Do You Know Aspirin Intake Can Kill You?

What is Aspirin?

Aspirin is a common pain reliever/pain killer (analgesic) can be used for a headache, common cold, to reduce fever, & toothache. It reduces the substances that cause pain & inflammation in the body.

Other than using it as a pain reliever, sometimes it is used to prevent heart attacks, stroke & other cardiovascular conditions, only under the supervision of the medical practitioner.

Before taking Aspirin

Some medicines are not preferred for people with certain conditions & diseases. So before you start, it’s important to inform your doctor/pharmacist if:
1. If you have asthma or any allergic disorder.
2. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding mother.
3. If you have any liver or kidney problems.
4. If you have the heart problem or thyroid gland problem.
5. If you are taking any herbal or complementary medicines.
6. If you are suffering from haemophilia or any bleeding disorder.

How should I take aspirin?

Do not crush, break or open an enteric-coated pill. Swallow it whole.
Take aspirin exactly as directed by your doctor.
While using aspirin tablets follow all dosing instructions/leaflet that is provided with your medicine.
Other than Gastro-resistant aspirin tablets, all the other aspirin tablets are taken with or after the food. & this reduces any side effects for stomach like stomach irritation.
If you are undergoing any surgery, inform surgeon that you are using aspirin medicine. Your surgeon may suggest you to stop using medicine for a while.
If you forget to take the dose, do not worry but never take two doses together.
Store your medicine at room temperature & it should be away from heat & moisture.

Aspirin Overdose

An aspirin overdose means you have the excess amount of aspirin in your body.
Aspirin overdose to a body can happen in two ways.
Acute Overdose: When a person takes large amount/dose of aspirin at one time by accidentally or intentionally, then it is called an acute overdose.
Chronic Overdose: If a normal/daily dose of aspirin to the body builds up over time and causes symptoms, then it is called a chronic overdose. It happens when you are dehydrated or if the kidneys are not functioning properly. Chronic overdoses usually happen to children and older people.
If someone is suffering from aspirin overdoses, call your local medical emergency number such as 08067335555 or 108 for medical help.

Aspirin Overdose Symptoms:

Aspirin overdose symptoms can range from minor to severe depending upon aspirin intake.
Symptoms of acute overdose may include:
• Stomach upset with stomach pain
• Nausea, Vomiting.
Symptoms of chronic overdose may include:
• Fatigue, Slight fever
• Collapse
• Rapid heart beat
• Uncontrollable rapid breathing
Other symptoms of Aspirin overdose include
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Drowsiness
• Temporary deafness
• Seizures
• Coma
• fever, double vision

Before Calling Emergency:

If possible try to know the following information for emergency assistance:
• A Person’s age and condition.
• Time & the amount it was swallowed.
• Name of the product and ingredients if known.
• Symptoms & Medical condition of the person.
However, DO NOT delay calling for the medical emergency if this information is not known.

When to Seek Medical Emergency:

If you experience minor symptoms of aspirin overdose, call your doctor who prescribed the medicine for you. He may tell you to stop that medicine or the dosage is reduced.
If you are suffering from severe symptoms call the immediate medical helpline and transport the affected person to the nearby hospital.
Aspirin Poisoning Treatment:
Treatment for aspirin poisoning/overdose is started after measuring plasma salicylate, pH, and electrolytes. The three main objectives of aspirin poisoning treatment are:
1. To reduce/prevent further absorption of aspirin into the body.
2. To reduce the amount of salicylate in the body.
3. To correct acid-base & dehydration abnormalities.
Dialysis is one more way to reduce / eliminate salicylate content in the body.

Medications for Aspirin Poisoning:

1. IV Fluids: Dehydration is the early symptom of aspirin overdose. So many doctors use IV fluids to correct this imbalance.
2. Activated charcoal: To absorb the salicylate from the stomach/body, the doctor may give charcoal. Activated charcoal is used as laxative to remove the content rapidly from the body.
3. Alkaline diuresis: This is one of the ways to reduce the amount of salicylate in the body.

Aspirin Poisoning Prevention

1. Never take medicine without doctor prescriptions & directions.
2. Never take a medicine prescribed for someone else.
3. To prevent accidental aspirin overdose, try to store the medications out of sight for children with child-resistant caps.
4. Inform your doctor about any previous side effects or adverse reactions or unusual symptoms that occur due to medications.
5. Never take more dose than prescribed.

