I know, diarrhoea (the passing of frequent, watery stools) can make you terribly weak. Going in and out of the restroom again and again, plus loss of fluid and appetite make it even worse.

So, if you happen to have it (cross fingers hoping that you don’t), like Mark and TigerAngelLeigh, here are some treatments that you might be able to try:

• Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.
  
• If you are suffering from an acute diarrhoea you’d better drink more fluids (3-4 liters a day), preferably containing sugar and salts. You can buy the ready-mixed rehydration sachets from the pharmacist and drink more water.
• Consume foods containing salt, such as crisps or soup.
• Maintain your hygiene.
  
• Eat normally as soon as your appetite returns but if you have suffered an acute attack of diarrhoea, avoid foods containing milk for a couple of days.
• You’d better call your doctor if If you have a high temperature (over 38°C), blood or mucus in your stools, or severe vomiting that could lead to dehydration or the diarrhoea has lasted for more than 48hrs.

Get well soon!

First, don’t panic!

Then…

• Calm yourself
• Take a seat
• Lean forward to drain the blood out of your nose instead of down the back of your throat
• Keep your head above your heart as it can make your nose bleed less
• Use your thumb and pointing finger to squeeze together the soft part of your nose
• Keep holding your nose until the bleeding stops, at least 5 minutes, or more
• Or place a cold compress or an ice pack across the bridge of your nose
• If it finally stops, don’t bend or try to blow your nose, it might cause bleeding again

Is it dangerous? It might and might not.

Yet, it’s better to check it out with a doctor if it lasts more than 15 minutes or it happens regularly.

My son had a fight with a bigger boy when he was 9. I forgot what made them end up in a fight. But, I always remember that the big boy caused my son a black eye!

Just in case you get one (or two), here are things you can do:

• Apply cold compresses or ice wrapped in a towel or sock, 10 minutes on then ten minutes off to decrease swelling and pain.
• After 24-48 hours, switch to applying warm compresses to help the body reabsorb the leakage of blood and help reduce discoloration.
• Keep the head elevated (sleep with a few extra pillows, for example) to help limit swelling and pooling.
• Get acetaminophen to relieve pain. Remember, avoid aspirin or ibuprofen, both might decrease the blood’s ability to clot.

• Don’t touch! It’s better for you not to touch the person getting the electrical shock for he/she might be in contact with the electrical source. Touching might pass the current to you.
• Turn off the source of electricity. Or, if you can’t, move the source away from you and the affected person. Make sure to use a nonconducting object made of wood or cardboard.
• Check for signs of circulation in the person. Is he/she breathing, coughing or making a move? If no sign shows, start giving CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) right away.
• Lay the person down to prevent shock. And, it’s better to place the head a bit lower than the trunk, both legs elevated.
• Call 911 if he/she is unconscious, numb, tingling or not breathing.

If you happen to get herpes, don’t panic. This article can help you.
7 Ways to Attack Herpes
By Neva Howell

Herpes Simplex Virus, and particularly genital herpes, is said to affect one in four sexually active adults. I personally think the numbers might be higher, due to under-reporting of what is, for some, a very embarassing situation.

Currently, the only prescription medication we hear about is Valtrex and even then, you hear that nothing can cure herpes and that, even with medication, you can still spread it.

If that won’t put a damper on your lovelife, I don’t know what will.

(more…)

Mouth ulcer is the loss or erosion of part of the delicate tissue that lines the inside of the mouth. The cause can be accidental biting of the cheek, burns from eating hot food, poor oral hygiene, irritation from strong antiseptics such as a mouthwash, oral thrush infection.

The symptoms of mouth ulcer are a round sore or sores inside the mouth, swollen skin around the sores, irritation of sores by salty, spicy or sour foods.

I’m so sorry knowing that you had it, SJ.

I remember having posted about mouth ulcer or Mark of Death, the way SJ called it. I wrote both how to treat it and how to prevent it.

FYI, I have just got it last month. It was a small one that dissapeared in less than two days. Yet, it was killing me! No wonder SJ called it Mark of Death.

First, of course, don’t panic. Then…

• Make sure the victim doesn’t have an allergic reaction.
• Determine if the stinger is still present or not by checking out if there’s a small black dot at the sting site or not. Then, remove it immediately if is visible in the wound by wiping over the area with a hard object like a credit card or blunt knife or by scraping a fingernail over the area.
• Don’t squeeze the stinger or use tweezers.
• Apply ice or cold packs to the area to reduce the body’s inflammatory response or swelling.
• Wash the site with soap and water, then apply hydrocortisone cream to the site to decrease the severity of the reaction. Or you can try alternative treatments using a paste made of unseasoned meat tenderizer and water (the enzyme in meat tenderizer can break down bee venom) or a paste of baking soda and water.
• Do not scratch the sting. This will cause the site to swell and itch more, and increase the chance of infection.
• Take an antihistamine such as Benadryl and/or nonprescription pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve the symptoms.

Susan’s son, Henry, has just got stung by a bee. Susan did the right thing by giving him Benadryl and avoid the wine.

Hope you feel better by now, Henry.

I don’t think I’m afraid of spider. Or, not, if it’s not here alive in front of me. I’ve been seeing big spiders only on screen, not to mention the famous Spiderman.

Well, unluckily, Nikki had many spiders showing off their many legs in her house. Mountain Mama got one in her bathroom. Linda did, too, but she seems happy seeing the momma spider with her babies. She even took pictures of the lovely female spider.

Yet, thank God, none of them got bitten.

But, in case any of you have spiders running around at your home, make sure you completely understand the first aid for spider bites.

It’s important not to provoke them. Even if they’re non-aggressive ones, they can be harmful if they feel threatened.

Gretchen just hurt her knee and now it’s swollen.

What should she do? What should you do with such condition?

• Take a rest. Don’t do too many activities using your knee.
• No exercise for it might make it worse
• Get some ice, put them in a pack, apply to your knee.
• Avoid hot bath or shower, don’t consume alcohol.
• After 2 days, if your knee’s not swelling anymore, apply heat and do light exercises
• Yet, avoid high-impact exercise until you’re definite that you don’t feel pain anymore.
• If it doesn’t improve after two or three days, better check with your doctor.

Get well, soon!