Category: Medical Information

All vision relies on the optic nerve and its ability to relay the images our eyes detect to our brains for processing.  There are twelve paired nerves that relay information from the body to the brain and the optic nerve is the second pair of this twelve.  Thus, it is frequently referred to as cranial nerve II.

The optic nerve is a part of the body’s central nervous system.  As such, damage to this nerve cannot be repaired.  Any impaired vision that results from injury or illness that affects the optic nerve is permanent.

At the center point of the back of the eye, fibers from the retina form the optic nerve.  Behind the eyes, the optic nerve from each eye joins together, forming the optic chiasm.  Visual signals cross over to the other side of the brain in the chiasm and, from here, travel to nine primary visual nuclei along both sides of the brain.

The retina is lined with a collection of tiny organs that resemble rods and cones.  The rods detect light and the cones color.  These visual images are transferred to the brain via retinal fibers and then the optic nerve.

Although it isn’t obvious, thanks to the placement of both our eyes, every eye has a blind spot, where there are no rods or cones.  It is this spot that the optic nerve connects with the eye.

Some experts believe a large part of visual processing occurs in the eye itself because there are about 100 million photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the retina but only 1.2 million retinal nerve fibers traveling to the brain.  Others dispute this, saying the signal capacity of the fibers of the optic nerve is great enough to carry only signals to the brain, where all the processing is done.

Regardless of where the processing is done, damage anywhere along the optic nerve results in permanent loss of vision, with vision loss equal to severity of the damage.  When the optic nerve becomes damaged, the pupil is also affected.  Optic nerve damage influences the pupil’s reflex ability, which hinders diagnosis of many eye disorders.  Pupil reflex is vital also in diagnosing other disorders that affect the body system wide.

Visual impairment caused by damage to the optic nerve depends upon where along the nerve the damage occurs.  When damage occurs in front of the optic chiasm (between eye and chiasm), loss of vision will be discerned in the eye on the same side (left or right) as the damage itself.  When the chiasm itself is damaged, visual loss affects both eyes.

Damage to the optic nerve beyond the chiasm causes visual loss in the eye opposite the damage.  In this case, damage to the optic nerve on the right side of the brain causes visual loss in the left eye.

The chiasm is situated near the pituitary gland, leaving it vulnerable to damage when certain pituitary tumors are present.  Traumatic injury, inflammation, toxicity, stroke, and compression from an aneurysm or tumor can all cause damage to the optic nerve to the extent vision is impaired.  Injury can also occur when Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a congenital condition, is present.

The three most common medical conditions that affect the optic nerve include glaucoma, which is a neuropathy causing loss of peripheral vision but which can progress to loss of central vision as well.  Multiple sclerosis patients risk optic neuritis, or inflammation of the optic nerve, which commonly happens before age 50, and patients at heightened risk for cardiovascular disease risk anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after age 50.

Dubbed the sneak thief of sight, glaucoma refers to a group of diseases affecting the optic nerve which result in optic neuropathy, or damage to the nerve.  Its main characteristic is increased pressure in the fluid that fills the eye (ocular hypertension). It’s this increased pressure that is responsible for the damaged nerve.

Most forms of glaucoma fall into one of two categories: open angle (chronic) or closed angle (acute).  Either form of the disease eventually jeopardizes visual acuity and irreparable blindness can result.  On a global basis, glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness.  One of every hundred people, age 50 and younger, is affected by glaucoma.  By age 80, one in ten is affected.

It’s currently impossible to prevent glaucoma or to cure it once it’s developed but early detection can preserve the vision as long as possible. The disease is often identified during routine eye examinations before any symptoms become apparent to the patient.

Symptoms a glaucoma patient might experience include a loss of contrast, which causes a fuzziness in visual acuity.  Patchy peripheral vision is another sign that nerve cells are becoming damaged.  One patient may be able to withstand an extremely high amount of ocular pressure with no damage or loss of vision while the next patient may suffer damage when ocular pressure is only slightly elevated.

The eye produces fluid that flows from the interior of the eye out the pupil.  From here, it normally drains through a series of meshwork that drains the fluid off the eye and into the bloodstream, where it is absorbed.  In open angle (chronic) glaucoma, the meshwork doesn’t allow ample amounts of fluid to drain into the bloodstream.  The undrained fluid is the source of pressure within the eye.  In closed angle (acute) glaucoma, pressure pushes the iris too tightly against the meshwork for adequate drainage to occur.

Ethnicity plays a large role in one’s risk of developing glaucoma as does gender.  The average woman runs a risk for glaucoma at a rate three times higher than the average man because her eye chambers are typically smaller.  Eye shape determined by race or ethnicity, as well as other factors, increases risk as follows:

• People of African heritage are at three times greater risk for open angle glaucoma.
• The shallower eye chamber of people of Asian descent increases their chance of closed angle glaucoma.
• The Inuit population faces a risk 20 to 40 times higher than Caucasians.
• Myopic (nearsighted) individuals, those who have thin corneas, and older people are at higher risk.
• A family history of glaucoma increases one’s risk by about 6%.

