PALPITATIONS
Palpitation is a common, unpleasant symptom defined as perceiving one's own heartbeat, without doing it consciously. It is perceived as shakes or thumps, with a feeling of "heart upside down".
Different diseases may cause it; heart diseases stand out among them (rhythm disturbances), as well as anaemia, hypoglycaemia, toxics (coffee, tea and alcohol), various drugs, etc. However, most cases have a psychological basis: anxiety disorders (stress) are one of the frequent causes of palpitations.
The treatment of palpitations usually depends on the cause, but it is very important to reassure the patient, giving him 5 mg of diazepam (DRAWER 4, first aid kits A, B, and C) and if very anxious, half a tablet orally, if possible, or half an ampoule intramuscularly otherwise.
If palpitation episodes are short and sporadic, we will reassure the patient. If they persist, ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .