What are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke or sun stroke?

What are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke or sun stroke?

Heat stroke, also known as sunstroke, is a serious medical condition, a medical emergency, when the body's temperature rises too high as a result of excessive heat exposure. The body loses its ability to cool itself and overheats.

The signs and symptoms of heat stroke may include:

• A high temperature; temperature higher than 104°F (40°C)
  
  Heat stroke may be diagnosed at lower temperatures. Also, some people may reach these temperatures and never develop heatstroke.


• Profuse sweating that abruptly stops - when the body cannot sweat any more, as may happen in cases of severe dehydration, the skin will become dry. Without perspiration the body has no way of cooling itself.


• Accelerated (weak) heartbeat.


• Hyperventilation. - rapid breathing, shallow panting.


• Muscle cramps.


• The skin becomes hot, dry and red.


• Nausea.


• Vomiting.


• Dark urine.

As the nervous system becomes affected, the following symptoms may emerge:

• Confusion
• Coordination problems
• Seizures (fits)
• Headache
• Vertigo, dizziness, lightheadedness - a sensation of spinning or moving when standing (vertigo)
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Hallucinations
• Irrational behavior
• Loss of consciousness.

What are the treatment options for heat stroke?

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you see somebody with heat stroke call for an ambulance straight away.

While you are waiting for the paramedics to come:

• Move the patient to a cool place, preferably air-conditioned. If one is not available, go to a shady area.


• Make sure the place is ventilated. Use a fan or open the windows (don't open windows if it is air-conditioned).


• Try to get them to drink water.


• Do not give any painkilling medications, such as ibuprofen, asprin or acetaminophen (paracetamol, Tylenol).


• If you can, place them in a cool (not cold) shower.


• If there is one, partly fill a bathtub with cool (not cold) water, sit the person in there and hydrate their skin. Do not fully immerse the person in the water until the paramedics arrive.
• To encourage blood circulation, gently massage their skin.


• If the person has a seizure, do not place anything in their mouth. Move nearby objects out of the way.
• If they are unconscious, place them in the recovery position 
  
  

  . If they have vomited, make sure there is no blockage that may affect breathing.

again but another form :

What to do

If you notice that someone has signs of heat exhaustion, you should:

• get them to lie down in a cool place – such as a room with air conditioning or somewhere in the shade
• remove any unnecessary clothing to expose as much of their skin as possible
• cool their skin –use whatever you have available, such as a cool, wet sponge or flannel, cold packs around the neck and armpits, or wrap them in a cool, wet sheet
• fan their skin while it's moist – this will help the water to evaporate, which will help their skin cool down
• get them to drink fluids – this should ideally be water, fruit juice or a rehydration drink, such as a sports drink

Stay with the person until they're feeling better. Most people should start to recover within 30 minutes.

If the person is unconscious, you should follow the steps above and place the person in the  recovery position until help arrives.

What is the recovery position?
call 911 immediately and give first aid until paramedics arrive.

Even if the casualty is breathing, but is unconscious, there is still a significant risk of airway obstruction. The recovery position minimizes the risk to the patient. A first aider should do the following:

• Remove glasses if the casualty is wearing them.


• Make sure his/her legs are straight.


• Place the arm that is nearest to you at right angles to the casualty's body (you are kneeling next to him/her).


• Bring the other arm across their chest; hold the back of his/her hand against his/her nearest cheek.


• With you other hand, hold the casualty's thigh that is furthest from you and pull up the knee. Make sure his/her foot is flat on the ground.


• Slowly pull down on the casualty's raised knee and roll him/her over towards you.


• Move the upper leg slightly so that the casualty's hip and knee are bent at right-angles. This makes sure they do not roll back onto their face.


• Gently tilt the head back so that the airway is kept open.

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Ref: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

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H1N1 ... Signs & Symptoms

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How H1N1 ... Signs & Symptoms

H1N1 flu is also known as swine flu. It's called swine flu because in the past, the people who caught it had direct contact with pigs. That changed several years ago, when a new virus emerged that spread among people who had not been near pigs.

In 2009, H1N1 was spreading fast around the world, so the World Health Organization called it a pandemic. Since then, people have continued to get sick from swine flu, but not as many

Signs & Symptoms:

Fever

Cough

Sore throat

Body Aches

Runny or stuffy nose

headache

Chills

Fatigue

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Read More about H1N1 "Swine" Virus 





































































References
- http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/h1n1-flu-virus-swine-flu

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Hypoglycemia Symptoms ... image

                                                                                                                                    Home

Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose), your body's main energy source or Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, usually less than 70 mg / dl.