Prolonged steroid use, diabetes, trauma, and other conditions also heighten one’s risk of developing glaucoma.  In other cases, the cause of the disease is genetic.  Hypertension has been associated with but not proven to be a cause of glaucoma.  Studies on vitamin deficiencies and supplements have been inconclusive thus far.

While there is no way to prevent glaucoma, early detection and diligent maintenance efforts are vital for preventing blindness.  Eye drops that ease the pressure are most effective and are usually the first order of treatment.  Regular eye exams are critical.  Failure to comply with medical orders and missed eye exams are the main reason glaucoma patients lose their vision.

There are a number of drugs available to treat glaucoma and still more under study or development.  Only an eye care professional can diagnose glaucoma and only an eye care professional can know which patient is most likely to receive benefit from a particular course of treatment.

In cases where surgery is an option, a hole is made through the meshwork surrounding the pupil.  By enlarging the hole through which intraocular fluid drains, pressure within the eye is relieved.  In some surgical procedures, lasers are used but others involve the placement of tubular catheters to induce drainage.

 

The Respiratory System

Vital Signs

Normal Vital signs for an average: Male, Female, Child & Infant. It should also be noted that Body temperature reflects that of taken Orally, NOT Rectal.

How to Take your Blood Pressure:

One of the most important vital signs is the patient’s blood pressure: the amount of pressure that the surging blood exerts against the arterial walls. Blood pressure (BP) is an index of the efficiency of the complete circulatory system. The sphygmomanometer (blood pres- sure cuff) is the instrument used to measure blood pressure. Blood pressure normally varies with the age, sex, and medical history of an individual. The usual guide for systolic pressure in the male is 100 plus the individual’s age, up to 140-150 mm Hg. Normal diastolic pressure in the male is 66-90 mm Hg. Both the systolic and the diastolic pressures are 8-10 mm Hg lower in the female than in the male. Blood pressure is reported as systolic/diastolic as in 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) The result of contraction of the heart which forces blood through the arteries is called systolic pres- sure. The result of relaxation of the heart between contractions is called diastolic pres- sure. All Patients should be taught how to take blood pressures, but many do not realize that it is not unusual for a patient’s blood pressure to vary from 24 to 34 mm Hg (both diastolic and systolic) between the first reading at the accident scene and the reading at the hospital emergency room. The blood pressure may actually change as a result of medication, but the problem may be the sphygmomanometer, the person taking it, or both! Blood pressure readings may also fluctuate from the right to the left arm for a number of reasons. Record the pressure accurately so that the receiving physician can tell how much it has changed since you first saw the patient.

To take a blood pressure:

1. Fasten the cuff of the sphygmomanometer on either arm above the elbow. Apply the cuff on the arm one inch above the anterior crease of the elbow with the bladder can- centered over the brachial artery, then wrap snugly. (Proper size of BP cuff is deter- mined as follows: Bladder of the cuff should cover one half (1/2) of the arm cir- conference. If not, a larger or smaller BP cuff will need to be used.)
2. Now inflate the cuff rapidly with the rubber bulb while palpating the radial pulse until it cannot be felt. Make a mental note of the reading (as this may be the only BP recorded). This is known as the pulse obliteration method. Without stopping, continue to inflate the cuff to 30 mm above the level where the pulse was obliterated (cannot be felt).
3. Apply the stethoscope. Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope over the brachial artery at the antecubital fossa (artery on the medial anterior surface). The diaphragm may be held with the thumb.  Deflate the cuff at approximately 2 mm per second (faster if skill permits), watching the mercury column or needle indicator drop.
4. Record as the systolic level the point on the gauge when you hear the first pulse sounds.
5. Continue releasing air from the bulb. Re- cord the diastolic level as the last sound is heard. The point at which the pulse sounds disappear is the diastolic pressure. Continue to deflate slowly for at least 10 mm. Note: Slow pulses require slower-than- normal rates of deflation.
6. Record the limb on which the BP was taken. Record the position of the person when the BP was taken if other than supine. Record the size of the cuff if other than standard.

If, in an emergency situation, a BP cuff and stethoscope were not available, you could quickly establish an idea of the approximate blood pressure by palpating the different pulses and using the following rule of thumb: If the radial pulse is palpable, the blood pressure is at least 80 systolic. If the brachial pulse is palpable, the blood pressure is at least 70 systolic. If the femoral pulse is palpable, the blood pressure is at least 60 systolic. If the carotid pulse is palpable, the blood pressure is at least 50 systolic.

Locating Pulse Sites

To assess a patient’s pulse, you can auscultate at the heart’s apex with a stethoscope or palpate a peripheral pulse with your fingers. Although either method can determine heart rate [beats per minute], auscultation
proves superior for assessing heart rhythm (regularity). You can palpate or auscultate the pulse in various locations. [For an illustration of these locations, see

Locating pulse sites]. Typically, you assess the radial pulse because of  its easy accessibility. To do this, palpate the radial artery with the pads of your index and middle fingers for 60 seconds while compressing the artery gently against the radial bone. Don’t use your thumb because it has a pulse of its own that you could confuse with the patient’s pulse. Although some practitioners count the pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4, avoid this practice, especially if the patient doesn’t have a normal heart rate and rhythm. If you have trouble distinguishing a faint peripheral pulse from your own pulse, check another site. Amplitude and rhythm As you obtain the pulse rate, also assess pulse amplitude and rhythm. Document pulse amplitude (which reflects the strength of left ventricular contractions) by using a numerical scale or a descriptive term. Different health care facilities may use numerical scales that differ slightly. If you use a numerical scale, make sure it corresponds to the one used in your facility or by your colleagues. The scale below, along with the corresponding descriptions of pulse amplitude, is among the most commonly used.

