HealthyLife Articles

Tag: recovery

Eating Disorders

Student Health

Five to 10 million adolescent girls and women have an eating disorder. About 1 million males do. The 3 most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. These eating disorders are a coping mechanism. They result in an obsession with food and/or weight; anxiety around eating; guilt; and severe and adverse effects on psychological and physical health. Eating disorders are very serious health problems.

Signs & Symptoms

For Anorexia Nervosa

* Loss of a lot of weight in a short period of time.

* Intense, irrational fear of weight gain and/or of looking fat. Obsession with fat, calories, and weight.

* A need to be perfect or in control in one area of life.

* Distorted body image. The person feels and sees herself or himself as fat despite being a normal weight for height and age.

* Marked physical signs. These include loss of hair, slowed heart rate, and low blood pressure. The person feels cold due to decreased body temperature. In females, menstrual periods can stop.

For Bulimia Nervosa

* Repeated acts of binge eating and purging. Purging can be through vomiting; taking laxatives, water pills, and/or diet pills; fasting; and exercising a lot to “undo” the binge.

* Excessive concern about body weight.

* Being underweight, normal weight, or overweight.

* Dieting often.

* Dental problems. Mouth sores. Chronic sore throat.

* Spending a lot of time in bathrooms.

* Because of binge-purge cycles, severe health problems can occur. These include an irregular heartbeat and damage to the stomach, kidneys, and bones.

For Binge Eating Disorder

* Periods of nonstop eating that are not related to hunger.

* Impulsive binging on food without purging.

* Dieting and/or fasting over and over.

* Weight can range from normal weight to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.

Causes

An exact cause has not been found. Persons from all backgrounds, ages, and genders are affected. Risk factors include:

* A family history of eating disorders.

* Pressure from society to be thin.

* Personal and family pressures.

* Sexual, physical, or alcohol abuse in the past.

* Fear of starting puberty.

* Fear of having sex.

* Pressure for athletes to lose weight or to be thin for competitive sports.

* Chronic dieting.

Treatment

* Counseling. This can be individual, family, group, and/or behavioral therapy.

* Support groups.

* Medication.

* Nutrition therapy.

* Outpatient treatment.

* Hospitalization, if needed.

Treatment varies with the disorder and how severe it is. The earlier the condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care

Eating disorders need professional treatment.

To Help Prevent an Eating Disorder

* Learn to accept yourself and your body. You don’t need to look like anyone else. Spend time with people who accept you as you are, not people who focus on “thinness.”

* Know that self-esteem does not have to depend on body weight.

* Eat nutritious foods. Focus on whole grains, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, and low-fat meats.

* Commit to a goal of normal eating. Realize that this will take time. It will also take courage to fight fears of gaining weight.

* Don’t skip meals. If you do, you are more likely to binge when you eat.

* Avoid white flour, sugar and foods high in sugar and fat, such as cakes, cookies, and pastries. Bulimics tend to binge on junk food. The more they eat, the more they want.

* Get regular, moderate exercise 3 to 4 times a week. If you exercise more than your doctor advises, do non-exercise activities with family and friends.

* Find success in things you do. Hobbies, work, school, etc. can promote self-esteem.

* Learn as much as you can about eating disorders from books and organizations that deal with them.

* To help their children avoid eating disorders, parents should promote a balance between their child’s competing needs for independence and family involvement.

To Treat an Eating Disorder

* Follow your treatment plan.

* Attend counseling sessions and/or support group meetings as scheduled.

* Identify feelings before, during, and after you overeat, binge, purge, or restrict food intake. What is it that you are hoping the food will do?

* Set small goals that you can easily reach. Congratulate yourself for every success. This is a process. Accept set backs. Learn from them.

* Talk to someone instead of turning to food.

* Work toward the point where weight is no longer a way you rate your success. Think about your accomplishments, positive personal qualities, and valued relationships.

* Learn to express your rights. You have the right to say no and the right to express your feelings and your opinions. You have the right to ask that your needs are met.

* Keep a journal of your progress, feelings, thoughts, etc., but not about what you eat. The journal is just for you, not for others to read or judge. This is a safe place to be honest with yourself. The journal can also help you identify your “triggers” so that you can deal with them in the future.

* Don’t let the scale run your life. Better yet, throw out the scale!

