Your's Health

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HƯỚNG DẪN SƠ CỨU (FIRST AID)
KHI BỊ CÔN TRÙNG, ĐỘNG VẬT VÀ NGƯỜI CẮN TRONG LÚC SINH HOẠT NGOÀI TRỜI Lynn Ly phỏng dịch theo "The Everything First Aid"


Những hoạt động ngoài trời như làm việc, vui chơi, giải trí, du ngoạn ở trong một số hoàn cảnh , khí hậu , và thời tiết . Khí hậu nóng và lạnh đều có thể gây ra những hệ quả đối lập (adverse consequences), và những sinh vật (critters) sống bên ngoài thỉnh thoảng gây dị ứng (ngứa ngáy khó chịu) hoặc tổn thương . Cơ thể bị thiếu nước hoặc ở cao độ (thí dụ lên đỉnh núi) và ở trong một số điều kiện ngoài trời khác cũng có thể làm bạn cảm thấy suy yếu đi .

Cho dù không có vấn đề gì khi bạn hoạt động ngoài trời, nhưng thật quan trọng bạn biết làm gì để chăm sóc hoặc trợ giúp những người bị chấn thương, bị bệnh tật bất ngờ .

I) BỊ CÔN TRÙNG, LOÀI VẬT VÀ NGƯỜI CẮN

Nhiều loại côn trùng và các sinh vật khác, bao gồm cả con người, gây ra các vết cắn và vết châm chích có thể cho cảm giác không thoải mái hoặc đe dọa tính mạng từ nhẹ nhẹ đến trung bình. Điều quan trọng là biết làm gì, làm thế nào để trị liệu, và khi nào thì cần tìm kiếm đến trợ giúp từ chuyên gia y tế để trị liệu bất kỳ thương tổn tàng ẩn bên trong.

1) BÒ CẠP CẮN (SCORPION BITES)

Bò cạp là loại côn trùng nhiều chân có hình dạng giống tôm hùm (lobster-like arthoropods) nằm trong xếp loại côn trùng có nọc độc (arcahnid class, cùng loài nhền nhện = spider class), có một ngòi / kim xoăn ở phần cuối nơi đuôi, và chúng thường được tìm thấy ở vùng sa mạc phía Tây Nam của Mexico (nước Mễ Tây Cơ). Những vết chích / đốt của bọ cạp dường như không có khả năng gây tử vong và dễ dàng điều trị, nhưng lại nguy hiểm cho trẻ nhỏ và người già hơn . Những triệu chứng bao gồm đau nhức ngay lập tức (immediate pain), nóng rát (burning), sưng tấy chút chút (minor swelling) và cảm giác tê (numb) hoặc ngứa ran (tingling sensation).

Những buớc sau đây cần nên thực hiện để trị liệu vết bò cạp cắn:
1. Rửa vùng bị bò cạp cắn bằng xà phòng / xà bông và nước

2. Dùng túi trườm lạnh đặt lên vùng bị bò cạp cắn trong vòng 10 phút , nếu cần thiết thì lập đi lập lại việc trườm lạnh vùng bị cắn với khoảng cách giữa các lần trườm lạnh là 10 phút .

3. Gọi điện thoại đến trung tâm kiểm soát chất độc (the Poison Control Center), hay đi bệnh viện khi có bất kỳ triệu chứng nghiêm trọng gì

2) BỌ VE CẮN (TICK BITES)

Những người sống vùng rừng cây hay đồng cỏ, hay những người dành thời gian vui chơi giải trí ở những khu vực này thì dễ bị bọ ve cắn . Loài côn trùng nho nhỏ này sống bằng cách hút máu các loài động vật có vú (mammals) thí dụ như hươu nai (deer), loài gậm nhấm (rodents), thỏ (rabbits) và có thể truyền bệnh từ động vật sang người .