Blood For sure is a cloud based Medical emergency response network, which assist people during medical emergencies by connecting to the nearest emergency responder (First aid, ambulance, hospital, blood bank, blood donor etc.) To avail Emergency medical services call Blood For Sure helpline 080 67335555. Download bloodforsure app click the below link.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.areratech.bloodforsure&hl=en

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What you should know about Anaphylaxis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Management

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening allergic reaction which affects more than one body part at the same time. The most common causes of anaphylactic reactions include foods, insect stings, latex & some medications. When you are allergic to some substance, the immune system overreacts with allergens & releases chemicals.
The mild symptoms of allergic reactions include watery eyes, a runny nose or skin problems with the rash. The second anaphylactic reaction is known as the biphasic reaction, which occur after 12 hours of initial reaction.

Symptoms

Anaphylaxis symptoms start within few minutes soon after the contact with an allergen. Symptoms include:
1. Trouble in breathing & tightness of throat.
2. Swelling.
3. Cardiac arrest.
4. Low blood pressure rapid heartbeat.
5. Abdominal pain.
6. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
7. Cardiac Arrest

Causes of Anaphylaxis

Some Common causes of Anaphylaxis include:
1. Certain medications, especially penicillin, anaesthesia, aspirin medications.
2. Insect stings like bees, hornets, fire ants.
3. Food allergens include fish, cow’s milk, eggs, & some tree nuts.
4. Latex found in syringes, adhesive tapes, balloons & disposable gloves.
5. Allergies or Asthma.
6. Pollens such as grass & tree pollens.

Diagnosis of Anaphylaxis

The anaphylaxis diagnosis is based on the symptoms that occur after contact with an allergen that you are allergic to. The symptoms can be seen within 5 to 30 minutes.
1. The anaphylaxis diagnosis includes skin tests & blood tests.
2. You may be asked to provide the list of substances that you are allergic to.
3. Serum tryptase might help in diagnosing anaphylaxis.
4. Testing for food allergies.

What to do in an Emergency anaphylaxis

If you are with someone who is showing signs of anaphylaxis, act fast. And, even if you are not sure about symptoms of anaphylaxis, take the following steps immediately.
1. Call for emergency medical help.
2. Place the person in a better comfortable position.
3. Give medications to treat allergy attack, if they have them.
4. If the person is having trouble in breathing never try to give anything by mouth.
5. Check person’s breathing & pulse. If the person is unconscious administer CPR.

Prevention of anaphylaxis

1. Always keep the emergency medical kit with medications that are prescribed by your doctor.
2. Alert your doctor about your drug allergies if any.
3. Avoid the allergen contact. Especially if you are allergic to insects, be cautious when they’re nearby.
4. If you are allergic to food items, try to avoid them & read the labels before eating such food items.
5. Avoid your allergic trigger.

Complications of anaphylaxis

1. Cardiac arrest.
2. Shock.
3. Airway Blockage.
4. No breathing or respiratory arrest.

First Aid for Meningitis

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection/inflammation of the membranes that covers the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be either bacterial, viral or rarely fungal infection. Anyone can get meningitis, but babies and kids are most at risk.

Meningitis may become very serious. So, if you suspect someone suffering from meningitis you must call emergency medical help immediately.

First Aid for Meningitis

• If someone has any of the signs of meningitis, like shielding their eyes from the light, joint & muscle pain, headache, rash or stiff neck, high temperature call for Blood for sure emergency medical help 080 67335555 ambulance straight away and treat the fever.
• While you’re waiting for help to arrive, reassure them and keep them cool and try to give cold juice to them.
• Keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response.

Causes for Meningitis

Most common causes for meningitis is bacteria and viruses that often live in our body including skin, gastro intestinal tract. But bacterial meningitis can be life threatening.

Viral meningitis:

It is one of the most common infection which is caused by the group of virus called Enteroviruses which cause mild infection, and can be spread through food, water, coughing, sneezing.

Bacterial meningitis:

Bacterial meningitis is very life threatening illness if you don’t treat right away. These are caused through infected saliva, or sinus infection.
Few leading bacteria which cause bacterial meningitis are Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Fungal meningitis:

It is one of the uncommon and causes chronic meningitis. But, fungal meningitis isn’t contagious. Fungal meningitis, affects the immune system of the victim.

