1. Sudden Illness

2. What is a Sudden Illness? Fainting Seizures Stroke Diabetic Emergency Allergic Reaction Poisoning Cardiac Arrest can also be a sudden onset emergency

3. When to call?

4. Unconscious or altered LOC Breathing Problems / Not Breathing Chest Pain lasting more than 3-5 min Persistent Abdominal Pain Severe Bleeding Vomiting Blood / Passing Blood Severe Burns Poisoning / Suspected Poisoning

5. When to call? Seizures Stroke Suspected / Obvious Head-Neck Injury

6. Signs to Look for Changes in LOC – Confusion Ask questions that they should know: “Who’s the president?” “What year is it?” “What day is it?”

7. Signs to Look for Breathing Problems – Remember what we covered in respiratory issues. Signs and Symptoms of heart attack Loss of vision / blurred vision Basically anything that is not normal for them.

9. Fainting is simply a loss of consciousness Usually very brief Caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain Possible “Secondary Injuries” from the fall

10. 1.Pale / Ashen skin 2.Weakness 3.Dizziness

11. 1.If you see it coming on – then act quickly 2.Help them sit down / lie down 3.If sitting, put their head between their knees 4.If lying down, raise their feet above their heart line

13. Interruption in the normal function of the brain Can be caused by illness, disease, accident, fever Abnormal electrical activity in the brain Usually temporary Causes involuntary changes in the body function Shaking, Stiffening, Loss of consciousness, etc.

14. Chronic seizure condition that is usually controlled with medication Patients who take meds infrequently or who stop all together are at risk for seizure activity.

15. 1.Blank stare 2.Distorted sensation – person can’t respond 3.Uncontrolled muscle contractions – Convulsions 4.Epileptics may experience Aura just before the seizure hits 5.Febrile seizure may include: Sudden increase in body temp, loss of bladder or bowel control, Crying out, Rigid, Eyes roll back into head

16. 1.DO NOT TRY TO RESTRAIN THE PERSON 2.DO NOT STICK ANYTHING IN THEIR MOUTH 3.Move anything and everything that could hurt them (furniture, etc.) 4.After it’s finished care for them as you would an unconscious patient (Airway, Recover, etc) 5.Call 911*

17. 3 rd leading cause of death Over 800,000 will suffer a stroke this year Age is not a factor Also known as a brain attack. When blood flow is restricted or cut off to a part of the brain – that area suffocates and then dies unless blood flow is restored.

18. Some strokes are caused by bleeding into the brain, usually from a broken or burst blood vessel Mini-Stroke is when a person has signs / symptoms that completely go away within minutes. Mini-Stroke patients are at HIGH RISK for more strokes usually a precursor to “THE BIG ONE”

22. Note the time you notice symptoms – VERY IMPORTANT Treat life threats (ABC’s) Be reassuring to conscious people. They may not be able to respond, but are usually aware of EVERYTHING that is happening. Very scary time for them.

24. Nearly 23.6 million diabetics in the U.S. (7.8%) Another 5 million are unaware that they are diabetic Inability of the body to change sugar from food into energy – an insulin regulated process

25. 2 Types of Diabetes

26. 1.Usually starts in child hood – Hereditary 2.There is NO CURE 3.Must receive insulin injections, daily, to regulate their sugar level 4.Frequent urination, increased hunger or thirst, unexpected weight loss, irritability, weakness and fatigue

27. 1.The body makes insulin, but not enough 2.Progressive disease – usually leads to insulin supplement dependence 3.Can be controlled with diet and exercise and close monitoring 4.Type 1 symptoms plus Blurred vision, frequent infections, numbness in extremities, slow healing bruises / cuts, itching

29. 1.Call 911 if they lose consciousness or you are in doubt 2.If conscious and able to swallow 3.Give sugar in the form of a glucose tablet, paste / gel, fruit juice, milk, non-diet soda, or table sugar dissolved in water 4.Assist them with THEIR OWN medications

30. Caused by over activity of the body’s immune system against specific antigens Common allergens: Insects Antibiotics Outdoor stuff (flowers, trees, grass) Latex Foods (Shellfish, Nuts, Dairy Products)

31. Hives Itching Rash Weakness Nausea Cramping Dizziness Trouble Breathing

32. Throat Constriction States they have severe reactions Unconscious

33. Monitor their airway – treat if necessary Assist with medication

34. Even if the person does not display symptoms immediately – if they have a known severe reaction possibility, call 911 ASAP

36. Any substance that enters / touches the body that is harmful and causes illness, injury or death

37. Types: Swallowed (Medication, Cleaners, etc.) Inhaled (Gases, Fumes, Drugs) Absorbed (Plants, Fertilizer) Injected (Venom, Medications, Drugs)

38. Nausea / Vomiting Diarrhea Chest / Abdominal Pain Trouble Breathing Sweating (abnormally) Altered LOC Irregular Pupil Size Burning / Tearing eyes Burns around lips, tongue, skin

39. Remove the person from the source of poison ONLY IF IT’S SAFE FOR YOU TO ENTER Check their LOC Treat for ABC’s Do not get the poison on you

40. Stay calm Gather as much info as possible Treat ABC’s first and always Call 911 immediately

41. Questions? I have ADD…I don’t remember what was on the second slide www.dereksplace.org