Remember, only + 2 describes a normal pulse.

• + 3 = bounding – readily palpable, forceful, not easily obliterated by finger-pressure
• + 2 = normal- easily palpable and obliterated only by strong finger-pressure
• + 1= weak or thready, hard to feel and easily obliterated by slight finger-pressure
• O = absent-not discernible When you assess pulse rhythm, you evaluate the regularity of the electrical conduction of the heart.

Check the rhythm as you count the pulse rate for 60 seconds. Normally, rhythm should be regular, with roughly the same interval between pulsations. If you detect an irregular rhythm, describe its pattern. Also auscultate the apical area and palpate the radial area simultaneously to identify a potential pulse deficit [difference between the two pulse rates].

A pulse deficit occurs when a premature heartbeat can’t produce the wave of blood needed to fill the Arteries- thus, peripheral radial artery pressure is too low to palpate every heartbeat. To calculate a pulse deficit, have another nurse record one pulse rate while you.

Breathing [Respirations]

Respiration. When assessing respiration, focus on the rate, depth, and rhythm of each breath. To determine the respiratory rate, count the number of respirations for 60 seconds. (One respiration consists of an inspiration and an expiration.) Do this as unobtrusively as possible – a patient who knows that you’re counting respirations may inadvertently alter the rate. In one unobtrusive method, hold the patient’s wrist against his chest or abdomen as if checking the pulse rate. If respirations are too shallow to see a rise and fall of the chest wall, hold the back of your hand next to the patient’s nose and mouth to feel expirations. To estimate respiratory depth, observe the chest as it rises and falls, and assess the effort required to breathe. Respirations should be quiet and easy. Note any abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing. Describe respirations as shallow, moderate, or deep. As you assess the respiratory rate and depth, note the respiratory rhythm, or pattern. Irregular rhythms in children or adults, such as Blot’s or Cheyne-Stokes respirations, commonly result from NEUROLOGIC disorders.

The first step of basic life support is to:

Actually determine whether the patient is breathing on his own. In some cases this will be evident, such as when a patient is gasping. At other times, you will need to carefully assess the patient’s condition.

To quickly determine whether the patient is breathing, follow these steps:

1. Find out if the patient is conscious. Gently try to arouse him by shaking his shoulder, leg, or foot. Speak loudly to him. If he does not respond, lightly scratch the palm of his hand with a pin or needle, or rub his sternum with your knuckles. If he does not respond to pain, he is unconscious.
2. Position the patient on his back. Do this only if cervical or spinal injury can be ruled out and if the patient is not already lying on his back. If you suspect spinal injury, determine respirations and heartbeat if possible, then find help and roll the patient as a unit (head and neck in alignment) onto his back.
3. Open the airway. Head Tilt This is the most important step in opening the airway. Place the palm of one hand on the patient’s forehead. Apply firm, backward pressure, tipping the patient’s head backward as far as possible. Additional assistance is gained by using either the neck lift or chin lift, performed with the other hand.

Head Tilt-Chin Lift

It has been known for twenty years that head tilt-chin lift offers a better opening of the airway than head tilt-neck lift. The American Heart Association has not emphasized this for fear of confusing the issue. The 1979 National Conference on CPR recognized that the chin lift is superior in some ways and may eventually supersede the neck lift; however, the proven efficacy of the head tilt-chin lift and worldwide acceptance of this sequence was also appreciated.

It was recommended that:

1. the two techniques be accepted as alternatives
2. chin lift be emphasized as having certain advantages that may eventually make it the approach of choice; have had a previous episode of pulmonary embolism

With the answers to these questions, you should obtain a general idea of the patient’s problem. The physical assessment will enable you to check your hypotheses and gain further information.

Physical Assessment:

By the time you complete the history, you will already have some important information about the patient’s physical signs. Did he appear anxious, uncomfortable, in distress! Did his dyspnea cause him difficulty in speaking? Did he have to stop to catch his breath? Or did your questions easily distract him from his symptoms? What position did he assume? Was he lying down or sitting very upright, straining to breathe? Did his answers Co your questions seem appropriate and coherent, or was he confused and disoriented! By making such observations, you are per- forming the preliminary steps of the physical assessment — that is, assessment of the patient’s general appearance and mental status. The patient in severe respiratory distress is frightened and intensely uncomfortable; he is usually sitting upright, and he may be gasping or laboring to breathe. Confusion and disorientation may also be evident. Injury often causes the patient to breathe up to twice the normal rate (twenty-four to twenty-eight times per minute). If an injury patient is breathing under the normal rate, he most likely has problems in the airway, diaphragm, lungs, chest wall, and or central nervous system. After completing your primary survey, take the patient’s vital signs. Pay particular attention to the breathing. Are the respirations abnormally rapid [tachypnea] or unusually deep [hyperpnea]? Is the respiratory pattern abnormal such as the Cheyne-Stokes respirations, consisting of rhythmic waxing and waning of the depth of breathing with periods of absent breathing suggesting a disorder in the central nervous system? An irregular respiratory pattern may be associated with severe head injuries.

