Chapter 15

Sudden Illness

Types of Sudden Illnesses

1. Fainting
2. Diabetic emergency
3. Seizures
4. Stroke
5. Poisoning
6. Heart attack
7. Shock

Fainting
One of the most common sudden illnesses
Definition-partial or complete loss of
consciousness.
Cause-temporary reduction of blood flow
to the brain due to
1. stressful event
2.disturbing site
3. getting up too quickly
http://www.wimp.com/faintinggoats/

Sign and symptoms

Loss of consciousness
Light headed/dizzy
Pale/cool skin
Sweating
Vomiting
Distortion of vision

Care for fainting

1. Try to catch the person

2. Position person on their back
3. Elevate the leg 12 inches- to keep blood
to vital organs.
4. Loosen restrictive clothing
5. Check for life-threatening conditions
6. Do not give food or drink
7. Do not slap person or pour water on
them.

Diabetic Emergencies
Diabetes mellitus-a condition where the
body does not produce enough insulin
or use insulin effectively.
Insulin is a hormone that allows sugars
to be passed into our cells for energy.
A diabetic emergency-is an imbalance
of insulin and sugar in the bloodstream.

2 types of diabetes
1. Type I (juvenile diabetes)-the body
produces little or no insulin.

2. Type II (adult onset diabetes)-body

produces insulin but the cells do not use
the insulin correctly or not enough insulin
is produced.

Signs of a Diabetic Emergency

Changes in levels of consciousness

Irregular breathing
Rapid pulse
Feeling or looking ill
Fruity breathe
Irregular behavior- out of it or
dazed

Treatment

Check for life threatening conditions

Give person sugar fluids or food ie. Candy, fruit
juice or non diet soda.
If victim doesnt feel better within 5 minutes call
911
Insulin shock (hypoglycemia)-too much insulin,
low sugar level
Diabetic coma (hyperglycemia)High blood sugar level, low insulin.

Seizures
Irregular loss of body control due to
abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Signs and Symptoms
1. Aura-unusual sensation or feeling
2. Uncontrollable tremors-grand mal seizure
3. Blank stare-petit seizure
4. Irregular breathing
5. Eyes roll back

Treatment

Protect the head/prevent further injury

Do not restrain
Move objects away from them
Call 911 if first time or longer than 5
min.
Do not try to put anything in the mouth
Position person on their side
Speak calmly and reassure them

Febrile Seizure
Happens to infants who are running a high
fever quickly.
Additional Treatment: Cool the body
slowly
Call 911 for first time.

Stroke
2 Kinds
1.Disruption of the blood
flow in the brain
caused by a clot
(thrombus or embolus)
TIA-temporary disruption
of blood flow
2. Bleeding from a
ruptured artery
(aneurysm)

Signs and Symptoms

F.A.S.T-Face, Arm, Speech, Time
Numbness and tingling
Paralysis
Dizzy
Vision problems
Treatment
Call 911 immediately
Monitor life threatening conditions
Position so fluids can drain from mouth is
paralyzed.

Hypertension-high blood pressure

You are 7 times more likely to have a
stroke if you have high blood
pressure.
Things you can do:
Exercise
Do not smoke
Eat healthy
Get annual physical examinations

General guidelines for treating sudden

illnesses

Do no further harm
Monitor ABCs and consciousness
Help victim rest comfortably
Keep them from getting chilled or overheated
Reassure victim
**you need to know when 911 is needed and
when it is not.

*give specific care as needed.