Stroke VS TIA “Transient Ischemic Attack”

During our instruction of “Cardiovascular Disease” or CVD for short we get many questions on weather or not Stroke’s or TIA’s are closely related to “Heart Attack’s or Angina“. For this reason we normally teach them at the same time to help our new rescuers understand what to look for and how to react during an emergency caused by a Stroke or a TIA “Transient Ischemic Attack“. Some of the more basic questions asked would be: Is a Stroke or TIA life threatening? Can a person suffering a Stroke regain their lost abilities? Is a Stroke or TIA permanent? What are the symptoms of a Stroke or a TIA? What are some of the risk factors that lead to a Stroke or TIA? We will do our best to help you understand the basics and know what to look for.

TIA “Transient Ischemic Attack”

TIA’s have been termed as a “Mini Stroke” with symptoms that mimic that of a full blown Stroke but are short lived and will subside within a few minutes. TIA’s much like Strokes are mainly caused by similar disorders like Cardiovascular Disease CVD, Atherosclerosis or Hereditary defects. The easiest way to explain what TIA’s are is to picture a clear tube in your mind that lets blood flow through it perfectly, now pinch the tube slightly so that the flow of blood is restricted. If this was within your Brain the Brain Tissue that has the restricted flow of blood would starve for Blood & Oxygen causing symptoms that mimic that of a Stroke this is called a “TIA or Transient Ischemic Attack”. Much like a Heart attack is to Angina the similarities are uncanny. Just like Angina the symptoms of a TIA will be short lived and will normally go away once Blood & Oxygen demand has been reduced or assisted with medication

STROKE

A Stroke takes place when the Brain or Specific Brain tissue within the Brain is cut off from Oxygenated Blood. This can lead to the death of the Brain tissue leading to a life threatening emergency known as a Stroke. As previously stated any tissue within the body that has a lack of oxygenated blood will eventually begin to decay and die. Using the same description of a plastic tube with blood flowing through it in your mind, now pinch the tube completely off so that no blood can pass through it, the blockage stops the flow of Oxygen rich blood to the Brain leading to the eventual death of the tissue termed as a “Stroke”.

Much like a Heart attack and Angina the difference between a Stroke or a TIA “Transient Ischemic Attack” isn’t much more than an Artery or blood vessel “tube” being restricted and an Artery or blood vessel “tube” being blocked. For many people a TIA is your “Wake Up Call” as your body is now telling you that there are some risk factors that you need to take care of before the TIA “BECOMES” a Stroke.

Symptoms of a Stroke or TIA:

(4 Suddons)

1. Sudden Headache “Migraine like symptoms” ,
2. Sudden Weakness “One side of the body more than the other” ,
3. Sudden Speech Problems “Aphasia” ,
4. Sudden Anxiety – Slurred or hard to understand speech – Facial Droop “One Side” – Loss of motor skills “One Side“.

Risk Factors:

-Smoking -High Blood Pressure -Poor Diet “Processed Foods” -High Cholesterol -Obesity -Lack of regular Exercise -High Stress -Gender -Heredity -Age.

How to Help:

1. 1) Have the Person rest in a comfortable position and try not to move as much as possible.
2. 2) Call 911 “You can not tell the difference between a Stroke or a TIA” the TIA will be short lived about 15 minutes, a Stroke will not as brain damage is taking place and can be permanent or even Fatal. Don’t Waste time trying to figure it out “better safe than sorry”.
3. 3) Keep the person calm, assist with any medications if they have them and wait for an ambulance or the symptoms to subside.

Weather your daily life or habits fall under some of the risk factors or all of them you should notice that many of these are easily fixed with some changes in personal outlook and removing of bad habits. Everyone want’s to live a long and healthy life, once you know the risks you can take charge of your own life and do what you can to avoid your body failing on you.

We never know what can happen, its always good to be prepared and have the knowledge we need to help those who need it.

