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Breathing Difficulties

Background
Respiration allows a person to replenish their body by breathing in Oxygen for fuel, and exhaling Carbon Dioxide as waste. It only takes 3 minutes before the cells in our bodies start to die as a result of Oxygen starvation.

Symptoms
Respiratory problems can be the result of any number of conditions, such as a result of an injury that has damaged the chest wall, or a disease such as cancer or emphysema. Other breathing problems can be more treatable, such as asthma (refer to the previous condition) or hyperventilation both of which can have a rapid onset.

Treatment
Abdominal Thrusts are carried out by a person standing behind the sufferer, and using your hands to exert sufficient pressure to the diaphragm thus compressing the lungs and expelling any object lodged in the airway.

You should take great care when carrying out this procedure as it can severely bruise the abdomen or in extreme cases fracture to the ribs.

An individual can carry out their own abdominal thrust by the use of a rail or the back of a chair to assert pressure onto the diaphragm - again care must be taken so they do not injure themselves.

Choking

Background
Choking occurs when a foreign object is lodged at the back of a person’s throat that becomes blocked or causes a muscular spasm. Young children are especially susceptible when they choke on food or put small objects into their mouth that blocks their airway. The most common cause of choking in adults is during eating, if the blockage is mild they may be able to clear it by coughing, drinking a glass of water or a simple slap on the back.

Should the choking episode continue, it can result in asphyxiation which is potentially fatal.

Symptoms
It is easy to recognise that the person is choking, when it is mild obstruction they find it difficult to speak, breathe or cry. If the object is lodged more firmly, without assistance they could eventually loose consciousness.

Treatment
There are different ways to treat choking depending upon the severity and the age of the person. Your aim is to calm the patient, remove the obstruction and to arrange urgent medical assistance if the object cannot be removed.

Treatment for infants
If you can see the obstruction, encourage the child to cough and very gently remove it from their mouth.

If the infant is distressed, unable to cry, cough, or breathe: please take the following action:
1.    Attempt to calm them.

2.    Lay the child face down along your forearm.

3.    Keep their head low, and support their back and head.

4.    Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulders, with the heel of your hand.

5.    Check the infant’s mouth and remove any obvious obstructions.

If the obstruction is still present:
1.    Turn the infant onto his back and give up to 5 chest thrusts.

2.    VERY GENTLY using two fingers, push inwards and upwards (towards the head) against the infants breastbone, a fingers’ breadth below the nipple line.

3.    Attempt to relieve the obstruction with each chest thrust.

4.    Check the mouth.

5.    If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts: telephone the emergency services, but continue until help arrives.

Treatment for older children
1.    Calm the Child and encourage them to cough.

2.    If this does not work then encourage the child to bend over and use the Back Slap.

3.    Using the heel of the hand give a hard blow to the upper back of the child, you continue with this on average 5 – 10 times.

The Back Slap can also be used on Adults who have not responded to coughing.  This can help clear the airways and thought to be safe.

Dizziness

Background
Dizziness can mean different things to different people, for example some people experience light-headedness, can feel unsteady on their feet, or others feel that the room is revolving around them (this tends to be vertigo, especially if this feeling is accompanied by nausea and vomiting).

The most common causes of dizziness are viral infections, especially those that affect the head or the ear. The fluid-filled canals in the inner ear that control our balance become inflamed. Another common cause of dizziness is the result of low blood pressure. If a person’s blood pressure tends to be low, they are more likely to experience dizzy spells.

Many attacks of dizziness can be caused by momentary, harmless drops in blood pressure, leading to a reduction in the blood supply to the brain. This is often the result of a person suddenly rising from a sitting or a lying position – this is known as postural or orthostatic hypotension. This may be aggravated by certain medications, especially those that are used to control high blood pressure.

Anxiety and panic attacks especially when accompanied by hyperventilation can lead to dizzy spells and in some cases the person experiences tingling fingers and headaches. Another possible cause is Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and is easily remedied by eating some sugary food.

