MEDICAL CONDITIONS INFORMATION + QUIZ

Transcription

1 MEDICAL CONDITIONS INFORMATION + QUIZ Information to help answer questions Medical conditions include such pre-existing conditions as asthma, epilepsy and diabetes, severe allergic reactions. For an outdoor first aider it is necessary to have a basic understanding of each of these common conditions before we head into the outdoors in case we come across someone suffering an attack. If we have someone in our group who has a medical condition which may be of concern, it is advisable to learn more about that particular condition, its triggers, symptoms and treatment. With any medical condition, in general you need to know: What the condition is Possible triggers/ causes How to recognise the onset What the treatment is What and where the medication is How it is given, what the dose is Do they have extra for delays What you can expect to happen after the medication is given How to recognise when the condition has become a medical emergency needing evacuation NOTE: The following information is basic information only. For more in-depth information visit the websites indicated.

2 MEDICAL CONDITIONS EPILEPSY Epilepsy is a disturbance in the normal electrical or chemical activity of the brain. Epilepsy comes in many forms, the two most common being absences and seizures (of which there are many types). Absences are where the person seems to blank out for a period of time. Seizures are where the entire body goes into fits (uncontrollable shaking). Someone having a seizure uses 100% of their muscle capacity (for comparison, an Olympic sprinter will use about 40%) which is why they are extremely tired afterwards, even though the seizure may have only been a few seconds. Common triggers are strobe lighting and stress. Urgent medical help is needed when the epileptic seizure: Is different from normal Happens in water - can cause fluid intake into the lungs Lasts more than 5 minutes Causes the patient to remain asleep and unable to be roused after one hour Treatment: Each patient will have their own treatment plan. However, in general, someone who is having a seizure needs to be protected from further harm. This could be shielding them from hard objects and from falling off something. DO NOT put anything in their mouth. After the seizure the patient will probably want to sleep and rest for a period of time. Whilst they are resting/sleeping it may be prudent to check vital signs (breathing and pulse). The patient may have wet or soiled themselves during the seizure, so this may need to be attended to. If the seizure happens in a group, bystanders fears and misconceptions may need to be alleviated. Someone who has had a seizure may need to head home for further rest after their initial rest period. More information:

3 ASTHMA Asthma is very common in New Zealand. It involves a narrowing of the airways due to swelling, spasms and mucus. Common triggers are cold, pollens, exercise and stress. Symptoms: Tight chest Cough Shortness of breath No energy Wheezing Treatment: Normal bronchial tube Bronchial tube during asthma Remove patient from the trigger if possible Help patient use their own reliever and follow their action plan Encourage to breathe slowly and deeply and CALMLY REASSURE Help patient into the position easiest for them to breathe Give small sips of fluid reduces the viscosity of the mucus Urgent medical help is needed for asthma when: Pale skin and blueness of the lips, hands, feet Use of inhaler has not given relief after 10 minutes Shortness of breath, being unable to walk more than a few steps Has difficulty speaking full sentences Hands held on head, bringing arms up and expanding chest Abnormal sucking in of skin at the base of the neck and in between the ribs Pulse rate more than 120, plus faster breathing The colour of the reliever inhaler is usually BLUE If the patient has no medication, it is safe to use Salbutamol (Ventolin) More information

4 DIABETES Diabetes is the result of the body not creating enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels in the normal range. It cannot presently be cured, but it can be controlled and diabetics can lead full and active lives. With diabetes, blood glucose levels are too high due to a deficiency of insulin or the inability of the body to use the insulin available. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1. People who do not make any insulin (or very little) have Type 1 diabetes. Because the immune system destroys the pancreas, they have stopped making insulin and their body is unable to use glucose for energy. They tend to lose weight very quickly because their body is actually being starved. Their health rapidly deteriorates and they would die if insulin were not given. They therefore require insulin by injection, plus healthy eating, to stay alive and maintain good health. Type 2. People with Type 2 diabetes are still making insulin, but the production is sluggish or their body is resistant to insulin. Becoming overweight is almost always the cause of the body becoming resistant to insulin and can trigger Type 2 diabetes, even in young people. Type 2 diabetes can be treated with healthy eating, weight loss and regular physical activity. Medication in the form of tablets is often required to reduce the resistance to insulin or to stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in that the pancreas continues to get more sluggish over time. People with Type 2 diabetes may eventually require insulin. Signs and Symptoms: Hypoglycemia Hyperglycemia (low blood sugar) (high blood sugar) Faint/ weak Very thirsty Extreme hunger Nausea/ vomiting Sweaty / pale Acetone breath Irritable/ anxious Drowsy, tired Uncoordinated Passes urine frequently

5 Treatment: Hypoglycemia Hyperglycemia (low blood sugar) (high blood sugar) If conscious, give 2 tsp of sugar If better after 10 minutes, give a meal or snack If not better after 10 minutes, call ambulance Patient to check blood sugar levels If unconscious, put in the recovery position and call an ambulance Patient to administer their own insulin If conscious, give plenty of water If unconscious, put in the recover position and call ambulance More information:

6 MEDICAL CONDITIONS QUIZ This multi-choice question quiz is designed to get you thinking about first aid and provide you with some background information on medical conditions. It s pretty easy, so please attempt to complete this and bring it with you to the course day. 1. Which best describes three key things you need to know about a pre-existing medical condition of someone in your group before heading out? (a) What it is, how long they have had it, who their doctor is (b) The name of the condition, what triggers it and how long it lasts (c) What the condition is, what triggers it, how to know when help is needed (d) What the condition is, what triggers it, where their medication is 2. Treatment of someone during an epileptic seizure includes: (a) Holding their head and body down (b) Putting a piece of wood in their mouth to stop them biting their tongue (c) Standing back and doing nothing (d) Protecting them from further harm 3. Which is NOT a sign of a severe asthma attack? (a) Tight chest (b) Coughing (c) Flushed red skin (d) Shortness of breath 4. Which best describes someone suffering from hypoglycemia? (a) Weak, sweaty, anxious, irritable (b) Weak, sweaty, anxious, frequent urination (c) Weak, sweaty, thirsty, irritable (d) Weak, acetone breath, pale