Signs of Respiratory Distress:

Look for the signs of respiratory distress, which include:

• Nasal flaring: the nostrils open wide during inhalation.
• Tracheal tugging: the Adam’s apple is pulled upward during inhalation.
• Retraction of intercostal muscles (those between the ribs) during inhalation.
• Use of the diaphragm and neck muscles to assist in inhalation.
• Use of the abdominal muscles during exhalation.
• Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes).
• And Hands grasping at the throat & Neck (classic)

Performing a Cricothyrotomy

Cricothyrotomy consists of the insertion of a knife through the cricothyroid membrane. A horizontal incision of less than one-half inch is usually performed . The handle of the knife is inserted into the incision and rotated 90″ to maintain the patency of the opening, but it is usually necessary to insert a tubular device such as a small leg, 4 mm internal diameter) endotracheal tube or metal cannula. This may be attached to a bag-valve or other such device for providing positive-pressure ventilation with high oxygen concentrations. This should only be performed by a trained & qualified person.

Remember to call 911

Remember! Brain Death can occur after only 4 minutes.

Medical & Trauma

Adult & Child Choking

CPR Instructions

Emergency Child Birth

Common Poisonous Plants

If you should come in contact with these plants: Wash with soap and water being careful not to spread the affected area to the eyes or face, or any other part of your body. Wash your clothes thoroughly.

POISON IVY:

Appearance of plant: slightly glossy green leaves, growing in groups of three; flowers and berries, when present, are greenish-white; grows as either a trailing vine or erect shrub; most common in eastern and central United States. Symptoms of reaction: initial redness of affected area, followed by development of bumps and blisters; oozing lesions appear and crust over; severe itching accompanies symptoms; symptoms appear anywhere from four to seventy-two hours after exposure and are usually self-limiting. Emergency care: wash skin and clothing with soap and water, making sure all sap is removed; wipe skin with solution of 70 percent alcohol; in self-care use wet compresses of cold water, boric acid, or liquid aluminum acetate to relieve inflammation while lesions are oozing; use calamine location to relieve itching; obtain allergy shots if you are in constant contact with plants or if symptoms are severe.

POISON OAK:

Appearance ofplant: green leaves, slightly glossy, shaped like oak leaves; plant usually grows in shrub like clusters; found on west coast of the North American continent. Symptoms of reaction: same as for poison ivy. Emergency care: same as for poison ivy.

POISON SUMAC:

Appearance of plant: found chiefly in uninhabited areas, such as swamps and damp mountain terrain; leaves grow singly, and are veined; berries are green and drooping (harmless sumac have erect, red berries); grows as a tree, achieving heights of five to six feet. Symptoms of reaction: same as for poison ivy. Emergency care: same as for poison ivy.

Potentially Poisonous Insects

Anaphylactic Shock

All Insects below, including Bees and Wasps, can cause a severe allergic reaction (Anaphylactic Shock) in some people if bitten or stung. If you start to feel an allergic reaction coming on, Call 911 Immediately.

Symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock: Severe itching, Redness or Blotching of the skin, Breathing Problems, A Choking sensation in your throat, Light-Headiness, Swelling of the Hands, Face and Extremities, Nausea and Vomiting, and in some cases a feeling of Impending Doom. Patients susceptible to Bee Stings and or have had Anaphylactic Shock in the past, Should carry a Bee Sting Kit. The kit contains a syringe filled with Epinephrine 1:1000 and usually a tablet of some sort of antihistamine. Contact your Doctor to get a prescription for one if you think you are susceptible.

Ticks:

Ticks are small arthropods belonging to the spider class (arachnids) that feed on blood and transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease, Tularemia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, through their bites. The prolonged bite of a certain female tick can cause ascending paralysis, a condition in which a toxin in the tick’s saliva affects the motor neurons. The paralysis usually begins in the legs, which is usually the site of the bite. In severe cases, this can lead to paralysis of the respiratory muscles and can be fatal. Ticks are found in grass and weeds and attach themselves to the exposed skin of the host. As the female tick engorges herself with blood, she swells and turns red or purple in color. The male tick generally remains unchanged. There are two categories of ticks: hard ticks and soft ticks. Hard ticks have a hard shield on their back and may attach themselves to the host for days. Soft ticks are nocturnal and attach themselves to the host for short periods of time. Ticks should be encouraged to drop off by placing a drop of alcohol or ether on the tick or coating it with petroleum or nail polish. If a tick is pulled off forcibly, its mouthparts may be left behind and cause infection.