In most cases, dizziness is a minor annoyance that can be treated by calming the patient and getting them to sit or lie down with their feet raised higher than their heart.

Symptoms
There are a few warning signs but there may be a more serious underlying problem, these could include loss of consciousness, unusual behaviour, new severe headaches or a family history of diabetes or epileptic fits.

Treatment
If someone complains of feeling dizzy on several occasions and then passes out, they should be seen by a doctor. It may be a simple faint that can be easily explained. But if this happens on more than one occasion they should visit their doctor to get it checked out.

Epileptic Fits

Background
An epileptic fit is normally a result of a disturbance in the electrical activity in the brain that causes involuntary contractions of muscles in the body. These seizures can be sudden, dramatic and many sufferers can experience a brief warning period just before a seizure (a strange feeling or a special smell or taste).

An Epileptic fit can be caused by a head injury, disease, and shortage of oxygen to the brain or the intake of certain poisons including alcohol. The most common cause of this disruption is epilepsy.

Symptoms
A seizure can be recognised by the person’s lack of consciousness, they appear rigid often arching the back - breathing may slow or even cease. The lips may show a grey-blue tinge (cyanosis) and the face and neck may become red and puffy.

Convulsive movements begin - the jaw clenches and breathing can become very noisy. Saliva can appear from the mouth and be blood-stained if the lips or tongue have been bitten. There may be loss of bladder or bowel control as the muscles relax.

As they move towards the end of the seizure, muscles relax and breathing becomes more normal with the person recovering consciousness within a few minutes. They become disorientated, dazed, and may act in an unusual manner.  They can be exhausted, feel tired and fall into a deep sleep.

Treatment
The following actions should be taken if you suspect that a person is suffering a seizure:
1.    No matter what the cause of the seizure, an open, clear airway must be maintained.  You should monitor the person’s vital signs, their level of response to stimuli, their pulse and their breathing.

2.    They must be protected from self harm as they are unaware of what they are doing during a seizure.

3.    Throughout a seizure you should aim to protect the person, care for them when they regain consciousness and arrange for them to be hospitalised as appropriate.

4.    Because an epileptic fit is caused by a disturbance in the brain, the onset can be sudden and unexpected. In some cases the individual may have a few minutes warning, sufficient for them to get them to a place of safety.  However this is not always possible, if you see the person falling try to catch them to help their fall. Gently lower them to the ground, make space around them and ask bystanders to move away.

5.    Always remove potentially dangerous items, such as hot drinks and sharp objects. If possible, protect the person’s head by placing soft padding underneath it and loosen clothing around their neck.

6.    Note the time when the seizure started, and stay with them until the seizure passes. Place them into the recovery position and monitor their vital signs.

You must NOT move the person unless they are in immediate danger or put anything in their mouth or use force to restrain them.  If the person is unconscious for more than 10 minutes or the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes, they are having repeated seizures or this is their first seizure – please telephone the emergency services.

Foreign Objects in the Eye

Background
A foreign object in the eye can occur anywhere in the home, the workplace, or even outside as a result of a speck of dust, a loose eyelash, or even a contact lens.  All of these can invade the surface of the eye causing pain and temporary loss of vision.  .

Symptoms
Eyes are running, red, sore and blurred and the irritation cannot be rinsed off with eyewash or clean water

Treatment
For foreign objects in the eye, please take the following action:
1.    You must clean your hands and then ask them to sit down facing the light with their head tilted backwards.

2.    Stand behind them and gently with your finger and thumbs separate the eyelids and examine every part of the eye whilst asking the person to look up, down, left and right.

3.    If you can see an object on the white of the eye that you can remove safely then wash it out with clean water poured from a glass or a sterile eyewash bath. This can be done by inclining the person’s head towards their injured side and placing a towel or pad on their shoulder.

