Tag Archives: first aid

Parent Training

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If you have a child the old fashioned way there is no manual, there is no class that tells you how to deal with some of the issues that are sure to come up as the child grows. When you are going through the adoption process you go through what is called a PRIDE seminar. I am not sure what the PRIDE stands for but it is a very complete parenting training course. All parents should have to take parenting classes even if they are having biological children. There are so many issues covered during these weeks and weeks of … Continue reading →

First Aid for Vomiting

Call it what you will: barfing, throwing up, driving the porcelain bus, morning sickness… vomiting is no fun. Want to get technical? Vomiting is the expulsion of the stomach contents through the esophagus and out the mouth. (And sometimes the nose, too. Whee!) Why is vomiting sometimes a good thing? It can get toxins out of the body and help ease stomach discomfort. Better out than in, as they say. Why is vomiting sometimes a bad thing? It’s gross. (Okay, that’s not medically bad, but I can’t think of any illness that makes me feel worse than throwing up.) The … Continue reading →

First Aid for Nausea

Thankfully, nausea doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to throw up. Nausea is the sensation that accompanies the urge to vomit. Other feelings that may show up with nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) can include: feeling weak or sweaty and having too much saliva in your mouth. Sometimes, nausea (and vomiting) is a sign of some other illness. Common causes for nausea can include: a virus, food poisoning, stress and other mental health issues, some medications, migraines, inner ear issues, drug and/or alcohol abuse, and pregnancy. Occasional nausea can often be treated at home. Here are some things to try: … Continue reading →

Symptoms of Accidental Poisoning

An accidental poisoning can be a serious, life-threatening emergency. Knowing the signs of poisoning can help you take action quickly… and maybe safe a life. A poison can be ingested, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. A person who has been poisoned may become suddenly ill, or unconscious. You may notice a person who has been poisoned acting strangely. Common symptoms of poisoning can include: vomiting, stomach pain, trouble breathing, headache, fever, chills, dizziness, drowsiness, pain and swelling in the throat. If you suspect an accidental poisoning, you may also notice other signs. There may be burns or stains … Continue reading →

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a danger to people and pets — it is an odorless and colorless gas that can lead to sudden illness… and death. It comes from the fumes produced by burning or combustion, like car and truck engines, stoves, lanterns, generators, and heating systems. In enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces, carbon monoxide can build up and poison the people (or pets) breathing it. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: Headache Dizziness Weakness Nausea and/or vomiting Chest pain Confusion In severe cases, carbon monoxide inhalation can lead to loss of consciousness and death. Why is carbon monoxide so dangerous? … Continue reading →

Teaching Kids Basic First Aid Skills

With summer comes a host of injuries, from skinned knees to more serious situations that may require a trip to the emergency room. Parents, too can be the victim of an emergency, so children really need to know some basic first aid skills. This is true whether your child is four or fourteen. Calling for help Once your child reaches the age of four, she should know all about calling 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. Explain all about what a real emergency is. For example. she should call 9-1-1 if an adult asks her too, if an adult … Continue reading →

How to Remove a Splinter

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Growing up, we had hardwood floors. I bet you can see where this is going: I ended up with a lot of splinters thanks to those floors! Many a tortured hour were spent under the bright lights in the kitchen while my dad dug splinters out of my feet and I squirmed and complained. Okay, maybe it wasn’t actually HOURS, but it sure felt that way! Something so small as a sliver of wood (or glass, or metal) can be a huge pain when it gets stuck under the skin. There are different things you can try to get a … Continue reading →

First Aid: Broken Bone

I’ve got lots of weird and funny broken bone stories — usually fingers and toes. I broke a toe in gym class playing soccer when I missed the ball and kicked a classmate instead. I broke a finger when a friend threw a brick at me. Nearly seven million Americans see an orthopedic specialist for a broken bone each year. I saw one for one of my broken fingers… but used the plain old emergency room or family doctor for the others. The average citizen can expect to suffer two broken bones over a lifetime. I guess that makes me … Continue reading →

First Aid: Pulled Muscle

A pulled muscle — or muscle strain — is when a muscle is stretched too far, and small tears develop. Pulled muscles are graded by severity. Grade I: mild discomfort that does not limit activity. Grade II: moderate discomfort that can limit ability to perform some activities. You may experience swelling and/or bruising at the site. Grade III: severe discomfort that can limit activity. You may experience swelling, bruising, and muscle spasms at the injury site. For Grade I and Grade II sprains, you may be able to treat the injury at home. (More severe sprains may need temporary immobilization, … Continue reading →

What Is a Stress Fracture?

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After my mysterious foot pain while walking the dogs, I was afraid I might have a stress fracture in my right foot. I’m pretty sure I just stepped wrong, but I’m still curious about stress fractures. A stress fracture is an overuse injury. In a normal fracture, a sudden, high force event (like a fall) breaks the bone. In a stress fracture, the forces involved are lower but happen repeatedly for a long period of time. You could also call a stress fracture a “fatigue fracture”. They are most often seen in athletes who run and jump on hard surfaces. … Continue reading →