“This material is for information purposes only and is taken from The Canadian Red Cross / Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation & Alberta Health Services. This information should not be used in place of medical, Technical advice, instructor, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak to your local Physician or Safety Training Facility.”

Just Remember:

Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd.

Angina VS Heart Attack:

When we teach about “Cardiovascular Disease” or CVD for short we notice that many people are a little unclear as to the difference between a Heart Attack or Angina. Can a Heart attack kill you? Can Angina be life threatening? Can Angina become a heart attack? What are the symptoms for Angina or a Heart Attack? We will do our best to explain the differences and what to look for to help you understand the potential deadly emergency when dealing with Angina & Heart Attack scenarios.

ANGINA

Angina has been termed as “chest pain or pressure that comes and goes” however it can be much more than that. Also the signs and symptoms of Angina mimic the signs and symptoms of a Heart Attack almost perfectly with only a few subtle differences. The main causes of Angina are also similar to that of a Heart Attack stemming from problems like Cardiovascular Disease, heart disorders or Anemia. The easiest way to explain what Angina is is to picture a clear tube in your mind that lets blood flow through it perfectly, now pinch the tube slightly so that the flow of blood is restricted. If this was within your heart the muscle that has the restricted flow of blood would starve for Blood & Oxygen causing symptoms that mimic that of a heart attack “Angina“. The symptoms however would go away once the demand for Blood & Oxygen has been reduced or assisted with medications. Often Angina will go away with rest in about 10 minutes and or medication assistance

HEART ATTACK

Heart Attacks happen when the heart or specific muscle tissue within the heart can’t get enough Oxygenated Blood. This can lead to the death of the heart muscle and tissue leading to a life threatening emergency, as we all know any body part that can not get enough Blood & Oxygen will eventually die. Using the same description of a plastic tube with blood flowing through it in your mind, now pinch the tube completely off so that no blood can pass through it, the blockage stops the flow of Oxygen rich blood to the heart leading to the eventual death of the tissue termed as a “Heart Attack”

As you can see the difference between Angina and a Heart Attack isn’t much more than an Artery “tube” being restricted and an Artery “tube” being blocked. Angina for many people is your “Wake Up Call” as your body is now telling you that there are some risk factors that you need to take care of before Angina “BECOMES” a Heart Attack.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack & Angina:

-Squeezing Chest Pain -Problems Breathing -Abdominal or lower back pain “More common in women” – Cold sweaty skin -Bluish or paler than normal skin tone -Nausea & Vomiting -“Denial” -Jaw Pain -Left Arm / Shoulder Pain -Feeling of Heart Burn.

Risk Factors:

-Smoking -High Blood Pressure -Poor Diet “Processed Foods” -High Cholesterol -Obesity -Lack of regular Exercise -High Stress -Gender -Heredity -Age.

How to Help:

1. 1) Have the Person rest in a comfortable position and try not to move as much as possible.
2. 2) Call 911 “You can not tell the difference between a heart attack or angina” angina will be short lived about 10 minutes, a heart attack will not. Don’t Waste time trying to figure it out “better safe than sorry“.
3. 3) Keep the person calm, assist with any medications if they have them and wait for an ambulance or the symptoms to subside.

Weather your daily life or habits fall under some of the risk factors or all of them you should notice that many of these are easily fixed with some changes in personal outlook and removing of bad habits. Everyone want’s to live a long and healthy life, once you know the risks you can take charge of your own life and do what you can to avoid your body failing on you.

We never know what can happen, its always good to be prepared and have the knowledge we need to help those who need it.

“This material is for information purposes only and is taken from The Canadian Red Cross / Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation & Alberta Health Services. This information should not be used in place of medical, Technical advice, instructor, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak to your local Physician or Safety Training Facility.”

Just Remember:

Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd.

Prevention of Emergencies like Stroke, Heart Attack or Angina:

Circulation emergencies like Heart Attacks, Strokes, Angina or even TIA’s “Trans Ischemic Attack’s might seem to the person experiencing the effects like a sudden event, although the truth is that cardiovascular disease actually develops after a prolonged period of time. Many would feel that the age groups associated with such medical emergencies would only appear in the 40+ age range, when in fact it can begin as early as in your teens.

