Fainting

Fainting occurs when the blood supply to your brain is momentarily inadequate, causing you to lose consciousness. This loss of consciousness is usually brief. It may or may not have medical significance Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the signs and symptoms are relieved and the cause is known.Fainting can be caused by fatigue, hunger, dehydration, sudden emotional upset, a poorly ventilated room, or rapid change in body position. Fainting is usually accompanied by pale, clammy skin & rapid pulse.
If you feel faint:
Lie down or sit down.
If you sit down, place your head between your knees.

If someone around you faints :
Lower their heads between knees, or
Have them lie flat with feet elevated
Check to see if airways are clear
Loosen tight clothing
Do not leave alone or give any fluids until fully recovered
Patient should become normal within a minute
If not, seek medical help
Check if breathing/pulse is normal
If not, do Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Seek medical attention if the person hit his/her head when fainting or experienced seizure-like activity (involuntary muscle movement)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

CPR in basic life support. Figure A: The victim should be flat on his back and his mouth should be checked for debris. Figure B: If the victim is unconscious, open airway, lift neck, and tilt head back. Figure C: If victim is not breathing, begin artificial breathing with four quick full breaths. Figure D: Check for carotid pulse. Figure E: If pulse is absent, begin artificial circulation by depressing sternum. Figure F: Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation of an infant. ( Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly called CPR, combines rescue breathing (one person breathing into another person) and chest compression in a lifesaving procedure performed when a person has stopped breathing or a person's heart has stopped beating.
When performed quickly enough, CPR can save lives in such emergencies as loss of consciousness, heart attacks or heart "arrests," electric shock, drowning, excessive bleeding, drug overdose, and other conditions in which there is no breathing or no pulse. The purpose of CPR is to bring oxygen to the victim's lungs and to keep blood circulating so oxygen gets to every part of the body. When a person is deprived of oxygen, permanent brain damage can begin in as little as four minutes and death can follow only minutes later.

Burns

The extent of the burn will indicate whether shock is likely to develop, as tissue fluid (serum) leaks from the burned area and is replenished by fluids from the circulatory system. The greater the extent of the burn, the more severe the shock will be. The cause of the burn may also signal any other possible complications. Burns also carry a serious risk of infection, which increases according to the size and depth of the burn. The body’s natural barrier, the skin, is destroyed by burning, leaving it exposed to germs.
Burns can be categorised as follows:
Superficial burns (First Degree)
These involve only the outer layer of the skin, and are characterised by redness, swelling and tenderness. Typical examples are mild sunburn, or a scald produced by a splash of hot tea or coffee. Superficial burns usually heal well if prompt first aid is given, and do not require medical treatment unless extensive.
Partial-thickness Burns (Second Degree)
These damage a ‘partial thickness’ of the skin, and require medical treatment. The skin looks raw, and blisters form. These burns usually heal well, but can be serious, if extensive. In adults, partial-thickness burns affecting more than 50% of the body’s surface can be fatal. This percentage is less in children and the elderly.
Full-thickness Burns (Third Degree)
These damage all layers of the skin. Damage may extend beyond the skin to affect nerves, muscle and fat. The skin may look pale, waxy, and sometimes charred. Full-thickness burns of any size always require immediate medical attention, and usually require specialist treatment.
Treatment of Minor Burns and Scalds
DO NOT use adhesive dressings.
DO NOT break blisters, or interfere with the injured area.
DO NOT apply lotions, ointments, creams, or fats to the injured area.
Cool the injured part with copious amounts of cold water for about 10 minutes to stop the burning and relieve the pain. If water is unavailable, any cold, harmless liquid such as milk or canned drinks will suffice.
Gently remove any jewellery, watches, or constricting clothing from the injured area before it starts to swell.
Cover the injury with a sterile dressing, or any clean, non-fluffy material to protect from infection. A clean plastic bag or kitchen film may be used.
Minor burns usually heal without further treatment.
If there is oozing,redness,pain or swelling seek medical help.

Blisters

Blisters occur due to friction caused by constant rubbing of shoes / clothes
Outer skin layer separates from the inner layer
The space in-between fills up with fluid
They are common in athletes, trekkers, rowers
Also seen in people using new shoes
Suggested first-aid :
Wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water.
Make a hole at the edge of the blister
Use a needle or pin sterilized by passing over flame /rubbing with alcohol
Drain the accumulated fluid
Keep skin intact to prevent infection
Clean blister with gauze containing iodine/alcohol
Apply antibiotic ointment
Cover with adhesive bandage for small blister
Use porous, bandage for large ones
Do not puncture blister if painless
Do not puncture a blood-filled blister
Blisters disappear in a few days time
Diabetics should consult a doctor

Anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can produce shock and life-threatening respiratory distress. In sensitive people, anaphylaxis can occur within minutes or up to several hours after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance. Almost any allergy-causing substance — including insect venom, pollen, latex, certain foods and drugs — can cause anaphylaxis. Some people have anaphylactic reactions from unknown causes.
If you're extremely sensitive, you might break out in hives, and your eyes or lips might swell severely. The inside of your throat might swell as well, even to the point of causing difficulty breathing and shock. Dizziness, mental confusion, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea also may accompany anaphylaxis.
If you've had an anaphylactic reaction in the past, carry medications with you as an antidote. Epinephrine is the most commonly used drug for severe allergic reactions. It comes only as an injection that must be prescribed by your doctor. You should also carry an antihistamine pill, such as cetrizine(Cetzine, others), because the effects of epinephrine are only temporary. Seek emergency medical attention immediately after taking these medications.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening medical emergency because of rapid constriction of the airway, often within minutes of onset, which can lead to respiratory failure and respiratory arrest. Brain and organ damage rapidly occurs if the patient cannot breathe. Due to the severe nature of the emergency, patients experiencing or about to experience anaphylaxis require the help of advanced medical personnel. First aid measures for anaphylaxis include rescue breathing (part of CPR). Rescue breathing may be hindered by the constricted airways, but if the victim stops breathing on his or her own, it is the only way to get oxygen to him or her until professional help is available.
Another treatment for anaphylaxis is administration of epinephrine (adrenaline). Epinephrine prevents worsening of the airway constriction, stimulates the heart to continue beating, and may be life-saving. Epinephrine acts on Beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the lung as a powerful bronchodilator (i.e. it opens the airways), relieving allergic or histamine induced acute asthmatic attack or anaphylaxis. If the patient has previously been diagnosed with anaphylaxis, they may be carrying an EpiPen (or TWINJECT TM) for immediate administration of epinephrine. However, use of an EpiPen or similar device only provides temporary and limited relief of symptoms.

