Understanding First Aid Kit

FIRST AID KIT

First Aid Kit is an essential component for home and office.This would help tackle common household injuries most especially with basic first aid training.

Many drug stores, hospital equipment stores and pharmaceutical outlets have already made first aid boxes or kits.

Below is a checklists of some important items in a domestic first aid kit.

1.     Scissors

2.     Forceps

3.     Eye pad

4.     Crepe bandage

5.     Gauze

6.     First aid pamphlet

Other important items in a domestic first aid include

Ø 1% hydrocortisone cream for inflammation and itching from a sting

Ø Antibiotic cream for minor cut

Ø Hand sanitizer

Ø Mild Analgesic drugs like paracetamol. Don’t give aspirin to less than 18years

Other articles in HealthGUARD

20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors

Should You Take Dietary Supplements?

HEPATITIS B: What you need to know?

What is hepatitis B virus?

It is otherwise call “serum hepatitis”. It is an infection by hepatitis B virus which mainly affects the liver. This lead to diffused inflammation of the cells of the liver causing liver enlargement and jaundice (yellowness of the eyes).It is essentially a blood-borne infection.

By FloNight at en.wikipedia Later versions were uploaded by Solarcaine at en.wikipedia.
 [Public domain or Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

How common is the disease?

It has infected about 2 billion people around the world. There are about 350 million chronic carriers worldwide. About a third of world populations are at risk of the disease. About 400,000 new cases occur in Nigeria annually.

Where is the disease found?

Worldwide, but common in Africa, Middle and Far-East Asia.

How is it transmitted?

·       Blood transfusion with contaminated blood

·       Needle prick with contaminated needle

·       Sharing razor blade, toothbrush etc  with infected persons

·       Sexual intercourse

·       Mother to child

·       Child to child

·       Kissing of infected person  especially those with oral sores

*Basically the disease is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids or blood like HIV/AIDs

How does it show in an infected person?

•  Fever
•  Body rashes
• Joint pain
• Yellowness of the eyes(jaundice)
• Dark urine
•   Constant headache
•   Malaise

*All symptoms do not have to be present in an infected person.

Who are vulnerable to the disease?

    

The following people are more vulnerable to the disease

•   Hospital staff having contact with patients
•   Laboratory staff
•     Blood bank staff
•    Funeral homes and crematorium staff
•  Paramedics
•  Commercial laundry staff   etc

What are the complications?

·       Liver cirrhosis

·       Primary liver cell carcinoma etc

How do you prevent it?

• ·       Avoid sharing needle e.g. hospital needle, household needle, needles in salon etc

• ·       Avoid unsafe sex i.e. unprotected sex, high risk sexual intercourse (intercourse with individual with multiple sexual partners like prostitute) or unscreened individuals.
• ·       Get vaccinated against the disease (before you catch the disease).
• ·        Do not take unscreened blood.
• ·       Seek information from your doctor
• ·       Avoid indiscriminate contact with body fluid of people.

What about hepatitis B vaccine?

• ·       It is relatively safe and effective (about 95% effective in preventing children and adults from developing chronic infection if they are not yet infected).
• ·       It is widely used (since 1982 over I billion doses have been given worldwide).
• ·       It is taken in 3 consecutive doses.

 Other useful articles in HealthGUARD

• Can Vitamins Really Help Me Grow Healthy Hair
• How to prevent Cholera
• Health Benefits of Male Circumcision
• How to calculate Body Mass Index(BMI)
• New Ways of Losing Weight
• 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors

New Ways of Losing Weight

By Sampix (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Author: Rose Nelson