Prevention of Meningitis:

Meningitis is one of the uncommon but serious contagious infections which may lead to brain damage and even sometime death. Some of the steps that helps to prevent meningitis include:
1. The best way to protect you and your family from bacterial Meningitis is providing recommended Vaccine schedule.
2. Keep your hands clean to avoid exposure to infectious agents, especially before eating, after using the toilet, and petting animals.
3. Don’t share personal items, drinks, foods, utensils, toothbrushes and straws with anyone else. Teach children and teens to avoid sharing these items too and practice good hygiene.
4. Stay healthy and boost your immune system.
5. Cover your mouth & nose while coughing or sneezing & keep your distance from infected people.

Treatment for Meningitis

The treatment depends upon the type meningitis that you are suffering from.
Bacterial meningitis:

The bacterial meningitis is life-threatening and it must be treated quickly.
If you have bacterial meningitis, you will receive antibiotics until the infection is cured. Because bacterial meningitis is contagious, & antibiotics reduce the risk of complications. So you will probably stay in an isolated room for at least 48 hours. Also fluids are given constantly to prevent dehydration.
People with bacterial meningitis are recommended to stay in hospital for week to avoid infection.

Viral meningitis: 

Viral meningitis is usually much less severe and Antibiotics are not effective for treating viral meningitis and people with viral meningitis are completely recover within 7 days.
The best treatment for viral meningitis is Rest, hydration, anti-viral medicine may be given as needed. No surgical therapy is suggested for viral meningitis.
Fungal meningitis:

Fungal meningitis will be treated with anti-fungal medications in the hospital. Fungal meningitis treatment depends upon the strength of immune system & the type of fungus that caused the infection. If there is a weak immune system then the treatment maybe often longer.

Frequently Asking Questions about Meningitis:

1. What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection/inflammation of the membranes that covers the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be either bacterial, viral or rarely fungal infection. Anyone can get meningitis, but babies and kids are most at risk.

2. Who is at risk for meningitis?

Any person of any age may develop meningitis. But meningitis is more common in infants, young children & people older than age 60.

3. Is meningitis contagious?

Close contact with the victim or sharing personal items can spread the bacteria and virus meningitis. This includes sharing drinks, foods, utensils, towels, toothbrushes and straws. Coughing, or sneezing.

4. How do doctors diagnose meningitis?

Meningitis symptoms are Fever, Neck stiffness, severe Headache & vomiting. In addition to these symptoms, doctors conduct a physical exam and also collect sample of spinal fluid (spinal tap).
Other tests may include:
1. Blood and urine tests.
2. A neurological exam to test nerve.
3. CT scan.
4. Lumbar puncture.

5. What are the complications of meningitis?

Complications of meningitis include:
1. Poor memory.
2. Epilepsy (seizures).
3. Poor memory & concentration.
4. Hearing loss.
5. Learning disabilities
6. Loss of Vision.
7. Brain damage
8. Shock
9. Kidney problems
10. Arthritis.

6. Is it possible to prevent meningitis?

There are many vaccines are available to prevent bacterial meningitis. Some of the preventive measures include:
1. The best way to protect you and your family from bacterial Meningitis is providing recommended Vaccine schedule.
2. Keep your hands clean to avoid exposure to infectious agents, especially before eating, after using the toilet, and petting animals.
3. Don’t share personal items, drinks, foods, utensils, toothbrushes and straws with anyone else. Teach children and teens to avoid sharing these items too and practice good hygiene.
4. Stay healthy and boost your immune system.
5. Cover your mouth & nose while coughing or sneezing & keep your distance from infected people.

For any medical emergency including Ambulance, blood requirement, first aid tips call Blood For Sure helpline 080 67335555 or visit Blood for Sure website http://www.bloodforsure.com/. To register in Blood For Sure, app link is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.areratech.bloodforsure&hl=en.

First Aid For Burn

First Aid for burns is decided based on the degree of Burns.
1. Cool, the burn under running water for at least 10 minutes, until the pain eases.
2. Remove any clothes or metal or tight items from the burnt area except the one stuck to the burnt skin & protect the burn from further harm.
3. Protect the burn with a sterile or non-adhesive bandage.
4. Do not apply ice, butter or ointments to the burned skin, which may cause infection.
5. Don’t break blisters. If it breaks, gently clean the area.
6. Take a counter pain reliever.
7. If it is a serious burn, call Blood for sure helpline 080 67335555 for immediate medical help.

