Medical Conditions

1. Medical Conditions

2. -Heart Attack • When heart tissue does, it is called a heart attack, such an attack damages the heart muscles and interrupts the hearts electrical system. • Cardiac emergencies, including heart attack, angina, and congestive heart failure, are life threatening and may lead to sudden cardiac arrest. • It is important that you recognize the signs and symptoms of cardiac emergencies and act promptly. If you are in doubt about the severity of a problem which causes the signs and symptoms of a cardiac emergency, call an ambulance immediately.

3. -Stroke • A stroke is a disruption of blood flow to part of the brain, which is serious enough to damage brain tissue. It is most commonly caused by a blood clot

4. -Diabetes • In order to function normally, body cells need sugar for energy. Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, is necessary to take sugar into the cells. Without a proper balance of sugar and insulin, the cells will starve and the body will not function properly. • Hyperglycemia= too much insulin • Hypoglycemia= too much sugar

5. -Epilepsy • Is a disorder of normal brain functioning that takes form in seizures. These occur when the brains nerve cells misfire and generate an uncontrollable burst of energy. • Epileptic seizures can be very frightening, but most will stop of their own accord. • A person who has had a seizure will often be embarrassed when they ‘come to’ – possibly lost their bowel function

6. -Asthma • Is a condition in which the air passages to the lungs become narrowed by muscle spasm, swelling of the mucous membrane lining the lungs and increased mucous production in the lungs. • The airway is narrowed and the person has difficult breathing. • Air is trapped in the lungs because the person can not easily breathe. • Triggers can include: colds, exercise, inhaled allergens, weather and temp changes, tobacco smoke, some medications, stress, food additives

8. -Anaphylaxis • Is a severe and sudden allergic reaction. It happens when a susceptible person is exposed to a trigger such as food, certain drugs, or possibly an insect skin. • A reaction usually occurs within minutes of the exposure to the trigger .

9. -Poisoning • A poison is any substance which causes injury or illness when introduced into the body. • Poisons can enter the body in 4 ways: ingestion, inhalation, absorption and injection. Eg drinking a cleaning product, inhaling carbon monoxide from an engine, chemicals touching the skin, inset bite

10. -Bites and stings • ‘ I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains’- Australia has a wide range of animals that can and do sting- in both wet and dry environments. • It is very important to try and figure out what has bitten/ stung you to ensure you get the correct treatment • Keeping the patient calm is of vital importance, as it slows down the release of venom.

11. Pain in lymph nodes (armpits) and groin • For snake, FW spider and cone shell use a pressure immobilization bandage • For tropical jellyfish : liberally wash tenticles off with vinegar, if none available pick off yourself and wash with seawater. • Monitor persons ABC

12. -Exposure to heat and cold • In order to function properly, body temperature must be maintained within a narrow range of about 37 degrees. • Heat induced illness can occur when the body is unable to cool down