HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Health Conditions

How Aging Affects Memory

Brain & Nervous System

Many people are afraid that growing old means losing the ability to think, reason, or remember.

Some short-term memory loss does come with aging. You may, for example, forget where you put your keys or not remember the name of a person you just met. This is normal. Memory lapses that interfere with your normal activities, though, are not a normal part of aging. Nor is confusion.

People who have changes in personality, behavior, or skills may have a brain or nervous system condition. These problems could also be a side effect of certain medicines, too much alcohol, or depression. This chapter gives information on common brain and nervous conditions in older persons.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Burns

First Aid

Signs & Symptoms

First-degree burns affect only the outer skin layer. The skin area appears dry, red, and mildly swollen. First-degree burns are painful and sensitive to touch. They should feel better in 1 to 2 days. They heal in about a week.

Second-degree burns affect the skin’s outer and lower layers. The skin is painful, swollen, red, and has blisters. The skin also has a weepy, watery surface.

Third-degree burns affect the outer and deeper skin layers and organs below the skin. The skin appears black-and-white and charred. It swells. Tissue under the skin is often exposed. Third-degree burns may have less pain than first-degree or second-degree burns. Why? No pain is felt where nerve endings are destroyed. Pain may be felt around the margin of the burn, though.

Causes

Burns can result from dry heat (fire), moist heat (steam, hot liquids), electricity, chemicals, or from radiation, including sunlight. The longer the skin is exposed to the burn source, the worse the burn can be.

Treatment

Third-degree burns always need emergency care. A second-degree burn needs immediate care if it is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, a joint, or if the burn affects a large area.Self-Care/First Aidtreats most first-degree burns and second-degree burns.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Severe Burns Before Emergency Care

* Remove the person from the source of heat. Call 9-1-1! Keep the person’s airway open. Treat for Shock.

* Remove hot or burned clothes that come off easily, not if they are stuck to the skin.

* Cover the burns loosely with clean cloths. Use direct pressure to control bleeding. Don’t rub.

* Stay with the person until medical care arrives.

* If lye or a dry chemical gets on the skin, brush off the powder. Then flush with clean water for at least 20 minutes or until EMS arrives. Remove glasses, but not contacts, before treating the eyes.

For First-Degree and Second-Degree Burns (that are less than 3” in diameter)

* Use cold water or cloths soaked in cold water on burned areas for 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. Do not use ice at all. Doing this could result in frostbite.

* Cover the area loosely with a dry cloth, such as sterile gauze. Hold it in place by taping only the edges of the gauze. Change the dressing the next day and every 2 days after that.

* Don’t use ointments. Aloe vera can be applied over closed skin 3 to 4 times a day. For a more severe burn less than 3” x 2”, use Second Skin Moisture Pads, etc.

* Don’t break blisters. If they break on their own, apply an antibacterial spray or ointment or treatment prescribed by your doctor. Keep the area loosely covered with a sterile dressing.

* Prop the burned area higher than the rest of the body, if you can.

Resources

National Safety Council

www.nsc.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Ways To Relieve Dental Anxiety

Dental & Mouth Concerns

If you dread going to the dentist, ask about anxiety-reducing techniques you can use to help stay calm and relaxed. Some effective strategies follow.

* Tell your dentist how you feel. Some dentists are trained in helping anxious patients overcome fear of dental procedures.

* Ask if you can listen to soothing music or relaxation CDs played on a stereo headset. Ask if the dentist offers a hand-held device that allows you to press a button to stop the dentist’s drill.

* If your dentist is skilled at hypnosis, consider being hypnotized.

* If your anxiety is more than you can handle, see a psychotherapist who specializes in treating dental anxiety and other phobias.

Have a routine cleaning and checkup every six months. Preventive care will minimize the need for more painful and lengthy treatment.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fainting & Unconsciousness

First Aid

Signs & Symptoms

Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. It can last from seconds to 30 minutes. Just before fainting, a person may feel a sense of dread, feel dizzy, see spots, and have nausea.

