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Sudden Illnesses

Sudden Illnesses. Anthrax Smallpox Heart Problems Stroke Asthma COPD Hyperventilation Fainting. Sudden Illnesses #2. Seizures Diabetes Abdominal distress Various other problems. Anthrax. Most commonly occurs in hoofed animals Bacteria spores can live in the soil years

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Sudden Illnesses

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  1. Sudden Illnesses • Anthrax • Smallpox • Heart Problems • Stroke • Asthma • COPD • Hyperventilation • Fainting

  2. Sudden Illnesses #2 • Seizures • Diabetes • Abdominal distress • Various other problems

  3. Anthrax • Most commonly occurs in hoofed animals • Bacteria spores can live in the soil years • Can infect humans

  4. Three Serious Forms of Anthrax / Transmission • Inhalation (breathing spores) • Cutaneous (skin) • Intestinal (spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals) • Historically, rare in the U.S.

  5. Anthrax Symptoms • Inhaled: • Severe cold / flu/ progress to breathing problems and shock • Usually fatal

  6. Cutaneous Anthrax • Resembles insect bite • Raised itchy bumps • Develops black (necrotic) area in center • 20% untreated cases result in death

  7. Intestinal Anthrax • Nausea, vomiting • Loss of appetite • Fever • Abdominal pain, vomiting blood, severe diahrrhea • 25%-60% die

  8. Vaccine For Anthrax • Vaccine has been licensed for humans • 93% effective • Recommended for people who work in fields where contact is highly likely • Military personnel • Mild reactions in 30%

  9. Suspicious Mail • Do not open • Place in a bag • Prevent spills of powder substance • Call authorities • Wash hands • Cautions with aerosol sprays

  10. Smallpox • Incubation: 12 days • High fever, fatigue, head and back aches • Rash: predominately on face, arms, legs in 2-3 days • Flat red lesions • Become pus filled, crusts and scabs • Falls off in 3-4 weeks. • 30% death rate

  11. Spread of Smallpox • Infected saliva droplets • Vaccination: some risks • George Washington

  12. Ricin • Poison made from waste left over in processing castor beans • Forms: powder, mist, pellet or dissolved in water or weak acid • Accidental exposure highly unlikely • As little as 500 micrograms injected (pin head size) could kill • Larger amounts required if inhaled or swallowed

  13. Ricin • Poisoned victims are not contagious • Was possibly used in the Iran-Iraq war in the 80’s • Ricin found in Al Qaeda caves in Afghanistan • Blocks cells from making proteins

  14. Ricin Signs and Symptoms • Inhalation: • Coughing, tightness in chest, difficulty breathing, nausea, aching muscles • Quickly, lungs become inflamed, lung fluids build, skin may turn blue

  15. Ricin Signs and Symptoms • Injestion • Internal bleeding of stomach and intestines • Leads to bloody vomit and diarrhea • Liver, spleen, kidneys may stop functioning • May lead to death

  16. Ricin Signs and Symptoms • Injection • All previously cited signs and symptoms may occur

  17. Ricin: Death • May occur in 36-48 hours – no matter the type of exposure • If one lives longer than 5 days w/o complications, they will probably survive

  18. Ricin Treatment NONE No widely available, reliable test to confirm exposure

  19. Information Regarding Terrorist Related Emergencies • DHS.gov

  20. The Cardiovascular System and Disease Prevention 42% of all deaths in the U.S. are related to heart disease

  21. Cardiovascular Disease • 1 million deaths each year • 275 billion dollars • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the United States.

  22. Coronary Artery Disease • Primary form of heart disease • A disease involving waxy plaque build-up in the arteries

  23. Coronary Artery Disease

  24. Coronary Risk Factors • Primary Risk Factors:Factors that have been definitively associated with or directly cause coronary artery disease. • Secondary Risk Factors:Factors believed to contribute to or advance the severity of atheroschlerosis and CAD.

