Go Green.wmv

Dealing with Angina Pectoris & Heart Attack..

Angina Pectoris

A condition where the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscles with blood, become narrowed and cannot carry sufficient blood to meet the increased demands during exertion or excitement.

An attack forces the casualty to rest; the pain should ease soon after.

Signs & Symptoms

o Gripping chest pain, often spreading to the left arm and jaw
o Pain or tingling in the hand
o Weakness, often sudden and extreme
o Lips may become blue.
o Casualty may be short of breath.

Management

o Help casualty to sit down and support his back and place padding his knees
o Reassure casualty. Advice him to rest.
o Loosen tight clothing around neck, chest, and waist.
o If symptom persist, arrange removal to hospital.
o Nitro-glycerine/GTN tablets are prescribed to persons subjected to angina attacks. This can be placed under the tongue at the onset of episode.

....

....

....

Heart Attack

A heart attack is most commonl caused by a sudden obstruction of the blood supply to part of the heart muscle for example, because of a clot in a coronary artery.\

The main risk is the heart will stop beating

Drugs like aspirin and other medications that dissolve the clot are used to limit the extent of damange to the heart muscles.

Signs & Symptoms

 Sudden crushing pain in the centre of chest sometimes described as severe indigestion. This may spread to arms, throat, jaw, abdomen or back and does not subside with rest.
 Sudden giddiness causing casualty to sit downs or leans against a wall.
 Skin may become ashen.
 Lips and extremities may become blue (cyanosis).
 Profuse sweating may develop.
 Breathlessness may occur.
 Fast pulse, which may become weaker and irregular.
 Symptoms and signs of shock.
 Unconsciousness may develop.
 Breathing and heart may stop.

Management

 Rest and Reassure
 Be ready to resuscitate (CPR) if casualty becomes unconscious
 Urgent removal to hospital

Do browse through this website for a better understanding...

http://www.medhelp.org/tags/show/299/Heart-Attack

Epilepsy...Seizures...Fits...

Epilepsy – Abnormal and uncontrollable surge of electrical activities in the brain

Minor Epilepsy

How to recognize?

o Sudden “switching off”/in daydream.
o Slight twitching movements of lips, eyelids or head.
o Strange “automatic” movements – lip smacking, chewing, making odd noises, fiddling with clothing.
o On recovery casualty may have lose track of what he/she was doing.

How to manage?

o Help casualty sit down.
o Remove possible sources of harm.
o Talk calmly and reassuringly.
o Do not pester with questions.
o Stay with casualty until he/she has recovered.
o Advise to see doctor.

...............................................................................................................

Major Epilepsy

How to recognize?

· Some casualty may experience brief period of “aura” – a strange feeling, a particular taste or smell.
· Sudden loss of consciousness, often letting out a cry.
· Observe the phases of epilepsy

After the Fit (<5mins)

· Muscles relax.
· Breathing becomes normal.
· Recovers consciousness.
· Feel dazed and confused.
· Behave strangely – “automatism”.
· May be followed by deep sleep.

How to manage?

· Support falling casualty.
· Clear space around.
· Loosen clothing around neck.
· Place something soft under neck.
· When convulsions cease, place in recovery position.
· Stay with casualty until completely recovered.
· DO NOT lift or move casualty unless in immediate danger.
· DO NOT use force to restrain him/her or put anything into mouth.
· Note time and duration of fit.
· If unconscious for more than 10 minutes, call for ambulance.
· If casualty unaware of his/her condition, advise to see doctor.

Here's a video by Doctor Hillary explaining on Epilepsy for your further understanding.. =)

Ccramp Cramp Cramp!!!

Cramp is an involuntary, painful contraction of the muscles which produce a hard, bulging muscle. Cramps can be caused by cold, shortage of oxygen and build up of lactic acid where muscles going into spasm.

The causes of cramping:

· Hyper flexion
· Inadequate oxygenation
· Dehydration
· Extreme cold and chilling

Management of cramp in the foot

Aim: To help relieve the spasm and pain.

To do:-
· Help the casualty to stand with her weight on the front of her foot.
· Massage the affected area of the foot.

Management of cramp in the calf

Aim: To help relieve the spasm and pain.

To do:-
· Straighten the casualty’s knee and support the foot.
· Flex the foot towards the shin and then massage.


Management of cramp in the thigh

Aim: To help relieve the spasm and pain.

To do:-
· Help the casualty to lie down then raise the leg and straighten the knee.
· Support the leg and massage the affected thigh muscle gently but firmly.

Sprain vs Strain..

SPRAIN

o A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments. A ligament is a thick, tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones together.

o Excessive stretching can cause injury to the ligaments.

o The ligaments can have tears in it, or it can be completely torn apart.

o Signs and Symptoms

- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Loss of functional ability
- Deformity
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Feel a pop or tear when injury happens

STRAIN

o A strain is caused by a twisting or tearing of muscle or tendon that attach the muscles to the bones.

o By pulling too far on a muscle can also damage small blood vessels, causing local bleeding and pain.

o Signs and Symptoms

- Sudden sharp pain
- Muscle spasm
- Muscle weakness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Loss of muscle function
- Redness
- Inflammation

Management of Strain and Sprain

REST
To avoid further injury and also to reduce increased blood flow

ICE
Use a cold pack, or ice to help limit the swelling. Be careful not to apply too long to avoid tissue damage

COMPRESSION
Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage

ELEVATION
Elevate the injured part to give gravitational aid and help prevent and limit swelling

Treating Burns and Scalds..

Treating minor burns and scalds

Place injured part under cold running water for at least 10 minutes. If water is not available, any cold harmless liquid eg. Milk (gassy drinks are not recommended)

Gently remove any jewellery, watches, belts, or constricting clothing from the injured area before it begins to swell.

Cover injured with clean, sterile and non-fluffy material.

DO NOT break blisters.
DO NOT apply adhesive tape to the skin.
DO NOT apply lotions, ointments, or fats to the injury.

Treating Severe Burns and Scalds

o Lay casualty down. Protect the burned area from contact with the ground if possible.

o Douse the burn with plenty of cold liquid at least for 10 minutes, but must not delay the removal to hospital.

o While cooling the burn, watch for signs of difficulty in breathing.

o Gently remove any rings, watches, belts, shoes, or smouldering clothing from the injured area, before it begins to swell.

o Carefully remove burned clothing, unless it is sticking to the burn.



o Cover the injury with a sterile dressing.
o Reassure the casualty and treat for shock.


o Monitor and record breathing and pulse rates.
o Call 999 for an ambulance.