How to Handle a Medical Problem

Instructions Step 1: Avoid cigarette smoke Avoid places with cigarette smoke especially when you are with your children. Ear infections occur more often in children exposed to cigarette smoke. TIP: Babies and young children with ear infections may pull at their ears, have a fever, and have trouble sleeping. Step 2: Limit use of childcare …

Instructions : Seek emergency treatment if palpitations cause loss of consciousness or are accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual sweating, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Step 1: Track the palpitations Keep track of how often you have palpitations, when they occur, their duration, your heart rate when you experience them, and how you felt at …

Instructions Step 1: Treat a bitten tongue Clean and apply a cold press to the injured area if you bit your lip or tongue. TIP: Seek emergency treatment if the bleeding does not stop. Step 2: Treat a broken tooth Rinse your mouth with warm water if you break a tooth. Apply a cold compress …

Instructions Step 1: See if you have any other health-related conditions Work with your doctor to see if you have underlying conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, anemia, kidney disease, or are pregnant. Medicines commonly used to treat Parkinson’s are often used to lessen the affects of RLS. TIP: Some pregnant women in their last trimester …

Instructions Step 1: Try bending the injured finger Try bending the injured finger immediately after the injury. A fractured finger is usually painful, although the pain may be dull. Step 2: Look for swelling and difficulty moving it Note whether the hurt finger becomes swollen and red and is difficult to move shortly after the …

Instructions Step 1: Note a snap or pop Note whether you heard a snap or pop at the time of the injury. Step 2: Note response to touch Observe whether the pain is worse when you move or touch the toe. Step 3: Note any swelling or bruising Look for swelling and bruising. TIP: A …

Instructions Step 1: Know that pain may vary Know that pain may vary depending on the person’s age, and the position of the appendix. TIP: Pregnant woman and young children may experience pain in different places. Step 2: Know that pain will occur near navel Know that pain typically starts around your navel and then …

Instructions Step 1: Keep blister intact Keep a blister that isn’t too painful intact — even a blood blister. The skin serves as a natural barrier to bacteria and infection. Cover a small blister with a bandage and a large blister with a plastic-coated gauze pad. TIP: A small blister is one that is less …

Instructions : When delivering a baby, do not try to pull out either the child or the umbilical cord. Step 1: Put down some sheets Put down some sheets, towels, clothing, or even an unread newspaper — anything you can find that’s clean. Step 2: Position the mom-to-be If you have assistance and she’s comfortable …

Instructions Step 1: Notice vomiting Take note if the victim is vomiting. Although it could be an upset stomach, it could also indicate a more serious problem. Step 2: Wake the victim Attempt to wake the victim if they pass out. If they cannot be roused, immediately seek help. TIP: Watch an unconscious victim to …

Instructions Step 1: Take anti-inflammatory medication Take anti-inflammatory medication as soon as possible after injuring your ankle. This will help reduce swelling. TIP: Anti-inflammatory medication may need to be taken for several days after the injury. Step 2: Ice your ankle Ice your ankle to further reduce swelling and inflammation. Place ice cubes in a …

Instructions Step 1: Name drop If you know anyone who works at the hospital, drop their name, even if the connection is tenuous. Step 2: Make it sound serious Don’t minimize your symptoms. Saying, “I’m having chest pains; I think I’m having a heart attack” is probably going to get you seen faster than someone …

Instructions Step 1: Go to the dentist Visit your dentist if you experience burning in your mouth, throat, or tongue. Typically, symptoms are mild in the morning but gradually worsen as the day progresses. Step 2: Use alpha lipoic acid Use alpha lipoic acid, or ALA. The burning sensation may be caused by damaged nerves; …

Instructions Step 1: Relax for 10 minutes Rest quietly for 10 minutes to take a resting heart rate measurement. If you are testing your active heart rate, test after activity. Step 2: Find your pulse Turn your left arm palm-up and place the first two fingers of your right hand on the inside of your …

Instructions : As soon as you can, seek medical attention for ankle injuries. Step 1: Lay them on their back Help the injured person lie down on their back. Then, cut away clothing from the injured spot. Don’t move them great distances until you’ve totally immobilized the ankle. TIP: If you must move the injured …

Instructions Step 1: Recognize the symptoms Recognize asthma symptoms, which include wheezing, breathing problems that become worse after physical activity, coughing fits, especially at night or when lying down, and colds that last more than ten days. TIP: A family history of asthma increases your chances of having the disease. Step 2: See a doctor …

Instructions : A toothache can be a sign of a larger problem, and if left untreated it can result in serious harm or death. Don’t take it lightly—if you’re in pain, see a dentist immediately. Step 1: Brush and floss When you eat, tiny particles of food can wedge between your teeth and gums. So …

Instructions Step 1: Assess the situation Assess the situation: If you or someone in your family has an itchy scalp, check carefully for lice with a magnifying glass. Treatment should be considered only when active lice or unhatched eggs are observed. If you receive a notice from school that another student has head lice take …

Instructions : Call 911 if a victim appears to be suffering from severe dehydration, which includes symptoms like extreme thirst, a very dry mouth and other membranes, a change in personality, a lack of sweating, and infrequency or cessation of urination. Step 1: Drink cool water Drink cool water. No matter the cause of your …

Instructions : See a doctor immediately if your cut is extremely deep, won’t stop bleeding, or appears infected. Step 1: Clean the cut Wash your hands thoroughly, and clean your cut with a mild soap under lukewarm running water. Make sure you get all the dirt out of the cut, and if necessary, scrub it …

Instructions : Call 911 if a victim appears to be suffering from a serious reaction to an insect bite or sting, which can include symptoms like light-headedness, disorientation, a skin rash, nausea, vomiting, disrupted breathing, swelling in the lips or throat, rapid heartbeat, or cramps. Step 1: Relocate Relocate to an area free from insects …