Lice:

Lice are small insects, about 1/8th of an inch (3 mm) in length, that feed on blood. Three species of lice affect humans: Pediculosis humanus capitis (head lice), Pediculosis humanus corpus (body lice), and Phthirus Pubis (pubic lice, commonly known as crabs). Lice cause dermatitis (severe skin irritation and inflammation) and, in some cases, transmit disease. The microorganisms that cause typhus, lapsing fever, and trench fever are transmitted to human hosts through the saliva of the lice. The Pediculosis capitis lice infest and feed on blood from the scalp. They infest people of all social classes. The lice are transferred form person to person through contact with infested hair or use of a comb, towel, hats, and hair ornaments of an infected person. The bites cause severe itching and scratching can lead to a secondary infection. The adult lice live for several weeks. The adult females lay eggs, called nits, that are firmly attached to the shaft of the hair. The eggs hatch in about two weeks. Head lice can be treated with lotions or shampoos containing malathion or carbaryl, which kill the lice and nits (eggs). The dead lice and nits must be removed with a special comb. The Pediculosis corpus lice infest the entire body. They infest people who do not change and launder their clothes regularly and do not practice good hygiene. When the lice feed on the blood of the host, they leave small red marks that itch. Scratching may lead to a secondary bacterial infection. Body lice often transmit epidemic diseases. The lice are transferred from person to person through infested clothing or bedding. The lice live in the seams. Proper hygienic practices and laundering clothes with very hot water (140 degrees Fahrenheit- 60 degrees Celsius) will kill the lice, although the nits remain viable for as long as a month. They hatch when they come into contact with body heat. Body lice can be treated with lotions containing malathion or carbaryl, which kill the lice and their nits (eggs). The dead lice and nits must be removed with a special comb. The Phthirus pubis lice infest the area of the genitals causing severe irritation. They are passed from person to person through sexual contact or from infested clothing and linen. This form of lice is often referred to as crabs because of their crab-like claws. Pubic lice can be treated with lotions or shampoos containing malathion or carbaryl, which kill the lice and nits (eggs). The dead lice and nits must be removed with a special comb. Prolonged use of these chemicals, however, can cause irritation to these sensitive areas of skin. An infested person’s sexual partner should also be treated. After consulting with your doctor or pharmacist for the best treatment plan, remember to use the delousing agents exactly as directed. The usual steps are: thoroughly scrub the infected area; apply the medication and leave it on for the recommended amount of time; rinse the area to remove the medicine; when the hair is dry comb out the nits with a nit comb; and repeat the treatment in another week to kill any newly hatched eggs that survived. It is important to consult your physician or pharmacist before using any over-the-counter drugs or treatments. They will be able to advise you on proper usage and can warn you of possible side effects and contraindications.

Chiggers:

Chiggers, also called harvest mites or red mites, are the larvae of trombicula mites and are found among the grass and weeds. Mites are arachnids, small eight-legged animals. They are less than 1/20 of an inch (1.2 mm) long. Mites attach themselves to exposed parts of the skin of the host and feed on the blood. The mouthparts are specially adapted for piercing the skin. When they bite, they promote an allergic reaction that causes a swelling about a half-inch in diameter that itches. The swelling may develop into a blister. Chiggers stick to the skin and cause irritation and severe itching.

Fleas:

Fleas are small insects, only about 0.1 inches in length. They are of the order Siphonaptera and feed solely on the blood of mammals and birds. More than two hundred different species of fleas can be found in the United States. Fleas cause irritation to the skin through their bite. They have specially adapted mouths to puncture the skin of the host and feed on the blood. The bites cause temporary pain and itching, although some people have a severe allergic reaction to them. Flea bites are characterized by a rash or small red blotches and bumps at the site of the bites. Scratching the rash can lead to secondary bacterial infection. In some instances, fleas transmit disease, such as bubonic plague, and murine typhus, through their bites. The virus that causes bubonic plague is carried by rats and transmitted to humans by fleas, specifically the Xenopsylla cheopis flea. The bubonic plague killed millions of people during the middle ages. Advancements in sanitation methods, pest control, and better public hygiene practices have reduced the episodes of plague caused by fleas. The flea Pulex irritans is a species of fleas parasitic on the skin of humans. It is a host to the larval stage of Dipylidium caninum, a species of tapeworm found primarily in dogs. The larva and, thus, the tapeworm is passed on to humans by the fleas. The flea ingests the larvae by feeding on the blood of an infected dog. The larvae are passed to the human host through the saliva of the flea when it bites the new host. The larvae enter the bloodstream of the human host and travel to the lungs. They then ascend the respiratory tract to the mouth where they are swallowed. The larvae mature in the intestine and compete with the host for nutrients. The adult female deposits eggs in the intestine. The eggs are excreted with feces, although some enter the bloodstream and begin the cycle again.

Other insects shown above (such as the black widow spider) can cause you to become very sick, and with the Brown Recluse Spider, a very dangerous ulceration can occur. Seek Medical attention as soon as possible!

Deer Tick’s can carry LYME Disease. Have your Doctor check you for LYME Disease if you have been bitten by a Tick. For poisonous bites or stings, a constrictive band can be placed apx 2 inches above the bite making sure that it is tight enough to only limit Venous blood flow. You can check this by making sure that you can place your pinky finger snugly under the constricting band. If you can not slide your finger under! The band is to tight. A constricting band can be made from a piece of string or clothing material. Remember do not use a tourniquet.

Burns

First-Degree Burns:

First-degree burns are caused by a flash, a flame, or the sun. They are the most common and the most minor of all burns. The skin surface is dry; no blisters or swelling occur. The skin is reddened and extremely painful, but the epidermal layer is the only one affected. First-degree burns heal in two to five days with no scarring. Peeling of the outer epidermal layer usually occurs, and some temporary discoloration may result.

