When somebody gets a sore throat, in most instances, this is an indication of an infection, which can be viral and even bacterial. In most cases, there is no actual cause why a person gets a sore throat. If you have a sore throat you may notice your tonsils are swollen, inflamed glands near the neck, and there might be some discomfort when trying to swallow. For those who have a sore throat because of an infection, the following signs may be present:

• High fever

  

• Coughing
• Headache
• Nose keeps running
• Feeling fatigued and muscles might be aching

Treatment for a Sore Throat

A sore throat is very common and in most instances it’s because a person doesn’t have immunity against bacteria and viruses that attack the body. This is particularly true for kids and teens. The great thing is that a sore throat will usually get better on its own without the need for medication.

Painkillers and other types of over the counter meds can be taken to help ease the pain, and there are also various home remedies that you can use. Most of the times, a GP is not going to give you antibiotics, except if the infection doesn’t get better and your throat becomes worse.

How Long Does it Last?

One question that a lot of people tend to ask is how long a sore throat actually lasts for. A UK study found people phoned their GP to report symptoms of a sore throat, about 7 days after getting a sore throat. In about 80% of cases, a person will be rid of their sore throat in 10 days.

Phoning Your GP

Even though sore throats are not a big concern, there are cases when you need to call your GP:

• If you have a high fever that stays even after taking meds to help relieve it.
• If your symptoms haven’t subsided within 7 days.

A GP will find out the reason why you have a fever, since this can be an indication of something more severe. These severe conditions may include:

• Quinsy – This is when an abscess forms on the tonsils and on the wall of the throat.
• Epiglottitis – The epiglottis becomes inflamed and there is welling at the back of the throat and beneath the tongue. This can result in breathing issues if left untreated.

A blood test might need to be done in order to diagnose what kind of infection might be causing the sore throat.

Emergency Care

In some cases, emergency care might be required. This includes:

• Breathing problems
• When you breathe you notice a high pitched sound
• You start drooling
• Your voice appears to be stifled
• You experience a lot of pain
• You have problems swallowing

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In most cases, the pain in joints that a person has is due to arthritis in that joint or due to an injury that the person has had. The following information should be able to give you an idea of why you have pain and what you should do to cope with this pain.

Pain in One Joint or Several Joints

Pain in just one joint is common. In fact, most times this pain is in the knee joint, as the knee is considered a problem joint. There are several causes of one joint pain and several solutions that you have at your disposal to use in order to correct this and reduce the pain. For those who have pain in several joints, they are going to find that they could have a combination of joint pain causes.

Causes Joint Pain

There are several reasons why a person may have joint pain in one joint or several joints. These include the arthritis becoming worse, the joint lining becoming inflamed, and having gout or pseudogout.

Arthritis

• Arthritis will get worse as a person ages, and it can affect one or many different joints. The changing weather can make this worse.
• This issue causes pain and stiffness in the join and can even cause swelling
• If you believe this is something that is causing your pain, see your doctor.

Joint Inflammation

• When an injury happens and the joint becomes pained or there is contusion, the cause could be due to the tissue around the joints and tendons becoming inflamed. This does not cause any heat or redness, which are often a sign of infection.
• This can be managed at home with ice packs, rest, and the use of anti-inflammatory medication.

Gout or Pseudogout

• When the skin over the joint becomes hot to the touch and red, along with repeated attacks of pain, then this could be gout. Gout or pseudogout is a type of arthritis.
• The cause of gout is due to a build-up of uric acid in the body which then cause the kidneys to not work properly. Crystals will form on the joints due to this waste not getting out of the body, and it can allow the joints to become very painful, often accompanied with a low-grade fever.
• In most cases, a person has gout affect their big toe first, then it begins to affect other joints. This is why it is important to get a doctor to look at this and receive treatment so that it does not spread.
• Pseudogout is only different in that it usually affects the knee first.

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Asthma can be scary. However, you can control this. But, you do have to take an active role in your health. There are several aspects that go into effectively managing your asthma. You will want to work with your doctor on finding a plan that works for you. Effective asthma management necessitates that you regularly track your symptoms and measure how well your lungs are functioning. This info can be used to regulate your asthma treatment.

