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
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