Section 9Sudden Illness

How can a rescuer recognize when a person suddenly becomes ill? (Page 151)

Besides the physical symptoms, what might the rescuer do to determine how a person suddenly became ill?

Don’t second guess ---call 911

Caring for Sudden Illnesses(Page 152)

There are 10 bullets that are rules of thumb for a rescuer caring for a victim of sudden illness.

Let’s take a look

Fainting

The definition of fainting is:The insufficient supply of blood to the brain for

a short period of time

Signs and Signals that a person is going to faint

• Weakness• Dizziness• Pale• Cold Clammy skin

How does the rescuer treat a victim that has fainted?

• Place the victim on their back• Elevate their feet 8-12 inches if no head, neck

or back injuries are suspected• Loosen restrictive clothing• Monitor the A, B, C’s• Call 911

Chronic Conditions

Conditions you as a rescuer must be aware of when attempting to treat a victim.

Diabetes: What is it?

The inability of the body to convert sugar from food into energy via insulin produced in the pancreas

Types of DiabetesType I- called juvenile diabetes and is also called

insulin dependent diabetes

Type II- called adult-onset diabetes and it is non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Signs and Signals of Diabetic Emergencies

• Pale, Cold, Clammy skin• Dizziness and a shakiness• Confusion • Numbness• Change in level of consciousness

Hyperglycemia

A diabetic reaction in which there is too much sugar in the blood

Treatment depends on the victim’s symptoms and if they are a known diabetic or not.

Hypoglycemia

A diabetic reaction in which there is too little sugar in the blood.

Treatment would be to give a sugar source if fully conscious.

Seizures

Seizures occur when the normal workings of the brain are disrupted by injury, disease, infection or electricity. A common disorder that causes seizures is Epilepsy.

What the victim might experience before a seizure

• An aura sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure

• Hallucinations• Strange tastes• Strange sounds • An urgency to get to safety

What the rescuer might see in a seizure victim

• Blank stares• Unresponsiveness• Uncontrolled muscle contractions called

”convulsions”

Treatment for a seizure victim

Do’sProtect the victim from being injured by moving things awayProtect the victim’s headRoll them on their side when seizure is over

Treatment for Seizure victims

Do not:Try to stop the seizureHold the person downPut anything between their teeth

Reasons for calling 911

- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes- The victim has multiple seizures- The victim is pregnant or diabetic- The seizures follow high rise in body temp- The victim fails to regain consciousness

StrokeA stroke is called a “brain attack” and is the

third leading cause of death in the U.S.

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is cut off, or when bleeding occurs in the brain.

Mini-Strokes

A victim is having signals of a stroke, they go away in minutes, but they return over and over again.

Risks Factors of having a Stroke

High Blood pressure

Cigarette Smoking

Obesity

Diet

“Face” Recognition of a Stroke

• F ace

• A rm

• S peech

• T ime

Care for a Stroke Victim

• Call 911• Have them stop what they are doing• Monitor A.B.C’s• Make notes of time and symptoms as the

stroke progresses

Did you Know?

• There are drugs used to treat an ongoing stroke.

• “Clot-Busters”

Objectives continued

• Explain why diabetes is the silent killer. List the signs and symptoms and treatment of diabetes.

• Explain what a rescuer might see if someone was having a seizure. What is the treatment for a person having a seizure.

Objectives for Section 9

• Explain the signals of sudden illness

• List situations in which you, the rescuer would not hesitate to call 911.

• Explain the condition of fainting, what causes fainting and how is it treated.

Objectives continues

• What would a rescuer be seeing if a victim is having a stroke.

• How would a rescuer treat a stroke victim?

• List the risk factors of a stroke.