Many individuals will attest to having experienced heartburn at one time or the other, but did you know that persistent heartburn could be a sign of something more serious and which warrants medical attention? The symptoms of heartburn are usually simple and are only temporary. When you start to experience heartburn for a longer period, and where symptoms do not recede, you should know that something is wrong with your system. This is what causes concern for a condition known as GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease. What should you know about this condition and the first aid for it? Read on to find out what makes it more serious than a simple heartburn.

You would be surprised to learn that all of us experience involuntary reflexes pretty much throughout the day. The difference with those who have heartburn is that for them, the contents mixed with gastric juice cause refluxes more frequently so that the esophagus is exposed to these contents for a longer period of time. It is this persistent heartburn that leads to the symptoms that many patients have become all too familiar with. So, what are the characteristics of someone suffering from GERD? Listed below are some of the facts about this condition that will help you understand the condition better.

–          The diagnosis of GERD can be made for an individual who undergoes reflux more than twice in a week. This leads to the irritation of the lining of the esophagus and creates the perfect scenario for other complicated conditions to arise.

–          The treatment of this condition for those who experience persistent heartburn involves the use of prescription drugs as well as medication obtained over the counter.

–          The patient will also be advised to make lifestyle changes in order to help control the acid reflux. This involves cutting down one’s weight, steering clear of foods that cause the condition to flare up as well as eating small portions of food at a go.

–          In case the medication does not work and the symptoms do not recede, then it may be imperative for the patient to go through surgical intervention.

Below are some tips that are of importance particularly for those who experience heartburn frequently and how to administer first aid.

–          Some patients who get acid reflux may find that this is usually accompanied by characteristic pain in the chest as opposed to the burning pain that is commonly associated with persistent heartburn. Such pain is eerily similar to heart pain so it is very important that the patients are cleared of the risk of cardiac disease.

–          In line with this, it also becomes important for the patient to learn first aid and CPR skills that will help them should the need arise.

–          What’s more, some of the symptoms of GERD may be reflective of those in ENT conditions, and they include, but are not limited to constant coughing, losing one’s voice as well as chronic clearing of the throat. As such, it is important for patients to undergo ENT evaluation to rule out the possibility of the same and provide treatment for persistent heartburn.

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1)      The Pocket First and CPR app

The first in this list of first aid applications, this app focuses on providing you with relevant information on CPR – cardiac pulmonary resuscitation- techniques. These techniques are reflective of the amendments made by the American Heart Association as far as cardiovascular care is concerned. The procedures for infant CPR, child CPR and adult CPR are clearly outlined using videos and illustrations so that the user is well equipped. The application is available for iOS and Android platforms for $1.99 per application download.

2)      First Aid by American Red Cross

If you are like me, you could probably place a bet that the Red Cross would put up a first aid app. This app is one of the top five first aid applications, and for good reason. This app is great to have while on the go as it not only includes standard procedures for various injuries, it also contains tips that one can use to stay safe as a preventive measure. The advantage of this app is that it has content that is pre-loaded so that you do not need to access content using data charges. What’s more, the app is made to work so that users can call 911 directly. The design of the app’s UI makes it easy to scroll through the content. It is available for free on both Android and iOS platforms.

3)      Drops First aid app

This is another of the first aid applications that you must check out. The friendly interface allows users to access information in different categories, namely summary texts, videos as well as textual instructions. The app is available on iOS platform only and retails for $1.99.

4)      GoToAid

The app has been reviewed by numerous physicians and vets, making it a favorite for many people using first aid applications. There are two versions available on both iOS and Android platforms: the lite version is free for both platforms, while the premium retails at $4.99.

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How to get First Aid Certification?

Getting certified is not hard, but there are some few things that are worth consideration. First, you need to ensure that the site provides certification that is approved in the country. The classes should not also cost you a lot of money, thus you need to find a site that has instructors who charge reasonable fees for the entire training. If you want to train on first aid for kids, you can opt to undertake pediatric online first aid training. You will be required to complete both written and practical exams which you need to pass to get the first aid certification. The certification is provided if you score more than 75 percent. The other thing is that you get the opportunity to boost your CV by getting a first aid certificate that is approved internationally.

Topics Covered in the Course

In addition to getting the basic first aid training, there are also CPR first aid classes that cover different topics. The trainees get equipped with skills and knowledge on how to deal with injuries and other medical emergencies. They learn how to control transmission of different diseases and help keep someone safe before emergency service provider arrives. There are also more advanced online first aid certification courses that deal on how to treat head injuries, muscle tissue injuries, wounds and others. The advanced courses are most undertaken by those working in the medical field.

CPR versus First Aid Classes

There is a difference between first aid and CPR classes. First aid certification training focuses more on the steps one should take in case of an injury. The trainees learn how to offer first aid for burns, cuts, broken bones and wounds. On the other hand, CPR training involves how to deal with cardiopulmonary breathing problems. The trainees learn how to resuscitate to ease the breathing of a victim who may be having difficulties in breathing.

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malignant neoplasms otherwise known as cancer. This is why the several branches of the government and non-profit organizations develop many programs that are geared towards cancer awareness and prevention. However despite these efforts, the numbers of new cancer cases are still on the rise, many of which are only determined after chronic symptoms which can be managed by acquiring a first aid certification have surfaced.

Who are at risk?

Even though there are a lot of researchers and scientists who devote their entire life in studying cancer cells, this medical condition remains idiopathic. This means that its origin or main cause is still unknown. However, several breakthroughs in the field have identified many risk factors which increase the likelihood of the formation of cancer cells. And according to the Canadian Cancer Society, 46% of men and 41% of women in Canada are exposed to these risk factors.

How many are newly diagnosed

According to the same source, 24.5% of new cancer cases in men are located in the prostate while 26.1% of new cancer cases in women are located in the breast. Overall, there was more than 180, 000 new cases of identified or diagnosed cancer patients in 2013 alone wherein 96, 200 of these patients were men while the remaining 91, 400 were women. Looking at the prevalence rate of new cancer cases in the previous years, it becomes clear that the number of new cancer cases rise each year. This can be attributed to a lot of factors such as the growing population and genetics.

Undiagnosed cases

Certain types of cancer remain undiagnosed until a certain time that a serious or chronic symptom becomes apparent such as ovarian cancer which

means that there are many cases wherein the patients are only brought to the clinic during the late stages of the disease. This is one of the reasons why the survivability rate of patients who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer within a 5-year period is only 30%. Several sources also claim that the rate of undiagnosed cancer cases in the entire world is actually equivalent to millions.

Before acquiring a first aid certification, trainees are taught how to manage medical conditions or crises which can be symptoms of cancer. Considering that the numbers of people who may experience these symptoms are high, the number of individuals who may require first aid is also high. Trainees will also be taught to encourage patients to seek medical attention after their first aid management in order to determine the cause of their medical dilemma.

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through first aid certification and trainings that business owners need to take, the first thing that they should consider is their location. This is because businesses in certain provinces or territories have characteristics that can make their businesses more prone to fatalities and injuries than others. Here are some of these characteristics that business owners should consider in conjunction with their location.

Fatality Rates

According to an article that was published by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards, the three territories in Canada had the highest fatality rates with Newfoundland taking the top spot of the territory that has the most number workplace-related fatalities. It was estimated that 11.7 out of every 100, 000 workers die in this territory which is almost twice the national workplace fatality average.

Work-related Injury Rates

Even though not all cases of workplace-related injuries lead to fatality or death, looking at the injury rates of a province or territory can still give business owners clear perspective on how important a first aid certification can be. According to the statistics that was released by the Employment and Social Development Canada for 2010, Manitoba had the highest reported cases of workplace injuries and is closely followed by Saskatchewan.

Costs of Injuries and Fatalities

If a local government spends a lot of money on workplace fatality and injury coverage, then it is highly likely that the area is prone to these mishaps. Several studies suggest that in 2012, Great Vancouver paid the highest amount of healthcare costs and disability claims in which their government spent more than $500, 000.

Short and Long Term Disability Claims

Just like the amount of money that a local government spends on healthcare and injuries, the number disability claims that are being handed out can also determine the general safety of an area. If an area has a high count of disability claims, then that means that there are a lot of injured employees who are claiming them. This is why it is not really a surprise that that province with the highest amount of healthcare costs also has the highest number of disability claims which is none other than Great Vancouver.

By taking note of these characteristics and provinces, business owners can determine if they need to spend more time and money on first aid certifications and training and if they currently have the right amount of first aid safety measures at hand.

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In Canada, first aid certification is provided under authorizations from organizations that approve first aid training providers. The four organizations that authorize the course providers include the Canadian St Mark James, St Johns ambulance, Lifesaving society Canada and Canadian ski Patrol. In addition to the courses that deal with standard first aid and emergency, the organizations provide specialized courses, for instance, wilderness first aid which is provided by St, John ambulance and aquatic emergency care provided to life guards. St Mark James Training offer training aligned with the regulations for attendants in workplaces.