If a person falls and can’t remember the fall itself, he or she has fainted.

An unconscious person is hard to rouse and can’t be made aware of his or her surroundings. The person is unable to move on his or her own.

Causes

Fainting is due to a sudden drop in blood flow or glucose supply to the brain. This causes a temporary drop in blood pressure and pulse rate. Medical reasons for this include:

* Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can occur in diabetics, in early pregnancy, in persons on severe diets, etc.

* Anemia. Eating disorders.

* Conditions which cause rapid loss of blood.

* Abnormal heart rhythm. Heart attack. Stroke.

* Head injury. Heat stroke. Heat exhaustion.

Other things that can lead to feeling faint or fainting include:

* A sudden change in body position like standing up too fast. This is called postural hypotension.

* A side effect of some medicines. Drinking too much alcohol.

* Anxiety or sudden emotional stress or fright.

* Being in hot, humid weather or in a stuffy room. Standing a long time in one place.

* Extreme pain.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Unconsciousness

* Check for a response. Call 9-1-1! Give Rescue Breaths and CPR, or treat for Shock, as needed.

* Check for a medical alert tag or information. Call the emergency number if there is one. Follow instructions given.

* Don’t give the person anything to eat or drink, not even water.

For Fainting

* Catch the person before he or she falls.

* Lie the person down with the head below heart level. Raise the legs 8 to 12 inches to promote blood flow to the brain. If the person can’t lie down, have him or her sit down, bend forward, and put the head between the knees.

* Loosen any tight clothing.

* Don’t slap or shake a person. Don’t give anything to eat or drink.

* Check for a medical alert tag. Respond as needed.

To Reduce the Risk of Fainting

* Follow your doctor’s advice to treat any medical problem which may lead to fainting. Take medicines as prescribed. Let the doctor know about any side effects.

* Get up slowly from bed or from a chair.

* Avoid turning your head suddenly.

* Wear loose-fitting clothing around the neck.

* Don’t exercise too much when it is hot and humid. Drink a lot of fluids when you exercise.

* Avoid stuffy rooms and hot, humid places. When you can’t do this, use a fan.

* If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

For a Low Blood Sugar Reaction

* Have a sugar source, such as: One half cup of fruit juice or regular (not diet) soda; 6 to 7 regular (not sugar free) hard candies; 3 glucose tablets; or 6 to 8 ounces of milk.

* If you don’t feel better after 15 minutes, take the same amount of sugar source again. If you don’t feel better after the second dose, call your doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Frostbite & Hypothermia

First Aid

Frostbite freezes the skin. It can damage tissue below the skin, too. Most often, frostbite affects the toes, fingers, earlobes, chin, and tip of the nose.

Hypothermia is when body temperature drops below 96ºF. The body loses more heat than it can make. This usually occurs from staying in a cold place for a long time.

Frostbite & Frostnip

Signs & Symptoms

* Cold, numb skin swells and feels hard and solid.

* Loss of function. Absence of pain.

* Skin color changes from white to red to purple. Blisters occur.

* Slurred speech.

* Confusion.

Frostnip is a less serious problem. The skin turns white or pale and feels cold, but the skin does not feel hard and solid.

Causes

When temperatures drop below freezing, frostbite and frostnip can occur. Both can set in very slowly or very quickly. This will depend on how long the skin is exposed to the cold and how cold and windy it is.

Hypothermia

Signs & Symptoms

With mild hypothermia, symptoms include: Shivering; slurred speech; memory lapses; and the abdomen and back feel cold.

With moderate hypothermia, shivering stops, but the skin feels ice cold and looks blue. The person may act confused, drowsy, very cranky, and/or stuporous. Muscles may be rigid and stiff. Pulse rate and breathing slow down.

With severe hypothermia, the person has dilated pupils, no response to pain, and loses consciousness. The person appears to be dead. Death occurs in half or more of persons with severe hypothermia.

