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Tag: Do's and Don'ts

Questions to ask during Discharge

Questions to ask during Discharge

Here are some must-ask questions. ….

  • What diagnosis/diagnoses (exact medical issue and it’s prognosis) was my loved one treated for?
  • Can he/she do their daily needs by their own?
  • Is there any need of certain medical supplies or equipment and how/where do we get these items?
  • How can I receive the proper training to provide the necessary care for my loved one, like changing dressings for a wound or using a feeding tube?
  • Can we get discharge plan?
  • Which all medicine to be taken and when?
  • When should we come for the next doctor’s review?
  • What diet plan needs to be followed?
  • Do we need to check blood glucose or BP at home?
  • Whom should we contact if in case of any medical emergency/need?
  • Can you explain the do’s and don’ts for the better healing at home?
  • Can I get any home assistance from the hospital?

To read more on Patient Care, click on the link below.

Patient Care

Caring for Spectacles

Step 1: Take them off using two hands, instead of one. This keeps the earpieces straight and in the right alignment. Taking them off one-handed stretches them out and makes them loose.

Step 2: Don’t put your glasses on the top of your head. This can distort the shape, and there’s a greater chance of them falling off and getting damaged that way

Step 3: Try not to push them up on your nose by sticking your finger on the nosepiece (right between your eyes) if they’re wire-framed. This causes stress on the nose pads, and the center part of the frame, and if they’re any color but silver, it wears the finish off them. This can be very conspicuous at that spot. Instead, grasp the lenses by putting your thumb at the bottom and fingers at the top, and then move them to where you want them to sit on your face

Step 4: Purchase a microfiber optical cleaning cloth. These are generally available at optometrists, chemists and supermarkets for a few dollars. To clean them, hold your glasses firmly in one hand. Rinse the glasses with clean water to remove any dust or dirt particles. Take the cloth in your preferred hand and gently rub both sides of each lenses until you can see no smudges. Breathe on them gently so that you can see any spots you missed in the fog, and wipe them quickly, before it evaporates. Never use the following:

  • Clothing – dirt trapped in the fibers can scratch the lenses
  • Paper towels or tissues – these fibers scratch lenses
  • A dirty microfiber cloth – when you’re not using the microfiber cloth, put it in the eyeglass case; if it collects dust, it’ll scratch the lenses, rather than clean them

Step 5: Use a prepared solution to dissolve any spots. Buy some glasses lens cleaning spray, available from the same places. Spray a small amount on both sides of each lens, and repeat the above.

Step 6: Buy an eyeglass repair kit. These are available at the counter of some markets, major drugstores, eyeglass vendors, and optometrists’ offices. Sometimes the screws that hold the arms on can come loose, which prevents the arm from ‘gripping’ the sides of your head as well. You can either get a tiny screwdriver and tighten them yourself, or visit your optometrist and have them do it for you.

Step 7: Have them adjusted once or twice per year. If you go back to where you got them every six months to one year, they will most likely adjust your glasses free of charge. The optical technician will examine them for wear and tear, tighten any loose screws, check the fit again, just as if it were the day you bought them and make them just like new.

Step 8: Keep your glasses in a case when you aren’t wearing them. When you take your glasses off, put them in the case to keep them from getting scratched. The best ones are the ones that open and close, rather than the ones you slide the glasses into. If you aren’t putting them in a case, at least make sure the lenses are up, away from any surfaces.

To read more on Patient Care, click on the link below.

Patient Care

HAIR CARE

Hair Problems And Precautions

Hair is made up of protein. Each hair strand consists of two parts. The root of the hair is the living part
inside the skin and the shaft is the hair we see on our scalp is the non-living part of the hair. Hair care
needs to focus on nourishing the root and the scalp and also maintain the integrity of the hair shaft.

Hair Care

Hair Care by Famhealth

Some of the common hair problems include:

  • Split Ends
  • Dandruff
  • Hair loss
  • Lack of volume
  • Oily hair
  • Scalp which is scalpy
  • Frizzy, dull, dry and brittle hair
  • Sun damage to hair
  • Chlorine damage to hair
  • Hair loss

What are the factors that affect health of our hair?

  • Diet- The best way to nourish the hair root is by having a healthy diet, rich in nutrients like iron and proteins, as these are vital for nourishing the hair root. Pulses, meat, eggs, nuts and green leafy vegetables are all good sources of these nutrients.
  • Keeping the hair covered while outdoors and the use of a good conditioner can help in keeping the hair shaft shiny and smooth.
  • Oiling the hair at regular intervals can help in improving the blood circulation of the scalp and aid in better hair growth.
  • Deep conditioning treatments and hair masks can help in imparting moisture to the hair shaft.
  •  People with oily scalps can benefit from the use of a dry shampoo to keep their scalp fresh for longer as frequent shampooing can damage the hair cuticle.
  • Trimming every 6 to 8 weeks helps in removing the brittle split ends and also keeps your hair style looking fresh and updated.