Resources

Your school’s Student Health Service, Student Counseling or Mental Health Service

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)Information and Referral Helpline

800.931.2237

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Sick Days: When To Stay Home

WORK LIFE

You’re feeling under the weather, but you don’t want to miss work. What should you do? In some cases, it may be okay to go to work when you’re not feeling 100 percent. But other times, you should make your wellness a priority. These guidelines can help you decide if you’re well enough to work:

Fever:

The CDC recommends you stay home for 24 hours after your fever is gone. This helps minimize the spread of illness to others. You should also skip social gatherings, shopping, and other outings.

Sniffles and sneezing:

Many people simply can’t miss work every time they have a minor cold. Let your symptoms be your guide. If you’re feeling well enough to work and don’t have other symptoms, such as a fever or body aches, you can go to work if necessary. But, if you have fatigue or feel that you won’t be able to safely do your job, consider using sick time.

Vomiting or diarrhea:

Stomach-related illnesses such as norovirus are highly contagious. Even after you stop vomiting, you could get other people sick. If you serve or prepare food as part of your job, the CDC says you should stay home for at least 48 hours after your symptoms stop.

Remember that staying home from work may help you to recover more quickly, as your body needs rest to fight an illness. In addition, staying home will help avoid spreading illness to co-workers, customers, and others you encounter.

Choosing to stay home may also depend on your employer’s sick day policies. Make sure you are familiar with these and abide by them.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Eating Disorders 2

Women’s Health

Common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. People who have these conditions are obsessed with food and/or body weight. Eating disorders are a way to cope. They are serious health problems and are more common in females than in males.

Signs & Symptoms

Anorexia Nervosa

* Loss of a lot of weight in a short period of time.

* Intense, irrational fear of weight gain and/or of looking fat, obsession with fat, calories and weight.

* A need to be perfect or in control in one area of life.

* Distorted body image; the person feels and sees herself or himself as fat despite being a normal weight for height and age.

* Marked physical signs, such as loss of hair, slowed heart rate, and low blood pressure. The person feels cold due to decreased body temperature. In females, menstrual periods can stop.

Bulimia Nervosa

* Repeated acts of binge eating and purging, which can be through vomiting, taking laxatives, water pills, and/or diet pills, fasting, and exercising a lot to “undo” the binge.

* Excessive concern about body weight.

* Being underweight, normal weight, or overweight.

* Dieting often.

* Dental problems, mouth sores, chronic sore throat.

* Spending a lot of time in bathrooms.

* Because of binge-purge cycles, severe health problems can occur, including an irregular heartbeat and damage to the stomach, kidneys and bones.

Binge Eating Disorder

* Periods of nonstop eating that are not related to hunger.

* Impulsive binging on food without purging.

* Dieting and/or fasting over and over.

* Weight can range from normal weight to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.

Causes & Risk Factors

An exact cause has not been found. Persons from all backgrounds, ages and genders are affected. Risk factors include:

* A family history of eating disorders.

* Pressure from society to be thin.

* Personal and family pressures.

* Sexual, physical, or alcohol abuse in the past.

* Fear of starting puberty.

* Fear of having sex.

* Pressure for athletes to lose weight or to be thin for competitive sports.

* Chronic dieting.

Treatment

* Counseling. This can be individual, family, group, and/or behavioral therapy.

* Support groups.

* Medication.

* Nutrition therapy.

* Outpatient treatment.

* Hospitalization, if needed.

Treatment varies with the disorder and how severe it is. The earlier the condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care

Eating disorders need professional treatment.

Prevent an Eating Disorder

* Learn to accept yourself and your body. You don’t need to look like anyone else. Spend time with people who accept you as you are, not people who focus on “thinness.”

* Know that self-esteem does not have to depend on body weight.

* Eat nutritious foods. Focus on whole grains, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, and lean meats.

* Commit to a goal of normal eating. Realize that this will take time. It will also take courage to fight fears of gaining weight.

* Don’t skip meals. If you do, you are more likely to binge when you eat.

* Limit white flour, sugar and foods high in sugar and fat, such as cakes, cookies and pastries. People who have bulimia tend to binge on junk food. The more they eat, the more they want.

* Get regular, moderate exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week. If you exercise more than your doctor advises, do more non-exercise activities with family and friends.

* Find success in things you do. Hobbies, work, school, etc. can promote self-esteem.

* Discuss with family and friends how TV, movies and social media can send the message that only a certain body type is acceptable.

* Learn as much as you can about eating disorders from reputable websites, books and organizations that deal with them.

* To help children avoid eating disorders, parents should promote a balance between their child’s competing needs for independence and family involvement.