Signs and symptoms: 

Hypoglycemic symptoms are important clues that you have low blood glucose. Each person's reaction to hypoglycemia is different, so it's important that you learn your own signs and symptoms when your blood glucose is low:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Feeling shaky
• Hunger
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Pounding heart; racing pulse
• Pale skin
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Weakness
• Anxiety

References:
- http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html?referrer=https://www.google.jo/
- http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/diabetes-hypoglycemia
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoglycemia/basics/definition/con-20021103

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The Benefits of Walking

Benefits of walking

• Improves efficiency of your heart and lungs

• Burns body fat

• Raises your metabolism so you are burning calories faster, even while you rest

• Helps control your appetite

• Increases your energy

• Helps relieve stress

• Slows aging

• Lowers high blood pressure

• Helps control and prevent diabetes

• Reduces risk of some forms of cancer including colorectal, prostrate, and breast

• Promotes intestinal regularity

• Helps promote restful sleep

• Strengthens your bones and reduces bone density loss in older women

• Reduces stiffness in your joints due to inactivity or arthritis

• Relieves most cases of chronic backache

• Improves flexibility

• Improves posture

• Promotes healthier skin due to increased circulation

• Improves mental alertness and memory

• Spurs intellectual creativity and problem solving

• Elevates mood

• Helps prevent and/or reduce depression

• Improves your self-esteem

• Helps control addictions to nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, and other drugs

Walking is much preferable to running or jogging because it creates less stress on your joints, including hips, knees, and ankles. Remember to properly warm up

*Research has shown that the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can help you:

ü Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease

ü Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels

ü Improve blood lipid profile

ü Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity

ü Enhance mental well being

ü Reduce the risk of osteoporosis

ü Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer

ü Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes

The impact of walking on mental health:

·        reduce physical symptoms of anxiety associated with minor stress.

·        increase self‐reported energy levels when older adults set their own pace.

·        improve sleep quality.

·        elevate affective response (e.g. pleasure), resulting in increased psychological well‐being for individuals

·        with type 2 diabetes.

·        be associated with better cognitive performance at school.

·        improve the cognitive functioning of older adults (compared to stretching and toning).

·        improve cognitive performance and reduce cognitive decline among older people.

·        increase the size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, potentially beneficial for memory.

ý In 2011, three review studies examining the recommended number of daily steps for adults, children and special populations, in order to determine ‘how many steps per day are enough?, The researchers also identified the minimum number of moderate to vigorous steps recommended for male and females at a variety of age thresholds. These findings are summarized in figure

Ref:

- Collaborating for Health

- Iowa State University of Science and Technology

- American Heart Association

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What is the cause of elbow pain ?

Pain in the left arm can be due to many causes, ranging from a pulled muscle to a massive heart attack. While it is not always possible to determine whether left arm pain is due to an insignificant cause or something potentially serious, several features can help distinguish the difference.

In another direction; some people experience pain in left arm and immediately think it might be related to a heart problem. Although that is one possibility, there are other factors that can cause arm pain, whether it is unilateral (affects only one arm) or bilateral (affects both arms).

Pain in left arm can also be an acute or a chronic condition. Sudden or short lasting arm pain is said to be acute while one that persists for over three months is considered to be chronic. In some cases, pain just comes and goes, while in some people, pain may become progressive and debilitating.

Pain in left arm may be experience by anyone, but it is more common among women who are about forty years old. It may be a mild and dull type of pain, but in others it could be a sharp, shooting pain that can be severe. The pain may affect any part of the arm or the whole arm, from the fingertips to the shoulder.

Although home treatments sometimes relieve the pain, it is always best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if the pain is severe or chronic in nature.

Most elbow pain results from overuse injuries. Many sports, hobbies and jobs require repetitive hand, wrist or arm movements. Elbow pain may occasionally be due to arthritis, but in general, your elbow joint is much less prone to wear-and-tear damage than are many other joints.

Common causes of elbow pain include:

·        Broken arm

·        Bursitis

·        Cubital tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the ulnar nerve on the inside of your elbow is irritated or injured

·        Dislocated elbow

·        Dislocation

·        Elbow fracture

·        Golfer's elbow

·        Ligament sprains and tears

·        Little league elbow syndrome (pitcher's elbow) - an injury mainly affecting children and rapidly growing adolescents involved in throwing sports such as baseball

·        Olecranon bursitis - inflammation of a small sac of fluid (olecranon bursa) on the tip of your elbow

·        Osteoarthritis

·        Osteochondritis dissecans

·        Rheumatoid arthritis

·        Radial tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the radial nerve becomes compressed just beyond your elbow (sometimes called resistant tennis elbow)

·        Sprains and strains

·        Stress fractures

·        Tendinitis

·        Tennis elbow

·        Throwing injuries

·        Trapped nerves

Note: Always do not hesitate to call or go to the doctor in the case of pain, especially if it has been associated with chest pain.

Read more:

Myocardial infarction 

Ref:

livestrong.com

mayoclinic.org

webmd.com

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What causes diarrhea?

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a condition that is classified as the appearance of loose, watery stools and/or a frequent need to go to the bathroom. It generally lasts a few days and often disappears without any treatment.

Diarrhea may be caused by a variety of conditions or elements, including:

• food intolerance
• food allergies
• adverse reaction to medication
• viral infections
• bacterial infections
• intestinal diseases
• functional bowel disorders
• gallbladder or stomach surgery
• parasites
• Appendicitis (painful swelling of the appendix)
• Damage to the lining of the intestines due to radiotherapy
• Emotional upset or anxiety
• Drinking too much coffee or alcohol
• Diarrhea can also sometimes be a side effect of medicines such as antibiotics, Laxatives, ...
• some causes long term;  Conditions that can cause persistent diarrhea such as bowel cancer, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, ... 

Related to the subject : HAND WASHING ... HOW & WHY ?

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