1. Sudden Illness
Part 5 - Chapter 15

2. Sudden Illnesses Sudden illness may result in one of two ways:
Acute: results from a condition that is rapid and severe onset
Chronic: results from a persistent condition that continues or develops over a long period of time

3. Signals of Sudden Illness
Common signals include:
Changes in level of consciousness
Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, drowsy, or confused
Becoming unconscious
Breathing and seeing problems
Signals of possible heart attack
Signals of stroke or shock
Sweating, nausea, vomiting, seizures

4. Care for Sudden Illness
Do no further harm
Monitor level of consciousness
Help the person rest comfortably
Keep the person from getting chilled or overheated
Comfort and reassure the person
Give specific care as needed

5. Specific Sudden Illnesses
Fainting
Diabetic Emergencies
Seizures
Stroke

6. Fainting Signals: Person suddenly becomes pale Ashen, cool, moist skin
Feel lightheaded, weak, or dizzy
Care:
Position the person on their back, lying flat
Loosen tight clothing
Check for breathing
Roll to one side if vomiting

7. Diabetic Emergencies
Diabetes: The inability of the body to change sugar (glucose) from food into energy
Two major types of diabetes:
Type I: Previously known as juvenile diabetes; body produces little or no insulin
Type II: Most common type; body becomes resistant to insulin

8. Diabetic Emergencies Signals of Type I Diabetes: Frequent urination
Increased hunger and thirst
Unexpected weight loss
Irritability
Weakness and fatigue
Signals of Type II Diabetes:
Slow healing time, itching
Frequent infections, especially in skin, gums, and bladder
Blurred vision
Numbness in legs, feet, and fingers

9. Diabetic Emergencies
Diabetic Emergency - Caused by an imbalance between sugar and insulin in the body
Hyperglycemia - Insulin in the body is too low and sugar levels begin to rise too high
Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Acidity levels in the blood increase due to waste production
Diabetic Coma - Results if Diabetic Ketoacidosis is not treated
Hypoglycemia - Insulin is too high and blood sugar is low
Insulin Shock - Life-threatening condition that can result from untreated hypoglycemia

10. Signals and Care for Diabetic Emergencies
Changes in level on consciousness
Changes in mood
Irregular breathing
Feeling and looking ill
Abnormal skin appearance
Dizziness, headache, confusion
Care:
If the diabetic person is conscious and able to swallow, give them sugar in the form of glucose tablets
Call if:
Person is unconscious
Person is conscious but unable to swallow
Sugar does not help
You cannot find sugar

11. Types of Seizures Generalized (Grand Mal)
Most well-known, involve both halves of the brain
Stages include:
Aura phase
Tonic phase
Clonic phase
Post-ictal phase
Partial
Simple or complex
Absence (Petit Mal)
Most common in children
Febrile
Children and infants
Brought on by a rapid increase of body temperature

12. Epilepsy
A common neurological disorder affecting about 3 million people in the U.S.
Describes a group of disorders in which the person experiences recurrent seizures as the main symptom

13. Care for Seizures
Move nearby objects such as furniture away from the person
Do not place anything in the mouth
Afterwards, position the person in the H.A.I.N.E.S. recovery position

14. Stroke Signals of Stroke Facial droop or drooling
Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
Trouble with speech
Loss of vision or disturbed vision
Sudden severe headache
Dizziness, confusion, or agitation
Care for Stroke
Call immediately
Note the time of onset of signals and report to EMS
Maintain open airway if the person is unconscious
Identify signals using FAST
Face
Arm
Speech
Time