Sudden Illness Chapter 15

Sudden Illness Fainting Diabetic Emergencies Seizures Stroke

Fainting Partial or complete loss of consciousness Cause: Triggers: Temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain When brain is deprived of blood, it will momentarily shut down Triggers: Emotionally stressful situation Pain Specific medical condition Standing for long period of time/overexertion Sudden change of position: laying down > standing up

Fainting Can occur without any warning Warning signs: Sweating Vomiting Distortion or dimming of vision Head/abdominal pain

Fainting: Care Self correcting condition Victim will usually regain consciousness within a minute Falling usually creates the injury; not fainting itself Place victim on back and elevate feet Loosen restrictive clothing Check for life threatening injuries

Fainting: Care Do Not: Give the victim food/water Slap the victim Splash water on face If the victim recovers quickly there is no need to call 9-1-1 Call physician or emergency department to determine if episode was linked to more serious condition

Diabetes Mellitus A chronic condition in which your body’s ability to break down sugars and carbohydrates are effected Typically your body breaks down sugars and carbohydrates into glucose Glucose is needed to fuel the cells in your body, but your cells need insulin to take in the glucose With diabetes your body doesn’t: Make enough insulin Can’t use the insulin Both

Diabetes 7th leading cause of death in America Can lead to other health issues Kidney, heart, periodontal (tooth) disease Stroke

Diabetic Emergency Situation in which a victim becomes ill because of imbalance of insulin and sugar in bloodstream Without proper balance the cells will starve and the body will not function properly

Diabetes Type I Insulin dependent The body produces little or no insulin Tends to develop in childhood Need daily injections of insulin

Diabetes Type II The body produces insulin but the cells do not use it effectively or not enough is produced May not need injections; only regulated diet

Insulin Imbalance Condition Hyperglycemia Insulin levels are too low, sugar levels too high Hypoglycemia Insulin levels too high, sugar levels too low

Insulin Shock Sugar is used too rapidly Too much insulin Fails to eat adequate or because of sudden illness cannot keep food down Over exercise, burns off sugar too quickly Experience great emotional stress Because of lack of sugar, brain will not function properly

Insulin Shock Signs & Symptoms Dizziness Drowsiness Confusion Irregular breathing Abnormal pulse Feeling/looking ill

Diabetic Emergency If conscious If unconscious Check for non-life threatening injuries Food Sugar, fruit juice, candy If unconscious Call 9-1-1 Monitor signs of life and breathing DO NOT try anything by mouth

Seizures Normal function of brain is disrupted Electrical activity becomes irregular resulting in loss of body control Causes: Injury Disease Fever Poisoning Infections Chronic condition (epilepsy)

Seizures Generally last 1-3 minutes Victim may experience an Aura Unusual sensation or feeling Such as a visual hallucination Strange sounds, taste, smell Urgent need to get to safety

Seizures During the seizure Breathing may become irregular or stop Drool Eyes may roll upward Body may become rigid

Seizures Mild blackouts Body will remain relatively still Non-convulsive Convulsive Mild blackouts Body will remain relatively still Bystanders may mistake as daydreaming More severe Sudden, uncontrolled muscular contractions Lasting several minutes

Seizures: Care Do Not hold or restrain victim Could cause injury Do Not place anything in their mouth Rarely bite tongue/cheeks Move any objects such as furniture away Try to stay calm

Seizures: Care When over, victim will usually be drowsy and disoriented Allow them to rest Reassure victim Check for any injuries

Seizures: Care When to call 9-1-1 Seizure lasts more than 5 min Repeated seizures without regaining consciousness Victim appears to be injured No predisposing condition Pregnant Infant/child experiencing the seizure Diabetic Takes place in water Fails to regain consciousness

Febrile Seizure Infants or young children who could be at risk for epilepsy, as well as seizures brought on by a rapid body temperature increase Common in children under 5 who have a rectal fever of 102 degrees Infections will trigger it Ear, throat, digestive system

Febrile Seizures: Signs & Symptoms Sudden rise in body temp Change in consciousness Rhythmic jerking of the head and limbs Confusion Drowsiness Crying out Becoming rigid Holding breath Rolling eyes upward

Febrile Seizures: Care Cool the body down immediately Contact physician Make them comfortable DO NOT try to restrain DO NOT place anything in mouth

Stroke Blood flow to the brain is cut off Brain cells are then deprived of oxygen and begin to die Causes: Blood clots Ruptured arteries in brain caused by head injury, high blood pressure Aneurysm: weak area in the wall of an artery that balloons out and can rupture Tumor or swelling from head injury

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) “Mini Stroke” or “Warning Stroke” Difference between a TIA and a stroke is a TIA is only a temporary clot Symptoms usually disappear within minutes or hours Victims now have a higher chance of a stroke Call 9-1-1

Hypertension High Blood Pressure This increases a risk for a stroke 7x’s Putting pressure on arteries making them more likely to burst

Stroke Risk Factors Age Genetics Family History TIA Diabetes Unpreventable Preventable Age Genetics Family History TIA Diabetes Heart Disease Control blood pressure Do not smoke Healthy Diet Exercise Regularly Control Diabetes

Stroke: Act FAST F A S T Facial drooping Arm weakness Speech slurred Time: call 9-1-1 immediately

Stroke: Signs & Symptoms Looking/feeling ill Abnormal behavior Blurred vision Unequal pupils Severe headache Confusion/change in mood Drooling Lose bowel/bladder control

Stroke: Care Call 9-1-1 If unconscious; make sure airway is open Check for non-life threatening injuries Reassure the victim DO NOT give any food/drink Use simple “yes” and “no” questions