Sudden Illness PERIOD 5- MR. HAMILL

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ▪ Changes in level of consciousness ▪ Breathing Problems ▪ Signals of heart attack i.e. chest pain, discomfort that is long lasting ▪ Stroke signals- sudden weakness on one side of body, face drooping, slurred speech ▪ Loss of vision or blurred vision ▪ Signals of shock ▪ Seizures

When to Call ▪ Unconsciousness or altered levels of consciousness ▪ Breathing problems ▪ No breathing ▪ Chest pain ▪ Persistent Abdominal pain or pressure ▪ Severe external bleeding ▪ Vomiting blood ▪ Severe burns ▪ Seizures ▪ Strokes ▪ Suspected Poisonings ▪ Pain swollen areas, deformed areas

What to Do Until Help Arrives ▪ Do Not Further Harm ▪ Check for safety ▪ Care first for life threatening situations ▪ Help person rest in comfortable position ▪ Help regulate temperature ▪ Reassurance ▪ Note any changes

Fainting ▪ Loss of consciousness ▪ Occurs from insufficient blood flow to brain in a short time ▪ ^Caused by widening of blood vessels in the rest of the body ▪ Usually short term not serious

Fainting Symptoms ▪ Becomes Pale ▪ Begins to Sweat ▪ Becomes Weak ▪ Feels Dizzy ▪ Help the person by having them rest or sit down or kneel ▪ Call if in doubt about a person’s condition ▪ Lower person to ground and have them lay flat on a flat surface ▪ Loosen any tight clothing, check for breathing

Seizures ▪ Caused by disturbances to the brain (injury, diseases, fever, infections, etc.) ▪ The result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain ▪ Causes involuntary movements, functions, sensation, awareness, or behavior

Epilepsy A chronic seizure condition About 3 million Americans have some form Usually controlled by medication Can be caused by a variety of factors

Febrile Seizures Most common in children under the age of 5 Caused by the rapid increase in temperature in the human body Infections of the ear, throat, or digestive system A child experiencing a febrile seizure may have: A blank stare A period of distorted sensation during which the person is unable to respond Uncontrolled muscular contractions called convulsions

When to Call The seizure has lasted more than 5 minutes The individual has multiple seizures with no sign of improvement The individual does not regain consciousness or is injured The cause is unknown The individual is pregnant The person has diabetes A young child or infant who had a febrile seizure brought on by high temperatures Seizures takes place in water A person’s first seizure

What to Do Do not try to stop the seizure General Principles: Prevent Injury, Protect person’s airway, and make sure breathing and airway are open after seizure Do not hold or restrain person Do not put anything in between teeth or in person’s mouth Remove any environmental obstructions When the seizure has ceased check for breathing Fluids in mouth exist, roll individual onto their side Febrile seizures=cool body down

Stroke Third leading killer and leading cause of long-term disability in the United States Stroke is also called a brain attack Caused from blood flow being cut-off to part of the brain or bleeding brain Can cause permanent brain damage, sometimes reversible or can be stopped Usually caused by blockages in the arteries leading to the brain leading to the brain suffocating Blood clots also can be a common reason for a stroke to occur Mini-Strokes can occur and can be a warning signal

Risk Factors Similar to heart disease risk factors Age Gender Family History High Blood Pressure Diabetes Cigarette Smoking Diet

What to Look For Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg Facial droop or drooling Trouble with speech Loss of vision or disturbed vision in one or both eyes Sudden severe headache Dizziness, confusion, agitation, loss of consciousness Loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, ringing in the ears

F.A.S.T. Face- Weakness, numbness, or drooping on one side. Ask the person to smile Arm- Weakness or numbness in one arm. Ask person to raise both arms Speech- Slurred speech or difficulty speaking. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence Time-Try to determine when the stroke began time is critical Call Immediately