Prevention methods for these types of emergencies are well known in many groups, and everyone has a theory on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For this prevention method we will refer to the basics like Nutrition, Weight Control, Exercise, Stress Control & Breaking Unhealthy Habits.

PREVENTION of CVD “Cardiovascular Disease”

Lets start with “Weight Control”, Body fat in an excessive amounts can lead to heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease & high blood pressure. As we all know loosing body fat is “NOT EASY”, as your body balances between how much you eat & how many calories you use through out the day, this balance can be tilted in the wrong direction “thus gaining body fat”. There are also other factors like thyroid problems as well as Hormonal changes that need the help of a physician. If your thinking about taking on the challenge of losing body fat there are some easy steps to help.

1) Get your Body fat % analyzed by a Professional to see that there is a problem.

2) “Portion Sizes” Starving yourself will “NOT” work, your body will only hoard the calories to sustain itself. However if you eat like your growing then you will. Remember your stomach should be about the size of your fist, that means you should eat that as a proportionate size per meal.

3) “Exercise” As more and more technology makes our life simpler we see less and less people being active other than with their “thumbs”. Exercise has been something that people have been prompted to do ever sense grade school, and for good reasons. Exercise helps you by keeping your cardiovascular system fit and even burns off excessive calories, this helps you:

-Cope with stress -Improves self-esteem

-burns body fat -Improves sleep quality

-Improves immune system

-Fights Depression

4) “Nutrition” if your body is a biological machine than what fuels you chose to put into the machine may either make it run better, or worse. Try starting off with a balanced diet, human’s are “Omnivorous” and choosing just one food group rather than all may cause long term damage to your body like iron deficiencies, diabetes, immune system defectiveness, and many other ailments that have been medically documented to appear in the absence of a balanced diet between “all” food groups. for further information check the Canadian Food Guide to give you an idea of a balanced diet. Also remember to stay hydrated, your body is mostly fluids and that amount should be kept up with water intake of about 8 cups of water a day, add more if you attend vigorous activities.

5 “Stress” A normal part of life, however learning to cope with stress may not be easy. Do your best to reduce stress to keep your body healthy, a slogan to remember is “A Healthy mind leads to a Healthy Body” Or visa-versa depending on your goals.

We never know what can happen, its always good to be prepared and have the knowledge we need to help those who need it.

“This material is for information purposes only and is taken from The Canadian Red Cross / Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation & Alberta Health Services. This information should not be used in place of medical, Technical advice, instructor, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak to your local Physician or Safety Training Facility.”

Just Remember:

Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd.

Allergic Reactions, What to Look For & How to Help

What is an allergic reaction? How can I help someone having an allergic reaction? What does an allergic reaction look like? Can an allergy be fatal? What does an extreme allergy or Anaphylaxis look like? What causes allergies? These are some of the questions that we have received within our first aid courses, to begin an allergic reaction is an immune response causing hypersensitivity to substances that either contact or enter the body.

Substances causing the allergy are called allergens, these can be almost anything from bee venom, pollen, pet dander, shell fish and many other substances. When your body comes into contact with an allergen it reacts as if the substance was a pathogen or harmful substance. This causes the body to have an immune response and release histamines, histamines are involved with the body’s immune response causing tissue inflammation or swelling at the sight of contact with the allergen. Depending on where the body begins to swell this can range from a slight irritation to extremes that may be life threatening “Anaphylaxis“.

Depending on the person’s sensitivity to the substance their body’s immune response “Allergy” may be slow to react or almost instantaneous. The severity of the reaction depends on each individuals immune system and sensitivity.