Causes

* Exposure to cold temperatures (wet or dry). Many factors increase the risk. Examples are: Wet clothing or lying on a cold surface; circulation problems; diabetes; and old age. The elderly are more prone to hypothermia if they live in a poorly heated home and do not dress warm enough.

* Immersion. This can be from 6 hours or less of exposure to cold water immersion. It can also be from water immersion or exposure on land to cold, wet weather near freezing for up to 24 hours.

* Shock.

Treatment

Self-care measures can treat frostnip. Prompt emergency medical care is needed for frostbite to keep the area affected from getting infected and to prevent the loss of a limb. Hypothermia needs emergency medical care.

Wind Chill Temperature

As the wind increases, the body is cooled at a faster rate. This causes the skin temperature to drop. Wind chill temperature combines outdoor air temperature and wind speed to give a temperature of what it “feels like” on the skin. The National Weather Service has a “Wind Chill Chart” that shows temperatures, wind speeds, and exposure times that cause frostbite. To get this, accesswww.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill.

Questions to Ask

{Note: The damage from exposure to the cold may not be noted for 72 hours.}

Self-Care / First Aid

First Aid for Frostbite and Hypothermia Before Emergency Care

* Gently move the person to a warm place and Call 9-1-1!

* Check for a response. Give Rescue Breaths or CPR, as needed.

* Loosen or remove wet and/or tight clothing. Remove jewelry.

* Don’t rub the area with snow or soak it in cold water.

* Warm the affected area by soaking it in a tub of warm water (101ºF to 104ºF) and an antiseptic solution, such as Betadine.

* Stop when the affected area becomes red, not when sensation returns. This should take about 45 minutes. If done too fast, thawing can be painful and blisters may develop.

* If warm water is not available, cover the person with blankets, coats, etc., or place the frostbitten body part in a warm body area, such as an armpit or on the abdomen (human heat) or use a blow dryer, if available.

* Keep exposed areas elevated, but protected.

* Don’t rub or massage a frostbitten area.

* Protect the exposed area from the cold. It is more sensitive to re-injury.

* Don’t break blisters.

First Aid for Frostnip

* Warm the affected area. This can be done a number of ways:

– Place cold fingers in armpits.

– Place cold feet onto another person’s warm stomach.

– Put the affected area in warm water (101ºF to 102ºF).

After warming the area, the skin may be red and tingling. If it is not treated, frostnip can lead to frostbite.

* Protect the exposed area from the cold. It is more sensitive to re-injury.

To Prevent Frostbite and Outdoor Hypothermia

* Stay indoors, as much as possible, when it is very cold and windy.

* Wear clothing made of wool or polypropylene. These fabrics stay warm even when wet. Layer clothing. Wear 2 or 3 pairs of socks instead of 1 heavy pair. Wear roomy shoes. Do not wear items that constrict the hands, wrists, or feet.

* Wear a hat that keeps your head and ears warm. A major source of heat loss is through the head.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hepatitis

General Health Conditions

Hepatitis is liver inflammation. With hepatitis, the liver has trouble screening poisons from the blood. Also, the liver can’t regulate bile. This is a liquid that helps digest fats.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms depend on the cause. Some persons have no symptoms. When symptoms first occur, they include fatigue, fever, appetite loss, nausea and vomiting, and joint pain.

Later, symptoms are dark urine, pale, clay-colored stools, and jaundice. This is a yellow color to the whites of the eyes and/or the skin.

Hepatitis in the Liver

Causes

One or More Types of Viral Hepatitis

* Hepatitis A. This is spread through food or water contaminated by the feces of an infected person that has the virus.

* Hepatitis B. This is caused by contact with infected blood or bodily fluids from an infected person. Examples are sharing drug needles or having sex. A mother can pass this virus to her baby during childbirth, too.

* Hepatitis C. Most often, the cause is contact with infected blood on needles, razors, toothbrushes, etc. Blood transfusions given before July, 1992 could be the cause, if the blood had the virus. Sexual contact may spread the virus, too.

