Unit 5: Chapter 15

Sudden Illness

• A partial or complete loss of consciousness

• Caused by a temporary reduction of blood flow to the brain– When the brain is deprived of blood it momentarily

shuts down

• Triggered by:– Emotionally stressful situations– Pain– Specific medical conditions – Standing for long periods of time or overexertion– Suddenly changing positions (laying down to

standing up)

May occur with or without warning

Warning signs:Sweating Vomiting Distortion or dimming of visionHead or abdominal pain

Self-correcting conditionTypically victim will regain consciousness within a

minute

Falling usually the cause of injury not fainting itself

Place the victim on their back & elevate their feet ~ 12in

Loosen restrictive clothing

Check for life-threatening injuries

Do Not:Give the victim food or waterSlap the victim Splash water on their face

If the victim recovers quickly there is no need to call 9-1-1Call physician or emergency department to

determine whether the episode is linked to a more serious condition

AKA DiabetesA condition in which the body does not

produce enough insulin* or does not use insulin effectively

6th leading cause of death in America (2007)~18.2 million Americans currently living with

diabetesLeads to other health related diseases

Kidney, heart & periodontal (tooth) diseaseStroke

* A hormone produced in the pancreas. Needed for sugar to pass into the cells.

Diabetic emergencyA situation in which a victim becomes ill

because of an imbalance of insulin and sugar in the bloodstream

Without the proper balance of sugar and insulin, the cells will starve and the body will not function properly

Type I diabetes (insulin-dependent) - The body produces little or no insulinTends to develop in childhoodHave to take daily injections of insulin

Type II diabetes (non-insulin-dependent) – The body produces insulin, but either the cells do not use the insulin effectively or not enough insulin is producedMay not need injections of insulin; Only

regulated diet

Hyperglycemia – Insulin levels are too low, the sugar levels in the blood are too high

Hypoglycemia – Insulin levels are too high, the sugar levels in the blood are too low

Sugar is used up too rapidly from:Took too much insulinFails to eat adequate or due to sudden illness

cannot keep food or liquids downOver exercises and burns off sugar faster

than normal Experiences great emotional stress

Because of the lack of sugar the brain will not function properly

Changes in level of consciousnessDizziness, drowsiness and confusionIrregular breathingAbnormal pulse (rapid or weak)Feeling or looking ill

If the victim is conscious:Check for non-life-threatening injuriesFood

Give them sugarFruit juices, candy etc

If the victim is unconscious:Call 9-1-1Monitor signs of life and breathingDO NOT try to give anything by mouth

When the normal function of the brain are disrupted, the electrical activity becomes irregular resulting in the loss of body control Causes:

InjuryDisease FeverPoisoning InfectionsOr a chronic condition, Epilepsy

Generally last 1-3 minutesVictim may experience an Aura

Unusual sensation or feeling such as a visual hallucination; strange sounds, taste or smell; or an urgent need to get to safety

When the victim is seizing:Their breathing may become irregular or stopDroolThe eyes may roll upwardsBody may become rigid

Non-convulsive Convulsive

Mild blackoutsBody will remain

relatively still Bystanders may

mistake it for daydreaming

More severeSudden,

uncontrolled muscular contractions

Lasting several minutes

Do Not hold or restrain the victimCan cause musculoskeletal injuries

Do Not place anything inside of their mouthsVictims of seizures rarely bite their tongue or

cheeksMove any objects such as furniture away

from the victimSo the victim does not injure themselves on

itTry to stay calm

When the seizure is over, the victim will usually become drowsy and disoriented

Allow them to rest

Reassure the victim

Check for life-threatening & non-life-threatening injuries

If is the victim is known to have periodic seizures then calling 9-1-1 may not be needed.

Call 9-1-1 if:Seizure lasts more than 5 minRepeated seizures without regaining consciousnessVictim appears to be injuredNo predisposing condition (epilepsy)Is pregnantIs an infant or child experiencing a febrile seizureHas diabetesTakes place in waterFails to regain consciousness after seizure

Infants or young children who may be at risk for epilepsy, as well as for seizures brought on by a rapid increase in body temperature.

Most common in children under 5 who run a rectal fever of 102º

Triggered by infections of the:Ear ThroatDigestive system

A sudden rise in body tempChange in the level of consciousnessRhythmic jerking of the head and limbsUrinating or defecatingConfusionDrowsinessCrying outBecoming rigidHolding the breathRolling the eyes upward

Cool the body down immediately (be careful not to cool of the child too much)Remove clothingGive the child a lukewarm sponge bath

Contact the infants physicianMake the infant comfortableDo not try to restrain the childDo not place anything in their mouth

Cerebrovascular or “brain attack”A disruption of blood flow to a part of the

brain, causing permanent damage to brain tissue

Causes:Blood clotsRuptured arteries in the brain caused by a

head injury, or high blood pressureAneurysm – a weak area in the wall of an

artery that balloons out and can ruptureAtherosclerosisTumor or swelling from a head injury may

compress an artery

“Mini-Stroke”A temporary episode that is caused by a

disruption in blood flow to a part of the brain

Signals usually disappear within minutes or hours upon onset

Victims who experience TIA have a greater chance of having a stroke

Call 9-1-1 situation

High blood pressureIncreases risk of stroke 7x’s Puts pressure on the arteries, and makes

them likely to burst

Unpreventable Preventable

AgeGeneticsFamily history of

strokeTIADiabetesHeart disease

Control your blood pressure

Do not smokeEat a healthy DietExercise regularlyControl diabetes

Looking or feeling illDisplaying abnormal behaviorWeakness and numbness in the face, arms

or legsUsually on 1 side of the body (left – most

commonly)Difficulty talkingBlurred or dimmed visionUnequal eye pupils

Severe headacheDizzinessConfusionChange in moodRinging in the earsDroolingUnconsciousLose bowel or bladder control

Call 9-1-1 situationIf unconscious, make sure the airway is

openIf conscious, check from non-life-

threatening injuriesReassure the victimDo not give them anything to eat or drink Use simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions