KINE/AT 213
Chapter 19 Outline - Other Medical Concerns

Majority of illnesses affect the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems

Exercise generally improves one’s resistance to common infections

RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Upper Respiratory Infections (URI)-
            Affect the nose, ear, sinuses, tonsils, pharynx, lymph glands

Lower Respiratory Infections (LRI)-
            Affect the larynx, bronchi, lungs

URI – Most common illness is the common cold (coryza or rhinitis)

Rhinitis – S/S: sore throat, stuffy nose, mild cough, mild fatigue, slight fever
Cause: virus (Rhinovirus)
Treatment: Rest, fluids, meds for s/s, 3 days usually better, antibiotics do not work because it is a viral infection

Bacterial Infections-

Strep Throat – lesions in the throat from streptococci infection
S/S: severe sore throat, “beefy” red throat, fever, chills, swollen glands, rash
Treatment: rest for one week, antibiotics, meds for s/s
***Very contagious – keep away from other people***

LRI – Bronchitis, Pneumonia
            Can be viral or bacterial
            Can have a cough for weeks, impaired function
            S/S: deep wet cough, pain, fever, malaise (discomfort)
            Treatment: Rest, meds for cough, watch for s/s to get worse

Pneumonia: deep lung pain, high fever, need chest x-ray to see mass in lungs, hospitalization, antibiotics

GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS
Inflammation of the stomach, small intestines and large intestines
Causes: Viral, bacterial (staph-food poisoning), protozoa
S/S: abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea
Treatment: drink clear fluids, very light diet, meds for s/s
*Dehydration from diarrhea can be very serious
**Bloody diarrhea with fever – refer to doctor for evaluation

 Other G.I. problems- 
            Heart burn – acid reflux disease
            Gastritis – stomach inflammation
            Colitis – colon inflammation
            Hemorrhoids – anus venous plexus inflammation
            Appendicitis – bacterial infection of appendix, causes inflammation

LYME DISEASE
Cause: tick bite transmission – deer tick
Takes 3 days to 1 month to develop
S/S: red skin lesion (small circle), chills, fever, aches & pains, fatigue, joint pain-arthritis will develop

MONONUCLEOSIS
Epstein-Barr virus infection
3% of college students contract disease
Many kids get it while very young, goes undiagnosed most of the time
Transmitted through mouth/nose discharge or contact
Incubation period: 2 to 6 weeks
S/S: sore throat, fever, chills, enlarged lymph glands, extreme fatigue, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting

*Most serious s/s associated with mono is the enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly),
 lasts up to 6 weeks, spleen is vulnerable to bursting at this time

Treatment: Rest, meds for s/s, no practice, exercise or contact activities for 2 weeks after s/s reside

HEPATITIS A & B (most common forms)
Inflammation of the liver
Transmitted by fecal contamination, blood & sexual fluids, and syringes/needles
S/S: jaundice (yellowish-tinted skin), nausea, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, malaise
Treatment: Rest, No participation while liver is inflamed, meds for s/s, no cure

 
EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA
Temporary increase in airway resistance to air flow after several minutes of strenuous exercise
Chronic asthmatics most common
Most commonly found among continuous activity sports (i.e. cross-country, swimming)
About 15% of general population has EIA
Allergies and illnesses trigger most attacks
Cold, dry air & certain drugs can trigger attacks as well
S/S: coughing and tight chest, short fast breaths, fatigue, collapsing, face & arm/hand tingling 
        or numbness, alarmed state
Treatment: controlled breathing, fluids, inhaler, calm down, O2 if needed

Suggestions for EIA athletes:
            Extended warm-up period
            Hydration – plenty of water
            Avoid dry, cold air activities
            Avoid pollution alert days
            Have inhaler at all times and easily accessible
            Avoid certain food/drugs

DIABETES
Body’s inability to appropriately metabolize carbohydrates
Little or no insulin production
Insulin-hormone that helps transport sugars into cells for use as energy
Insulin levels, amount of exercise, and food, all play a part in management of diabetes in the sports setting.  
Stress plays a big factor as well!

Know how to handle diabetic emergencies

Hyperglycemia – high blood sugar (can lead to diabetic coma)
S/S: slow to develop, fruity breath smell (ketoacidosis), fatigue, thirst, urge to urinate
Treatment: Ask them if they have taken their insulin, activate EMS, treat for shock

Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar (can lead to insulin shock)
S/S: loss of motor control, fatigue, confusion, shock symptoms, thirsty, hungry, unconsciousness
Treatment: give sugar or sweet drink (coke or orange juice) only if fully conscious, can give sugar under tongue, 
treat for shock, activate EMS in unconscious or if condition does not improve or worsens

**Diabetic athletes pose a special situation for coaches and trainers – you must educate the athlete on 
proper eating and to exercise within limits

EPILEPSY
Seizure disorder – paroxysmal discharge of electrical activity of brain
3 types:
            1)Partial seizure disorder – mumbling, random movements, disoriented
            2)Petit mal – sudden loss of awareness, blank stare for several minutes
            3)Grand mal – most dramatic, convulsions, fall to ground, uncontrolled body twitching for several minutes

Major concerns:
            Safety for the athlete – shouldn’t participate in collision/contact or water sports
            First aid care

First aid for an athlete having a seizure:
            Protect head – place pillow underneath head
            Remove tight clothes, glasses or any mouthpieces
            Clear area of sharp objects
            Clear away people (10 foot radius for objects or people)
            Don’t put anything in mouth, including your fingers!
            Don’t restrain athlete
            Let athlete rest after seizure

Call EMS only if:
            Athlete has repeated seizures
            Not breathing on own
            Injured themselves
            Seizure last for more than five minutes/doesn’t stop