First aid certification is also provided through private training firms. However, these firms must be authorized and accredited by the relevant ministry. There are also standards set for first responders or emergency medical responders.  To get certified to work in any of these roles you must go through the specialized training that goes beyond the standard first aid.

Standard and emergency first aid certification

The syllabus used in the training and time taken also determines whether you get certified. For those that want a  standard first aid certification, you must take sixteen hours and eight hours for re-certification. However, the eight hours of re-certification must be within a specific recurrent period. If you want to have re-certification when that period has expired, you have to redo the sixteen hours of standard first aid training. The period is determined by health Canada that is a department of the Canadian government that accredits the training institutions that provide training for workers in federally regulated organizations.

To get certification for emergency first aid, you must take an eight hour course that covers fatal emergencies such as CPR, choking, bleeding, cardiac arrest, heart attacks, and other life threatening medical situations. For standard first aid, you must take a sixteen hour course that covers the same content as the emergency training. It will cover training on handling cases such as head and neck injuries, system injuries, wound care, casualty management and emergence child birth.

 CPR Certification

In Canada, CPR certification is categorized in different levels. In level A the trainees learn the choking procedures used on adults or how to conduct CPR on one person. Level B is similar to A, but the trainees learn to carry put these procedures to both adults and children. In level C, the trainees learn how to conduct CPR to two people in addition to same procedures in level A and B. Trainees in different levels get first aid certification after completing each level.

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Summer is amazing, with its warm weather and longer days. Children can roam around and enjoy different outdoor activities. However, too much exposure to the sun can cause damage to children’s delicate skin. Part of summer safety measures is to keep your children protected from the sun and preventing sunburns.

Unlike adultskin, children’s skin can quickly become damaged by sunrays even on a cloudy day. Children with light colored skin, blond or red hair are more prone to sunburn than those with darker skin and eyes. This is because they have less pigment called melanin that absorb and reflect the sun’s rays. However, children with darker skin still burn but just longer.

Summer safety tips for children include the following measures to prevent sunburn:

1. Use appropriate sunscreen and apply over the body and face. Sunscreen is recommended to be re-applied every 2-3 hours, especially if swimming or sweating, even if the sunscreen is waterproof.
2. Take extra care when swimming or boating as the sun rays are intensified when reflected from the water.
3. Use tightly woven clothes so that light cannot pass through it.
4. Do not go out in the sun for a very long time. Take frequent breaks by moving into the shade or going indoors.
5. Avoid going out during the height of the day (11:00 am to 3:00 pm) when the sun’s rays are strongest.
6. Always wear a hat, with SPF factor, ear cover, and wide brim.
7. Use sunglasses.

In case of sun burn, cool the area under running water for at least 10 minutes or lightly tap the area with cold wet towels for 15 minutes. Aloe Vera gel may be applied to the affected area to help soothe the pain, reduce swelling, and promote healing. Increase fluid intake. Analgesic may be given to manage pain.

Aside from sunburn, dehydration is also very common during summer. Dehydration can lead to heat-related emergencies such as heat exhaustion and heat cramps. Make sure to drink more water especially when exposed to hot weather.

Heat exhaustion can occur very rapidly, the child may have raised temperature and report feeling dizzy, sick, stomach ache, and headache. If left untreated, a child suffering from heat exhaustion can suddenly collapse. Children need to re-hydrate fast, usually with an isotonic sports drink, water or pediatric electrolyte preparations.

In order to ensure summer safety, make sure your children wear appropriate clothing, use sufficient sunscreen and drink increased amount of fluids. Have additional peace of mind by learning first aid for children. You will learn more about how you can ensure the safety of your child. There are a lot of training providers that offer first aid courses for parents and other interested participants.

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Calcium is one of the most common and most important minerals in the body. It is necessary to build strong bones in both men and women. It plays many vial roles in the body. Some of calcium’s bodily functions include normal cell functioning, membrane stability, intracellular signaling,building and fixing bones and teeth,assist in making the nerves work by sending messages to the nervous system, help blood clot, and regulate the heart’s rhythm, among other things.

Ninety-nine percent of calcium in the body is found in the bones. When the body has low calcium levels, the bones release calcium to bring to the blood to normalize the blood levels. This, in turn, will affect bone mass. The main source of calcium is food.