How to Spot an Allergy Mild or Severe “Anaphylaxis”

-Mild-

• -Itchy skin with raised areas, Hives or even a Rash
• -Tightness in the throat or chest
• -Dizziness , weakness or confusion

-Severe “Anaphylaxis”–

• -Swelling of the face, lips, neck, ears or hands, if the tongue or throat swell this may block the airway “Dangerous“
• -Redness of the skin that may be raised with a rash, hives or blotchy.
• -Weakness or dizziness with nausea or vomiting
• -breathing difficulties, wheezing or coughing

How to Help:

• -If the scene is safe to do so “Check” the victim and make sure they are breathing.
• -If the victim’s allergy is severe “Anaphylaxis” or has trouble breathing and loses consciousness have someone “Call 911” and make sure emergency response is on the way.
• -Offer comfort warmth & reassurance as anxiety can make symptoms worse.
• -if the reaction is extreme with swelling or difficulty breathing & the victim “Has an Epi-Pen” or epinephrine auto-injector help the person use it. “Make sure to follow the 5 rights of medication assistance” and assist “Don’t Give” the victims medication.
• -Always refer the victim to an emergency facility if the allergic reaction is severe “Anaphylaxis” and seek medical attention. Symptoms may return even after using an Epi-Pen within as little as 15 minutes.

To Assist with an Epinephrine Auto-Injector

1. 1) Check the 5 Rights of Medication before assisting
2. 2) Help the victim remove the safety cap “Blue to the sky“
3. 3) Tell the person to firmly place the injector tip “Orange against the Thigh” hard enough to hear or feel the needle release. “Click” and hold for 10 seconds.
4. 4) Remove the Auto-Injector
5. 5) Keep the Auto-Injector with the victim for proper disposal at the hospital.

If you have an allergy, read ingredients or labels carefully and always be sure to ask when you are eating out about what is in the food. Avoid allergens and be sure to check with your physician about childhood allergies.

We never know what can happen, its always good to be prepared and have the knowledge we need to help those who need it.

“This material is for information purposes only and is taken from The Canadian Red Cross / Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation & Alberta Health Services. This information should not be used in place of medical, Technical advice, instructor, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak to your local Physician or Safety Training Facility.”

Just Remember:

Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd.

Breathing Emergencies & How to Help

Breathing Emergencies or Respiratory Distress as known by many health care providers refers to a person who can’t breath properly, is having difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing “Respiratory Arrest“. Each of these breathing emergencies pose a potential threat to a persons life as once oxygen has been cut off from the brain, brain cells begin to deteriorate. On average brain cells will begin to degrade within 4-6 minutes, in essence “Don’t Waist Time” with Breathing Emergencies.

Common Causes of Breathing Difficulty:

• -Hyperventilation
• -Asthma
• -Allergic Reactions or even Anaphylaxis
• -Chest Injuries
• -Anxiety or Distress

Some common causes of Hyperventilation the upset of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body are : Excitement, fear or anxiety, Asthma, Head / Brain injuries, exercise, severe bleeding, injury / intense pain, medical conditions & illness

What to watch for:

• – Rapid shallow breaths
• – A suffocating feeling like they are not getting enough air
• – Fear or anxiety & confusion
• – Numbness, dizziness tingling in the fingers or toes

How to Help:

1. 1) Make sure the area is safe for you to help the victim “Protect Yourself!!!” If safe to do so check the victim.
2. 2) “Call 911!!!” or have someone like a bystander assist and Call 911 for you if there are injuries or potential underlying medical conditions while you provide care.
3. 3) “Don’t Waste Time!!!” Help the victim to relax in a position of comfort and breathe slowly, assist with medications if they have their own for this specific reason. Treat the cause of the breathing emergency if it is known, often hyperventilation can be slowed or stopped by simply offering comfort, warmth and reassurance.
4. 4) Double check and perform a secondary survey while waiting for medical aid and treat any non life threatening conditions.

• *) If you are Alone and the victim becomes unconscious or the hyperventilation does not stop Call 911 yourself, get an AED if possible and then return to provide care while awaiting medical aid.

