This chapter is broken off into several sections, depending on the medical emergency which you may encounter. The sections are described below:
Heart Attacks
Stroke/TIA
Respiratory Illness
Diabetes
Anaphylaxis
Seizures
Heart Attacks
Fact
Heart Attacks are the Leading Cause of Preventable Death in the U.S.
Prevention
Generally speaking, they may be prevented through a healthy lifestyle (ie. Diet and Exercise). There is a genetic pre-disposal for some people to have heart attacks over others.
Definition
The heart itself needs blood just like other major organs of the body. The heart receives its own blood supply from the coronary arteries.
A heart attack occurs when there is an interruption or insufficient blood flow to the coronary arteries supplying the heart tissue.
A lack of blood flow leads to heart tissue damage or death.
A Heart attack is also called a Myocardial Infarction. Myocardial = heart tissue Infarction = death or necrosis.
Signs & Symptoms (What to Look for)
Chest Pain and/or pressure (Sometimes described as "Elephant sitting on my Chest")
Left Arm Pain
Pain Radiating to Jaw
Complaints of Dizziness
Feelings of Doom
Pale & Sweaty
Trouble Breathing
Some people may have all of these symptoms, while others may have none! These symptoms may be "typical" but keep in mind everyone is different! It is important to get a medical history and ask if there is a history of heart disease in the family, is the patient a smoker, etc...
How It Happens
Something causes one (or more) of the coronary arteries to become blocked, and blood flow is stopped to a portion of the heart. The Heart is Deprived of Oxygen from lack of adequate blood flow
The Heart Muscle (Myocardium) is Damaged
The Person Can Suffer Permanent Damage or even death
What To Do
Make the Person Feel As Comfortable As Possible
Call 9-1-1
If The Person Stops Breathing, Start CPR
When To Call 9-1-1
When The Person Exhibits Signs & Symptoms of a Heart Attack
If you just are not sure, call 911
Always Error on the Side of Caution
Video Resource
Stroke
Definition
Strokes are similar to heart attacks in that both conditions are a blood vessel disease. Strokes involve the sudden loss of Oxygen from inadequate blood flow to the brain tissue. They can be described as occlusive or hemorrhagic (a blockage or a bleed).
Causes
Smoking & High Blood Pressure Increase Risk
Genetic factors play a role in risk
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle (ie. Healthy Diet and Exercise)
Frequent physician check ups
Signs & Symptoms (What to Look For)
Slurred Speech
Dizziness
Acts Strange & Unusual
Facial Drooping
Inability to Repeat a Sentence
Inability to Communicate Appropriately
Some people may have all of these symptoms, while others may have none! These symptoms may be "typical" remember, our bodies all act differently in certain situations!!!
Note: Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA), described as a temporary stroke may mimic signs and symptoms of a stroke, but are caused primarily by a thinning of brain blood flow. They do however, increase the chances of the patient having a stroke in the future.
How It Happens
A Clot Gets In the Brain blocking blood flow to brain tissue, or a Blood Vessel Breaks causing massive bleeding in the brain.
Brain Tissue Loses Oxygen from decreased or no blood flow
The Person Suffers from Signs & Symptoms Above
What To Do
Call 9-1-1
Place the Person On Side (So They Don't Choke On Saliva)
When To Call 9-1-1
ASAP - Could Be Permanent Or Temporary (TIA). You don't have the tools to determine this outside of the hospital, so call 9-1-1 quickly to get the patient treatment immediately!
Take the Person To The Hospital Quick
Best Way is Transportation via Emergency Medical Personnel (Ambulance)
Video Resource
Respiratory Illness
Definition
An impairment of respiratory function due to disease, infection, or other medical conditions.
Causes
Smoking
May Be Genetic Or Spontaneous
Infection
Prevention
Exercise
Healthy lifestyle
May be controlled by medicine
Signs & Symptoms (What to Look For)
Trouble Breathing
Pale Or Bluish Appearance
Wheezing (In Asthma)
Cough
Fever
Change in mentation (start getting confused)
Some people may have all of these symptoms, while others may have none! These symptoms may be "typical" but remember, our bodies all act different!!!
How It Happens
Person Has Trouble Breathing
Decreases Oxygen In Blood. If less oxygen is available in the blood stream, the organs of the body suffocate.