4.    Gently pour the water from the bridge of the nose allowing it to run through the eye to flush it out. If this does not remove the object, then very delicately lift the object from the white of the eye with a moist swab, the damp corner of a tissue or a clean handkerchief.

5.    Should objects become lodged under a person’s upper lid, ask them to pull the upper lid down over the lower lid as the lower lashes may brush the object clear.

If this is still unsuccessful then seek medical help.
Do not touch anything that is sticking or embedded in the eyeball or the iris as this can cause damage - simply place an eye pad over the eye and take the person directly to hospital.

Keep the person calm, take them to Accident and Emergency and ensure they get medical attention quickly.

Heart Attacks

Background
A Heart Attack or Myocardial infarction (Mi) is a result of the blood supply to the heart being interrupted. The most common cause is a blood clot that causes the blood supply to the heart muscle to be blocked. If the heart stops beating it can cause irreparable damage or death and therefore it is vitally important that the person is taken to hospital as a matter of urgency.

Symptoms
The classical symptoms of a heart attack are a sudden persistent chest pain that is often described as a heavy crushing pressure. The pain often radiates to the jaw, neck and down one or both arms, but in particular down the left side of the body.

The person normally experiences anxiety, breathlessness, or may even vomit or complain of pain in the abdomen. Their pulse is weak but rapid and irregular. The skin often appears sweaty, ashen and has a blue tinge to their lip.  They may be gasping for air and eventually collapse. On average 75 % of heart attacks show one or more of the above symptoms, but on occasions a person may simply collapse with little indication of the problem.

Treatment – Immediately telephone for an Ambulance (as any delay may cause further damage to the heart or even death).
However, before the medical services arrive take the following action:
1.    Attempt to calm the person and make them as comfortable as possible. There are certain positions that allow the patient to rest minimising breathing difficulties. The most recommended position is a half-sitting with knees bent; this allows the individual to receive more oxygen which helps there breathing.

2.    If the person is fully conscious and there are no contraindications such as an allergic reaction, give them a 300mg aspirin tablet to chew on slowly. If they already have medication, help them to take it.

3.    Attempt to obtain basic information from the person as this can assist the medical services.  This is always useful as they may have lost consciousness or unable to communicate when the medics arrive.

4.    Continue to monitor and record vital signs, along with breathing and pulse rate. Should the person become unconscious you need to open the airway, check breathing and be prepared to resuscitate them.

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Introduction to the Fundamental First Aid Certificate Course.

If you are working with the public or would just like to know more how to help in an emergency then this first aid course is essential.

This course covers First Aid Kits, Life Saving procedures and details of the Recovery position. You will learn how to deal with burns, severe bleeding, heart attacks, asthma attacks, epileptic fits, how to do CPR on both adults and children. Shock, poisoning, objects in wounds, nose bleeds, insect bites, stings and allergic reactions, panic attacks, diabetes, dizziness, choking, breathing difficulties, spinal injuries and life saving procedures are covered in this certificate course.

Finally there is an Appendix on medical conditions, background to them, symptoms and how they can be treated.

This is a basic first aid course and does not enable you to offer training in this matter, however as a holder of this accredited certificate course it will show that you have undertook and understood basic medical procedure.

If you wish to apply for your Certificate please note this will only be awarded on achievement of  80% pass mark to enusre that you have understood the course and are confident to carry out emergency procedures should it be necessary.

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Energy Healing

Energy healing is the practice of balancing the energy field that surrounds the human body. These are called `chi’, or an `aura”’ or simply, `the energy field’, this energy is referenced in many cultural traditions and is central to several alternative healing techniques. It is often divided into chakras — each one corresponding to a person’s mental, emotional, and physical self.

A person’s energy is believed to influence an individual’s well-being. The energy field can be healed, and that healing translates into physical improvement. If the energy around the lungs is blocked, for example, there may be a corresponding physical problem. If the energy is smoothed out, the physical problem may be improved.