Preventing Breathing Emergencies:

Some people tend to hyperventilate with anxiety, panic disorders, stress or fatigue due to exertion. To help with these try to practice breathing exercise or relaxation techniques to help slow your breathing rate as well as relax your mind. Remember once a person has breathing trouble panic is a natural response which will increase their breathing rate. Victims with Asthma can usually breath “ IN ” but have trouble breathing “ OUT “.

We never know what can happen, its always good to be prepared and have the knowledge we need to help those who need it.

“This material is for information purposes only and is taken from The Canadian Red Cross / Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation & Alberta Health Services. This information should not be used in place of medical, Technical advice, instructor, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak to your local Physician or Safety Training Facility.”

Just Remember:

• Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd.

— at Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd.

Choking Infants, What to Look For & How to Help:

For many new parents choking can be one of the potentially biggest threats to a life of their newborn or infant. It can happen so fast and can be caused by just about anything as little ones seem to have a knack for putting just about everything into their mouth. Many Doctors will refer new parents to take a First Aid course prior to the arrival of their newest Minion to help prepare and arm them with the best techniques and knowledge in case of emergencies.

Age Groups can be tricky so we have the following break down, infants are from the age of 0-1 or when they begin to wear toddler size pants and are ambulatory, Children are from 1 to pubescence or 8 years old, anyone with signs of pubescence on is classified as an Adult. For this Post we will focus on Infants or Babies age 0 to 1.

Recognize Chocking in Infants:

Infants just like all age groups have a way to communicate and their basic language once you figure it out can be invaluable to any parent. All infants are equipped with the same “Body Language” which gives us as parents or guardians an edge on how to communicate with any infant. “Pooping Face is Pooping Face” no matter where your place of birth is, just like Choking face is Choking Face. Babies or Infants all have relatively the same reaction to Choking and the signs are easy to spot once you’ve seen them and been informed about them.

• -The Baby will stiffen their arms either up above their head or straight out clenching their fist or have open palms
• -The Baby will lean forward
• –The Baby will attempt to clear their own airway with a strained “cough” sound
• -If the Babies airway is completely blocked no sound will be heard and rapid face color change may occur then unconsciousness.

For the Conscious Choking Baby “Don’t Waste Time“

1. 1) Crouch down & Sandwich the baby between your forearms supporting the head
2. 2) Turn the Baby face down with the head lower than the body “Draw them in close to your body like a clutch or football“
3. 3) Lower your forearm with the baby onto your thigh so the head is lower than the feet and the infants back is facing you.
4. 4) Deliver 5 FIRM BACK BLOWS between the shoulder blades to dislodge the object.
5. 5) If the object has not been dislodged, while supporting the head roll/turn the baby face up with your supporting arm on your thigh.
6. 6) Place 2 fingers on the middle of the chest just below the nipple line and “Push hard, Push Fast” about 1/3rd the depth of the chest delivering 5 FIRM CHEST THRUSTS.
7. 7) Repeat the 5 FIRM BACK BLOWS & 5 FIRM CHEST THRUSTS until the object comes free or the infant becomes unconscious.

If the Baby becomes unconscious place them on a firm flat surface “Floor” and begin CPR immediately! 30 Compression 2 breaths, the object may come free once CPR has began. If you can see the object Never attempt to Grab it between your fingers & never perform a “Blind Finger Sweep” you only want to sweep for an object if you can see it.

To Perform a Finger Sweep:

1) Using your Pinkie Finger “Hook” your finger into their mouth using their cheek as a guide to slip your finger between the cheek and gums to the back of the throat behind the object.

2) “Roll” your wrist so that your pinkie finger is positioned under the object.

3) “Flick” the object free

• -HOOK / ROLL / FLICK & BE QUICK That is the Pinkie Trick.

We never know what can happen, its always good to be prepared and have the knowledge we need to help those who need it.

“This material is for information purposes only and is taken from The Canadian Red Cross / Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation & Alberta Health Services. This information should not be used in place of medical, Technical advice, instructor, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak to your local Physician or Safety Training Facility.”

Just Remember:

Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!

Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd.