Sudden IllnessWhen illness happens suddenly, it is hard to determine

what is wrong and what you should do to help.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

Changes in levels of consciousnessBreathing problemsSweatingNauseaDiarrheaSeizuresPersistent sweatingPossible heart attack Possible stroke

WHEN TO CALL 911:

Breathing problemsChest pain, discomfort or pressureVomiting blood or passing bloodSuspected poisoningSeizures StrokeSevere burnsSevere external bleeding

WHAT TO DO UNITL HELP ARRIVES:

Do no further harmCheck the scenesReassure the personWatch for changes in consciousnessAsk about medical conditionsAssist the person with prescribed

medicationHAINES if needed

FAINTING It is a temporary loss of consciousness

FAINTING

Occurs:◦When there is an

insufficient supply of blood to the brain for a short period of time

◦Usually is not harmful◦May be a more

serious condition

When about to faint:◦May become pale◦May begin to sweat◦May feel week or

dizzy

SEIZURESA result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain and causes temporary, involuntary changes in body movement, function, sensation, awareness, or behavior

SEIZURES

Epilepsy◦Chronic seizure

condition◦Usually can be

controlled with medication

Febrile Seizures◦Happens in young

children and infants◦Rapid increase in

body temperature

Things to look for:◦A blank stare◦Period of distorted

sensation during which the person is unable to respond

◦Uncontrolled muscular contractions called convulsions may occur and last several minutes

SEIZURES

When to call 911:◦Lasts more than 5

min.◦Multiple seizures◦ Injury◦Pregnancy◦Elderly◦First seizure◦Diabetic

What to do:◦Do not try to stop the

seizure◦Do not hold or

restrain the person◦Make sure the

environment is safe

STROKEIs caused when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off or when there is bleeding in the brain.

STROKE

Risk Factors◦High blood pressure◦Diabetes◦Cigarette smoking ◦Diet

Think FAST for a STROKE:◦F = Face◦A = Arms◦S = Speech◦T = Time

DIABETIC EMERGENCIES

Inability to convert sugar from food into energy. Can lead to other medical conditions such as blindness, nerve disease, kidney disease, heart disease, or stroke.

DIABETES

TYPE I DIABETIC:◦Usually occurs in

childhood◦Occurs when the

body produces little or no insulin

◦Most type I diabetics inject insulin into their bodies daily

TYPE II DIABETIC:◦Most common type◦Usually occurs in

adults◦Can occur in

overweight children◦Body makes insulin

but not what is needed

◦Exact cause unknown.

DIABETES

Hyperglycemia Hypoglycemia

Too much sugar in the blood.◦ May have not taken

enough insulin.◦ Person is reacting

adversely to a large meal or a meal high in carbohydrates.

Too little sugar in the blood.◦ May have taken too

much insulin◦ Person may have eaten

too little food or overexerted him/herself

◦ Can become life threatening

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Antigens than can cause reactions:◦Bee or insect venom◦Antibiotics◦Pollen◦Animal dander◦Latex◦Sulfa drugs◦Certain foods

What to look for:◦Hives◦ Itching ◦Rash◦Weakness◦Nausea◦Stomach cramps◦Vomiting◦Dizziness◦Trouble breathing

POISONING

A poison is any substance that causes injury, illness, or death if it enters the body. A person can be poisoned by swallowing poison, breathing it in, absorbing it through the skin, or have it injected into the body.

POISONING

Swallowed◦Foods, drugs,

medications, household items, and plants

Inhaled◦Gasses◦Fumes

Absorbed◦Plants, fertilizers,

pesticides

Injected◦Bites, stings, drugs,

medications

POISONING

Try to find out:

◦What type of poison?

◦How much was taken?

◦When it was taken?

◦How much do they weigh?

POISONING

What to look for:◦Nausea◦Diarrhea◦Pain in abdomen or

chest◦Trouble breathing◦Sweating◦Burns around lips,

tongue or skin◦Abnormal skin color◦ Irregular pupil size

What to do:◦Remove the person

from the source◦Check for

consciousness and breathing

◦Call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

◦Follow the directions of Poison Control

Special Considerations

Toxic Fumesfresh air

Chemicalsdependant on

wet or dry

Substance Abuse