General Illnesses Flashcards
What is a seizure?
Abnormal electrical discharge in the brain
-can be recurrent, in which it is a seizure disorder
Recurrent (at least 2) idiopathic episodes of sudden excessive charges of electrical activity in the brain is called
Epilepsy
Signs and symptoms of a seizure?
Altered sensation Perception Behavior Mood LOC Convulsive Movements
What are some causes to seizures?
Post-traumatic head injury Metabolic (dehydration or hypoglycemia) Drug use (immediate withdrawal)/alcohol Infections Stroke Hyperthermia Tumors
Partial/Focal Seizures & signs and symptoms:
affect only certain areas of the body
S&S:
-tingling, numbness, “pins n needles”
-involuntary movements in the face, limbs, or head
-sudden onset of emotions for no apparent reason (anxiety, fear, depression)
-Hallucinations
Generalized seizures & signs and symptoms:
Affect the entire brain
What is Grand Mal and what precedes it?
prolonged contractions of skeletal muscles or rhythmic contraction/relaxation. Preceded by an aura (taste/smell)
How to manage a seizure?
- No exact start and end to seizure
- Make sure individual is safe from further injury, clear the area (protect dignity of pt.)
- Do not place anything in the mouth **
- For first time seizure, activate EMS. For recurrent episodes, EMS may not be necessary
What is a stroke?
a disruption in blood supply running to the brain (lack of O2)
What causes a stroke?
ALL REQUIRE EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTN.*
Blood clot:
-embolus: clot forms in body, travels to the brain.
-Thrombosis: blockage of an artery to the brain.
Hemorrhagic:
-Aneurysm: breakage of blood vessel in brain.
What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, unilateral extremity trouble speaking confusion dizziness loss of balance/consciousness
Management for strokes: FAST - what does it stand for?
Face: ask athlete to smile
Arms: ask athlete to raise arms
Speech: ask athlete to repeat a sentence
Time: immediate medical refferal if any are abnormal
A Transient Ascemic Attack is considered a ____ stroke. Blood clot blockage is _____. Most attacks last ____ than _____.
A Transient Ascemic Attack is considered a mini stroke. Blood clot blockage is temporary. Most attacks last less than five minutes.
Sickle Cell Anemia/Trait is
a condition in the blood. Hemoglobin shape is abnormal. Sickle cells clump together and do not flow properly through blood vessels
Sickle Cell Anemia patients have __ sickle cell genes.
two
Sickle Cell Trait patients have __ sickle cell gene.
one
Who is at risk the most with inheriting sickle cell gene?
Africans, italians, greeks
How does sickle cell affect an athlete?
Excessive exercise in hot or humid environments
High elevation
**most of the time athlete will be asymptomatic
Signs and Symptoms of affected athlete with SCA/SCT
Swollen, painful, inflamed hands and feet irregular heartbeat severe fatigue headache muscle weakness muscle pain
Management of sickle cell: how to prevent
athlete must stay hydrated
avoid excessive exercise in heat/humid conditions
Monitor timed sprints
What is asthma and what does it do?
chronic inflammatory disorder of airways
-high mucus production
Bronchial smooth muscle constricts
Throat can get very swollen making it hard to breath
What affects asthma?
Indoor allergens: pets, cockroaches, fungus, mold/dust, smoke
Outdoor allergens: pollen, pollution
Exercise is a trigger in asthma: true of false
TRUE
In most patients who have asthma exercise is a trigger
-EIA can occur in patients who do not otherwise have asthma.
What is the cooling/warming hypothesis?
- Cooling in airway results in a bronchospasm and is exacerbated by cold weather
- Cold air carries less moisture, dryness increases inflammatory mediators
Both can trigger asthma
Signs and Symptoms of asthma?
shortness of breath
wheezing
chest tightness
dry cough
Best way to manage asthma?
Controller meds- inhaler (daily, long term)
Rescuer Meds - epi pen, treat acute symptoms
Non-pharmacologic - mask, nose breathing, fish oil.