Energy healers specialize in improving a person’s energy. They claim to manipulate the energy field of their patients, dispersing blockages or re-routing paths. They positively influence the energy field, which changes the physical state of the patient.

There are several different traditions and methods of energy healing Reiki and Healing Touch are the most common. Others include Ama Deus, Karuna Ki, Pranic, and Tantra.

Reiki is an ancient Japanese energy healing art. It is concerned with the universal life energy. In a reiki session, the practitioner channels healing energy from herself to her patient, and transfers that energy by touch. Specific hand placements cover each part of the body. Reiki corrects imbalances that hinder wellness. Reiki practitioners are trained in classes, and initiated into reiki with a ritual called an attunement.

Healing Touch is an energy healing practice that also uses the hands to interact with the energy field. Healing Touch also tries to achieve balance in the energy system. Practitioners of this type of energy healing undergo class training, learn by practice, and are often also nurses.

Though the medical establishment has been skeptical towards energy healing, it is becoming more common and acceptable. There are reiki masters, and healing touch practitioners all over the world. Finding one near you won’t be hard.

Therapy Angel Luna Online Home Studies

Today we are concentrating on Healing Energy; which includes reference to auras and Reiki 1 and 2 – both subjects are covered in Therapy Angel Luna Online Home Studies courses. How to Read Auras is one of our free courses, along with How to Read the Runes and Essential First Aid. .

All our courses give all you need to start practicing as a professional therapist in Angel and Crystal Therapy, Colour Healing, Reiki 1 and 2 and Aromatherapy or palmistry or tarot reader. You can take as little or as long as you like to study. Remember your diploma and exam are all in the price of the course, so there are no extra costs.

As soon as students enrol we guarantee that your course is with you within hours. We are so confident with the quality of our courses that we offer a 7 day back guarantee if you are not happy – a service that that our other competitors do not offer.

Many of our students have commented on how easy it is to study; our courses are comprehensive, easy to follow and fun. Within a short length of time they have been able get back the price of the course, been able to work as many hours as they want and earn quite a lot of money in doing something that they love to do.

Our personal tutor service includes support before and after study – we can offer advice on how you get started. We include some personal marketing tips should you need them – again much more than our competitors can offer. Our team has many years experience in holistic therapies, palmistry/tarot reading, training and marketing so we know that we can offer the best advice available.

Marti Oliphant

Learning and Development Director for Therapy Angel Luna Online Home Studies

21 May 2009

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Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is defined as any health practice that takes the place of, or is incompatible with, conventional Western medicine. Distinction must be made between alternative medicine and complementary medicine. Complementary medicine may involve non-traditional medical practices, but is undertaken along with traditional healing approaches. Alternative medicine implies using only non-traditional methods.
Alternative medicine includes a broad range of practices. Some healing therapies are based on Ancient Chinese beliefs, like acupuncture and the use of certain herbal compounds. Others focus on Hindu, or Ayurvedic, therapies including diet changes, the practice of yoga, and emphasizing the connection of mind, body, and spirit.
Mind, body, and spirit healing is also championed as holistic health, and can be alternative or complementary. Dr. Deepak Chopra, for example, practices medicine in this way, leaning more toward alternative than conventional thinking, although he holds a Western medical degree. His teachings have been hotly contested in the medical community.
Some other examples of alternative medicine include massage, meditation, chiropractic techniques and practice, spiritual healing, exercise practices like Tai Chi, and aromatherapy. This is just a short list of an almost inexhaustible supply of other holistic therapies, such as Angel Therapy, Crystal Healing, Colour Therapy and Reiki ,
Alternative practitioners can often point to thousands of years of anecdotal evidence that suggests certain alternative practices are successful. The Western medical community largely stands opposed to such practices, but as complementary medicine has advanced, there are now medical schools that teach “alternative” methods. Many physicians now embrace complementary medicine because it creates more options for addressing a medical condition.
Some people turn to alternative medicine when the traditional medical community can offer them no help or cure for a condition. Again, anecdotal evidence suggests that certain therapies may help to improve quality of life for these people. Western physicians acknowledge the more established methods of alternative medicine and recommend alternative therapies for patients they cannot help through traditional medicine. While some physicians remain sceptical, alternative medicine is often looked upon as a last resort strategy.
Therapy Angel Luna Online Home Studies
Today we are concentrating on alternative medicine, which includes the use of aromatherapy and other therapy treatments.  Our courses in holistic therapy provide you with all you need to start practicing as a professional therapist.  Additionally we provide training in palmistry or professional reading. You can take as little or as long as you like to study. Remember your diploma and exam are all in the price of the course, there are no extra costs.
As soon as students enrol we guarantee that your course is with you within hours.  We are so confident with the quality of our courses that we offer a 7 day back guarantee if you are not happy –  a service that that our other competitors do not offer.
Many of our students have commented on how easy it is to study; our courses are comprehensive, easy to follow and fun.  Within a short length of time they have been able get back the price of the course, been able to work as many hours as they want and earn quite a lot of money in doing something that they love to do.
Our personal tutor service includes support before and after study – we can offer advice on how you get started.   We include some personal marketing tips should you need them – again much more than our competitors can offer.  Our team has many years experience in holistic therapies, palmistry/tarot reading, training and marketing so we know that we can offer the best advice available.