Work with your Doctor

It cannot be stressed enough that you need to work with your doctor on this and look at controlling asthma as a partnership. This means that you are going to want to talk to your doctor about several aspects including:

• What are your goals and how do you wish to achieve these?
• Have a written action plan and know how to use it
• Discuss all medications that you are taking and know the specifics about each medicine
• Show your doctor how the medicine is being taken
• Look at what your asthma triggers are and discuss these with the doctor
• Address any concerns that you may have as well as ask the doctor questions

You doctor is going to work with you on all of these aspects. However, it is up to you to ensure that you are being honest about all these aspects so that the doctor can alter the plan to fit your individuals wants and desires.

Track your Symptoms

Make a list of your symptoms and journalize your asthma every day. Taking note of your symptoms can help you identify when you have to make adjustments to your treatment. Use your asthma journal to note down:

• Lack of breath or shrieking sounds when you breathe out (panting)
• Uneasy sleep caused by lack of breath, coughing or breathlessness
• Chest tautness or pain
• Asthma while exercising
• Fluctuations in color of mucus you cough up
• Symptoms of hay fever such as a runny nose or sneezing
• Anything that appears to activate asthma symptoms

One of the key ways to stop your asthma and to get this under better control is to ensure that you are working with your doctor. Your doctor should be fully in control of the situation and be ready to make changes or the like if needed. This may require seeing your doctor on a very regular basis, however, to truly succeed in controlling your asthma, you are going to need to do this. It may also mean changing your lifestyle habits, but if this stops the asthma, these changes are well worth it.

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Insect stings or bites are very common, and they often only cause a minor irritation. However, some bits can become infected or trigger an allergic reaction, which is very serious. Some of the bugs that are commonly found in the UK that bit include mosquitoes, fleas, bedbugs and spiders. Those that sting include bees, wasps and hornets. When an insect bites you, it makes a hole in your skin in order to feed, and usually they inject some sort of venom onto the skin which causes the issues.

Signs you have Been Bitten or Stung

In most cases, you will immediately notice that the area in which the bite or sting happened is red, itchy and swollen. There could even be a wet substance forming on the skin from the venom that has been injected. These symptoms usually last for a few days. Depending upon the type of insect or the allergic reaction of the person, the bite or sting can become more serious, requiring medical attention.

Medical Attention

If there is ever a lot of swelling, pus or blistering, then this often means that an infection is present, and this does warrant medical attention.  The following are signs that show you need to call for immediate medical attention when bitten or stung and you show:

• Increased heart rate
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Agitation
• Having trouble swallowing

Treating Bugs Bites and Stings

The good news is that most of these bites and stings can be treated at home. You will want to properly wash the area with water and soap, then place a cold compress on the area to reduce the swelling. You should try to avoid scratching as this can make the area worse and does increase the chances of infection. For pain, you can use over the counter pain medications.

Preventing Stings and Bites

If you want to prevent these stings and bites, remember to always use an insect repellent to help detract insects from wanting to bite or sting you. If you do come into contact with a bug that stings, such as a bee or wasp, do not panic. Slowly move away from the area and avoid swatting, as this can increase your chances of getting stung. You will want to ensure that you are preventing bugs bites and stings when traveling in areas like Africa, Asia and South America, as many bugs carry diseases like malaria.

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A chemical burn happens when a fluid or chemical powder touches the eye. Normally, the injury occurs when a chemical splashes in the face. Though, chemical burns might also occur when you rub your eyes after working with a chemical product.

Always wear suitable protection goggles or a face mask when working with any form of chemicals. For non-toxic chemicals, like shampoos, rinsing the eye with some cool water is basically the only method you need. Though, splashes from toxic chemicals are severe and might lead to loss of vision. Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Chemical Burn Symptoms

• Eye will start to sting
• A fiery sensation
• Rawness
• Pain
• Inflammation of the eyelids
• Fuzzy vision

First Aid for Chemical Burns to the Eyes

• Place cool water over your face for about 20 minutes. Gently spray your eyelids so the water can flow and rinse out the chemical (but be certain there are no toxic chemicals still on your hands).
• Take out contact lenses (if you wear contacts).
• Get medical assistance as soon as possible. The doctor or nurse must be informed with regards to the type of chemical.
• the amount of pain does not equate to how serious the injury actually is. For instance, alkali substances don’t generally cause noteworthy symptoms, but can really harm the eye.

