General Health Conditions The average normal temperature is about 98.6°F (37°C). Signs & Symptoms A fever means that body temperature is higher than: * 99°F (37.2°C) under the arm. * 99.5°F (37.5°C) by mouth or ear. * 100.4°F (38°C) by rectum. Rectal temperatures are advised for infants. Don’t use a glass mercury thermometer. If it […]
Women’s Health Fibroids are benign (not cancerous) tumors made mostly of muscle tissue. They are found in the wall of the uterus and sometimes on the cervix. They can range in size from as small as a pea to more than 6 inches wide. With larger fibroids, a woman’s uterus can grow to the size
Bone & Muscle Problems Fibromyalgia is a chronic, arthritis-like illness. It affects the muscles, not the joints. Signs & Symptoms * Chronic widespread pain on both sides of the body. This lasts for at least 3 months. It is not due to any other problem. Muscle pain can be severe. * Pain in 11 or
Skin Conditions You may see your hands hundreds of times a day, but do you ever examine them? Probably not. Yet taking a closer look – especially at our fingernails – may not be a bad idea. They’re a good indicator of overall health. Spoon-shaped nails, for example, may simply be an inherited trait –
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First Aid Fires & burns are a leading cause of unintended home injuries & related deaths. Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher mounted securely and in plain sight. Install smoke detectors. If you use space heaters, keep them 3 feet away from items that can catch fire. Never smoke in bed. Loose-fitting
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First Aid Keep basic tools handy for those little emergencies. Mom’s kisses are great, but some boo-boos need a little more care to keep infections away. A well-stocked first-aid kit may be all you need for life’s little emergencies. Keep one at home, but out of the reach of children. Store a second one in
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First Aid The Heimlich maneuver can be used to clear an object blocking the airway in conscious adults and children ages 1 to 8. It lifts the diaphragm and forces air from the lungs to push the object that blocks the airway up and out. Persons Over 8 Years Old 1. Ask, “Are you choking?”
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First Aid First Aid Safety Steps 1. LOOK around. Is it safe to help? If not, call 9-1-1, have someone else call, or seek medical help. If it is safe to help, stay calm and go to step 2. 2. CHECK for a response. * Gently tap the person. Ask, “Are you okay?” Ask loudly.
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First Aid A fishhook can nick or cut the skin, get stuck in the skin near its surface, or get deeply embedded in the skin. First aid treats most fishhook accidents. Questions to Ask Self-Care / First Aid For a Fishhook Deeply Embedded in the Skin * Put ice or cold water on the wound
Abdominal & Urinary Conditions Flatulence is passing gas through the anus. For the average adult, this happens about 6 to 20 times a day. Signs & Symptoms * Pressure or discomfort in the lower abdomen or anal area. * Passing gas. A foul odor occurs sometimes. Causes Gas is caused by swallowing air and digesting