Causes of Burns:

Burns have a variety of causes, including:
1. scalding from hot, boiling liquids or steam.
2. Radiation.
3. Chemical burns like acids & paint thinner.
4. Electrical burns.
5. Fires, including flames from matches, candles, and lighters.
6. Excessive sun exposure.

Prevention of Burns:

1. Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
2. Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove.
3. Place a fire extinguisher near the kitchen.
4. Test smoke detectors once a month.
5. Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
6. Keep water heater temperature under 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Measure bath water temperature before uses.
8. Lock up matches and lighters.
9. Install electrical outlet covers.
10. Check and discard electrical cords with exposed wires.
11. Wear gloves during chemical use & keep out of reach when not in use.

Types of Burn Levels:

Mainly there are 3 types of Burn levels: First, second & third degree.
The degree of burns is based on the severity of damage to skin, where first degree is minor & third degree is major.
1. First Degree burn includes red, minor pain with minor swelling & non-blistered burn.
2. Second-degree burns include red, white small blisters with thickening of the burnt skin.
3. Third-degree burns include thickness with a white, leathery appearance & for third degree of burns never attempt self-treatment.

Medical Treatment to Cure Burns:

Most minor burns will heal on their own with first aid & even home treatment is very useful. But if you suspect with the major injury with third-degree burns, you should require emergency medical care to prevent further complications.
Few treatments include:
1. Take a counter pain reliever by consulting doctor.
2. For First & second degree of burns apply antibiotic cream to for burn care.
3. Honey is one of the natural antibiotic, which helps to prevent the burn from infection. Apply honey topically, which can kill any existing bacteria & helps in relieving the pain.
4. Update your tetanus shot by consulting your doctor.
5. For severe burn injury, the patient may require Surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.

Frequently Asking Questions About burns

1. List out the common causes of burn injuries?

Burn injuries are caused by contact with hot/ flame objects, scalds including hot liquids or steam, chemicals, and electrical sources including radiation.

2. How the treatment for burns are decided?

The treatment for burns is decided based on the degree of burns or severity of damage to the skin.
Mainly there are three levels of burns, where first degree is minor & third degree is major.
1. First Degree burn includes red, minor pain with minor swelling & non-blistered burn, and most of the times these are treated in the home.
2. Second-degree burns include red, minor pain, white small blisters with thickening of the burnt skin and these can also be treated in the home. To avoid further infection medical assistance is required.
3. Third-degree burns include thickness with a white, leathery appearance & for third degree of burns never attempt self-treatment. And for third-degree burns, medical assistance is the must, which includes surgery, physical therapy & rehabilitation.

3. What are the first aid steps if I get burned?

1. Cool, the burn under running water for at least 10 minutes, until the pain eases.
2. Remove any clothes or metal or tight items from the burnt area except the one stuck to the burnt skin & protect the burn from further harm.
3. Protect the burn with the sterile or non-adhesive bandage.
4. Do not apply ice, butter or ointments to the burned skin, which may cause infection.
5. Don’t break blisters. If it breaks, gently clean the area.
6. Take a counter pain reliever.
7. If it is a serious burn, call Blood for sure helpline 080 67335555.

4. List the different types of Burns?

Burns are classified into 3 major types, depending on the cause of burn.
1. Thermal Burns: Burns caused by flame, steam, by hot metal or hot liquid.
2. Electrical Burns: These are caused when the person is in contact with the direct electrical current which may cause temporary or permanent damage to the victim.
3. Chemical Burns: Burns caused by acids, chemicals, detergents or by inhalation of chemical fumes.

5. How long does it take for a third-degree burn to heal?

Usually, the third level burn is severe injury includes damage to muscles and other tissues under the skin & the healing time depends on the severity of damage to the skin. Third level burn includes hospitalization for few days or weeks, surgery, temporary skin grafting, physical therapy & rehabilitation.

6. What is a skin graft?

A skin graft is a surgical procedure where the skin is taken/replaced from one area of a human body to cover another burned, injured area.

For any medical emergency including Ambulance, blood requirement, first aid tips call Blood For Sure helpline 080 67335555 or visit Blood for Sure website http://www.bloodforsure.com/. To register in Blood For Sure, app link is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.areratech.bloodforsure&hl=en.

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