Việc sơ cứu (first aid) những vết bọ ve cắn bao gồm loại bỏ con bọ ve đang bu bám ngay lập tức để tránh những phản ứng từ vết cắn và giảm thiểu tối đa các loại bệnh nhiễm trùng do bọ ve gây ra thí dụ bệnh Lyme, bệnh nóng sốt Colorado bọ ve (Colorado tick fever), bệnh nóng sốt được phát hiện ở núi đá (Rocky Mountain Spotted fever)

Để tháo bỏ con bọ ve bu bám trên người , hãy làm như sau:
1. Dùng cây nhíp (tweezers) hay cây kẹp nhỏ nhỏ cong cong hay thẳng thẳng (small curl or flat forcepts) kẹp lấy đầu con bọ ve và càng cận sát nơi da đang bị con bọ ve cắn càng tốt, rồi nhẹ nhàng kéo ra, đừng bóp nát hay xoay vặn con bọ ve

2. Rửa vùng bị bọ ve cắn bằng xà phòng / xà bông và nước.

3. Bôi thuốc Antihistamine hoặc loại 1% hydrocortisone cream (loại kem chứa 1% chất hydrocortisone)


Cần phải có sự chăm sóc y tế chuyên nghiệp , nếu con bọ ve cắn quá sâu và bạn không thể tháo gỡ nó ra được, hoặc bạn đang ở trong khu vực được thông báo là có nhiều nguy cơ bị bệnh lyme, hoặc bạn có triệu chứng nóng sốt hay triệu chứng cảm cúm , hoặc bạn có trải nghiệm bắp thịt trở lên suy nhược, tê liệt (paralysis) , hoặc nổi vết tròn đỏ trên da gọi là "phát ban mắt bò" (the bull's eye rash) là đặc chưng của bệnh Lyme .

CẢNH BÁO !!!
Đừng bao giờ bôi petroleum jelly (vaseline), rượu cồn ( alcohol ) ahy ammonia lên con bọ ve - chúng sẽ cắn chặt sâu vào da hơn. Nếu bạn đang ở trong vùng cảnh báo có nhiều nguy cơ bệnh Lyme mà bị bọ ve cắn, bạn nhất định phải phone báo bác sĩ để được tư vấn và ngay lập tức được chăm sóc và điều tri bao gồm việc sử dụng thuốc kháng sinh

I hate seeing you suffer

“I know the old joke that dentists like to inflict pain, but I hate it. I spend a lot of time telling patients to let me know when they feel they need a break or additional anesthetic. I think about those patients quite a while after the procedure.” —Colleen DeLacy, DDS

Your vaccination joke isn’t funny

“I deal all the time with parents who don’t want to vaccinate their kids. Some people get so scared by myth that they can’t pay attention to science. My job is to listen to their true concern and dispel their worry with the best science. But I can get really upset when they joke that their choice not to vaccinate is going to make my job harder. Yes, it does make it harder, and that isn’t funny at all.” —Wendy Sue Swanson, MD

Your vaccination joke isn’t funny

“I deal all the time with parents who don’t want to vaccinate their kids. Some people get so scared by myth that they can’t pay attention to science. My job is to listen to their true concern and dispel their worry with the best science. But I can get really upset when they joke that their choice not to vaccinate is going to make my job harder. Yes, it does make it harder, and that isn’t funny at all.” —Wendy Sue Swanson, MD

Why don’t you follow directions?

When I was new and patients didn’t take my advice, I would be like, ‘Why are you even seeing me?’ I’m still a little irritated, but I’ll try to probe what’s really going on. Maybe there’s a financial reason, or they didn’t understand directions. Sometimes patients won’t want to be helped until after a heart attack or a stroke. In a few cases, it may never happen. It’s been part of my maturation as a physician to feel comfortable with that.” —Kenneth Lin, MD, MPH.

11 Bad Health Habits That Doctors Need You to Stop Doing ASAP



Tina Donvito




You might think these things aren’t a big deal, but they can take a toll on your body over time. Do you have any of these bad habits?