Treat an Eating Disorder

* Follow your treatment plan from your health care provider. To be successful, you need to be actively involved in your treatment.

* Attend counseling sessions and/or support group meetings as scheduled.

* Set small goals that you can easily reach. Congratulate yourself for every success. This is a process. Accept set backs. Learn from them.

* Talk to someone instead of turning to food.

* Work toward the point where weight is no longer a way you rate your success. Think about your accomplishments, positive personal qualities, and valued relationships.

* Learn to express your rights. You have the right to say no and the right to express your feelings and your opinions. You have the right to ask that your needs are met.

* Keep a journal of your progress, feelings, thoughts, etc., but not about what you eat. The journal is just for you, not for others to read or judge. This is a safe place to be honest with yourself. The journal can also help you identify your “triggers” so that you can deal with them in the future.

* Don’t let the scale run your life. Better yet, throw out the scale!

Resources

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)Information and Referral Helpline

800.931.2237

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Soothe Sore Muscles After Exercise

BE FIT

Exercise can make you feel great. But after a hard workout, sore muscles can be uncomfortable. A little soreness is normal and healthy, especially after trying a new activity or pushing yourself a little harder.

Don’t let post-exercise pain get you down! You can get through it and reach a new level of fitness with a few tips:

*Warm up.Don’t jump right into exercise with cold muscles. Doing a lighter or slower version of your workout first will get muscles warm and increase blood flow. This can help avoid injury too.

*Cool down and stretch.Don’t stop exercise abruptly. Instead, slow down your activity until your heart rate feels normal and you can talk easily. After you’ve exercised, stretch! This is the perfect time to increase flexibility and help lower the chance of soreness.

*Drink water.It helps keep your joints and muscles hydrated and prevents cramps. Drink before, during and after your workout.

*Give muscles a break.Give muscles about two days to rest and heal before you exercise them again. For instance, work leg muscles one day and arms the next. Don’t do the same exercise day after day. Muscles need about 48 hours to repair and heal.

*Be sure you’re doing it right.If you’re new to certain exercises, don’t be afraid to ask someone who can help! Ask a fitness expert or personal trainer or watch videos. Exercise machines and routines can cause injuries if they’re not done properly.

*Don’t push too hard.It’s easy to get caught up in a new exercise routine. You may want to get into shape as quickly as possible. But doing too much too quickly can mean lots of soreness and even an injury. If you think your exercise routine is too easy, increase the time or intensity slowly. Always ask your doctor about safe exercises you can do if you have any health conditions.

Listen to your body!

A lot of soreness or pain isn’t necessary or normal. If you think you have a strained or sprained muscle, tryRICE:

Rest:Don’t use the sore muscles, if possible.

Ice:Apply ice packs to the problem area for a few minutes at a time.

Compression:Use sports bandages or wraps.

Elevation:Raise the affected body part, such as a foot, up above your heart for two to three hours each day.

See a doctor if the pain is extreme, gets worse or doesn’t go away after a week.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

© 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
Take Golf Injuries Seriously

BE FIT

Golf doesn’t hold the same kind of injury risk as high-impact sports such as football or hockey. But the repetitive motion and twisting of the spine can set the stage for potential injuries that may be underestimated for this low-impact lifetime sport.

Mike Markee, instructor of physical therapy and athletic training at Saint Louis University, has spent time on the senior PGA tour and developed exercise and fitness programs for golfers.

“It is possible to avoid injury and improve performance, especially through muscle strength and proper form,” Markee said. “The great thing is that the same things that help you avoid injury also will improve your game.”

It comes down to these 3 tips:

1.Warm up and keep moving.There can be a lot of down time in golf, so it takes deliberate focus to keep moving. Stretch before, during, and after the game. If you’re able to walk and the course allows, skip the cart and get a few miles under your belt by the end of the game.

2.Strengthen your core.Golfers use the muscles closest to the spine, including hip and shoulder muscles. This is where the power comes from in your golf swing. A weakness in your core can lead to an unbalanced swing, with some muscles compensating for others. You can develop more power by training the right muscles. Now we know that strength training and flexibility aren’t polar opposites and, in fact, core strength training can actually improve your performance.

3.Develop good body mechanics.Golf’s main injury risk comes from the repeated motions of the swing. Working with a pro to learn to swing properly can help you reduce forces on the spine due to twisting and rotating and ensure that you aren’t developing bad habits that can take their toll on your back, shoulder and elbow.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Seizures

Children’s Health

And How to Keep Your Child From Getting Fever Seizures

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

A seizure is like a short-circuit in the brain. Information in nerves in the brain gets mixed up. There are many forms of seizures.