* Hepatitis D. Sharing drug needles or having sexual contact with an infected person can cause this type, but only in persons who already have hepatitis B. It is not common in the U.S.

* Hepatitis E. This is caused by contact with food, water, or something contaminated with the feces of an infected person. This type is not common in the U.S. It is more common in Africa and India.

Non-Viral Causes of Hepatitis

* Some immune system disorders, such as Wilson’s disease. With this, too much copper is stored in the liver and other body organs.

* Chronic alcohol or drug use.

* Reaction to certain medicines. One example is long-term use or an overdose of acetaminophen. Heavy drinkers are more prone to this.

* Some herbs may cause hepatitis. Examples are kava and chaparral.

In some cases, the cause is not known.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of hepatitis and how severe it is. For non- viral forms, this includes treating the disorder or stopping the use of the substance that caused it. For viral forms, treatment includes self-care measures and medications.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Help Prevent Hepatitis A and E

* Get a hepatitis A vaccine if advised by your doctor or health department. There is no vaccine for hepatitis E.

* When you travel to countries where the virus is widespread, wash your hands often. Drink boiled water. Don’t eat unpeeled or uncooked fruits or foods rinsed with water. Don’t use ice.

* If exposed to hepatitis A, contact your doctor to get immune globulin (IG) within 2 weeks of exposure.

To Help Prevent Hepatitis B, C, and D

* Get 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine if advised by your doctor. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

* Practice Safer Sex.

* Don’t share IV drug needles.

* Don’t share razors or toothbrushes. See that sterilized items are used for ear piercing, etc.

To Help Prevent Non-Viral Forms

* Use alcohol in moderation, if at all.

* Don’t combine alcohol and acetaminophen. Take products that contain acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, as directed. Heed warnings listed on the label.

To Treat Hepatitis

* Follow your doctor’s advice for medicines, etc.

* Rest.

* Drink at least 8 glasses of fluids a day.

* Avoid alcohol and any drugs or medicines that affect the liver, such as acetaminophen.

* Follow a healthy diet. Take vitamins and minerals as advised by your doctor.

Resources

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

800.CDC.INFO (232.4636)

www.cdc.gov/nchhstp

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Learn For Brain Health

Brain & Nervous System

As adults grow older, it’s important for brain health to have new learning challenges, and to improve problem-solving and reasoning skills.

Endless possibilities: Choose a subject or a skill you are curious about or wished you explored when you were younger. Want to learn a musical instrument? Become more computer-savvy? Improve car maintenance skills?

Local learning: Take a course at a library, community college, or recreation center.

Online and free: Check out the wide variety of free, online courses atedx.orgorcoursera.org.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Regular Dental Care

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Dental problems affect more than your teeth and mouth. Gum (periodontal) disease and other mouth infections may increase the risk for:

* Pneumonia.

* Heart disease.

* Diabetes.

Also, an oral exam can help a dentist detect many health problems. These include diabetes, eating disorders, heart disease, osteoporosis, and a lack of vitamins.

Brush Your Teeth

* Do this twice a day. Brush more often, if you need to.

* Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste with fluoride. Brush with a gentle touch. If you have sensitive teeth, use a toothpaste made for this.

* Do a thorough job. Brush in small circles across all of the surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. Brush the surfaces between the teeth.

* A child younger than 7 years old and some handicapped persons may need help to do a thorough job. A mechanical tooth brush may be helpful.

* Use a toothbrush that fits your mouth. Change your toothbrush to a new one every 3 to 4 months. Do this more often if the bristles are bent or frayed. Change it after having a throat or mouth infection, too.

* Brush your gums gently. Keep the brush perpendicular to your teeth.

* Gently brush your tongue. It can trap germs.

Floss Your Teeth

* Floss or use an interdental cleaner once a day to remove food particles and plaque from areas that your toothbrush cannot reach.

* Use a piece of floss about 1-1/2 feet long.