To avoid frustrations and giving up in losing weight, it is important for a person to have the proper state of mind.The best way of losing weight will be based on what works for you and not on what is written on some book because there is no universal way of losing weight.You will reach your goals faster if you do the things that work for you and discard the things that are not really working out.
Trying out new things is the best thing to do if you are not sure about the things that will work because you have tried losing weight before.Here are some tips that you can use to find your niche in the workout industry that will help you reach your goals.
Try a new gym
Gyms maybe a cliché for people trying to lose weight but this is the logical place to start if you haven\'t tried it before.If you don\'t have a goal yet, you should look into making some so that you will have something to aim for when working out in the gym.
Look for a sport that you like
Sports are another fun activity that you can add to your weekly routine because going to the gym alone can become monotonous.You can play an old sport you enjoyed in the past or you can learn new ones that looks interesting to you.
Look for a diet plan
Many people\'s response when they need to lose weight is to eat less to the point of starving themselves.Fortunately, many people have found diet regimens that worked for them without the need for a hunger strike.
A very good example of this kind of diet regimen that is becoming popular is paleo diet.In this type of diet, you are simulating the
diet of ancient men.   Everything farmed or industrially produced are to be avoided.
If you want to find out what you can and you can\'t eat in the paleo diet, you can look it up in a Paleo Recipe Book.Paleo Recipe Books also list down what foods available in the market are allowed to be eaten and the ways to prepare these foods.You could use PaleoRecipeBooks.net as your source.

The Paleo diet is not without flaws, but it is undeniably healthy. It is a sensible eating plan that can provide numerous benefits, and weight loss is just one of them.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/new-ways-of-losing-weight-6810573.html
About the Author
Always be in the lookout of the new things that are available to you.You will eventually reach your goals if you work hard and keep being active.You can find a Paleo Diet by going to this website.

Eye strain from Computer Useage

Author: Michelle Costanza Weis
For those of us who work in an office and spend most of the day in our cubicles, one of the most common ailments we have been subjected to is eye strain due to long hours of sitting at our desks and staring at our computer monitors. By listening to our bodies and knowing how to combat the discomfort caused by eyestrain, we can allow ourselves to be more productive while working.
The technical name for eyestrain due to computer usage is called Computer Vision Syndrome (or CVS). People who suffer from CVS will feel any number of the following at the same time or at different intervals:
When working some people are prone to keeping their eyes open too long or not blinking enough; focussing too much puts way too much pressure on the eye muscles surrounding the eyes. And a lack of blinking will dehydrate the area creating sore, tired or 'itchy eyes'. When a person is fatigued, it\'s possible that the eyes will begin to water. This typically happens late at night just before retiring for the evening. But the same kind of fatigue is caused by working long hours as well. And just the opposite can happen! The lack of blinking will cause dry eyes which gets worse if contact lenses are worn.
All of that brain power in combination with working long hours and staring at a monitor may even cause some people to have blurred vision or the inability to focus easily. Yet a more common symptom of over work is to suffer from headaches. Headaches are usually caused by a combination of symptoms all sourced from eye strain which include and are not limited to neck strain, back and shoulder pain.
An increase in sensitivity to light in combination with difficulty focussing is also a symptom cause by CVS. Most offices use fluorescent lighting which gives off a white almost bluish hue that is unnatural and makes it difficult for us to focus. The use of other digital electronic devices can cause many of these symptoms as well.
Adjust the lighting in your office. First, do a 'light test' by cupping your hands above and around your eyes, much like the way a baseball hat would shelter them. If you notice a huge difference once you remove your hands, it may be wise to get a table top desk lamp. Tweak the settings of your monitor by adjusting the brightness and contrast,and font size until you find something that is comfortable for you. The preset factory setting is not for everyone. Minimize the glare coming from your monitor by installing anti-glare filters or adjusting your office window shades.
Remember to give your eyes a break at least every two hours. Get up and away from your desk, focus on something other than a monitor. Exercise your eyes by looking up and down and to the left and right, roll your eyes clockwise and counter-clockwise a few times. Give yourself a little TLC by massaging your eyelids, temples and eyebrows. Blink your eyes often and use eye drops occasionally.
Fear not! There\'s a way to fight all of these symptoms. They key is to be aware of what\'s around you and to listen to your body. Start first by getting a comprehensive eye exam. If these remedies don\'t work to relieve your eyestrain symptoms, make an appointment to see your eye doctor. Your eye discomfort could be reoccuring due to a need for prescription glasses. These days buying eyeglasses online is affordable and easy if your have your eyeglasses prescription. Be sure to invest in an anti-glare coating!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/eye-strain-from-computer-useage-6794011.html
About the Author
Michelle Costanza Weis is a fashion stylist - turned optical specialist. Her focus is on accessories and statement pieces - like prescription eyeglasses. She is currently working for GlassesUSA.com - the easiest way to buy glasses online, which now offers free shipping all over the US, with the code FreeShip10.