Holding your pee

When you gotta go, you should go! Holding it in for too long is not good for your health. “Urine is like a creek or river,” says Grant Fowler, MD, vice chair of family and community medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), and a member of the medical staff at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. “If you block it, the stream becomes stagnant and gives bacteria the chance to grow in the bladder, and maybe to move back upstream to your kidneys. Keeping it flowing minimizes the risk of infection.” Asif Ansari, MD, medical director of the Montefiore Medical Group, says holding it can put you at risk for bladder, kidney, and even prostate infections, especially if you have an underlying urological condition or are pregnant. In addition, some studies have shown that holding it for too long can actually stretch out your bladder, a condition called “infrequent voiders syndrome.” Plus, if you’re not going four to seven times a day (at least every four to six hours), you’re probably not drinking enough fluids, and may be dehydrated.

Constantly chewing gum



You might think gum gives you fresh breath, or maybe it helps alleviate tension, like squeezing an oral stress ball. But if you chew gum all the time, it could be putting too much pressure on your jaw. “The temporomandibular joint—at the top of the jaw—is a synovial joint just as seen in the knees,” says Jeannette South-Paul, MD, medical director of the community health services division of UPMC, Andrew W. Mathieson Professor and chair of the department of family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. “If you use those joints too much, you can develop arthritis, clicking, and pain.” Plus, swallowing too much air can lead to stomach upset, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Biting your nails

Another nervous habit that’s really not good for you is chewing on your nails. “Biting your nails can result in damage to the nails and infection of the skin surrounding it, called paronychia,” Dr. Ansari says. The spread of germs can work the other way, too. “In addition, this can introduce viruses into the body, resulting in upper respiratory and other infections,” he says. Dr. Fowler says you could also damage your teeth, or even crack a tooth! Plus, the psychological reasons why you do it need to be addressed. “Biting nails is usually a subconscious habit frequently made worse by anxiety,” Dr. Fowler says. “What is making you so anxious? Anxiety itself may not be dangerous, but it can affect the quality of your life.” A study from Canada found that nail biting is also caused by boredom and frustration—two traits of perfectionists, according to the research.

Skipping brushing or flossing
You’re tired and fall into bed without taking care of your teeth—we’ve all done it, right? Well, skipping a brushing or flossing is worse for you than you think, especially if you make a habit of it. “Skipping teeth brushing or flossing are the biggest risks for dental decay,” Dr. Fowler says. “And poor dentition is a risk factor for many things including major, overwhelming infections and malnutrition—especia lly in the elderly—and also cardiovascular disease.” Whoa, heart disease? Turns out, the connection is not yet fully understood, but studies have shown a link. The theory is bacteria in the mouth can move into the bloodstream, creating an inflammation of the blood vessels, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Brush twice daily, floss once a day, and see your dentist regularly to avoid this. “Not maintaining this routine contributes to cavities and gingivitis—gum infections and inflammation—the major cause of early tooth loss,” Dr. South-Paul says. Dr. Fowler also recommends an electric toothbrush to get to places regular brushes miss.

Staring at a computer all day

According to the American Optometric Association, the average American worker spends seven hours staring at a computer screen, which can result in computer vision syndrome. “Staring at a computer screen for extended periods of time can result in visual issues, including eye strain and even retinal damage,” Dr. Ansari says. Research from the National Eye Institute showed that nearsightedness among Americans ages 12 to 54 has leapt from 25 percent to 42 percent since 1971, likely due to more time indoors staring at screens. Dr. Ansari suggests following the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes take a 20-second break to stare at something 20 feet away. “This reduces the strain on your eyes and also increases blinking, which can soothe dry and irritated eyes,” he says. Plus, staring at bright screens (including phones and tablets) decrease quality of sleep, he says, so put the phone down before bed. Here are some more habits you didn’t realize were actually bad for you—and the best ways to stop them.

