incredibly effective in treating ischaemic stroke patients. After a person has a stroke and enters the recovery phase, they may suffer from severe difficulties in swallowing (dysphagia) that have been caused by neurological damage in the brain. In these cases, specific food-thickening products, such as those produced by Simply Thick LLC, can be used. These thickening agents are put into patients’ food and beverages and allow meals and drinks to be swallowed far more easily.
Heart attacks
Heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarctions, are another life-threatening medical condition that can lead to cardiac arrest and the patient’s eventual death if immediate medical interventions are not received. When a person experiences a heart attack, they may also feel intense pain in their chest, shoulder, or jaw (although this is not always the case if a person experiences a “silent MI”).
Common treatments include the use of GTN sprays and aspirin, which help to dilate the blood vessels. If a person is monitored by medical staff and found to have a shockable cardiac rhythm, they may be defibrillated by using an AED. This aims to restart the heart into a more regular rhythm. In 2023 many shopping malls and public locations have such equipment installed that is simple enough for an untrained member of the public to use in an emergency.
Cancer
There is a wide range of cancers that can pose life-threatening health implications to patients. Pancreatic cancer in particular is extremely aggressive and, even today, has high rates of mortality associated with it. Depending on the location and stage of the cancer formation in the body, a range of treatments may be prescribed.
Commonly, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells and halt their growth and spread. In recent years, research into the use of stem cell therapies and even nanotechnology is being investigated in an attempt to find less invasive and more successful treatments for cancer patients.
