chapter 15 sudden illness. types of sudden illnesses 1. fainting 2. diabetic emergency 3. seizures...

Chapter 15Sudden Illness

Types of Sudden Illnesses1. Fainting

2. Diabetic emergency

3. Seizures

4. Stroke

5. Poisoning

6. Heart attack

7. Shock

Fainting• One of the most common sudden illnesses

• Definition-partial or complete loss of consciousness.

• Cause-temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain due to

1. stressful event

2.disturbing site

3. getting up too quicklyhttp://www.wimp.com/faintinggoats/

Sign and symptoms• Loss of consciousness

• Light headed/dizzy

• Pale/cool skin

• Sweating

• Vomiting

• Distortion of vision

• Feeling or looking ill

Care for fainting1. Try to catch the person

2. Position person on their back

3. Elevate the legs 12 inches- to keep blood to vital organs.

4. Loosen restrictive clothing

5. Check for life-threatening conditions

6. Do not give food or drink

7. Do not slap person or pour water on them.

Diabetic Emergencies• Diabetes mellitus-a condition where the

body does not produce enough insulin or use insulin effectively.

• Insulin is a hormone that allows sugars to be passed into our cells for energy.

• A diabetic emergency-is an imbalance of insulin and sugar in the bloodstream.

2 types of diabetes

1. Type I (juvenile diabetes)-the body produces little or no insulin.

INSULIN IS PRODUCED IN THE PANCREAS

2. Type II (adult onset diabetes)-body produces insulin but the cells do not use the insulin correctly or not enough insulin is produced.

Signs of a Diabetic Emergency• Changes in levels of consciousness• Irregular breathing• Rapid pulse• Feeling or looking ill• Fruity breathe• Irregular behavior- “out of it” or

dazed

Treatment• Check for life threatening conditions

• Give person sugar fluids or food ie. Candy, fruit juice or non diet soda.

• If victim doesn’t feel better within 5 minutes call 911

• Insulin shock (hypoglycemia)-too much insulin, low sugar level

• Diabetic coma (hyperglycemia)-

High blood sugar level, low insulin.

Seizures• Irregular loss of body control due to abnormal

electrical activity in the brain.Epilepsy is a chronic conditions that needs

medicine• Signs and Symptoms1. Aura-unusual sensation or feeling2. Uncontrollable tremors-grand mal seizure3. Blank stare-petit seizure4. Irregular breathing5. Eyes roll back

Treatment• Protect the head/prevent further injury

• Do not restrain

• Move objects away from them

• Call 911 if first time or longer than 5 min.

• Do not try to put anything in the mouth

• Position person on their side

• Speak calmly and reassure them

Febrile Seizure• Happens to infants who are running a high

fever quickly.

• Additional Treatment: Cool the body slowly

• Call 911 for first time.

6 Instances for calling 911 for a seizure victim

• 1. if seizure lasts more than 5 minutes

• 2. if the person has multiple seizures

• 3. if the person DOESN’T regain consciousness

• 4. if the person is pregnant

• 5. if it is a febrile seizure

• 6. if the seizure occurs in water

Stroke2 Kinds1.Disruption of the blood

flow in the brain caused by a clot (thrombus or embolus)

TIA-Transient Ischemic Attack-temporary disruption of blood flow

2. Bleeding from a ruptured artery (aneurysm)

Signs and Symptoms• F.A.S.T-Face, Arm, Speech, Time• Numbness and tingling• Paralysis• Dizzy• Vision problemsTreatmentCall 911 immediately-TIME SENSITIVE!!!Monitor life threatening conditionsPosition so fluids can drain from mouth if

paralyzed.

Hypertension-high blood pressure• You are 7 times more likely to have a

stroke if you have high blood pressure.

Things you can do:

• Exercise

• Do not smoke

• Eat healthy

• Get annual physical examinations

General guidelines for treating sudden illnesses

• Do no further harm

• Monitor ABCs and consciousness

• Help victim rest comfortably

• Keep them from getting chilled or overheated

• Reassure victim

• **you need to know when 911 is needed and when it is not.

• *give specific care as needed.