What precautions can help in keeping hair healthy?

  • Air conditioning and sun exposure makes the cuticle dry and brittle and this makes the hair look dull and also causes splitting and breaking of hair.
  • The scalp is prone to certain conditions like dandruff, boils and lice infestation. It is important to check your scalp regularly and get these conditions treated as they can otherwise lead to hair loss due to breaking.
  • It’s also best not to share towels and combs with anyone, as sometimes that can cause diseases like fungal infections scabies to spread.
  • Washing the hair regularly is of vital importance for good hair health. These days, using a sulfate and paraben free shampoo is recommended, as these chemicals damage the hair.
  • It is also important to check the ph of your shampoo as an acidic ph of between 5-6.5 is ideal for the hair. Washing the hair very often can strip the scalp and the hair shaft of their natural oils, so wash your hair only when it’s really needed.
  • After shampooing, it’s always a good idea to use a conditioner on the ends of the hair as these are prone to split ends.
  • Always wash off the conditioner with cold water, this keeps the cuticle shiny.
  • Avoid combing your hair when it’s wet as this is when it’s most prone to breaking.

Beautiful hair is an asset and with the right care it can always be your crowning glory.

Sources

https://emedicine.medscape.com

https://www.aad.org/public

PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a long term (chronic) skin condition in which the lifecycle of the skin cells is speeded up. These extra cells pile up on the top of the skin and form scaly, red patches. Psoriasis patients often experience bouts of the disease and at other times they might not have any skin issues.

Why does it happen?

Psoriasis is mostly thought to be an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system starts attacking its own cells. It tends to run in families. Most people also experience some triggers that aggravates their condition. These might be infections, skin injuries, stress, smoking, alcohol or some medicines like some psychiatry drugs like lithium, anti-malarial and high blood pressure medicines like beta blockers.

Symptoms and signs

What it looks like- Mostly psoriasis patients develop reddish, raised areas on the skin which is covered with silvery scales. These might be itchy or even painful. These can be on any part of the body. Psoriasis can affect the nails too, causing discoloration and even separation of the nail from the nail bed.

Treatment

How to manage and treat it- Psoriasis is not curable, but with the right treatment it can be kept under control. Once the doctor diagnoses the condition, sometimes with the help of a biopsy, the correct treatment can be decided depending on how severe the condition is.

Mild cases– For mild conditions with just a few areas affected, the doctor might prescribe just a corticosteroid cream to be applied on the affected areas. It’s best to use these creams under medical supervision as long term use of steroids can cause thinning of the skin. Other ingredients that are commonly used are a synthetic form of vitamin D, coal tar, anthralin or synthetic vitamin A creams. Most of these creams can cause some skin irritation and sensitivity and some are not safe for use in pregnancy, so do consult your doctor before use, and remember to use a sunscreen regularly.

Moderate cases– If the steroid creams are ineffective, phototherapy might be advised. This involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of UV rays from sunlight or an artificial light source. The effect might be increased by using a drug, Psoralen, that increases sensitivity to light.

Severe cases– For severe cases, your doctor might prescribe oral or injected drugs. These could be synthetic vitamin A drugs (retinoids), methotrexate or cyclosporine. These drugs help to reduce the skin cell turnover time and also suppress the body’s immune system. Since there can be many side effects like liver damage and reduced blood cell levels, these drugs are always meant to be taken under your doctor’s supervision.

Dos and Don’ts

  • Moisturizing the skin regularly helps in keeping the excess dryness under control.
  • Avoid alcohol, smoking and excess caffeine as these can trigger a breakout.
  • Some supplements like omega 3 and aloe vera might help to prevent severe lesions.
  • Bathing daily with a mild soap and exposing yourself to small amounts of sunlight regularly also helps to keep the condition under control.

FAQ’s

  • Does the sun affect psoriasis?

Small amounts of sunlight can help psoriasis.

  • Can people with psoriasis use hair dye and makeup-?

It’s best to do a sensitivity test before using these products and use non comedogenic products.

  • Is psoriasis contagious?

No, it is not contagious.

We strongly recommend that you consult your doctor before starting any treatment regime.

For more related topics please visit: https://famhealth.in