How To Treat Chemical Burns

Treatment varies based on the chemical and the extent of the injury, but might consist of:

• Medication to relieve pain.
• Antibiotics to lessen the possibility of infection.
• Lotions applied to the surface of the eye to stop the eyelids from attaching to the cornea.
• Medication for anti-inflammatory.
• A patch can be worn over the eye until the eye gets better (for minor cases)
• Going to the hospital may be required and treatment is provided for any complications (serious cases).

Treating A Chemical Burn by Yourself

Be directed by your GP or healthcare expert, but common suggestions consist of:

• Driving your car while wearing an eye patch is not recommended.
• Use medicine precisely as instructed.
• Make sure you go to any follow-up appointments your GP has stated.
• See your GP or eye professional immediately if you have new problems, such as pain in any part of the eye, redness, or unclear vision.

Things To Remember

• A chemical burn takes place when a toxic chemical spills in your eye.
• Alkalis are particularly hazardous to the eyes.
• In many circumstances, quick and methodical cleaning of the eye (with a saline solution or cool water) radically decreases the possibility of injury and long-term injury.
• Always wear suitable protection goggles or face protection when dealing with chemicals.

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Sleep Apnoea is a condition that occurs when the upper airway is blocked by the walls of your throat muscles while you are sleep. That causes breathing to stop for a few seconds, sometimes as long as a minute. The brain then detects that there has been a drop in oxygen intake and send a small wake-up signal. Then you are able to wake up slightly, gasp for air and go back to sleep almost immediately.

What is interesting is that if you’re suffering from Sleep Apnoea. You will not realize that you’re even waking up. The end result is a sleep pattern that is fragmented as you have to waking up every few minutes to gasp for air. You wake up the next day feeling tired and exhausted, almost like you did not sleep at all. You end up feeling sleepy the rest of the day, your performance at work degrades and you generally keep losing concentration of what you are doing.

The following are the symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

• Tiredness, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness
• Mood changes and irritability
• Poor concentration
• A reduced sex drive and sometimes impotence
• The need to frequent the washroom throat the night

  The following are the causes of Sleep Apnoea

• Taking alcohol especially in the evening which relaxes the muscles causing them not to respond well to the brain’s signals meant to control and monitor breathing.
• Sicknesses and illnesses such as goiter, reduced thyroid production
• Tonsil can also be the cause, the effects are more pronounced in children.
• Sleep Apnoea can also be cause by sedatives and any sleeping medication
• Obstruction and congestion of the nasal cavity can cause Sleep apnoea
• The size of the facial muscles and bone shape such as the undershot jaw can cause Sleep apnoea

Sleep Apnoea Treatment options

The best treatment options include losing overall weight and cutting down on alcohol intake. Alcohol intake especially a few hours before going to sleep should be avoided. If you are taking medication that is contributing to low production of thyroid hormone, the doctor will have to correct it as well. If you have large tonsils, they will have to be removed surgically to reduce their effect on your breathing while you are asleep.
Another easy procedure is the use of mouth guard or a mandibular splint. They can control and regulate moderate or mild Sleep Apnoea. They work by holding the jaw forward while you are asleep.
When other forms of therapies have failed, one treatment that may work is the surgery to the base of the tongue and palate. These surgeries must be undertaken by a qualified nose, ear, and throat surgeon, also known as an otolaryngologist. They take interest and have sleep-related surgery training.

Things to keep in mind

• Sleep Apnoea is caused by the blocking of the upper air passage by the throat walls while you are asleep. These muscles are the ones close to the voice box.
• The Sleep Apnoea condition is experienced by about one out of four men. It is therefore as common as asthma.
• The best treatment is the cutting down on alcohol and weight loss. These do not need any surgeries and should be the first to be used.
• Other forms of treatment include mouth guard, nasal CPAP, and surgical correction of the upper airway passage that is close to the voice box.
• The best way to distinguish simple snoring from Sleep Apnoea is the daytime sleepiness.

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Blood uses blood vessels to travel throughout the body, and there are three main types:

-Arteries
-Veins
-Capillaries

Arteries and veins move blood away from and to the heart, respectively. Capillaries move blood around specific tissues in the body.

A minor cut might not be a problem for most, but heavy bleeding obviously requires emergency action to prevent major blood loss.

