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.