Needs Rapid Intervention
What To Do
If Asthmatic, Help the patient find his or her Medicine (usually an inhaler)
Call 9-1-1
Get Information About Problem
Ask A Lot of Questions (if the patient can't talk because he or she can't breath well, try to calm the patient instead)
Report Information to Dispatchers Or EMTs
When To Call 9-1-1
Severe Trouble Breathing
Person Stops Breathing
Person Asks for Help
High Fever
Error On the Side Of Caution and Call When There is Any Doubt
Diabetes
Definition
Diabetes is an endocrine disorder that affects a hormone in the body called insulin. Every cell in your body requires glucose to survive. Just like you and I need to eat throughout the day to keep our energy, the cells in our body need food (glucose) to perform their specific functions. Glucose is available in the bloodstream, but can not enter the cells without the help of insulin. Think of insulin as the "key" that unlocks the cells' doors and allows glucose to enter.
Two Different Types (I & II)
Type I: Usually diagnosed as a child or young adult. The body does not produce insulin. Without sufficient amounts of insulin, the cells are starved of necessary glucose.
Type II: Either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the produced insulin. Either way, there is a deficient amount of glucose that is available to the cells.
Causes
Inactivity
Obesity
Genetic Predisposition
Native American, Hispanic, & Other Minorities Higher Risk
Women may also have Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy
Prevention
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Lose excessive weight
Keep sugar intake to a reasonable limit
Signs & Symptoms
High Blood Sugar (seen with a glucometer, or glucose meter)
Frequent Urination
Dehydration
Fruity Odor
Lethargic
Thirsty (excessive thirst and a constant desire to drink more and more water)
Increased Respirations
Low Blood Sugar (seen with a glucometer, or a glucose meter)
Dizziness
Pale & Sweaty
Unconscious
Acting Abnormal and/or Irritable
Note: Some people may have all of these symptoms, while others may have none! These symptoms may be "typical" but our bodies all act different!!!
What To Do
Ask the Person About how he or she normally manages his diabetes.
Look for insulin. The patient May Take Insulin or Other Medicine for their Condition
If the person is unresponsive, place in the Haines recovery Position
When To Call 9-1-1
If Unconscious
If the Person Requests Help
If the Person is Acting Abnormal
If You Feel Uncomfortable
If you just are not sure, Call 911!
Video Resource
Allergic Reactions
Definition
Extreme Bodily Reaction to Foreign Substance
Exposure to Unknown Allergen
Sometimes can Occur Spontaneously
Some People are Allergic to Medication
No Known Prevention
Many People Allergic to Bees and Food
People may develop an allergy to a food or medication over time.
Signs & Symptoms
Hives
Itching
Redness
Difficulty Breathing (Severe Cases)
High pitched sound when breathing (stridor)
Welts
Unconsciousness
How It Happens
The Body Overreacts to the Introduction of a Foreign Substance
May Proceed from Mild to Severe
In the most Severe Cases, the person will have Shortness of Breath and the airway can swell up. This is a life and death situation called Anaphylactic Shock
What To Do
Find Out if Person Has an Epi-Pen (a syringe containing a small dose of epinephrine specifically for allergic reactions). Some people that have severe allergies carry an Epi-pen on hand at all times.
What may have caused the reaction?
When To Call 9-1-1
Any Reaction which Appears to be Rapidly Progressing
Any Reaction which Causes a Fever or Intense Pain
Difficulty Breathing
When in doubt, Call 911!
Video Resource
Seizures
Definition
Uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that may cause convulsions, minor physical signs, thought disturbances or a combination of problems.
May be the result of head trauma, brain illness or dysfunction
Causes
Trauma
Tumor
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
Genetic Conditions
Poisoning
Infection
Brain electrical malfunctions
Prevention
Anti-Seizure medication
Surgical intervention
Signs & Symptoms
Anywhere from a Blank Stare to Uncontrollable Bodily Motion
Dramatic, uncontrollable convulsions and shaking of the body.
If the person is actively having a seizure, they will not be conscious.
The patient has a high likelihood of biting his or her Tongue from clenching the jaw.
In Cases of Trauma, can be a Result of Brain Injury
How It Happens
Can be the result of head trauma, genetic abnormality or brain dysfunction
Seizures are fairly common in Children with a rapidly increasing Fever
What To Do
Don't Force Body Parts to Remain in Position
Place on Soft Ground or Put Pillows Around
Protect the patient from injury, but don't try to stop the seizure. For example, don't hold down the hands and legs, but do move glass and other hazardous objects from the environment.
DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING IN THEIR MOUTH!!! THEY MAY BITE DOWN AND BREAK TEETH!!! THESE BROKEN TEETH CAN FALL BACK INTO THE AIRWAY AND CAUSE MORE SIGNIFICANT RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS!!!!
Get Information about Person if practical.
Is this Normal for the patient? Do they have a seizure disorder?
