| WHAT COACHES SHOULD KNOW |
|
Knee injuries, nosebleeds, and sprains are commonplace in the world of football. However, players may experience illnesses on the field that are not directly related to football. Many coaches are unaware of how to care for situations such as asthma. Coaches need to know the basic rules for treating sudden illnesses to provide effective care.
Sudden illnesses may be the result of many complications. Yet, they have the same signals, which include the player looking ill and feeling dizzy, nauseous, or numb, losing consciousness, speaking or breathing with difficulty, or vomiting. The general rules for dealing with sudden illnesses are to keep the injured player calm, activate the Emergency Action Plan and follow the emergency action steps, Check-Call-Care. Check the scene for safety and check the athlete, Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number when needed, and Care for the player until EMS personnel arrive. Generally, do not offer the person any food or drink. If the player is not breathing and does not show signs of circulation, the responder needs to remove the facemask and give him CPR.
There are more specific rules to follow for certain sudden illnesses such as fainting, diabetic attacks, and seizures. To care for a player who has fainted, lay the person on his back and elevate the feet. Fainting, a temporary loss of consciousness, may signal a more serious condition. If an athlete faints, check for breathing and pulse, elevate the legs 8-12 inches if injury is not suspected, loosen tight-fitting clothing, and do not give anything to eat or drink. Activate the Emergency Action Plan as fainting may represent entities such as allergic reaction, cardiac problems, shock, or substance abuse, among others.
| Diabetic attacks are related to a sugar-level imbalance in the body. When this happens, the player may exhibit the following signs: |
|
If these signs are present, give a conscious diabetic player liquid sugar to help him regain a chemical balance. This can be fruit juice, candy, nondiet drinks, or table sugar. If a diabetic player becomes unconscious, activate the Emergency Action Plan. The player's physician should be alerted that symptoms of low blood sugar have occurred.
When a player is seizing, which represents loss of body controls that occur when brain functions are disrupted, do not place anything in the athlete's mouth. Protect the athlete's head by placing a folded towel or clothing behind it. Do not hold or restrain the athlete or place anything between the athlete's teeth. Place the athlete on his side to drain fluids from the mouth, and when the seizure is over, check for breathing or other injuries. Reassure and comfort the athlete until he is fully conscious and able to care for himself. Seizures are generally unexpected and end in five minutes without being life threatening. If the player is known to have seizures, it is not necessary to call for medical assistance, unless the seizure lasts for more than five minutes, or the athlete does not regain consciousness. The player's physician should be advised that a seizure occurred. If the player is diabetic, injured, has no history of seizures, or if the seizure lasts for more than five minutes, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
Some players have medical conditions, such as asthma, that cause breathing problems. Overexertion can also trigger a player to hyperventilate. In dealing with asthma and hyperventilation, simple measures return a player's breathing to normal. Asthma sufferers generally need their medication, which reverses the muscle spasm that narrows their air passages. This allows the injured player to breathe more easily. The attack may be triggered by pollen and other inhalants, emotional distress, cold dry air, or physical activity. The symptoms are breathing difficulty, wheezing noises, rapid shallow breathing, and feelings of fear and confusion. Coaches have to pay close attention to players with this condition and make sure they have their inhalers available at all times. Athletes who experience an asthmatic episode should not return to participation until they have been seen by a physician. If asthma does not respond to medication, activate the Emergency Action Plan.
Unlike asthma, hyperventilation is generally the result of emotional stress that causes the breathing to become rapid and shallow. Coaches treating players who are hyperventilating need to calm the person down. Easing stress will generally help breathing return to normal.
MORE READING
American National Red Cross. (2002). Community first aid. San Bruno, CA: StayWell.
The evaluation of any athlete, whether as a part of health evaluations prior to activity or as a diagnosis of an injury as the consequence of sports activities, is specific to that individual and the history and current state of the individual presented. Advice, diagnosis and treatment is individualized according to numerous factors, including patient health and age information, medical history and symptoms. All athletes should be cleared by a physician or other appropriate medical professional before engaging in physical activities and, after injury, diagnosis and treatment, for return to play.