More severe withdrawal symptoms are observed in patients who have a history of alcohol detox attempts. Heavy drinking with failed recovery attempts make it more physically and mentally difficult for future attempts.

Catheter Maintenance

There can be a variety of reasons for a patient to require a central catheter and hence a catheter maintenance. Central venous therapy can be primarily one of the big reasons for catheter placement. This involves placing a catheter into one of the patient’s central veins. The tip is situated in the superior vena cava. Catheter Maintenance in this case includes the following actions

• Keeping the catheter functioning properly
• Minimize any negative effects on the patient

There are several types of central catheters, majorly divided into nontunnelled and tunnelled. These catheter are made from differen types of materials such as teflon, polyurethane, silicone, polyvinyl chloride, each type requires specific maintenance.

Maintenance care for Catheter

In addition to flushing and regular wipe out, all central catheters require routine sterile dressing changes. The frequency of dressing change depends upon the condition weather the patient is hospitalized or indoors at home. If the catheter is used for long term it must be left in place during the entire time. Patients undergoing major surgery are often catheterized and may remain so for some time.

Another variety of catheter bags is the urine catheter. There are two types of drainage bags: The first is a leg bag, a smaller drainage device that attaches by elastic bands to the leg. A leg bag is usually worn during the day, as it fits discreetly under pants or skirts, and is easily emptied into a toilet. The second type of drainage bag is a larger device called a down drain that may be used overnight. This device is hung on a hook under the patient’s bed – they are never to be placed on the floor due to the risk of bacterial infection.

Nose problems

To prevent nasal cold daily pour 1 to 2 drops of warm mustard oil or clarified cow’s butter in the nose at night. It prevents cols, cough and nose problems.

People using garlic in the night with meals twice a week never suffer cold and cough.
If chewed daily on an empty stomach, four leaves of holy basil and four black peppers prevent cold and fever.
Viruses are responsible for cold and flu. Paracetamol can be given if one feels exhausted during flu.
Antibiotics should be avoided, asthey do not kill the virus.
Inhalation of Vicks or Karvol in steam helps liquefy secretion.
For bleeding of nose (epistaxis) make paste of three grams of borax with warm water and apply on both sides of the nose.
If bleeding is associated with nasal cold, for five minutes squeeze the nose between thumb and forefinger and breathe through the mouth.

Nose bleeding
Patient should not lie down but keep head forward.
If there is any blood clot, do not remove this from the nose but breathe from the mouth.
By pouring cold water on the head, the nose bleed could be stopped.
In case of chronic bleeding, immerse 29 gms multani mud in a clay vessel in 250 gms of water. In the morning drink the clear upper portion and make a paste of the rest. Apply this on the head and nose for five minutes. Do it for 2 or 3 days for permanent cure.
Along with a glass of milk and sugar, eat twp banana daily for at least 8 to 10 days to cure the problem.

Different types of Skin Disorders

Skin Allergy: Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin is sensitive or allergic to. The reaction usually appears within 48 hours after the initial exposure to the allergen. Symptoms that are commonly seen include the following: redness, swelling, blistering, itching, and weeping. The allergen can be a substance in a product that you have used for many years; it does not have to be a new product. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs more commonly in adults.

Eczema: The terms ‘Eczema’ or ‘Vicharchika’ are synonymous. They refer to distinctive reaction patterns in the skin, which can be either acute or chronic and due to a number of causes. Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions, which can affect all age groups. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken and raw. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.

Leprosy: Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae; M. leprae multiplies very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about five years. Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear; Leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.

Psoriasis: psoriasis is one of the most stubborn skin disease. It is a chronic disease, characterized by thick, red silvery, scale patches of the skin. This disease affects both sexes equally, and is more common during the first fifteen to thirty years, although it may appear at any age. Psoriasis is not contagious.

Ringworm: Ringworm is a fungus infection of the scalp or skin. In the skin ringworm causes a reddish, ring like rash that may itch or burn. The area may be dry and scaly or it may be moist or crusted. The same fungi that infect humans can also infect animals such as dogs and cats. The infection may be acquired from pets as well as from infected children.

Take a load off your heart

SIZE MATTERS – Being bighearted can be a good thing-unless excess pounds are the cause, Risk of a ballooning heart wall and related irregular beats was 50% higher in obese people compared with those at a normal, healthy weight in a 14-year study of 5,300 by Harvard researchers. Overweight may cause the heart’s upper left chamber, the atrium, to stretch out and develop a too-rapid beat that’s out of sync with the rest of the heart, the scientists say. The condition, called atrial fibrillation (AF), raises stroke risk by four times and doubles the risk of death. Best way to prevent an enlarged atrium: Maintain a normal weight throughout life.

Signs of a Drug User

Most people in addiction are afraid to admitt that they have a problem. In fact they think that they are hiding their addictions from friends and family. Most of the time the only person who is being fooled is the addict. If you suspect that someone you know is using drugs the following may help you. It must be noted that the list below does not mean absolutely that a person is using drugs or alcohol, it is merely a list of signs that someone may be using.

• Lack of concern for physical appearance. 
• Looses control of temper easily. 
• Skips school or calls in at work more often. 
• Person begins stealing from family, friends, and employeer. 
• Becomes very secretive about finances and whereabouts. 
• Unusually defensive. 
• No longer associates with old friends and new friends are users.

With each specific drug there are other signs that may help you narrow down the drug that you suspect your family memebr of friend may be abusing.

Here’s how to stop the itching

As a female mosquito sucks your blood for protein to nourish her developing eggs, she pumps in her saliva, which has an anticoagulant to keep your blood flowing. Your white blood cells attack this bug juice, unleashing the inflammation producing chemical histamine, as well as a swarm of antibodies that latch onto and remove the foreign substance. That starts a whole cascade of events that results in redness, swelling, and itching.

How to stop the itch-scratch-itch-some-more vicious cycle?
Try putting ice on the bite to quell swelling and dull itch nerves. A paste of baking soda has also been found to reduce the irritation. Or use an over-the-counter 1 per cent hydrocortisone cream or a “non-sensitizing” (meaning it won’t cause an allergic reaction) anti-itch lotion containing camphor and menthol. In a pinch try Vicks Vaporub.
Avoid topical diphenhydramine (an antihistamine found in Benadryl) and products containing benzocaine. You can actually become allergic to them over time.
Don’t scratch, if you can help it. It may feel good, but it tends to make the area redder and more swollen. If you must, delicately scratch around it. That trick of pressing on the bite with, a fingernail? It may just work because the pain acts as a counter-irritant to the itch.

Healing Burns and Scabs

Why it happen? – As burns and other skin injuries heal, “remodeling” occurs: Dead tissue breaks down and makes space for healthy tissue and nerves and blood vessels grow along with this new tissue. Once the hard scar tissue forms, nerves are trapped and may be tickled when the tissue stretches or bends. Moreover, the fibroblast cells that make up scar tissue can release chemicals that trigger itch nerves.

The Solution – This itching is a sign of healing, so feel encouraged. But if the power of positive thinking does not do the job, try an over-the-counter soothing lotion that contains camphor and menthol to help numb the surface of the irritated area.