Health Advice

Both Burns and scalds are commonly cause by heat - burns by dry heat such as fire, and scalds by moist heat such as steam. Chemicals can also cause burns by the release of heat when contact is made with tissue. Other causes of burns may be friction, electricity, radiation and intense cold. Remember that someone suffering severe burns is like to also be suffering shock.

Burns are classified into 3 parts:

• Superficial - Involving only the external part of the outermost layer of skin (redness, swelling and tenderness)
• Partial Thickness - Involving the entire outer layer of skin (red raw skin, blistered skin, great pain)
• Full Thickness : Burn 0 affecting all layer of the skin (pale and waxy skin, less pain as there may be damage to nerve endings. For this urgent medical attention must be sought.

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This occurs when a portion of the brain is starved of oxygen due to a burst blood vessel or a clot blocking a blood vessel.  This starving of oxygen will cause damage to the brain the long term effects are dependent on were the episode occurs in the brain and how much tissue is affected.

• Recognition
• Sudden and severe headache
• Confusion, emotional instability
• A deterioration in the level of consciousness (sudden or progressive)
• Sign of weakness or paralysis usually affecting one side of the body
• Slurring or loss of speech
• Unequal pupils
• Possible loss of bladder control

If the casualty is conscious lay them down keeping the head and shoulders raised and turn the head to one side if they are dribbling,  to make them more comfortable place an absorbent pad/towel under the chin.  An ambulance will need to be called and whilst waiting tight clothing should be loosened and response level, breathing and pulse monitored.  If unconscious then the individual needs to be placed into the recovery position and preparation made to resuscitate if necessary.

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A seizure is the result of a disturbance of the natural electrical activity in the brain. Not all the causes of seizures are understood but it is known that the following can all be the cause of seizures in adults.

• Epilepsy
• Head injury
• Some brain damaging diseases
• Shortage of oxygen
• Shortage of glucose
• Certain poisons including alcohol

The signs to look out for are sudden loss of consciousness, the casualty will collapse often letting out a cry, the body becomes rigid and the back may arch, breathing may cease and the casualty will develop a blueness to the lips and the face may appear congested. The jaw may be clenched and saliva appears at the mouth which may or may not be blood stained.

To help you need to protect the casualty by removing any danger from around them. Also it may help putting a cushion down to protect the head. In most cases individuals don’t need to go to hospital, however an ambulance should be called if seizures are repeated, this is the first time a seizure is occurring or if the seizure lasts more than 10 minutes

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Asthma is becoming increasingly prevalent every year affecting both adults and children. It is a distressing condition that causes the small passages of the airway to constrict due to spasm. Theses tissues also secrete sticky mucous causing further difficulties in breathing. Different things can trigger asthma attacks in different people. Common trigger factors include air pollution, cigarette smoke, pollen, dust and nervous tension.

Most people with asthma will know the best way of dealing with an attack as they may carry medication in the form of a reliever inhaler which helps to alleviate the symptoms in most cases. This is usually blue and relieves the first effects of asthma at the fist sign of attack. The Preventer is usually brown and used regularly to help prevent asthma attacks - this doesn’t have a effect on the attack once started.
Despite this, a severe asthma attack can be fatal and the casualty can deteriorate quickly.

The signs to look out for in recognising an attack is the individual will be facing difficulty in breathing - particularly breathing out. There may also be a wheeze when the casualty breathes out, distress and anxiety, coughing, and a rapid pulse. These are only some of the signs to look out for.

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This is commonly seen in people with the condition diabetes mellitus but may occur as a complication in other conditions. Low blood sugar affects the brain function and has a typical rapid deterioration of response.

Signs of recognition may be:

• A history of diabetes
• Weakness, faintness or hunger
• Palpitations and muscle tremors
• Confused or aggressive behaviors
• Profuse sweating
• Pale and cold to touch

If the casualty is conscious then they should be sat down and given a sugary drink or sugary food such as cola chocolate. If the condition improves more food and drink should be given and the individual allowed to rest. If the casualty is unconscious then they should be placed in the recovery position and ambulance called whilst monitoring pulse and breathing.

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Animal or human bits that penetrate the skin should always get medical attentions as the risk of infection is high. Medical advice should be sort if the casualty has not had a tetanus immunisation, or if it was more then 10 years ago. To treat, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, the area dried with gauze swabs and covered with a sterile dressing. For more serious wounds to control the bleeding direct pressure should be applied and the casualty sent to hospital.

Insect stings on the whole are painful but unless the casualty is allergic to them there should be no complications. If visible the sting should be removed by gently scraping it off. Care should be taken not to squeeze any poison sac attached. The areas should be raised and a cold compress applied to relieve pain and swelling. If this does not reduce over the next few days then they should see a doctor.

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The circulatory system pumps blood around the body, Disruptions to this system caused by illness or injury which prevent blood being pumped to the vital organs such as the brain, heart, lungs and kidneys can cause a potentially fatal condition known as shock.
Initial signs for recognition are:

• Pale, ashen, cold clammy skin
• Rapid pulse becoming weaker as time progresses

As the condition worsens you may see:

• Rapid shallow breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• The casualty feels weak or giddy
• Restlessness and aggressiveness
• Decreasing consciousness

To treat the cause of shock, the casualty should be kept still and laid down (if injuries allow) with the head kept low and legs raised gently, This will keep the blood in the vital areas such as the brain.  Tight clothing should be loosen around the neck, check and waist and covered with a blanket if possible.  An ambulance should be called whilst checks for breathing are made regularly.

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