Second-Degree Burns:

Second-degree burns result from contact with hot liquids or solids, flash or fame contact with clothing, direct fame from fires, and contact with chemical substances. The skin appears moist and mottled, and it ranges in color from white to cherry red. The burned area is extremely painful. The epidermis and dermal layers of skin are usually burned, and damage may result to some fat domes of the subcutaneous (fatty tissue lust under the skin) layer. Second-degree burns are considered minor if they involve less than 15 percent of the body surface in adults and less than 10 percent in children. Fifteen to 30 percent of adult body surface and 10 to 20 percent of a child’s body surface indicates a moderate second degree burn. The burn is also considered moderate if it involves the face, hands, feet, or genital area. A second-degree burn is considered critical if it involves more than 30 percent of the total body surface in an adult and 20 percent in a child. Healing of a minor second-degree burn usually requires five to twenty-one days. If infection occurs, healing time is extended to over thirty-five days, and the burn is con- sidered third-degree.

Third-Degree Burns:

Third-degree, or full-thickness burns, are the most serious, resulting from contact with hot liquids or solids, flame, chemicals, or electricity. The skin becomes dry and leathery; charred blood vessels are often visible. The skin is a mixture of colors: white (waxy- pearly), dark (khaki-mahogany), and charred. The patient feels little or no pain, because the nerve endings have been destroyed. Hair pulls out easily with no pain. The burn extends through all dermal layers and can involve subcutaneous layers, muscles, organs, and bone. Third-degree burns are considered minor if they occur on less than 2 percent of the body surface. Moderate burns involve 2 to 10 per- cent of the body surface. Third-degree burns are classified as critical if they occur on more than 10 percent of the total body surface, if there is any involvement of the face, hands, feet, or genital area, or if the burns are caused by chemicals or electricity. Third-degree burns that cover large areas usually require skin grafting and take months or years to heal completely; small areas require weeks.

1. Do not put anything on the burn. Tell the caller that under no circumstance should grease, oil, ointment, butter, or any other substance be applied to the burn.
2. Remove all clothing and jewelry from the burned area. Instruct the caller not to pull off any item that is sticking to the skin but to remove any clothing or jewelry that might be dangerous if swelling should occur. Also make sure that any jewelry that might conduct heat is removed promptly.
3. Immediately immerse the burned area in cool water. In addition to providing pain relief, cool water can stop the spread of the heat damage to surrounding tissues. Make sure that the patient does not get immersed in ice water — the rapid temperature extreme can cause severe complications. Direct application of ice to the burn can cause frostbite and complicate the severity of the burn. Tell the caller to halt the application of cool water after thirty minutes. Further treatment by immersion is ineffective and may actually lead to complications, such as causing a chill that may induce shock.
4. Leave the burn uncovered if possible. Stress that the burn will heal more rapidly and more completely if it is not covered. If a dressing is necessary, tell the caller to apply only a clean (sterile if possible) cloth and to leave it as loose as possible. Applying constricting bandages will further damage the burned area and may even tear burned skin loose from the body.
5. Give the patient emergency care for shock. Even if the patient manifests no signs and symptoms of shock, have him lie down, drink fluids, and stay warm. Such a course of action may prevent any shock that may occur after the burn incident. If the burn is not severe enough to require medical attention or hospitalization, make sure that the patient receives the best care possible, and instruct the caller to consult his physician if any complications occur. If the burn is severe enough to require hospitalization or close medical attention or even if you think that it might require such care, get the Patient to the Hospital as quickly as possible.

There are any number of reasons why a skin condition would lead
someone to seek medical advice or treatment. Sometimes what appears to
be a superficial skin condition is actually a symptom of an underlying
medical condition that has yet to produce other symptoms.

There
are also many times a medically nonthreatening skin condition leads to
doctors’ appointments, too, because modern medical procedures today can
provide relief to a rapidly growing number of cosmetic maladies.

As
we age, our skin ages, too, and our lifestyle is often revealed in the
condition of our skin. Sometimes there is a medical option for
disguising or erasing the traces of time left on our faces but this
isn’t always the case.

The effects of a lifetime spent
outdoors leads to one of the most common skin conditions associated
with the aging process. Excessive sun exposure, whether for business or
pleasure, leads to wrinkling. As a rule, the more sun, the sooner and
deeper the wrinkling that will result.

There are many skin
care products and procedures designed to minimize the appearance of
wrinkles. Some of them, of course, are more effective than others.

Some
very effective but simple ways to fend off the ravages of the sun on
our complexions is to avoid it as much as possible, be generous with
sunscreens, wear hats that shade the face, neck, and shoulders, and
limit time in direct sunlight.

After sunning, skin condition
can be refreshed with moisturizers and anti-aging products developed to
reduce damage of the sun’s harmful rays.

One very delicious
way to improve skin condition is to drink plenty of water on a daily
basis. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages that draw moisture
out of the body. Alcoholic beverages do the same thing so their intake
should be controlled, too.

