Asthma
Asthma: is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways.
Signs and symptoms:
Signs and symptoms:
- Coughing, especially at night
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
- Asthma Treatments
- Asthma Medications
- Asthma Inhalers
- Steroids & Other Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Bronchodilators: Airway Openers
- Asthma Nebulizer (Breathing Machine)
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reaction, the immune system starts fighting substances that are usually harmless (such as dust mites, pollen, or a medicine) as though these substances were trying to attack the body.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of your heart is blocked for a long enough time that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies. The medical term for this is myocardial infarction.
Signs and symptoms:
Signs and symptoms:
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
- Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sit victim in a supported position with knees bent.
- Call 911, ask for an ambulance and say you suspect a heart attack.
- If the person is conscious, and they aren't allergic to Aspirin, give them a 300 mg tablet of Aspirin to chew.
- Monitor the victim's condition and be prepared to give CPR if they lose consciousness.
Fainting
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain.
Diabetes and low blood sugar
Diabetes is a condition whereby the body is not able to regulate levels of glucose (a sugar) in the blood, resulting in too much glucose being present in the blood.
Signs and symptoms:
Signs and symptoms:
- Excessive thirst and appetite
- Increased urination (sometimes as often as every hour)
- Unusual weight loss or gain
- Fatigue
- Nausea, perhaps vomiting
- Blurred vision
- In women, frequent vaginal infections
- In men and women, yeast infections
- Dry mouth
- Slow-healing sores or cuts
- Itching skin, especially in the groin or vaginal area
Shock
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. This can damage multiple organs. Shock requires immediate medical treatment and can get worse very rapidly.
Signs and symptoms:
Signs and symptoms:
- Anxiety or agitation/restlessness
- Bluish lips and fingernails
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness
- Pale, cool, clammy skin
- Low or no urine output
- Profuse sweating, moist skin
- Rapid but weak pulse
- Shallow breathing
- Unconsciousness
Seizure
A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure" is often used interchangeably with "convulsion." Convulsions are when a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. During convulsions, the person's muscles contract and relax repeatedly.
Signs and symptoms:
Signs and symptoms:
- Brief blackout followed by period of confusion (the person cannot remember a period of time)
- Changes in behavior such as picking at one's clothing
- Drooling or frothing at the mouth
- Eye movements
- Grunting and snorting
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Mood changes such as sudden anger, unexplainable fear, panic, joy, or laughter
- Shaking of the entire body
- Sudden falling
- Tasting a bitter or metallic flavor
- Teeth clenching
- Temporary halt in breathing
- Uncontrollable muscle spasms with twitching and jerking limbs
Stroke
Stroke is the rapid loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.
Signs and symptoms:First Aid/ Treatment:
1. If you suspect stroke, call 911
2. Reassure the patient
3. Lay the patient down with head and shoulders slightly elevated
4. If patient is not breathing do a CPR
5. Place the patient on the left side if breathing ornot responsive
6. Keep the chin slightly extended
Signs and symptoms:
- Sudden paralysis of a leg, arm or one side of the face
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden vision problems, such as blurred or double vision
- Sudden loss of coordination or problems with balance
- A severe, sudden headache without apparent cause
- Sudden numbness, weakness or dizziness