Aeromedical aspects Flashcards
What is angina?
Reduced oxygen to the heart due to a build up of plaque, usually a consequence of coronary artery disease.
What are the symptoms of angina?
- Cramping chest pain
- Breathlessness
- Weakness
- Pale in colour
What is the definition of a heart attack?
When bloody supply to the heart stops due to a blockage (plaque cracks and a blood clot blo9cks the artery).
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
- Constricting chest pain
- Ashen, cold, clammy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weak rapid pulse
What is the definition of a cardiac arrest?
Severe disruption of complete stop of the heart, brought on by a heart attack.
What is meant by ventricular fibrillation?
When the hearts electrical pulse is disrupted
What is meant by asystole?
Flat line - When the hearts electrical pulses stop completely
What are the symptoms of a cardiac arrest?
- No breathing
- No pulse
- Collapses casualty with no response
What is the definition of a stroke?
Blockage or rupture of brain arteries, preventing blood flowing to the brain.
What are the possible effects of a stroke?
- Slow bounding pulse
- Confused mental state
- Loss of speech, bladder and breathing control
- Loud breathing
What is the definition of epilsepy?
Neurological disorder where brain activity becomes abnormal, causing different physical or mental responses.
What are the two types of epileptic fit?
Major and minor
What are the symptoms of an major epileptic fit?
Full body convulsion
+ Minor fit symptoms
What are the symptoms of a minor epileptic fit?
- Switching off or staring blankly
- Twitching or jerking
- Repetitive movements
- Chewing or making noises
What is the definition of diabetes?
When the body is unable to control its own sugar levels.
What is hyperglycaemia?
When the bodies blood sugar levels are higher than its insulin levels
This is a reversible state with no immediate effects
What is hypoglycaemia?
When the bodies insulin levels are higher than its blood sugar levels
This is a life-threatening state
What are the symptoms of the two diabetic states (6)?
- Weakeness, fainting
- Confusion, pale and cold
- Slurred speech
- Sweating profusely
- Rapid pulse shallow breathing
- Trembling limbs
What is the definition of asthma?
Narrowing of air passages in the lungs, during an attack muscles spasm and swell making it difficult to breathe.
What are the symptoms of an asthma attack?
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty speaking
- Wheezing
- Blueness of skin (cyanosis)