You need a certain amount of blood to function normally. If too much blood leaves your body, the light-headedness can devolve into shock because the loss of blood also leads to a loss of oxygen — it’s the blood that carries oxygen to your cells, so severe bleeding essentially leads to suffocation for your cells.

Symptoms of shock include:

-Sweating
-Pale skin
-Light-headedness that quickly turns into confusion and lack of alertness
-Nausea
-Fast pulse and fast breathing
-Weakening pulse
-Dehydration

Because severe blood loss can be so alarming for people around the victim, too, it’s often too easy to forget the steps needed to stop the bleeding. Memorize the word “PEEP” (Position, Expose/examine, Elevation, Pressure) to make it easier to remember what to do when you see someone bleeding profusely.

• Start with Position: The person who is bleeding should be on the floor (only if possible; do this only if you know the person can be safely moved).
• Expose and examine: This means finding where all the wounds are and if anything is embedded in the wounds.
• Elevation: Raise the injured part of the body above heart level if possible (this is meant mainly for arms and legs).
• Pressure: Place pressure on the wound. If the person who is bleeding is conscious and alert, he or she can do this as well. However, monitor the person to ensure he or she remains alert; if the person becomes light-headed, he or she might not be able to continue applying pressure.

Keep the following in mind:

• Do your best to remain calm. The sight of blood can be awful, but remember it’s much worse for the person who is actually bleeding.
• Try to get the injured person to lie down to prevent potential injury from fainting.
• Contact emergency services as soon as you can and follow their instructions for treating the person or moving him or her to a medical facility.
• Do NOT forcefully remove anything stuck in the wound. Brush away loose items, but if anything requires pulling, even light pulling, leave it alone. It’s not unusual for something like a knife blade to actually block bleeding inside a wound because the blade has effectively sealed part of the wound inside; removing the knife would allow blood to flow freely from that part of the wound.
• Do your best to bandage the wound around the obstacle until you can get the injured person medical help.
• Use a clean, sterile bandage when applying pressure to the wound if at all possible; use your hands only if you have no other options.

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It may never happen during your lifetime, but it is always in your best interest to be prepared in the case of an emergency situation, whether you are simply at your home or out in public. When it comes to becoming more prepared for those types of situations, many individuals take advantage of taking a first aid and CPR course to make them feel more of a readiness and understanding for the emergencies that can arise. if you are interested in learning first aid and knowing the signs of a true emergency, then we are here to help! In fact, learning the basic steps of first can be as simple as learning your alphabet; Let us explain.

The Four Basic Steps

1. Look for Signs of Danger:

   

The first and most important thing to do when facing a first aid emergency situation is to check and see if danger is around. Look for anything that could harm you, other witnesses, or the injured victim as well, and try not to put yourself in any type of harm’s way.

2. Check for Responsiveness and Send for Help:

The next step when assessing the situation at hand is to look for any signs of responsiveness from the victim you are helping. Look for any signs of consciousness and see of the person responds when touched or spoken to. Make sure to also call for an ambulance and paramedics to come so they can further take care of the situation after you have been applying the first aid care that you can.

3. Make Sure Airways are Clear:

Once emergency help has been contacted, it is time to take care of the victim. First, check to make sure their airways are clear and that the victim is not choking on something that can cause breathing to falter. If the victim is conscious and responding, make sure they can breathe and that the airway is not blocked in any way. If unconscious, check their airway by tilting back their head and looking into their mouth. If something is blocking their breathing, turn the victim into one side, and try to clear the contents out of their mouth and throat, and continue to check for breathing.

4. Check for Breathing and Perform CPR:

Once you have made sure that the airways are clear, it is time to make sure they are breathing effectively. You can assess if they are breathing by looking for up and down chest movements as well as feeling for breathing with your hand on their chest. If the individual is unconscious, but breathing, lay them back on their side and wait for medical help to arrive. If the individual is unconscious and not breathing, it may be time to apply CPR to the victim until medical help arrives. CPR consists of compressions on the chest with breaths in through the mouth while plugging the nose. The objective is to getting the heart pumping and the individual breathing in their own until medical help arrives.

Knowing these four steps of basic first aid can be the difference between life and death for the individual you are helping, and is always a great asset to have knowledge about. Everyone should take the opportunity to get the first aid and CPR training that can help save someone’s life, and it is as simple as learning your ABC’s.

