General Illnesses

Question 1

What is a seizure?

Answer 1

Abnormal electrical discharge in the brain

-can be recurrent, in which it is a seizure disorder

Question 2

Recurrent (at least 2) idiopathic episodes of sudden excessive charges of electrical activity in the brain is called

Answer 2

Epilepsy

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of a seizure?

Answer 3

Altered sensation
Perception
Behavior
Mood
LOC
Convulsive Movements

Question 4

What are some causes to seizures?

Answer 4

Post-traumatic head injury
Metabolic (dehydration or hypoglycemia)
Drug use (immediate withdrawal)/alcohol
Infections
Stroke
Hyperthermia
Tumors

Question 5

Partial/Focal Seizures & signs and symptoms:

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Generalized seizures & signs and symptoms:

Answer 6

Affect the entire brain

Question 7

What is Grand Mal and what precedes it?

Answer 7

prolonged contractions of skeletal muscles or rhythmic contraction/relaxation. Preceded by an aura (taste/smell)

Question 8

How to manage a seizure?

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

What is a stroke?

Answer 9

a disruption in blood supply running to the brain (lack of O2)

Question 10

What causes a stroke?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?

Answer 11

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, unilateral extremity
trouble speaking
confusion
dizziness
loss of balance/consciousness

Question 12

Management for strokes: FAST - what does it stand for?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

A Transient Ascemic Attack is considered a ____ stroke. Blood clot blockage is _____. Most attacks last ____ than _____.

Answer 13

A Transient Ascemic Attack is considered a mini stroke. Blood clot blockage is temporary. Most attacks last less than five minutes.

Question 14

Sickle Cell Anemia/Trait is

Answer 14

a condition in the blood. Hemoglobin shape is abnormal. Sickle cells clump together and do not flow properly through blood vessels

Question 15

Sickle Cell Anemia patients have __ sickle cell genes.

Answer 15

two

Question 16

Sickle Cell Trait patients have __ sickle cell gene.

Answer 16

one

Question 17

Who is at risk the most with inheriting sickle cell gene?

Answer 17

Africans, italians, greeks

Question 18

How does sickle cell affect an athlete?

Answer 18

Excessive exercise in hot or humid environments
High elevation

**most of the time athlete will be asymptomatic

Question 19

Signs and Symptoms of affected athlete with SCA/SCT

Answer 19

Swollen, painful, inflamed hands and feet
irregular heartbeat
severe fatigue
headache
muscle weakness
muscle pain

Question 20

Management of sickle cell: how to prevent

Answer 20

athlete must stay hydrated
avoid excessive exercise in heat/humid conditions
Monitor timed sprints

Question 21

What is asthma and what does it do?

Answer 21

chronic inflammatory disorder of airways
-high mucus production
Bronchial smooth muscle constricts
Throat can get very swollen making it hard to breath

Question 22

What affects asthma?

Answer 22

Indoor allergens: pets, cockroaches, fungus, mold/dust, smoke
Outdoor allergens: pollen, pollution

Question 23

Exercise is a trigger in asthma: true of false

Answer 23

TRUE

In most patients who have asthma exercise is a trigger
-EIA can occur in patients who do not otherwise have asthma.

Question 24

What is the cooling/warming hypothesis?

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

Signs and Symptoms of asthma?

Answer 25

shortness of breath
wheezing
chest tightness
dry cough

Question 26

Best way to manage asthma?

Answer 26

Controller meds- inhaler (daily, long term)
Rescuer Meds - epi pen, treat acute symptoms
Non-pharmacologic - mask, nose breathing, fish oil.