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Warning-sign checks

Occupational therapy: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, including chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, sudden weakness or speech difficulty, or a serious fall with a head injury.

    These are not expected effects of occupational therapy and should not wait for a routine OT appointment.

The article also says

Contact your occupational therapist or healthcare team routinely if an activity programme causes increasing pain, repeated dizziness, unusual fatigue, or new difficulty completing daily tasks.

Also call if a splint or device causes redness, swelling, numbness, skin damage, or persistent pressure.

Report falls during therapy or at home, even if there was no obvious injury.

Your plan or equipment may need review.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Occupational therapy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.