2. Introduction Some illnesses develop over time (chronic), whereas others can strike without a moment’s notice (acute). By knowing the signals of sudden illness and paying careful attention to details at the emergency scene, you can determine how best to help a victim of sudden illness. You do not need to know the exact cause of the illness to give appropriate care. No Diagnosis needed! Always follow the emergency action steps: CHECK—CALL—CARE.

3. Fainting Fainting or syncope is a common sudden illness characterized by a partial or complete loss of consciousness. Fainting is caused by a temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain. The victim will commonly display shock-like signals, such as—  Cool, pale, moist skin.  Nausea.  Numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes.

4. Fainting (continued) Additional signals that precede fainting include—  Sweating.  Vomiting.  Distortion or dimming of vision.  Head or abdominal pain.

5. Care for Fainting General care for sudden illness:  - Position the victim on the back on a flat surface. Elevate the legs about 12 inches.  - Loosen any restrictive clothing.  - Check for any other life-threatening and non-life- threatening conditions.  - Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink.  - Do not splash the victim with water or slap his or her face.  - As long as the fainting victim recovers quickly and has not lasting signals, you may or may not need to call 9-7-7 or the local emergency number.

6. Post Fainting Management Get up slowly. Check vital signs. Ask about specific medications or management related to chronic disease, if present. Offer juice. If not contra indicated. Keep in clinic for a half hour or longer Avoid driving. Leave with an adult to continue to observe

7. Post Fainting Management Advise client to contact doctor if head injury or seizure activity. Document incident Follow-up with client later if seizure activity, injury or prolonged fainting episode.

8. Fainting Prevention - limit standing and waiting. Watch for people who look anxious, pale, sweaty, trembling or complain of dizziness, numbness or tingling. - Activate Stress free Clinics System.

9. Diabetic Emergency: Diabetes is a medical condition in which there is little or no insulin production in the pancreas. The result is an inability to process carbohydrates, fats and proteins correctly.

10. Diabetic Emergencies A situation in which a victim becomes ill because of an imbalance of insulin and sugar in the bloodstream is called a diabetic emergency. There are two types of diabetic emergencies:  Hyperglycemia: the insulin level in the body is too low  Hypoglycemia: the insulin level in the body is too high

11. Most patients with diabetes manage their condition well with diet and/or self- administered insulin. Sometimes sugar levels may drop and the patient needs urgent first aid. This condition is called hypoglycaemia.

12. Symptoms and signs Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are different conditions, but their primary signals are similar. Symptoms and signs – Not all may be present extreme tiredness and loss of concentration severe thirst abdominal pain nausea or vomiting dizziness and loss of coordination erratic or argumentative behaviour rapid loss of consciousness if not treated promptly persistent headache pale or sweaty skin

13. Care for a Diabetic Emergency 1. If conscious: give the patient some sugar. If the patient is still fully conscious and able to swallow, give a sweetened drink, chocolate or glucose sweets to suck – an improvement usually occurs within minutes. When the patient is more alert, offer a more substantial carbohydrate meal of a sandwich or several sweet biscuits.

14. Care for a Diabetic Emergency (continued) 2. If unconscious: It is common for these patients to be unconscious. If so, - Check and care for any life-threatening conditions. support the patient on their side and call 997 for an ambulance. In this situation, DO NOT give the patient anything to eat or drink. Give frequent reassurance during recovery because the patient may be confused until fully recovered.

15. Obtain medical advice: If the patient has improved with the intake of carbohydrate, medical advice is still necessary because a further deterioration may occur at any time. The patient should see a doctor. If the patient does not improve after swallowing the sweet food or drink, or if further deterioration occurs and swallowing becomes difficult – call 977 for an ambulance.

16. DO NOT try to give the patient a dose of insulin because this can be dangerous unless a medical assessment has been carried out and the patient’s blood sugar level tested.

17. Seizures

18. Seizures may be caused by an acute or chronic condition. The chronic form of seizure is known as epilepsy. Before a seizure occurs, the victim may experience an aura- “zone out”. Seizures can range from mild blackouts to sudden, uncontrolled muscular contractions that can last several minutes. Seizures:

19. Febrile seizures are most common in children under the age of 5 and can be triggered by infections of the ear, throat or digestive system or when an infant or child runs a fever of over (39°). Seizures (continued)

20. A febrile seizure may have some or all of the following signals:  - A sudden rise in body temperature  - A change in the level of consciousness  - Rhythmic jerking of the head and limbs  - Urinating or defecating  - Confusion signals of S eizures

21.  - Drowsiness  - Crying out  - Becoming rigid  - Holding the breath  - Upward rolling of the eyes

22. Do not try to hold or restrain the victim. Protect the victim from injury and maintain an open airway. Remove nearby objects that could cause injury. After the seizure, position him or her on one side so that fluid can drain from the mouth. Check for life-threatening conditions. Stay with the victim until he or she is fully conscious and aware of his or her surroundings. Call 9-7-7 or the local emergency number, if necessary. Care for a Seizure

24. 16 May 2015Growth & Development