Infolific » Health & Fitness

Poisoning

Peter Alexandrou — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:41:14 +0000

A poison is any substance which causes injury, illness, or death. It can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, ingested, or injected. Poisoning is one of the top causes of accidental death in North America with most incidents happening in the home. Ingested Poisons These poisons are swallowed or come [...]

The Human Heart

Ted Goodwyn — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:23:55 +0000

The heart is a 4-chambered fist-sized organ located in the centre of the chest just behind the breastbone (sternum). It is responsible for pumping the blood throughout the body. At rest, the heart will beat about 60-80 times per minute. During extreme exertion the heart can beat up to 200 [...]

Using a Shovel Safely

Rick Henard — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:27:18 +0000

Shoveling is quite a simple task, but it is important to realize that it places a great deal of stress on the back and shoulders. If done incorrectly, or too much weight is lifted, it can cause a chronic (over use) or acute injury (immediate). When shoveling always use your [...]

Cardio-Cerebral Resuscitation (CCR) - The New CPR

Peter Alexandrou — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:31:41 +0000

You think CPR with breaths, in an unconscious person, is effective? You might want to think again. Ever since the beginning of CPR the belief has been that, along with compressions, breaths must be given to the victim in order for the rescue to be effective. The theory is that [...]

Trichinosis

Ted Goodwyn — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:00:45 +0000

Trichinosis, a parasitic infection, occurs worldwide and affects people of all ages. The parasite, Trichinella spiralis, forms cysts in the flesh of pigs, bears, some marine animals, and certain wild scavengers. In the United States, pigs fed garbage that contains raw meat scraps are the most common trichinosis carriers. Humans [...]

Nausea and Vomiting

Ted Goodwyn — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:25:22 +0000

Nausea and vomiting -- a feeling of queasiness followed by the forcible ejection of the contents of the stomach -- are not themselves disorders, but rather are common symptoms that may signal anything from pregnancy or overindulgence in food or alcohol to poisoning or a life-threatening disease. The two usually, [...]

Hypoglycemia (Reactive Hypoglycemia)

Ted Goodwyn — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:04:56 +0000

Hypoglycemia is a general term used to describe an abnormally low level of glucose, or blood sugar. This is defined as a glucose level of less than 60 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl). The normal range of blood sugar levels, taken while fasting, is between 80 and 120 mg/dl. [...]

Mental Retardation

Ted Goodwyn — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:44:29 +0000

(Down's Syndrome and other Chromosomal Abnormalities; Mental Deficiency) In general, mental retardation is characterized by subnormal intelligence, defined as an IQ of 70 or lower, that prevents a person from functioning normally in society. The impairment often becomes evident during infancy or early childhood; sometimes the signs first manifest themselves [...]

Renal Artery Disease

Ted Goodwyn — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:06:19 +0000

(Renal Artery Stenosis; Renovascular Hypertension) In renal artery disease, one or both major arteries that supply blood to the kidneys become narrowed or obstructed, creating a progressive rise in blood pressure. If untreated, this condition can progress to such life-threatening problems as malignant hypertension, kidney failure, stroke, or heart attack. [...]

What Parents Should Know About Vaccines

Ted Goodwyn — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:29:01 +0000

Immunizations and vaccines are hot topics in the media recently and parents may have questions about ingredients, timing and more. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that all children should be vaccinated in a timely manner. Here are five reasons why vaccines are an important part of your child's [...]

Digestive System

Ted Goodwyn — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:53:01 +0000

Human digestion is the complicated process from ingesting food to excreting waste. The main purpose of digestion is to break the food down into small molecular pieces so your body can absorb and use the nutrients. It all begins in the mouth where chewing (mastication) and the enzymes in saliva [...]

Blood Pressure

Peter Alexandrou — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:22:21 +0000

Blood pressure is simply defined as the amount of force blood exerts on the inside walls of blood vessels as it flows through them. Sometimes high blood pressure (HBP), also called hypertension, is usually caused by high salt intake, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, excess alcohol intake, and stress. Sometimes [...]

Muscular Dystrophy (Duchenne, Facioscapulohumeral, and Myotonic Dystrophies)

Ted Goodwyn — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:06:27 +0000

Muscular dystrophy is the general term for hereditary muscle diseases characterized by progressive weakness and disability. There are numerous forms, but the most common are: Duchenne dystrophy, the most severe type. It strikes boys who inherit the gene from their mothers. The progressive muscle weakness, usually apparent by age three, [...]

What If You Need To Do CPR On Someone But They Are Sitting Rather Than Lying On The Floor?

Peter Alexandrou — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:56:00 +0000

I did a basic first aid course but it didn't answer this question, we practiced on dummies on the floor. Do you do CPR on the person when they are sitting or are you obliged to move them onto the floor? Anonymous answered: If a person is sitting down the [...]

Tool Safety

Rick Henard — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:51:43 +0000

Types of tools can vary quite a bit, from screwdrivers to chain saws. Other examples include; hammers, saws, cutters, wrenches, snips, chisels, etc. Safety Precautions Never use a tool if you are not trained. Do not use tools, which are damaged in any way. Do not sue a tool other [...]

First Aid for Hemorrhaging

Peter Alexandrou — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:13:57 +0000

Follow these steps to stop blood flow, protect the wound from infection, and when necessary, to treat the injured person for shock. Apply direct pressure by placing the palm of your hand on the wound -- over a dressing -- to compress injured blood vessels against the more firm underlying [...]

Endocarditis

Ted Goodwyn — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:02:48 +0000

(Acute and subacute bacterial endocarditis, non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis) Endocarditis is an inflammation or infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart valves and chambers, and most often occurs in the valves. In the past, this condition was often a consequence of rheumatic fever, a childhood infection, but this [...]

Dupuytren's Contracture: A Look at the History of This Disease

Guest Author — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:58:43 +0000

Dupuytren's contracture, also known as Dupuytren's disease, morbus Dupuytren or palmar fibromatosis, is a thickening of the connective tissue in the palm of the hand. Those afflicted by this condition have impaired use of their fingers, particularly the pinky and ring finger, which often appear as permanently curled inward toward [...]

Diabetes

Ted Goodwyn — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:13:55 +0000

(Diabetes mellitus; Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes) Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease in which the body either does not produce or does not fully utilize insulin. As a result, it cannot properly metabolize carbohydrates and, to a lesser extent, protein and fat. Glucose (sugar) builds up in the [...]

Gallstones (Biliary Calculus)

Ted Goodwyn — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:34:18 +0000

Gallstones are small, hard pellets that form in the gallbladder, the pouch like organ situated just under the liver, in the upper-right portion of the abdomen. Most gallstones are composed of cholesterol crystals, although some are made of bile salts, which are digestive substances manufactured in the liver and stored [...]