Sitting for too long

Along with staring at a screen, simply sitting all day has bad consequences for our health. “As a chronic behavior, [sitting] leads to all the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle including weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure,” Dr. Ansari says. Although some research shows an increase in blood pressure or numbness specifically while sitting cross-legged, Dr. Ansari says those effects are only temporary, and won’t really affect long-term health. “Crossing your legs doesn’t cause clots except for those at risk of arthritis or high blood pressure, or those who are physically inactive longterm,” Dr. Fowler agrees. But, walking throughout the day helps to prevent arthritis, and can also help to prevent high blood pressure. “Most of the harmful effects are from the simple act of sitting for prolonged periods,” Dr. Ansari says. Studies show walking around periodically can help. When you are seated, it’s important to have good posture so you don’t get neck or backaches. “When you do sit make sure you scoot into the seat and use the back of the chair to help you sit up straight,” Dr. Ansari says. “This will help ease the tension on your back muscles. Your knees should be at 90 degree angles and your feet flat on the floor.”

Slouching

Whether sitting or standing, slouching actually has negative effects on your overall health. “If you are leaning over, our heads are very heavy compared to rest of body—it puts a lot of leverage on the neck,” Dr. Fowler says, which can lead to tension headaches. Leaning over is also really bad for your back. “This can increase the risk of a disc rupturing or herniating, resulting in pain and pinched nerves,” he says. Not sitting up straight can also cause some unexpected problems. “Poor posture while seated can cause abdominal discomfort and issues with digestion, including constipation,” Dr. Ansari says. This happens because your intestines get compressed, which studies show inhibit their ability to push food through the digestive tract. Plus, “slouching or hunching over can decrease the amount of air you are able to take into your lungs,” Dr. Ansari says. “Some studies have also shown that people with poor posture may be more prone to depression

Carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder


big purse can help us feel prepared for any situation, but unless it’s a backpack, it may be hurting your health. “When you carry heavy bags on one side, you disturb the angle of your neck, and it can cause pressure on the nerves that come between the vertebrae in the neck and provide sensation to the arms,” Dr. South-Paul says. “If there is pressure on the nerves as they exit the neck, one can experience numbness, tingling, and even pain in the shoulders and arms.” Ouch! The American Chiropractic Association says your bag should weight no more than ten percent of your body weight. The negative effects are even greater if you always carry your bag on the same side, so try to switch it up—and don’t use your phone while holding your bag, which throws off your alignment even more. But men aren’t off the hook either—keeping your wallet in your back pocket can cause back problems, too.

Wearing the wrong shoes

This is probably not news for women who wear high heels: They kill your feet, and your whole body can feel the effects. “Your footwear influences the health of your feet, knees, hips, and back,” Dr. South-Paul says. “We weren’t built to wear high heels, and that predisposes women to bunions, Achilles tendon tightness, and associated problems.” But it’s not just stilettos that are causing shoe woes—flip-flops and other shoes without support can damage your body as well. A study from Auburn University showed that wearing flip-flops actually changes the way you walk, which can cause problems from your feet up to your hips and lower back. For long-term use, make sure your feet and ankles are properly supported. For working out, make sure your shoes aren’t too worn. “If you are a runner, you systematically wear down the support within your running shoes—we often think your shoes are good for no more than 300 miles,” Dr. South-Paul says. “After that, even if the uppers aren’t raggedy, you have lost the necessary support in the soles of the shoes to protect your feet—predisposing the bones in your feet to soreness and stress fractures.” These 15 common bad hygiene habits are even worse

Not applying sunscreen everywhere

You know about the importance of sunblock to protect against the sun’s harmful rays—but it’s tempting to do a quick job putting it on, missing certain areas. “The most worrisome spots to remain covered are the face and trunk—as well as the hands and feet,” Dr. South-Paul says, which includes in between your toes and your nail beds. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the ears are the third most common location to get skin cancer, so make sure you slather sunscreen there. Other missed locations are the scalp (even if you have hair), eyelids, lips, neck, and armpits. Plus, you need to reapply, which is easy to neglect when you’re having fun in the sun. “Where most folks get in trouble is forgetting they need to reapply the sunblock every time they get out of the water when swimming,” Dr. South-Paul says. “But your skin never forgets the sun rays it absorbs, so protection is always needed.”