Causes of Hypocalcaemia

There are many causes of hypocalcaemia. Sometimes, it can also serve as a symptom for malfunctions of certain hormones and vitamin deficiencies in the body.

• Parathyroid hormone (PTH) deficiency
  • PTH regulates serum calcium in the body
  • Vitamin D deficiency
    • May lead to low bone mineral density
    • Abnormal levels of magnesium in the body, usually hypomagnesaemia
    • Chronic renal failure
    • Acute pancreatitis
    • Chemotherapy complications
    • Osteoporosis treatments containing bisphosphonate drugs
    • Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia
    • Certain drugs
    • Alcoholism
    • Increase phosphate levels in the body
      • Phosphate and calcium levels are inversely proportional to one another

Symptoms of Hypocalcaemia

Mild hypocalcaemia does not usually manifest symptoms. However, the following are symptoms to watch out for if one is suspected of hypocalcaemia:

• Neuromuscular irritability
  • Twitching or spasms of nerves and muscles
  • Muscular cramps in arms and legs
  • Numbness and tingling of fingers and toes and around mouth and lips
  • Irritability or depression
  • Arrhythmias
  • Convulsions

Prevention of Hypocalcaemia

It is essential to maintain normal calcium levels in the body, especially since the body loses calcium every day. There amount calcium levels in the body are dependent on certain factors: food, electrolyte balance, hormones and vitamins, therefore, hypocalcaemia can be prevented in multiple ways.

• Make sure that calcium-containing food is part of the diet. Calcium is found in many food sources:
  • Dairy products
  • Dark green leafy vegetables
  • Fish
  • Electrolyte imbalance results to increased or decreased amounts of calcium in the body, therefore alcohol intake should be moderated and eat a well-balanced diet.
  • Take sufficient amounts of vitamin D to maintain appropriate vitamin D hydroxylation in the skin.

It is necessary to regulate calcium levels in the body, especially at a young age because it aids in building bone mass. Hypocalcaemia can lead to weaker bones in the body in the future, hence making people more prone to osteoporosis and bone fractures at older ages. Understanding hypocalcaemia may help in taking first aid training, especially bone-related topics.

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Camping

While first aid kits are available in any pharmacy, you can customize it and save money at the same time by making your own.

How to Stock a First Aid Kit

First aid and CPR courses not only teach people what to do during emergencies, it also underlines the importance of being flexible and creative. As such, the contents of a typical first aid kit and how to make your own is often discussed in first aid courses.

• Stock up on basic bandage items like blister pads, sterile gauze, elastic bandages for sprains and medical tape. Adhesive bandages of different sizes should be included as well as triangular bandages that are needed to create slings or to keep dressings in place.
•   Include items that can sterilize wounds and prevent infection. Make sure your first aid kit has cotton balls, cotton swabs, alcohol wipes, anti-bacterial cream and sanitizing gel.
• Make sure there’s a good variety of over-the-counter meds in your kit. Medicines that should always be included are allergy medications like antihistamine, pain killers and medicines for diarrhea, fever, heartburn and nausea. Sprays and creams should also be included along with the medicines. Put anti-itch creams, petroleum jelly and sprays for burn relief in your kit.
• Common medical tools and instruments should have a place in your medical kit. Don’t forget to include a digital thermometer, a magnifying glass, safety pins, scissors and tweezers. Finish up by adding essential items like a first aid manual, sterile gloves and a small flashlight.

How to Assemble a First Aid Kit

• Choose a compact and watertight container. This can be anything, from a large zipbag to a plastic container with a tight lid. Make sure to choose a container that fits the camping that you’ll be doing. For instance, a backpacking trip might call for a ziplock bag over a square, plastic container that might not fit in your bag.
• Place first aid supplies into ziplock bags or any bags that can be closed. Sort and organize supplies so everything that might be needed for a specific situation are all in one bag. For instance, adhesive bandages, sterile gloves and the antibacterial cream can all be placed in one bag.
• Label each bag clearly so you won’t spend precious time searching for what’s needed.
• Place the bags in your waterproof container and secure the lid.

Having a well-stocked first aid kit will give you peace of mind and help make camping trips an enjoyable and memorable experience. It would also be a good idea to have first aid training, especially if camping is something that’s an integral part of your life. Knowing what to do during emergencies can be an immeasurable help during unforeseen emergencies that you might encounter while camping.

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