A general seizure. This affects the whole brain. A convulsion happens with this kind. These are signs of a convulsion.

* The neck muscles or all the body muscles get stiff.

* The arms or legs jerk around.

* The eyes roll up and back in the head.

* The child falls down.

* The child blacks out.

* The child wets or soils his or her clothes.

An absence seizure. A convulsion does not happen with this kind of seizure. These are signs of this kind of seizure:

* The child stares into space. It looks like the child is not paying attention.

* The child smacks his or her lips.

* The child may blink over-and-over.

Seizures that come with a high fever.

In fact, high fevers cause most seizures in children ages 6 months to 5 years old. This happens when the body’s own temperature control isn’t working just right yet.

Sicknesses that make a child’s temperature go up fast can bring on seizures. Here are some other causes of seizures:

* Epilepsy.

* Poisons.

* Infections that cause a high fever.

* Drugs.

* Reye’s Syndrome.

* Snakebites.

* Some vaccinations.

Most seizures last from 1 to 5 minutes. Short seizures don’t cause problems unless the child stops breathing and turns blue. But a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes can be a sign of a big problem. Let your child’s doctor know if your child has any kind of seizure.

How to Keep Your Child From Getting Fever Seizures

Keep trying to bring the fever down until it is 101ºF or less. Try to bring your child’s fever down fast:

* Dress your child in light, loose clothes or take off most of his or her clothes.

* Ask your doctor about fever-lowering suppositories.

* Put washcloths rinsed in lukewarm (not cold) water on your child’s forehead and neck. Don’t use rubbing alcohol.

* Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Make sure you give the right kind and dose for his or her weight. Do this if the fever gets above 103°F. (Note: Do not give aspirin. Aspirin and other medicines that have salicylates have been linked to Reye’s Syndrome.)

Questions to Ask

Self-Care

Don’t panic! A fever seizure will stop by itself in a few minutes. The two things you can do are:

* Try to keep your child from getting hurt during the seizure.

* Lower his or her fever.

Follow these tips during the seizure:

* Protect your child from falling and hitting his or her head. (Watch out for tables and sharp things.)

* Make sure your child can breathe:

– Roll the child on his or her side so spit can drain from the mouth.

– Gently pull on the jaw and bend the neck back. (This opens up the throat.)

* Don’t put anything in your child’s mouth. Children hardly ever bite their tongues during a fever seizure.

* Don’t give your child any medicine, food, or drink by mouth.

Follow these tips after the seizure:

* If the seizure was from a fever, start lowering the fever. Sponge your child’s body with lukewarm water. Don’t use rubbing alcohol. Don’t put the child in a bathtub. Don’t use an ice pack. It drops the temperature too fast.

* Your child will probably be sleepy after the seizure. He or she may not remember anything. This is O.K.

* Dress the child in light, loose clothes. Put him or her to sleep in a cool room.

* Let your child’s doctor know about the seizure.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Train Like An Olympian

BE FIT

Olympic athletes inspire us with their fierce discipline and natural talent as they smash records, going higher, farther and faster. Their can-do spirit motivates us all to take on new challenges.

Whether your goal is to complete your first marathon or improve your golf game, there are lessons to be learned from the best of the best.

Saint Louis University assistant professor of physical therapy, Chris Sebelski, gives this guidance on how to train like a champion:

*Set a goal and break it down.For instance, if you’re training to get in shape for a cross-country hiking trip, you might aim to walk 3 miles a day for the first 2 weeks and build up to 10 miles a day by the end of 10 weeks.

*Cross-train.Cross-training reduces risks of overtraining and helps avoid injury. It also enhances muscle performance and stimulates the mind so you don’t become bored by too much repetition.

*Work out with others.Olympic athletes don’t train alone and they don’t train only with those at the same skill level. Run with different people. On one day, partner with someone slower than your normal pace. You’ll stay out longer and practice endurance. Another day, run with someone faster than your average pace. You’ll do a more intense cardio workout.

*Create a team.Olympic athletes know that they cannot do it on their own. You shouldn’t expect to either. Seek people and methods that can help you accomplish your goal. It could be a face-to-face session with a trainer, a nutrition class, or an online chat room of like-minded people.