Source: Luna online homestudies

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Life Saving Procedures

Resuscitation

Whenever you come across an emergency medical situation, the procedures and the priorities are always the same.  Before you take any action make an initial assessment of the situation to help you to establish what the priorities are, this could be whether you and the person are in any immediate danger. If so then you would decide what the best course of action would be – remember you cannot always move a person, so telephoning the emergency services might be your next step.

If a person is quiet, it often means that they are in need of urgent attention.  So the first action would be to check the individual(s):

(A)    Airway – is it clear of any obstacles,?
(B)          Breathing – are they breathing normally?
(C)          Circulation – check their pulse?

If the person appears unconscious, ask them loudly `can you hear me - can you open your eyes?’   If the person responds, and there is no immediate danger it would be advisable to leave them in the same position and immediately summon help.  You could continue to treat any conditions found, but monitor for any vital signs (A, B and C) until the emergency services arrive.

If the airway is obstructed, clear any obstacles that you can as it could cause the individual to die if left untreated.  Obstacles could include the tongue falling into the back of the throat; so you would carefully move it out of the way.

Action to Take

The following gives actions that you should take to deal with an emergency situation:

1.    If you are alone with the person, SHOUT for help rather leaving them on their own.
2.     If possible, keep the person in the position found and open the airway. If that is not possible and the situation is dangerous very gently turn the person onto their back and open their mouth.
3.    Open the airway by placing one hand on the person’s forehead and gently tilting the head backwards.  Open the mouth using 2 fingers only - this will move the person’s tongue away from the back of the mouth.
4.    Look, listen and feel for no more than 10 seconds to establish whether the person begins to breathe normally.
5.    Check if the chest is rising and falling as the person breathes - listen for breathing. Feel for breath against your cheek.
6.    If the person is breathing normally, then place them in the recovery position that is covered in Lesson 3. for more information see first aid manual.

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

The most significant life-threatening condition for a first aider is when a person is not breathing.  The first action you should take is to ensure that the emergency services have been called.

It is vital to a person’s survival that they breathe, as without oxygen the brain cells start to die within minutes. What we can do is breathe for the individual and pump oxygen around their body by using a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths known as Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

CPR enables you to push vertically down on the centre of the chest, squeezing the heart between the chest and backbone; thus forcing the blood out of the heart and into the body tissues. This is known as compression.

When the pressure is released, the heart returns to its normal shape and the blood is sucked in and then you force it out during the next compression.

You breathe into the individual sufficient oxygen to potentially keep them alive until the emergency services arrive. This expired air can be forced into the person’s lungs and air passages by performing what is called rescue breaths.