To maintain flawless skin
condition or to improve troubled complexions, it is important to keep
the skin as clean as possible at all times. Cleanse with gentle
products that do not irritate, scratch, or dry the skin for best
results.

Even after a lifetime of careful attention to skin
condition, including wise exposure to the sun, a healthy diet, and
diligent cleansing and moisturizing, it’s likely we’ll see a wrinkle or
two anyway.

For those flaws we can live with, we just need to
continue the regimen already established. For those we’d rather not
see, it’s nice to know that modern medical technology has an entire
arsenal of products and procedures that will restore at least some of
our youthful good looks.

Skin acne treatments can bring relief to your acne-affected skin and
help you get rid of ugly acne blemishes. Of the many acne treatments,
only a few are authentic and effective. To have satisfactory results,
you should consult a doctor, before going for any skin acne treatments.

Acne is a skin disorder, which plagues many part of the body
like the, face, neck, shoulders, arms, feet, et al. The sebaceous
glands present in our body play are the main culprits responsible for
acne outbreaks – massive oil secretion from these glands trigger acne
attacks. The oil secreted by the sebaceous glands attracts dust and
dirt to clog the skin pores. These clogged pores become the breeding
grounds of the bacteria P.acne, leading to acne breakouts on the skin.

Selecting Skin Acne Treatments

Remember,
that the skin acne treatments depend on the condition/stage of the
acne. Your acne can be in mild, moderate or severe condition. Mild acne
is the primitive stage and can be prevented using homemade remedies.
Some prefer to buy OTC (Over-The-Counter) products to treat acne.
Salicylic acid or Benzoyl Peroxide present in the OTC products can
produce miraculous results. Of course, you will need to seek your
doctor’s advice.

Whiteheads, blackheads or comedones are
different forms of moderate acne. Prescription or non-prescription
treatment can bring effective results for acne. Severe acne calls for
immediate doctor’s attention. At this stage, the zits look deep,
inflamed and cyst-like. Severe acne causes ugly scarring and eventually
damages the skin. Beware of your condition and try to treat the problem
with care.

The first step in selecting the best among the
available skin acne treatments is to identify the cause. The causes for
acne can be anything – right from genetic factors, to hormonal factors,
stress, tension, environmental factors, and so on. However, you can
easily avoid/get rid of acne, if you abide by the following tips:

Clean your face everyday with an anti-acne cleanser
Avoid use make-up; if you are to use make-up, use products, which are oil-free (non-comedogenic).
Do daily exercise and sweat it out.
Also avoid too much of greasy food, as it enhances oil production.
Include lots of green leafy vegetables, fruits and plenty of water in
your diet chart.

A
combination of medicines can act as good skin acne treatments. Benzoyl
Peroxide, salicylic acid, erythromycin, oxytetracycline, Retinoids
(Accutane, Roaccunate) can bring commendable results for your skin.
Dermatologists often prescribe topical treatment for your acne
condition. Topical gels, creams or lotions containing Vitamin A acid,
benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics can prove their efficacies as highly
beneficial skin acne treatments.

With the advancement of
science and technology, treatments like laser treatments, Intralesional
injections, micro-dermabrasion, more and more effective skin acne
treatments are emerging.

Severe acne treatment is essential as an acute acne condition can
ruin the life and prospects of a person. Severe acne conditions can
demoralize an individual thoroughly and make him feel socially
embarrassed. Experienced and expert dermatologists can take good care
of four severe acne kinds – acne fulminans, nodulocystic acne,
gram-negative folliculitis and acne congoblata. Hence, it is important
that for a perfect severe acne treatment, you visit a dermatologist as
early as possible.

Some Acclaimed Severe Acne Treatment Options

Interlesional
Corticosteroid Injection – This is the best acne treatment for inflamed
acne cysts. When acne cysts become extremely painful and tend to
rapture, they should be injected with corticosteroids to prevent
unnecessary scarring; these injections also promote proper healing of
the skin. (Corticosteroid interlesional injection melts the cysts
within three to five days to promote a perfect skin healing procedure.)

Oral Antibiotics – Oral antibiotics play a significant role
in reducing P acnes and inflammation. To start with, the patients are
prescribed high doses of antibiotics; the dosage is gradually reduced
as the acnes start healing. At times, the P bacteria become resistant
to particular antibiotics. At this point of time, another antibiotic
medication is suggested as a form of severe acne treatment. (The four
antibiotics that help treat severe acne and happen to be quite popular
in United States are Doxycline, Erythromycin, Minocycline and
Tetracycline).

Oral Contraceptive – This is again a most
trusted and well-accepted severe acne treatment that curbs acne growths
in women by slowing down overactive sebaceous glands. This form of
medication is a long-term acne therapy.

For severe acne
treatment, oral contraceptives are at times combined with
Spironolactone, a synthetic steroid. Spironolactone can successfully
subdue androgen production and it comes with several side effects like
irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, headache and fatigue.

Drainage
and Surgical Excision – It is a kind of severe acne treatment and is
used to cure large inflamed cysts that usually do not respond well to
medications. Drainage and surgical excision is also known as acne
surgery and it should never be performed by an individual himself.
Dermatologists are best suited for this job and do so under proper
sterile conditions.