Having an erratic sleep schedule

Getting good and consistent sleep is crucial for our body’s overall functioning, but the temptation to stay up late or indulge in other bad sleep habits can take their toll. “What is problematic are those who have erratic bedtimes, watching TV and dozing off on an irregular schedule, using things like alcohol and caffeine to relax or alert you, or exercising too vigorously within an hour of bedtime,” Dr. South-Paul says. These behaviors are likely to disrupt sleep patterns, she says. What about hitting the snooze button? If you’re a serial snoozer and hit the alarm multiple times, you’re cutting down on good, constant sleep—plus, if you’re not ready to get up, it probably means you didn’t get enough sleep. According to some sleep experts, hitting snooze can set you into a new sleep cycle that you won’t have time to finish, leaving you in a state of sleep inertia that may cause you to be groggy throughout the day. Next, find out some habits you’ve always thought were healthy that you actually need to stop doing.

15 Health Myths That Make Doctors Cringe



Charlotte Hilton Andersen




Do you believe in “base tans”? Have you sworn off bread forever? Are you logging endless miles on the treadmill? Read this. Now.




The more water you drink, the better

Water may be the healthiest beverage (not to mention necessary to life) but you can definitely get too much of a good thing, says Neal Schultz, MD, NYC dermatologist, founder of DermTv.com and creator of BeautyRx. At best, overhydrating will have you peeing every 30 minutes and at worst it can kill you. There is a “right way” to drink enough water and it comes down to trusting yourself. Your body is great at knowing how much water it needs, so forget drinking eight cups a day or half your body weight in ounces or any other prescribed amount. “You should drink to your thirst, not to meet an arbitrary number,” he advises.

Getting a base tan can prevent sunburns

Even though skin cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults under 40, many people still hold the faulty belief that getting a “base tan” will protect them from sunburns and cancer, make them look youthful, or clear up acne. Not so, says Jennifer Caudle, DO, board-certified family physician and assistant professor at Rowan University. There is no such thing as a “little” tan and all tanning increases your risk of cancer. Nor will it help your skin, in fact, sun damage is the primary cause of wrinkles, she adds

Juice diets or other “detoxes” work

As long as you have a healthy liver and kidneys, your body can detoxify itself just fine, Apovian says. Moreover, trendy detox diets can harm you. “Drinking lots of juice does not assist with removing toxins from the body,” says Dr. Caudle. “In fact, many juices are high in sugar which can result in a blood sugar spike, quickly followed by a crash. Furthermore, being on a juice fast for an extended period of time may result in malnourishment.”

You can only get an STD through having sex

Sexually transmitted diseases” have “sex” right in the name so you might assume that is the only way to get them. Not so, Dr. Caudle says, adding that many people interpret that to mean only “traditional” penetrative sex and think that a condom is all they need to protect them. While condoms are definitely necessary, the reality is that you can get some STDs through any type of sexual contact, including oral sex and even just skin-to-skin contact if one partner has open sores, she adds. Condoms are a great start but they’re not the only precaution you should be taking

Gluten is bad for you

Gluten-free foods and diets are everywhere these days and many people believe that gluten, a protein found in some grains, is toxic to health or causes weight gain. Not true, says Caroline Apovian, MD, director of the Nutrition and Weight Management Center at the Boston Medical Center and professor at the Boston University School of Medicine. “Only about one percent of the U.S. population has Celiac disease and another small percentage may have a gluten intolerance, but if you do not have any of the above, eliminating gluten from your diet does not offer health benefits, including weight loss,” she says. Whole grains are a great source of fiber and vitamins and processed gluten-free versions of whole grain foods are often higher in sugar and preservatives, and lower in protein and fiber, making them the less healthy option, she adds