Some Common Myths about Acne

Myth
Washing your face more often will help clear up acne

Reality:
Facial blemishes are not caused by dirt. In fact frequent washing may actually irritate pores and cause them to become clogged. A washcloth can add even more irritation. The best thing to do is to wash very gently with bare hands, and only wash twice a day.

Myth:
Stress causes acne

Reality:
Stress may have an effect on hormones and theoretically can promote acne. However, an effective acne treatment regimen is more powerful than a bout of stress any day. Some psychiatric medications may have acne as a side effect, but stress itself is not responsible for your acne. It is better to spend time determining the right course of acne treatment rather than feeling guilt about stress.

Myth:
Masturbation or sex causes acne

Reality:
DON'T BELIEVE IT!

Myth: Diet and acne are related

Reality:
Another myth is the belief that eating chocolate, fried or greasy foods causes acne outbreaks. However, a number of scientific studies have shown that there is absolutely no connection between one's diet and acne.

Ways to Erase Low Back Pain

"Low back pain is the most expensive work-related injury as well as the third most common reason for a surgical procedure,"
The spine is a complex collection...It consists of bones, called vertebrae, and the joints that allow them to interact; discs that separate the vertebrae from each other; the spinal cord and nerves; the soft tissues such as muscles and ligaments that help hold the spine together. Your spine has 3 major functions including protecting the spinal cord, supporting the body in an upright position, and allowing the body to move freely.
The four major categories of low back pain are:
? Mechanical- arising from either trauma or repetitive motion
? Degenerative- usually from arthritic causes
? Systemic- arising from medical illnesses
? Stress-induced
Mechanical causes are responsible for more than 90% of back pain and the most common cause of back pain is probably muscle injury due to strain or sprain. Other common causes include disc herniation, spondylolisthesis (a condition where the vertebra slips on the one below it), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the canal that carries the spinal cord), scoliosis (curvature of the spine), osteoporosis (a disease where the bones become fragile and break), and arthritis. Bone tumors are another potential cause.
There are simple ways to help your back. For instance use the log roll technique to get into and out of bed. Think of your body as a log, and make sure you move it as a unit... rolling into and out of bed.Use the same idea when getting into and out of your car. Don't twist or stick one leg one way and the other leg a different way. Move your body as a unit.
Check your work area .Make sure your computer, chair, and other parts of your work environment are "friendly" to your back. Good support for your low back as well as your legs is important.
Exercise regularly. Stretching is important for your spine?Since rotation is a key movement and the upright position is part of our daily routine, we need to incorporate exercises that stretch and strengthen those muscles that are important for twisting and for posture.
Surgical procedures are a last ditch effort...and should be reserved for patients who have pain unresponsive to conservative treatment or who have a progressive neurologic problem.

Stay Healthy During Monsoons!

Being a Family Physician,I come across a lot of diseases especially during the monsoons .Diseases like diarrhoea, viral infections, sore throat, allergic colds and coughs, tend to be prevalent in the monsoons. While prior vaccination prevents several diseases, maintenance of hygiene will keep many others at bay

A lot of these illnesses can be avoided if one takes a few simple precautions.
I find that school -going children are the biggest sufferers primarily in the age group of five to ten years.
With the burden of school as well as home-work being what it is these days,it is better to take preventive measures.
Here are a few health tips:
* Wash your hands properly before eating
* Stay away from roadside food
* Avoid seafood, junk food and leafy vegetables

* Keep yourself dry

Vaccination: Vaccination can protect you from most of the diseases that pop up with the onset of monsoon.
Besides the usual umbrella, windcheaters and raincoats, this monsoon brace yourself with some more safeguards to keep those monsoon associated diseases at bay:

• Avoid consuming outside food especially stale food as during monsoon food gets contaminated quite often. Also, try to distance yourself from roadside foods as it maynot be cooked properly and maybe with infected with disease causing organisms. Home-cooked food is the best choice during the rains.


• As most diseases are water-borne in this season, make it a point to drain accumulated water from your surroundings.


• Many infections occur because of contaminated water. Hence, consume only properly boiled and filtered water.


• While going make sure you feet is not exposed by wearing gumboots and make sure that you wash off the dirt from your feet once you are back home. Don’t walk in the dirty water as it can lead to leptospirosis


• Try to keep yourself dry as dampness has a tendency to give birth to fungus and other skin infections


• Seafood is prone to be contaminated during this season and is known to cause severe food poisoning and gastro-enteric diseases. Hence, avoid seafood in monsoons as much as you can.


• Attend to any wounds immediately as contact with rain-water can contaminate the wound.


• Asthmatics need to be extra careful as change of weather can trigger frequent asthma attacks.


• Use mosquito nets to avoid diseases from mosquito-bites.


• Avoid staying in wet clothes for long as it can result in viral fever as well as cold and cough .