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Chapter Five Sudden Illness
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Common signals of sudden illness:
Change in consciousness Breathing problems Signals of a heart attack Signals of a stroke Loss of vision Signals of shock Sweating Persistent abdominal pain or pressure Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Seizures
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When to call 9-1-1 Vomiting or passing blood
Severe burns Suspected poisoning Seizures or stroke Suspected or obvious injuries to the head, neck, or back Painful, swollen, deformed areas Unconscious or altered level Breathing problems Signals of a heart attack Persistent abdominal pain or pressure Severe bleeding
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What to do until help arrives -
Do no further harm Check the scene for safety and then the person Care for life threatening conditions first Help the person rest comfortably Keep the person’s body temperature normal Reassure the person Watch for changes in consciousness Do not give the person anything to eat or drink unless they are fully conscious, able to swallow and do not show signs of a stroke Help the person with their medication if asked
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Fainting Definition – a partial or complete loss of consciousness resulting from a temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain Signs and Symptoms Lightheaded or dizzy May show signs of shock Numbness or tingling in fingers and toes Sweating Vomiting Everything going dark
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Care for Fainting Care Lower the person to the ground Loosen tight clothing Check that the person is breathing Do not give them anything to eat or drink Roll onto side if they vomit Call if you are unsure of the victim’s condition
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Seizures Definition – an irregularity in the brain’s electrical activity, often marked by loss of consciousness and uncontrollable muscle movement; also called a convulsion The chronic condition is known as epilepsy Can be caused by injury, disease, fever, poisoning, or infection Febrile seizures are most common in children younger than 5 years.
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Signals of a seizure - A blank stare
A period of distorted sensation during which the person is unable to respond Uncontrolled muscular contractions, called convulsions, which last several minutes
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Signals of a febrile seizure -
Sudden rise in body temperature Change in consciousness Rhythmic jerking of head and limbs Loss of bladder or bowel control Confusion Crying out Becoming rigid Holding breath Upward rolling of eyes
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Call 9-1-1 if… The seizure lasts more than five minutes
This is the person’s first seizure The person has multiple seizures The person appears to be injured The cause of the seizure is unknown The person is pregnant The person is diabetic The seizure follows a quick rise in temperature The person fails to regain consciousness The seizure takes place in water The person is elderly and could have suffered a stroke The person is a young child or an infant and experienced a febrile seizure brought on by high fever
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Care for Someone Having a Seizure
Reassure the person Care for them the same way you would care for someone who is unconscious Do not put anything between their teeth Protect the person from being injured by moving nearby objects Protect the person’s head Roll them on to their side if there is fluid in their mouth
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Stroke Definition – also known as a brain attack, is a disruption of blood flow to a part of the brain, which causes permanent damage to brain tissue Mini-stroke– a temporary episode, like a stroke, is caused by a disruption of blood flow to the brain; someone who has a mini stroke is at high risk of having a full blown stroke.
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Risk Factors for Stroke
High Blood Pressure Puts added pressure on arteries and make them stiffer Controlled by losing weight, changing diet, exercising routinely and managing stress Diabetes Uncontrolled, the resulting elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels throughout the body
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Risk Factors for Stroke
Cigarette Smoking Smoking increases blood pressure, damages blood vessels and makes blood more likely to clot. Benefits of quitting smoking begin as soon as you stop. Ten years after quitting, a persons risk of stroke is about the same as someone who never smoked. Diet Diets that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol cause fatty materials to build up on the walls of the blood vessels. Fatty foods – egg yolks, beef, pork, ham, whole mild
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Preventing Stroke Control your blood pressure Quit smoking
Eat a healthy diet Exercise regularly Maintain a healthy weight Control diabetes
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Signals of a Stroke Having difficulty talking or being understood when speaking Facial droop or drooling Having blurred or dimmed vision Experience a sudden, severe headache, dizziness, or confusion Incontinence
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F.A.S.T. Face – weakness on one side of the face
Arm – weakness or numbness in one arm Speech – slurred speech or trouble speaking Time – Call and let the dispatcher know when the symptoms started
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Diabetes Definition – the inability of the body to change sugar from food to energy This can lead to other medical conditions such as – Blindness Nerve disease Kidney disease Heart disease Stroke
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Types of Diabetes Type I Type II Begins in childhood
Body produces little to no insulin No cure Type II Body makes insulin but not enough for the body’s needs Genetic or lifestyle factors
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Types of Diabetic Emergencies
Hyperglycemia Too much sugar in the blood Person may have not taken enough insulin or reacting badly to a meal Hypoglycemia Too little sugar in the blood Person may have taken too much insulin, eaten too little food, or overexerted him or herself.
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Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Emergencies
Changes in level of consciousness Changes in mood Rapid breathing or pulse Feeling or looking ill Dizziness and headache Confusion
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Care for Diabetic Emergencies
If the person is conscious – Help them eat or drink something with sugar in it – Fruit juice or table sugar dissolved in water Glucagon Help them get to their injectable medicine If they are unconscious – Call 9-1-1 Do not give them anything by mouth
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Allergic Reactions Allergic reactions are caused by over activity of the immune system against specific antigens (foreign substances) Antigens that often cause allergic reactions – Bee or insect Antibiotics Pollen Animal dander Latex Certain foods
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Allergic Reactions What to Look For -
Hives Itching Rash Weakness Nausea Stomach cramps Vomiting Dizziness Trouble breathing
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Call 9-1-1 if - Has trouble breathing
Complains of the throat tightening Explains that he or she is subject to severe allergic reactions Is unconscious
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What to do until help arrives -
Monitor the person’s breathing Give care for life-threatening conditions Check a conscious person to determine – The substance (antigen) involved The route of exposure The effects of the exposure Assist the person to use an Epi Pen Assist the person to take antihistamine Document any changes in the person’s condition
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How Poisons Enter the Body
A poison is any substance that causes injury, illness or death if it enters the body. A person can be poisoned by - Ingestion – foods, drugs, medications, household items, plants Inhalation – gases and fumes Absorption – plants, fertilizers, pesticides Injection – bites, stings, needles
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Checking the Scene for Poisoning
Check for clues about what happened Unusual odors Flames Spilled containers Try to get information from the victim or bystanders Try to find out – The type of poison The quantity taken When it was taken How much the person weighs
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Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Chest or abdominal pain Trouble breathing Sweating Changes in consciousness Headache Dizziness Burning or tearing eyes Burns around the lips, tongue, or on the skin
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General Care for Poisoning
Remove the person from the source of poison if the scene is dangerous. Check the person’s level of consciousness, breathing, and other signs of life. Care for any life threatening conditions. Gather information. Look for containers and take them with you to the phone. Call or the National Poison Control Center Follow the directions given to you by the professionals.
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Poison Control Centers
Dedicated to helping people deal with poisons. Many can be found in emergency departments of hospitals. Many poisonings can be cared for without the help of EMS, so PCCs help reduce the workload of the EMS system.
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Special Care Considerations
Toxic Fumes Person’s skin may turn pale and ashen Get the victim fresh air as soon as possible Chemicals Wet – flush the area for at least 20 minutes Dry – brush off the chemicals with a gloved hand, then flush the area with water
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Preventing Poisonings
Use cleaners in a well ventilated room. Wear protective clothing when working with chemicals. Read product information carefully. Never use someone else’s medication. Keep poisonous substance out of the reach of children and child proof cabinets.
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