In situations of sudden cardiac arrests, the oxygen level in the blood remains high for a few minutes; so chest compressions are initially more important than the rescue breaths.

CPR for adults

The following gives the actions that you should take to deal with a CPR in an adult:

1.    If you are alone with the person, SHOUT for help rather leaving them on their own and start the resuscitation immediately.
2.    Place the heel of your hand in the centre of their chest, and place the other hand on top and interlock the fingers.

Compressions
3.    Keep your arms straight and your fingers off the chest; press down approximately 4-5cms - then release the pressure, keeping your hands in place.
4.    Repeat the compressions 30 times, at a rate of 100 per minute.

Rescue Breaths
1.    Ensure that their airway is open and pinch nose firmly closed.
2.    Take a deep breath and seal your lips around the person’s mouth.
3.    Blow into the mouth until the chest rises.
4.    Remove your mouth and allow the chest to fall and repeat once more.
5.    Continue resuscitation, 30 compressions to 2 Rescue Breaths.
6.    If there is blood in and around the mouth or it is difficult to breathe into their mouth, then you can    place your mouth around their nose.
7.    Continue with CPR until either the emergency services arrive or if you become too exhausted that you cannot continue (you could continue with compressions only until you catch your breath).  It is always a good idea to check whether there is anyone else that can take over – this can be done every 2 minutes with minimum disruptions.
8.    Once they start to breathe normally then you can leave them – if you have been unable to get someone to call for the emergency services, then this would be the appropriate time to do so.

CPR for children (1 year to puberty)
These are similar actions as with an adult – first thing is to get someone to call for an ambulance: If alone then carry out CPR for 2 minutes before calling for an ambulance, then:

Rescue Breaths
1.    Ensure the airway is open.
2.    Seal your lips around the child’s mouth while pinching the nose.
3.    Blow gently into the lungs, looking along the chest as you breathe.
4.    Take shallow breaths and do not empty your lungs completely.
5.    As the chest rises, stop blowing and allow it to fall.
6.    Repeat 4 or more times then check for circulation.
7.    Give 30 chest compressions

Compressions
1.    Place 1 or 2 hands in the centre of the chest (depending upon the size of the child).
2.    Use the heel of that hand with arms straight and press down to a third of the depth of the chest.
3.    Press 30 times, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
4.    After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths.
5.    Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths) without stopping until the emergency services arrive.
6.    If you are alone, carry out rescue breaths and chest compressions for 2 minutes before leaving the child to call the emergency services.

CPR for babies (birth to 1 year)

CPR for babies is similar to the procedures used on young children; however you are able to place your mouth over the baby’s nose and mouth.

1.    Your breath MUST be gentler as you fill your cheeks with air rather than breathing from your lungs. As the chest rises, stop blowing and allow it to fall.
2.    Repeat this 5 times. Then give 30 chest compressions by placing the baby on a firm surface.
3.    Use 2 fingers in the centre of the chest and press down sharply to about a third of the depth of the chest. Gently press 30 times, at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
4.    After 30 compressions, give 2 Rescue Breaths.
5.    Continue resuscitation (30 compressions to 2 rescue breath) without stopping until help arrives.
6.    If you are alone, carry out rescue breaths and chest compressions for 2 minutes before taking the infant with you to call an ambulance.
7.    If you are familiar with adult CPR and have no knowledge of infant CPR, use the adult sequence using 2 fingers for compression.

The Recovery Position

The Recovery Position is a technique that is used to assist people that are unconscious but still breathing. It can prevent a person from choking or suffocating from blood loss or other fluids.

When a person is positioned into the recovery position their chest is slightly raised, their tongue does not block their airway and gravity enables fluids to drain away from the nose and mouth.

As with other emergency procedures, you must first check a person’s condition and situation - are they in a safe area or must they be moved? Are they responsive to either verbal or physical responses?  Carry out ABC and if the patient is not alert, complete CPR, also arrange for the emergency services to be called.