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Many individuals are prepared for almost anything in life while others simply manage troubles as they arise. Reading common first aid literature leads one to believe that first aid requires special utensils and methods. In reality, common sense is the most useful first aid tool that people should make due with. Basic first aid can in many cases be administered by using simple tools located around one’s home.

Clean Routines to Wash Hands

Clean hands are an important first step in the first aid strategy. Although one may use rubber or silicone gloves for first aid procedures, it is still essential that people always wash their hands well before any first aid therapy. Hands that are not clean can ultimately infect the wounds of others who are receiving first aid.

Put a Halt to Bleeding with Clean Fabrics

There is no need to scramble for medical dressings and bandages to clean and cover wounds. One can simply use clean towels and rags as a way to stop bleeding. Apply some pressure on the wound and once bleeding has ceased, one can leave the wound uncovered or concealed with another clean piece of cloth.

Cardboard Box as a Useful First Aid Tool

Cardboard materials are relatively durable and strong once molded and used accordingly. Splints from cardboard can be made easily from any available box or package. In particular, boxes that are used to store paper files can be used especially well for first aid purposes. This item can be located in almost any workplace, especially office settings.

Soft Cushions to Protect the Foot

Injured feet and ankles can be secured by using pillows as well as tape to help protect from bumps. Pillows are wrapped around injured feet and then taped securely with duct tape, which works very well.

Consult with Paramedics

First Aid comes in two forms–minor injuries that can be handled by a person and more life-threatening wounds that require help from medical professionals. The best firs aid tool that one can have is simply a mobile telephone or land line. One must, however, be prepared to answer many questions posed by emergency health professionals. People should be aware of the expectations that they will confront when making an emergency telephone call.

Administer CPR

CPR is the most basic urgent first aid response that people can provide to those in need. The recommended procedures involve emergency breathing strategies as a component of CPR. It is widely accepted that for cardiac arrest, applying pressure on the chest is a sufficient strategy to help revive those in need. Traditional mouth to mouth breathing routines are unnecessary for adults, but more useful and necessary for children. Finally, traditional CPR masks are unnecessary as well.

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A poison is any substance that causes damage, loss of bodily control, or sickness when it comes into contact with the body. Poisons cover a wide spectrum and can take the form of gases, liquids, and solids. If poisons are ingested they can cause massive damage to any or all tissues they come in contact with, particularly in the digestive tract. If poisons enter the bloodstream they can cause even more damage.

There are a wide variety of household chemicals such as bleach, detergent, and even peroxide that can act as poisons to the human body. A particular danger comes when an individual is taking medication and accidentally ingests a poisonous substance. The combination can cause unimaginable damage to the body. While the severity of the poison varies, it is always recommended that a poisoning victim call poison control or 911.

If you or anyone you know has ingested poison and is exhibiting symptoms it is important to call the nearest poison center or request medical assistance immediately. Such symptoms can include nausea, weakness, intense pain, unusual skin coloring, and even breathing difficulty.

How Poisons Enter the Body

Poisons can be introduced into the body in many various ways. Some of those include:

-Ingestion through either the mouth or the rectum
-Vapor inhalation
-Absorption through the skin
-Insertion into the skin

Symptoms include but are not limited to:

-Severe stomach pains
-Breathing difficulties
-Nausea
-Unconsciousness
-Convulsions

How to Help in Case of Poisoning

1) Be aware of existing hazards that are still present

It is not possible to help another person if the hazards that affected them are still able to affect you. Be aware of the surroundings and make a note of the environment so as to answer any questions that might be asked by paramedics. If possible move the affected individual to a safe area after calling 911.

2) Is the affected individual aware of their condition?

Check to see if the affected individual is conscious and/or aware of their condition. Also check their breathing and confirm whether or not their airways are clear. After this it is necessary to call for paramedics. If the individual is awake keep checking to see if they remain aware. Help with any physical harm if necessary or possible. Making an effort to keep the victim conscious and aware is also helpful.

3) Call the Poison Control Center

If you or someone you know has been poisoned it is recommended to call the Poison Control Center as soon as possible in order to ascertain what is to be done. It is also crucial to administer first aid when needed. In rare cases of inhalation it is necessary to move the affected individual to a clear area in order to keep them from further harm. This is also to insure that you are not affected and can help if needed. Inhalation will require medical aid as well, but most likely will be better administered by a paramedic.

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