More articles on healthGUARD-here

How to prevent Cholera

The Nigerian Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has confirmed  the death toll from the current cholera outbreak in some part of the country at 74 with  about 373 affected. This is an upsurge of incidence from the usual pattern and a source of concern but it is a preventable disease.

Vibro cholerae-organism causing cholera as seen under electron microscpe
By Tom Kirn, Ron Taylor, Louisa Howard - Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility
 (http://remf.dartmouth.edu/imagesindex.html) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Why cholera
 It is a deadly disease.It lead to severe and life threatening dehydration within a short period.It has significant capacity to lead to high mortality.

How to prevent it

1. eat food and vegetables which are cooked thoroughly and while still hot.
2. avoid raw or under-cooked fish or seafood.
3. avoid consumption of exposed vended food items.
4. don't drink dirty water,take only portable water fetched and stored in clean containers.
5. wash your hand regularly(before cooking,before eating and after using toilet).
6. keep your water container clean alway.
7. dont mix raw and uncooked food with cooked food.
8. if your place is far from the hospital or nearest medical help, or start ORS for the victim.
9. DON'T JOKE WITH ANY APPEARANCE OF CHOLERA.TAKE ACTION.

More Health articles on healthGUARD here

Can Vitamins Really Help Me Grow Healthy Hair

Author: Eddie Yakubovich

An important factor most people overlook when they discuss a thinning or hair loss problem is nutrition. The modern diet for most of us is lacking at best. We should supplement our diets with vitamin and mineral supplementation. Even those of us who really watch what we eat, may not be getting enough of the key nutrient necessary for healthy hair growth. Getting proper nutrition is vital to healthy hair growth, while your body needs a variety of nutrients to maintain proper body functions, there are a handful that are key to hair growth and health.

First we need to caution you that when starting a new vitamin regime, consistency is very important. You also need to be patient, it normally takes from 2 to 3 months to see results in your hair\'s condition. It\'s also important to check with your doctor before starting a vitamin program, especially if you have health concerns.

Now that we have set a few parameters and made our cautionary statements, let look at some of the more important vitamins when it comes to hair health in no specific order. In an attempt to be as useful as possible we will list the vitamin, any good food sources, and a recommended daily dose for supplementation:

1. Vitamin A - Antioxidant that helps produce healthy sebum in the scalp. Food sources: Fish liver oil, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, spinach, carrots, apricots and peaches. Daily Dose: 5,000 IU.

2. Vitamin C - Antioxidant that helps maintain skin & hair health. Food sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables. Daily Dose: 60 mg.

3. Vitamin E - Antioxidant that enhances scalp circulation. Food sources: Cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables. Daily dose: Up to 400 IU. Warnings: Can raise blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. People taking high blood pressure medication or anticoagulants should check with their doctors before taking Vitamin E supplements.

4. Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) - Prevents graying and hair loss. Food sources: Whole grain cereals, brewer\'s yeast, organ meats and egg yolks. Daily dose: 4-7 mg.

5. Vitamin B6 - Prevents hair loss, helps create melanin, which gives hair its color. Food sources: Brewer\'s yeast, liver, whole grain cereals, vegetables, organ meats and egg yolk. Daily dose: 1.6 mg. Vitamin B12 - Prevents hair loss. Food sources: Chicken, fish, eggs and milk. Daily dose

6. Biotin - Helps produce keratin, may prevent graying and hair loss. Food sources: Brewer\'s yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk. Daily dose: 150-300 mcg.