* To floss your upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb on one hand and index finger on the other. Using a gentle, sawing motion, bring the floss through the tight spaces between the teeth. Do not snap it against the gums.

* With the floss at the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and gently scrape the side of it with the floss. Repeat on each tooth. Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth.

* Repeat for your lower teeth, but hold the floss between both index fingers.

* Rinse your mouth after flossing.

* If it is hard for you to use dental floss, use a dental floss holder sold in drugstores.

* After flossing, rinse your mouth with water, mouthwash, or an anti-microbial mouthrinse.

It is normal for gums to be tender and bleed for the first week. If the bleeding continues, see your dentist.

More Tips

* Protect your teeth from damage and injury.

* Ask your dentist if you should use a fluoride mouth rinse, a prescribed toothpaste with fluoride, fluoride supplements, and/or a water-pik device.

* Don’t lay a baby down with a bottle left in the baby’s mouth if the bottle contains juice, milk, soda, etc. Water is okay, though.

Get Regular Dental Checkups

See your dentist every 6 months, at least every year, or as often as your dentist advises. Regular dental checkups are important to:

* Clean your teeth and remove plaque and tarter that buildup even after you brush and floss every day. Removing plaque and tartar helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other problems.

* Check for cavities, gum disease, oral cancers, tooth grinding, bite problems, and other problems. When these are detected early, they are easier to treat.

* Address any areas of concern.

* Find out how to take care of your teeth and what dental care products you should use.

Also, an oral exam can help a dentist detect other health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, eating disorders, and osteoporosis.

Diet & Dental Health Tips

* If your local water supply has fluoride, drink 6 to 10 cups of tap water every day. If not, make sure to use a fluoride toothpaste.

* Eat a well balanced diet. Limit between-meal snacks.

* Eat sticky, chewy, sugary foods with (not between) meals. Finish a meal with foods that help buffer acid formation. Examples are cheese, meat, fish, nuts, and dill pickles.

* Avoid sugar-sweetened gum and beverages. Chew a sugar-free gum instead, especially one with the artificial sweetener xylitol.

* Don’t eat sweets, fruit, or starchy foods just before bedtime. Your mouth makes less saliva during the night. This allows cavity-causing bacteria to feed on food particles. Brushing your teeth doesn’t effectively prevent this.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Stroke (Brain Attack)

First Aid

A stroke is also called a “brain attack.” With a stroke, brain cells die due to a blood clot or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. The end result is brain damage (and possible death).

In the U.S., strokes are the 3rd leading cause of death. They are the leading cause of adult disability.

Signs & Symptoms

* Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

* Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

* Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Causes

Most strokes are caused by a blood clot in an artery in the neck or brain. Some are caused by bleeding into or around the brain.

Risk Factors for a Stroke

* Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)-a temporary lack of blood supply to the brain.

* Atrial fibrillation. This is an irregular beating of the heart.

* High blood pressure. Cigarette smoking. Diabetes. Coronary artery disease.

* Being a male over age 70.

Prevention

* Take medicine(s), as prescribed, to control blood pressure, blood cholesterol, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation. Aspirin may help reduce the risk of stroke in women ages 55-79 years. Discuss this with your doctor.

* Get to and stay at a healthy weight. Get regular exercise.

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. Use alcohol in moderation. Manage stress.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

First Aid before Emergency Care

* Note the time when the first sign(s) of stroke occurred. Report this time to emergency personnel. For the most common type of strokes, a clot-busting drug should to be given within 3 hours of the start of symptoms.

* Do not give the person anything to eat or drink. Do not give aspirin.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Wash It Off

General Health Conditions

Washing hands regularly can do a lot to prevent disease. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Dry off your hands to stave off bacteria, choosing paper towels over hand dryers, if possible. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available. However, washing your hands with water is best for washing away germs. Cold water works just as well as warm, and in the winter, using warm water can actually dry out your skin faster.

Be More Earth-Friendly

When washing your hands in a public restroom, and no paper towels are handy, air drying is best and uses no additional energy.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026