There are two types of diabetic emergencies: Insulin Shock and Diabetic Coma. The best and easiest way (besides asking the conscious casualty) to determine if the casualty has diabetes is to check to see if they have a medic alert bracelet. This will guide you in determining what first aid you may have to do. In insulin shock the diabetic casualty needs sugar because they have not ingested enough food to keep their sugar levels up or they have taken too much insulin. Some of the signs of insulin shock are the casualty having a strong and rapid pulse and having shallow breathing. Insulin shock develops very quickly and need medical attention right away. Call 911!!! In diabetic coma the casualty needs insulin because their body does not produce enough insulin to convert their ingested sugar to energy. Some of the signs of diabetic coma are a weak and rapid pulse and very deep breathing. The effects of diabetic coma take several hours or days to develop and are therefore not as concerning as insulin shock. Since it can be difficult to determine what kind of diabetic emergency you are encountered with the first aid for both will be the same. Give sugar!! Either some sweet candy, table sugar or orange juice. This will help the casualty in insulin shock immediately but not the casualty in diabetic coma. Since diabetic coma takes hours or days, they have sufficient time to get to a hospital for treatment. Inform yourself and save a life!!

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a term used for a group of illnesses affecting the digestive system. With roughly one million sufferers in the United States, IBD is primarily composed of two disorders: Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. What takes place with IBD, Crohn’s, and ulcerative colitis is the body’s immune system has an exaggerated response to an unknown bacteria or condition of the bowel system, releases a large number of white blood cells to the affected area, and as a result, the area becomes drastically inflamed. This swelling causes ulcerations and injury to the bowel, as well as various other negative side effects. Although extensive research has been done, it is unclear what causes the excessive immune response in IBD. Some believe it is the body’s mistaken identification of good bacteria in the bowel as being dangerous, while others believe it is a foreign agent that triggers the immune system, which in turn, does not shut down properly. Whatever the reason, this is a chronic condition which will continue to be a problem for sufferers for an extended period of time. The primary difference between Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis is the location of the affected area. Crohn’s Disease may affect any portion of the digestive system and may occur in patches, with unaffected areas in between. However, Crohn’s Disease primarily affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. On the other hand, ulcerative colitis only affects the colon. Often, it is very difficult to determine which form of IBD a patient is suffering from and misdiagnosis is common. Symptoms common of Irritable Bowel Disorder are diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and occasionally weight loss. These signs are often present with Crohn’s Disease, as well as uncreative colitis. As a result of blood loss, many sufferers also become anemic. This can be especially devastating to pre-existing conditions. Likewise, complications can arise from blockages that occur due to excessive bowel swelling and the presence of scar tissue. For this reason, surgery is sometimes necessary to remove damaged areas of the digestive system to avoid obstructions. There are also side effects experienced in other areas of the body in addition to the digestive system. For the most part, IBD and Crohn’s Disease are often used interchangeably. However, it should be understood that Irritable Bowel Disorder does not necessarily translate to Crohn’s Disease. There are other forms of IBD that may affect sufferers in much the same way.

Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare medical condition whereby individuals are unable to have direct contact with the sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet rays. Although it is classified as a rare disorder, it is one that is particularly burdensome and serious for those afflicted with xeroderma pigmentosum. The following paragraphs will provide some general tips for those afflicted with this condition to keep in mind. Avoid All Ultraviolet Light Whenever Possible As the symptoms individuals experience are due to direct contact with sunlight and other ultraviolet light sources, the most important guideline to follow is to avoid all contact with ultraviolet light. This is the best way to attempt to control symptoms from occurring due to the xeroderma pigmentosum. Maintain Copies of Diagnosis It is important that other individuals who need to know about the xeroderma pigmentosum have copies of the doctor’s diagnosis. This will help to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to keep the individual out of the sunlight. Obtain Handicapped Parking Decal Should it be necessary for the individual with xeroderma pigmentosum to travel in the car, it is extremely important that the individual and their family have a handicapped parking sticker for the vehicle. This will enable them to get the closest spot possible and avoid any prolonged sunlight exposure. Keep Necessary Receipts Receipts which come from the purchase of necessary items for the individual with xeroderma pigmentosum should be saved for tax reasons. Since these are necessary items for one’s survival, they may be able to be deducted when one files their tax returns. Find a Doctor Who Has Evening Hours or Makes House Calls Since this medical disorder is one of a special nature, one may be able to find a doctor who is willing to schedule late evening appointments or come to the house for medical visits. This will help to prevent the individual from getting into the direct sunlight to go in for an office visit. These are just some things which may help the individual with xeroderma pigmentosum to deal with their medical condition in the best way possible.

Commonly known as pinkeye, Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the outer most layer of the eye and the inner side of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis infections commonly come in one of three flavours: viral, bacterial, or allergic. There is, however, several other cases of less common conjunctivitis: – Chemicals – Thermal and ultraviolet burns – Foreign bodies – Overuse of contact lenses – Toxins – Vitamin deficiency – Dry eye, sometimes due to inadequate eyelid closure – Exposure to chickens infected with Newcastle disease Lets take a quick look at the three most common types of conjunctivitis. The first is viral conjunctivitis. This type is transmitted by contact with a variety of contagious viruses. These required viruses need not be any harsher than the common cold virus, as these cases are generally associated with upper respiratrory tract symptoms. Bacterial conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by the infected’s own skin or respiratory flora due to pyogenic bacteria. Another common way to spread infection, generally by females, is through sharing of facial lotions or eye makeup. And lastly, it is possible to share this kind of «pinkeye» through contact with other people and/or their environment. The last form that we will be looking at is allergetic conjuctivitis. This type generally follows a seasonal pattern, and is more common among those with allergic conditions. Unlike the others, allergetic conjuctivitis tends to take over both eyes, and is accompanied by swollen eyelids. It is caused by reactions to such substances as perfume, drugs, cosmetics, contact lenses, or protein deposits.