7. Inositol - Keeps hair follicles healthy at the cellular level. Food sources: Whole grains, brewer\'s yeast, liver and citrus fruits. Daily Dose: Up to 600 mg.

8. Niacin (Vitamin B3) - Promotes scalp circulation. Food sources: Brewer\'s yeast, wheat germ, fish, chicken, turkey and meat. Daily dose: 15 mg.

9. Biotin - Helps produce keratin, may prevent graying and hair loss. Food sources: Brewer\'s yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk. Daily dose: 150-300 mcg.

10. Inositol - Keeps hair follicles healthy at the cellular level. Food sources: Whole grains, brewer\'s yeast, liver and citrus fruits. Daily Dose: Up to 600 mg.

I hope this give you at least a basic understanding of what vitamins can help with hair thinning and or hair loss problems. There are many other products available that can be helpful. There are several prescription drug regimes to try, so take the time to speak with your doctor. There are also many herbal and natural hair growth remedies available without a prescription, we believe strongly that you should also discuss these products with your doctor.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/can-vitamins-really-help-me-grow-healthy-hair-258719.html
About the Author
Find out more about hair vitamins, liquid vitamins, and liquid vitamin supplements.

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It's Time to Give up Smoking!

Author: Ashley Robinson

Whether you are a real smoker or an occasional one, young or old, it\'s never too late to quit, even if you have already tried to several times. Some tricks may come in handy.

Most people who smoke say they would like to quit smoking, but when it comes to actual facts, they give up. Why? The reasons are numerous: they have a hard time learning new habits, they worry about gaining weight, but most of all because at first they might feel bad and experience withdrawals. Like any addiction, nicotine is pretty hard to beat, but not impossible.

Even the authorities are helping: 'European lawmakers are trying to tighten rules governing the multi-billion dollar tobacco market by imposing bigger and bolder warnings on cigarette packs, banning most flavorings like menthol and beefing up regulation of electronic cigarettes', says an ABC News report. Since treatment for smoke-related diseases costs about $34 billion a year and the EU estimates that there are around 700,000 smoking-related deaths annually worldwide, it makes sense to consider quitting smoking.

'We need to stop tobacco companies from targeting young people with an array of gimmicky products and we need to make sure that cigarette packs carry effective warnings', stated Linda McAvan, the Labour MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, and a spokesperson on tobacco issues for the Parliament\'s Socialist and Democrat group.

So, here are some tips that will help you in the battle against cigarettes.

1. Establish clear objectives

When it comes to quitting a habit, the first thing you need to think about is motivation: why do you want to smoke? Do you have a health problem? Do you have a relative who passed away due to a smoke-related disease and now you\'re scared? Are you spending too much money on cigarettes? Do you want to protect your family\'s health? You need a personal reason and the generic 'it\'s bad for you' will not do the trick.

2. Get help

For some, quitting is easy because they have a strong motivation. But, for others, this process can be really difficult, despite the motivation. Do not be afraid to ask for the support of your family and friends. Ask people who smoke around you not to do that.

3. Find alternative means of relaxation

If you ask a smoker why he smokes, they will likely tell you it helps relieve stress. So, instead of turning to a cigarette when you\'re feeling angry, try to look for alternative means: breathing exercises, relaxing music, or a walk in the park.

4. Discover new activities

If idle hands are the devil\'s playground, then you need to keep yourself busy all the time with challenging activities. Help your partner clean the house, take up a hobby, or join a gym. There are so many things you can do in order to stop thinking about smoking.

5. Spend the money you save

When you realize how much money you can save by quitting this habit and that you can afford to buy something that you have wanted for a long time, you will see it really pays off to quit smoking.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/its-time-to-give-up-smoking-6803949.html

About the Author

Health Table is a leading health blog providing information on bad effects of smoking and more health topics. Please read here at health-table.com for more health information.

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