Minor Emergencies

Idiopathic Facial Paralysis (Bell Palsy)

Presentation The patient with Bell palsy can present with any of the following signs or symptoms: sudden onset of facial numbness; a feeling of fullness or swelling; periauricular pain; muscular facial asymmetry; an irritated, dry, or tearing eye; drooling; or…

Psychogenic Nonepileptic Attack: (Dissociative Convulsions)

Presentation The patient with psychogenic nonepileptic attack (PNEA), also known as psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNES), typically presents with the appearance of having tonic-clonic seizure activity or can develop this during a visit. There may be a history of sexual abuse,…

Hyperventilation

Presentation The patient presenting with hyperventilation syndrome typically appears anxious and exhibits shortness of breath with an inability to fill the lungs adequately. The patient also may have palpitations, dizziness, intense anxiety, fear, chest or abdominal pain, tingling or numbness…

Heat Illness : (Heat Syncope, Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion)

Presentation Heat illnesses comprise a spectrum of illnesses resulting from failure of the body’s normal thermoregulatory mechanisms after exposure to excessive heat. Most heat-related illness is mild; however, severe hyperthermia associated with heat stroke, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, or serotonin syndrome…

Acute Dystonic Drug Reaction

Presentation The patient with a dystonic reaction to a neuroleptic or other agent typically presents to the emergency department (ED) or urgent care center with posturing, facial grimacing and involuntary muscle movements, and/or difficulty speaking. Pain is minimal, if at…