My husband had his wisdom teeth pulled recently, which reminded me how a wife and mother is not only responsible to clean, cook, and tend to the needs of the home, but to have an basic knowledge of health, nutrition, and medicine. I have learned a lot from personal experience. Thankfully, we have internet so a world of resources is available at my fingertips. The key to being a nurturing nurse is a basic knowledge of ailments and cures mixed with a generous dose of gentle, thoughtful, compassion.
Nursing that every homemaker should know:
Common Cold: Symptoms: sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, possible slight fever, congestion, achy muscles, sneezing, watery eyes
Appropriate Medications: Zinc, Menthol in cough drops or rubs, Vitamin C, over the counter drugs
Home Remedies: Water, Tea with honey, Juice with high concentration of vitamin C, Chicken Soup, humidity
When to see a doctor: if congestion, fever, or sore throat lasts more than 10 days, a high fever (105F)
Flu: Symptoms: headache, chills and fever, aching muscles, (children will get runny nose), possible nausea, sore throat
Appropriate Medications: Zinc, Vitamin C, ginger soda, over the counter fever reducers
Home Remedies: Water, Juice with vitamin C, Soups, humidity, gargling saltwater, garlic, warm and cold showers, ice packs on the head
When to see a doctor: if there is a fever of 105F or more, if a fever goes, but comes again a few days later, can't stop vomiting, Fever lasts more than 3 days, wheezing while breathing
Food Allergies: Symptoms: itching mouth, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, possible shock, possible nausea
Appropriate Treatment: Antihistamines like Benadryl
Go to E.R.: difficulty breathing, shock, lightheaded or dizzy, rapid pulse, pass out
Fevers: Normal body temperature is 98.6F. A fever is a sign that the body is fighting off something. It could be a virus, infection, or something else.
Treat: If fever is 102F or above
When to call or see a doctor: If other symptoms accompany a fever
Babies-100.4F or above, adults 105F or above.
Nursing that every homemaker should know:
Common Cold: Symptoms: sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, possible slight fever, congestion, achy muscles, sneezing, watery eyes
Appropriate Medications: Zinc, Menthol in cough drops or rubs, Vitamin C, over the counter drugs
Home Remedies: Water, Tea with honey, Juice with high concentration of vitamin C, Chicken Soup, humidity
When to see a doctor: if congestion, fever, or sore throat lasts more than 10 days, a high fever (105F)
Flu: Symptoms: headache, chills and fever, aching muscles, (children will get runny nose), possible nausea, sore throat
Appropriate Medications: Zinc, Vitamin C, ginger soda, over the counter fever reducers
Home Remedies: Water, Juice with vitamin C, Soups, humidity, gargling saltwater, garlic, warm and cold showers, ice packs on the head
When to see a doctor: if there is a fever of 105F or more, if a fever goes, but comes again a few days later, can't stop vomiting, Fever lasts more than 3 days, wheezing while breathing
Food Allergies: Symptoms: itching mouth, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, possible shock, possible nausea
Appropriate Treatment: Antihistamines like Benadryl
Go to E.R.: difficulty breathing, shock, lightheaded or dizzy, rapid pulse, pass out
Fevers: Normal body temperature is 98.6F. A fever is a sign that the body is fighting off something. It could be a virus, infection, or something else.
Treat: If fever is 102F or above
When to call or see a doctor: If other symptoms accompany a fever
Babies-100.4F or above, adults 105F or above.
Food Poisoning: Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, fever (usually 24 hrs. after eating the offending food)
Appropriate Medications: Treat like flu
Home Remedies: Lots of fluids, Chicken soup, let it pass
When to see a doctor: If sickness lasts more than 2 days, if child is under 3, if nervous symptoms occur: inability to function and move, talk, blurred vision etc.
Appropriate Medications: Treat like flu
Home Remedies: Lots of fluids, Chicken soup, let it pass
When to see a doctor: If sickness lasts more than 2 days, if child is under 3, if nervous symptoms occur: inability to function and move, talk, blurred vision etc.
Choking:
Symptoms: Wheezing, gasping throat, enlarged eyes (it is good for parents to tell their children to give them a signal if they are choking. In my home it was if any of us raised our hands above our heads)
Treatment: CPR-Mother's should know basic CPR well:
http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/
If a person cannot breathe for 3 minutes brain damage occurs, 5 minutes-deathTreatment: CPR-Mother's should know basic CPR well:
http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/
Scrapes/Cuts: Symptoms: Bleeding, Pain
Appropriate Treatment: clean with warm water, cover with Neosporin, Vaseline, or a Bedamine product, use gauze or a Band-Aid to secure
When to see a doctor: If bleeding won't stop, if cut is deep and will need stitches, if infection occurs, if cut was caused by a metal object-a tetanus shot may be needed
Appropriate Treatment: clean with warm water, cover with Neosporin, Vaseline, or a Bedamine product, use gauze or a Band-Aid to secure
When to see a doctor: If bleeding won't stop, if cut is deep and will need stitches, if infection occurs, if cut was caused by a metal object-a tetanus shot may be needed
Heat Burns: Symptoms: Pain, rash, blister
Appropriate Medications: aloe vera cream, pain medication, Silavdene
Home Remedies: instantly put ice on the burn the wrap a fresh slice of aloe plant strapped with gauze to the burn
When to see a doctor: If the burn gets infected, if the burn is over a large portion of a body or body part, if there is cracking and bleeding in the burn
A mother at home who is nursing a sick child or husband should put everything else as second priority. A sick person is extremely dependant and needs just about as much comfort and attention as he or she does rest and recuperation. Nursing takes first place-a wife or mother should cancel all other engagements and focus her complete attention on getting those dear ones in her home back to good health.
Appropriate Medications: aloe vera cream, pain medication, Silavdene
Home Remedies: instantly put ice on the burn the wrap a fresh slice of aloe plant strapped with gauze to the burn
When to see a doctor: If the burn gets infected, if the burn is over a large portion of a body or body part, if there is cracking and bleeding in the burn
A mother at home who is nursing a sick child or husband should put everything else as second priority. A sick person is extremely dependant and needs just about as much comfort and attention as he or she does rest and recuperation. Nursing takes first place-a wife or mother should cancel all other engagements and focus her complete attention on getting those dear ones in her home back to good health.
Courtesy note: People who are sick should not attend group functions where there is any risk of getting others sick. That is how germs are spread!
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