What did you say?: Wetin' be "slumped"?

Challenging misconceptions and false ideas around health. This post aims to help explore terms used with regards to health and improve your understanding of what it really means and how to approach the situation.

Fresh fruits and vegetables available in a Nigerian market

So, I have heard this term in so many places over the years, including those Mount Zion movies of yester-year. However, contrary to popular belief, “slumped”, is not a medical diagnosis. People don’t slump and die, they may, however, have had a cardiac arrest.

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Cardiac arrest

What is it?

Someone’s heart stops beating

How do you recognise it?

Person is unresponsive, not breathing normally or not breathing at all, you can’t feel a pulse.

What needs to be done?

1. Call for emergency help!

2. Start chest compressions.

3. Ideally, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be taught by a trained professional. The idea is to help keep blood flowing around the person’s body by pumping the heart for them when it has stopped pumping itself. This, if started early, can help improve the chances that that person recovers.

The video below gives instructions on how this is done. It does mention rescue breaths but if you are not comfortable to do so, compression only CPR is also VERY HELPFUL!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/zrkgydm

Disclaimer: All my posts aim to provide general health information and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for personal health concerns.