Isotretinoin – This is a potent severe
acne treatment in form of a drug. Acnes, which cannot be cured with
other medicines, can be treated with Isotretinoin. This is a man-made
form of Vitamin A available in the form of pills. It is either taken
once or twice in a day continuously for 16 to 20 weeks. Isotretinoin is
great, for it is equally effective in treating all four acne causing
factors – excess oil production, clogged skin pores, P. acnes and
inflammation.

Of course, there are several other severe
acne treatment options, but you have to choose the one that can best
combat your acne condition.

Treatment for acne is not just one; rather, there are several
treatments for acne. It is literally impossible to pin down one of them
as the best treatment option. The best way to arrive at the best
treatment for acne is to opt for the cure that most suits the acne
condition. However, if you feel things going out of your hand, it would
be best if you consult a dermatologist who will best suggest you the
required treatment for acne, boils and pimples.

Treating Mild Acnes

If
you have a mild acne condition, you should gently wash the area twice a
day regularly, using soap and warm water. After the area has been
cleansed, you can apply over-the-counter cream and other similar
products like Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid. Such stuffs you can
get from the nearest pharmacies kill bacteria on the epidermis.

In
all cases, a proper skin care treatment is essential. Improvement in
the acne-affected condition is indeed not an overnight process. It
takes time to heal. Vitamins too are a good option of treatment for
acne. In this case, you see a steady and gradual improvement of the
skin condition.

Treating Moderate Acnes

Prescription
drugs such as anti-microbial or Retinoid cream combined with physical
treatment such as extraction and light therapy can indeed treat
moderate to acute acne conditions. Oral contraceptives too can prove to
be effective at times. Take care of acne while it is moderate because
once it becomes severe, it would be hard for you to get away with this
skin ailment.

Treating Severe Acne Conditions

Usually
dermatologists make use of vigorous treatment measures in curing severe
acne formations. They treat the condition, simultaneously seeing to it
that no permanent scarring of the skin is caused. Oral antibiotics such
as Accutane, drainage techniques and surgical incision like acne
surgery and corticosteroid injections are the most effective acne
treatment solutions. The treatment option suggested by a dermatologist
mostly depends on the severity of the acne condition.

Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment For Acne

A
very successful treatment for acne, Benzoyl Peroxide helps in
unclogging blocked or jammed pores thereby reducing the activity of the
sebaceous glands, which in turn secrete less sebum. You can get Benzoyl
Peroxide from the nearest drug store where the strength of the medicine
starts from 2.5%.

Retinoid Treatment For Acne

Retinoid
is a derivative of vitamin A. It plays a significant role in curing
black heads, white heads and comedonal acne. Retinoids speed up the
turning over of the skin cells thus working brilliantly in removing
clogged materials in the hair follicles.

Natural Treatment Options

Any
sort of natural treatment for acne emphasizes the necessity of having
regular exercise and system-cleansing diet. There are several
controversies regarding the effectiveness of this treatment, but
individuals do report that by reducing excess fat intake and avoiding
consumption of oily foodstuffs one can check acne eruptions.

These
apart, various home remedies and advanced treatment procedures like
Laser treatment are the other significant options of acne treatment.

Mole, Wart & Skin Tag Free
In Just 3 Days!!

Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies. It is the protective barrier that evolved over millions of years to protect the inside of our bodies from the outside world. To keep it in optimum working order, we need to protect it, too.

One of the most beneficial forms of skin protection is a healthy diet. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is instrumental in achieving a glowing, youthful complexion. Too many additives, preservatives, dyes, and other artificial ingredients zap the vitality from our skin.

Drinking lots of water on a daily basis is another important skin protection practice to include in a healthy lifestyle. Skin keeps excess moisture, like rain, snow, and spilled laundry detergent, out of our bodies but it also keeps the vital fluids inside, too. It needs to be soft and supple to work its best and ample amounts of water, drank every day, makes that happen.

A light tan can provide a little bit of skin protection against dangerous sunburns and a little bit of sun exposure every day helps our bodies produce vitamin D, a vital companion nutrient to the calcium our bones and teeth need to be strong. Too much sun, however, is a very dangerous thing to do to the skin.

Skin cancer was once a rare disease found only in farmers, ranchers, and other rugged, crusty types who worked outdoors in harsh environments for years at a time. This is no longer the case.

As the ozone layer is thinning and outdoor leisure activities increase, people from all walks of life are developing skin cancers that can be fatal. The average age for developing these dangerous cancers is getting lower each year, too.

Skin protection against excessive sun exposure is crucial to a dewy complexion in our youth and a wrinkle-free face as we age but it may also be a determining factor as to how long we actually live. Enjoy the sun but take exposure limits seriously.

An abundance of fresh foods, lots of water every day, and limited exposure to the sun are vital to an effective skin protection regimen but be sure to keep the skin clean and adequately moisturized, too.

Don’t use harsh detergents and chemicals to cleanse the skin and be sure to use water that is warm but not excessively hot. After cleansing or showering, apply a mild moisturizing body lotion to the skin while it is still wet. This will help seal in the vital moisture needed to keep skin working and looking its best.

Effective skin protection measures are important if we expect our skin to protect us to its best ability. And the better we treat our skin, the better it looks on us.