*Find your motivation.Olympians use lots of techniques to manage their emotions. This year, for example, athletes reported using yoga, meditation, and even watching their favorite TV shows to calm themselves before an event.

*Put on an Olympic attitude.For most of us, our jobs, families and personal commitments mean we can’t spend as much time training as a world champion might. But you can adopt the mentality of an Olympian during the time you do train.

*Enjoy.Regardless of the scale of your goal, train for and accomplish a physical goal you set for yourself. Crossing that finish line is a feeling unlike any other.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Heat Illnesses

First Aid

Most heat-related deaths occur in the hot summer months. Elderly and very young persons and people with chronic health problems are most at risk.

Sweating normally cools the body. During hot weather, sweating isn’t enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels and you can develop a heat illness. This includes heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Heat exhaustion, if not treated, can turn into heat stroke.

A less serious heat illness is a heat rash. Signs include small red pimples, pink, blotchy skin, and itching. To treat a heat rash, bathe in cool water every couple of hours. Let your skin air dry. Put cornstarch or calamine lotion on itchy areas.

When the heat starts to rise, slow down. Drink plenty of fluids (ones without alcohol or caffeine). Stay in the shade or indoors. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and a wide brimmed hat. Do not stay in or leave anyone in a closed, parked car during hot weather.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Seizures 2

First Aid

A seizure is a sudden “episode” caused by an electrical problem in the brain. With a seizure, a person has change in awareness, body movements, or sensation.

Signs & Symptoms

There are many types of seizures. Common types are:

A Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizure

This is also called a grand mal seizure. A convulsion occurs with this type. Signs of a convulsion include:

* Brief loss of consciousness. Falling down.

* The arms and legs stiffen, jerk, and twitch.

* This type usually lasts 1 to 2 minutes. When it ends, the person’s muscles relax. He or she may lose bladder control, be confused, have a headache, and fall asleep. This is the type most people think of with the word “seizure.”

An Absence Seizure

This is also called a petit mal seizure. A convulsion does not occur with this type. Signs of an absence seizure include:

* Blank stares. It looks like the person is daydreaming or not paying attention.

* Lip smacking. Repeated blinking, chewing or hand movements.

* This type of seizure usually lasts only a few seconds, but can occur many times a day. When the seizure ends, the person is not confused, but is not aware that the seizure occurred.

* Absence seizures are common in children and can result in learning problems.

A Fever (Febrile) Seizure

This type is brought on by a high fever in infants and small children. High fevers cause most seizures in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Signs are ones of a convulsion listed in the left column. Most febrile seizures last 1 to 2 minutes, but can last longer. Seeing a child have a febrile seizure causes alarm. In general, these seizures are harmless.

Causes

Causes include epilepsy (a brain disorder), infections that cause a high fever, heat stroke, and electric shock. Head injury, stroke, and toxic substances can also cause a seizure. Sometimes the cause of a seizure is not known.

Treatment

Seizure disorders are treated with medication. Other medical treatments may be needed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

For Seizures with Convulsions

* Stay calm. Protect the person from injury. Cushion the head with a pillow, a coat, etc. Move sharp objects out of the way.

* Loosen tight clothes, especially around the neck.

* If the person vomits, clear the mouth of it.

* Do not hold the person down or throw water on the face. Don’t put anything into the mouth. (A spoon in the mouth does not prevent tongue biting.)

* If the seizure in a child is due to a fever, start bringing the child’s temperature down as soon as the seizure stops. Sponge the child’s body with room temperature water. Do not put the child in a bathtub. Do not use ice. Do not use rubbing alcohol.

* Report how long the seizure lasts and the symptoms that occur.

* After the seizure, lay the person on his or her side. Let the person sleep. Check for a medical alert tag. Respond as needed. Do not embarrass the person.

* Call 9-1-1 (except for a febrile seizure or a seizure in a person you know has a seizure disorder).

Febrile Seizure Prevention

For a child who has had a febrile seizure in the past, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the first sign of a fever. Give the right kind and dose for his or her weight. Insert suppositories that lower fevers, instead, if prescribed by the child’s doctor. {Note: Don’t give aspirin to anyone less than 19 years old.}

* Dress the child in light, loose clothes.

* Apply washcloths rinsed in lukewarm (not cold) water to your child’s forehead and neck. Sponge the child’s arms, legs, and trunk with lukewarm water. Don’t use cold water, ice, or rubbing alcohol.

* Keep trying to bring the fever down until it is 101ºF or less.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026