Sudden Illness When illness happens suddenly, it is hard to determine what is wrong and what you should do to help.

Sudden IllnessWhen illness happens suddenly, it is hard to determine

what is wrong and what you should do to help.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

Changes in levels of consciousnessBreathing problemsSweatingNauseaDiarrheaSeizuresPersistent sweatingPossible heart attack Possible stroke

WHEN TO CALL 911:

Breathing problemsChest pain, discomfort or pressureVomiting blood or passing bloodSuspected poisoningSeizures StrokeSevere burnsSevere external bleeding

WHAT TO DO UNITL HELP ARRIVES:

Do no further harmCheck the scenesReassure the personWatch for changes in consciousnessAsk about medical conditionsAssist the person with prescribed

medicationHAINES if needed

FAINTING It is a temporary loss of consciousness

FAINTING

Occurs:◦When there is an

insufficient supply of blood to the brain for a short period of time

◦Usually is not harmful◦May be a more

serious condition

When about to faint:◦May become pale◦May begin to sweat◦May feel week or

dizzy

SEIZURESA result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain and causes temporary, involuntary changes in body movement, function, sensation, awareness, or behavior

SEIZURES

Epilepsy◦Chronic seizure

condition◦Usually can be

controlled with medication

Febrile Seizures◦Happens in young

children and infants◦Rapid increase in

body temperature

Things to look for:◦A blank stare◦Period of distorted

sensation during which the person is unable to respond

◦Uncontrolled muscular contractions called convulsions may occur and last several minutes

SEIZURES

When to call 911:◦Lasts more than 5

min.◦Multiple seizures◦ Injury◦Pregnancy◦Elderly◦First seizure◦Diabetic

What to do:◦Do not try to stop the

seizure◦Do not hold or

restrain the person◦Make sure the

environment is safe

STROKEIs caused when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off or when there is bleeding in the brain.

STROKE

Risk Factors◦High blood pressure◦Diabetes◦Cigarette smoking ◦Diet

Think FAST for a STROKE:◦F = Face◦A = Arms◦S = Speech◦T = Time

DIABETIC EMERGENCIES

Inability to convert sugar from food into energy. Can lead to other medical conditions such as blindness, nerve disease, kidney disease, heart disease, or stroke.

DIABETES

TYPE I DIABETIC:◦Usually occurs in

childhood◦Occurs when the

body produces little or no insulin

◦Most type I diabetics inject insulin into their bodies daily

TYPE II DIABETIC:◦Most common type◦Usually occurs in

adults◦Can occur in

overweight children◦Body makes insulin

but not what is needed

◦Exact cause unknown.

DIABETES

Hyperglycemia Hypoglycemia

Too much sugar in the blood.◦ May have not taken

enough insulin.◦ Person is reacting

adversely to a large meal or a meal high in carbohydrates.

Too little sugar in the blood.◦ May have taken too

much insulin◦ Person may have eaten

too little food or overexerted him/herself

◦ Can become life threatening

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Antigens than can cause reactions:◦Bee or insect venom◦Antibiotics◦Pollen◦Animal dander◦Latex◦Sulfa drugs◦Certain foods

What to look for:◦Hives◦ Itching ◦Rash◦Weakness◦Nausea◦Stomach cramps◦Vomiting◦Dizziness◦Trouble breathing

POISONING

A poison is any substance that causes injury, illness, or death if it enters the body. A person can be poisoned by swallowing poison, breathing it in, absorbing it through the skin, or have it injected into the body.

POISONING

Swallowed◦Foods, drugs,

medications, household items, and plants

Inhaled◦Gasses◦Fumes

Absorbed◦Plants, fertilizers,

pesticides

Injected◦Bites, stings, drugs,

medications

POISONING

Try to find out:

◦What type of poison?

◦How much was taken?

◦When it was taken?

◦How much do they weigh?

POISONING

What to look for:◦Nausea◦Diarrhea◦Pain in abdomen or

chest◦Trouble breathing◦Sweating◦Burns around lips,

tongue or skin◦Abnormal skin color◦ Irregular pupil size

What to do:◦Remove the person

from the source◦Check for

consciousness and breathing

◦Call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

◦Follow the directions of Poison Control

Special Considerations

Toxic Fumesfresh air

Chemicalsdependant on

wet or dry

Substance Abuse