  25. Primary Risk Factors (Alterable) • Smoking • Hypertension (high blood pressure) • High serum cholesterol • Physical inactivity • Diabetes mellitus • Obesity • Family History

  26. Secondary Risk Factors • Stress • Age • Gender (male vs. female)

  27. Heart Attack and Partial Blockages

  28. Angina • Chest pain usually brought on by: • Physical exertion, exposure to cold • Emotional stress • Due to ischemia • (reduced oxygen to part of the heart muscle) • Duration of pain: less than 10 minutes • Usually relieved by nitroglycerin

  29. About Nitroglycerine • Give one dose approximately every 3 to 5 minutes (3 dosages in 10 minutes) • Transport if 3 dosages are necessary • Dosage amounts vary • Available in tablets, spray, ointment, patch • Victim should be sitting or lying down • Reduces blood pressure • Reduces work for the heart (dilates arteries which increases blood flow)

  30. Heart Attack • Blood supply to a portion of heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped

  31. Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms • Chest pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain • Pain lasts longer than 10 minutes • Radiating pain • Light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath • Indigestion?? (neighbor)

  32. Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms #2 • May occur during rest or activity • Pain not relieved by nitroglycerin • Not all signs are always present • Victim will be in denial • Get help immediately

  33. Other Causes of Chest Pain • Rib injury • Pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy • Lung injury • Indigestion • Nerve impingement

  34. Chest Pain: Heart Attack / What To Do • Call EMS or transport • Monitor ABC’s / give CPR if necessary • Place victim in least painful position • (Usually in half sitting position, knees bent) • Loosen tight clothing around neck and mid-section • Maintain composure / reassure • Determine if there is a history of heart disease • Check for medications • Nitroglycerine / give one aspirin if not allergic

  35. Stroke: Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) “Brain Attack” • Occurs as a result of: • Clot (80%) • Ruptured vessel (20%) • Lack of oxygen to brain: cells die • Third largest cause of death in U.S. • Major cause of disability

  36. Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA’s) • Mini-strokes • Precursor to major stroke • May last a few minutes to several hours • Function normally returns

  37. Stroke Risk Factors • >50 years of age • Birth control pills and > 30 years old • Overweight • Hypertension • High cholesterol • Diabetes • Heart disease • Sickle cell disease • Substance abuse (esp. crack) • Family history

  38. Stroke: Signs and Symptoms • Sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm, leg, on one side of the body (Strokes areusually unilateral) • Loss of speech, difficulty speaking, difficulty understanding speech • Blurred or decreased vision (one side) • Deviation of PEARL • Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, loss of balance • Sudden severe headache

  39. Stroke: What To Do • Check ABC’s • Call EMS • Victim conscious? • Have victim lay down with upper body and head slightly elevated • Unresponsive but breathing? • Recovery position • Chin extended to keep airway open • Do not give liquids or food (throat may be paralyzed)

  40. Asthma • Chronic, inflammatory lung disease • Air passages narrow • Difficulty exhaling • Tends to resolve with age

  41. What Triggers Asthma Attacks? • Respiratory tract infection • Extreme temperatures, especially cold • Strong odors, perfumes, dust, fumes, smoke, allergens, air pollution • Certain drugs (aspirin, beta blockers) • Exercise • Emotional stress

  42. Signs of Asthma Attack • Coughing • Wheezing or whistling sound • Flared nostrils • Cyanosis (blue) • Difficulty speaking • Blue lips / fingertips • These symptoms may also indicate other health problems such as pneumonia, cystic fibrosis

  43. Asthma: What To Do • Sit in upright position, leaning slightly forward • Pursed lip breathing • Inhaler or other medications • (Child at YMCA / show inhaler / hold 10 sec.) • Monitor ABC’s if necessary

  44. Asthma: What To Do • Determine cause of attack - remove victim from causative environment • Abrupt change in outdoor temperature, dust, feathers, animals, tobacco smoke, paint, etc. • Keep conversations brief • Seek medical attention if necessary

  45. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: COPD • Primary cause: SMOKING • Primarily includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema • Chronic bronchitis • Affects bronchioles (become thickened) • Caused by chronic infections and irritations such as cigarette smoke • Symptoms: “Cigarette cough, breathing difficulty, increased sputum and severe coughing

  46. COPD – Emphysema • Destruction of alveoli • Loss of lung elasticity • Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath • May become dependent on oxygen

  47. COPD: What To Do • Sitting position • Usually have their own medications • Encourage fluid intake • In acute distress? Get medical assistance

  48. Hyperventilation • Usually brought on by emotional stress • Shortness of breath • Characterized by extremely fast breathing • Dizziness • Numbness • Tingling of hands and feet

  49. Hyperventilation: What To Do • Encourage slow deep breathing • Inhale through nose and hold for several seconds • Exhale slowly through pursed lips • Calm and reassure the victim • Do not place a paper bag over the head

  50. Fainting • A sudden, brief loss of consciousness unassociated with a head injury • Occurs when the brain’s blood flow in interrupted • Often occurs when standing for prolonged periods of time (results in blood pooling) which may result in a drop in blood pressure • Can be brought on by hypoglycemia, dehydration, anemia, heat exhaustion, slow heart rate, anxiety and emotional stress

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