If you come across an unconscious person who is breathing with no  life- threatening conditions, they should then be placed in the recovery position. To do this:

1.    Firstly ensure that both you and the causality are safe, and move any items that can cause harm.
2.    Place the person’s nearest arm at right angles to your own body with their palm facing upwards and bring their other arm across their chest.
3.    Pull up the leg on the same side of their body to just above the knee, but ensure that their foot remains on the ground.
7.    Turn the person towards you moving them onto their side and try to keep their hand close to their cheek as this allows their airway to remain open.
8.    Check their breathing.
9.    Move their upper leg so that both the hip and knee are bent at right angles.
10.    Continue to monitor their condition until help arrives.

VERY IMPORTANT

Spinal Injuries
If you suspect spinal injury, the following steps should be taken:

1.    Place your hands on either side of their face.
2.    With your fingertips gently lift the jaw to open the airway.
3.    Take care not to tilt the person’s neck.
4.    Check for other life-threatening conditions such as severe bleeding and treat as required.
5.    If the person is not breathing normally or if you have any doubt as to whether or not their breathing is normal, begin CPR:

Recovery Position for Babies
For a baby less than a year old, a modified recovery position must be adopted:

•    Cradle the baby in your arms, with their head tilted downwards to prevent them from choking on their tongue or inhaling vomit.
•    Monitor and record their vital signs - level of response, pulse and breathing until the emergency services arrive.
Epileptic Fits

Background
An epileptic fit is normally a result of a disturbance in the electrical activity in the brain that causes involuntary contractions of muscles in the body. These seizures can be sudden, dramatic and many sufferers can experience a brief warning period just before a seizure (a strange feeling or a special smell or taste).

An Epileptic fit can be caused by a head injury, disease, and shortage of oxygen to the brain or the intake of certain poisons including alcohol. The most common cause of this disruption is epilepsy.

Symptoms
A seizure can be recognised by the person’s lack of consciousness, they appear rigid often arching the back - breathing may slow or even cease. The lips may show a grey-blue tinge (cyanosis) and the face and neck may become red and puffy.

Convulsive movements begin - the jaw clenches and breathing can become very noisy. Saliva can appear from the mouth and be blood-stained if the lips or tongue have been bitten. There may be loss of bladder or bowel control as the muscles relax.

As they move towards the end of the seizure, muscles relax and breathing becomes more normal with the person recovering consciousness within a few minutes. They become disorientated, dazed, and may act in an unusual manner.  They can be exhausted, feel tired and fall into a deep sleep.

Treatment
The following actions should be taken if you suspect that a person is suffering a seizure:
1.    No matter what the cause of the seizure, an open, clear airway must be maintained.  You should monitor the person’s vital signs, their level of response to stimuli, their pulse and their breathing.

2.    They must be protected from self harm as they are unaware of what they are doing during a seizure.

3.    Throughout a seizure you should aim to protect the person, care for them when they regain consciousness and arrange for them to be hospitalised as appropriate.

4.    Because an epileptic fit is caused by a disturbance in the brain, the onset can be sudden and unexpected. In some cases the individual may have a few minutes warning, sufficient for them to get them to a place of safety.  However this is not always possible, if you see the person falling try to catch them to help their fall. Gently lower them to the ground, make space around them and ask bystanders to move away.

5.    Always remove potentially dangerous items, such as hot drinks and sharp objects. If possible, protect the person’s head by placing soft padding underneath it and loosen clothing around their neck.

6.    Note the time when the seizure started, and stay with them until the seizure passes. Place them into the recovery position and monitor their vital signs.

You must NOT move the person unless they are in immediate danger or put anything in their mouth or use force to restrain them.  If the person is unconscious for more than 10 minutes or the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes, they are having repeated seizures or this is their first seizure – please telephone the emergency services.

This is just a few things that this 4 part Free First aid manual covers. If you would like a free copy then just go to www.onlinehomestudies.com