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Everyday Health Guide

Explore health conditions, symptoms, first aid, medical tests and family wellness.

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161 entries found.

Spinal Cord InjuryA–Z Health · Neurological / EmergencyUrgent information
This entry includes urgent or emergency precautions. Read the original Safety and Medical Help information below. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.
Recommended Care

Immobilize & Emergency Care

Preparation & Use

Do not move patient. Call 108. Keep neck/back straight. Needs hospital surgery/rehab.

Safety & Precautions

EMERGENCY: Movement can cause permanent paralysis.

When to See Doctor

IMMEDIATELY: After any fall/accident with back pain/numbness.

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Spinal MeningitisA–Z Health · Infectious Disease / EmergencyUrgent information
This entry includes urgent or emergency precautions. Read the original Safety and Medical Help information below. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.
Recommended Care

Immediate IV Antibiotics

Preparation & Use

Go to ER immediately. Needs urgent IV antibiotics and steroids. Do not wait.

Safety & Precautions

EMERGENCY: Life-threatening.

When to See Doctor

IMMEDIATELY: Fever, stiff neck, severe headache, light sensitivity.

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Spitting Up vs. VomitingWellness, Mother & Child · WMCUrgent information
This entry includes urgent or emergency precautions. Read the original Safety and Medical Help information below. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.
Care Approach

Observe the Force and Baby's Comfort

Guidance & Use

Spitting up (gastroesophageal reflux) is a gentle, effortless flow of milk from the mouth, common in "happy spitters." Vomiting is forceful (projectile), involves abdominal muscle contractions, and usually causes the baby distress. Keep the baby upright after feeds to reduce spitting up.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE observation. Spitting up is normal as long as the baby is gaining weight and is not in pain.

When to Seek Medical Advice

IMMEDIATELY: If the baby has projectile vomiting, vomit that is green or contains blood, or shows signs of dehydration.

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SplenomegalyA–Z Health · Blood / Digestive
Recommended Care

Treat Underlying Cause

Preparation & Use

Avoid contact sports (risk of rupture). Treat infection/liver disease causing it.

Safety & Precautions

CAUTION: Enlarged spleen can rupture easily.

When to See Doctor

Pain in left upper abdomen, feeling full quickly, or fatigue.

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Splinter (Under Nail)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach

Soak & Professional Removal

Preparation & Use

Soak the finger in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes to soften the skin. If the splinter is visible and sticking out, gently pull it with sterilized tweezers. Do not dig under the nail.

Safety & Precautions

CAUTION: Digging under the nail can cause severe pain and infection.

When to Seek Medical Help

If the splinter is deep under the nail, painful, or shows signs of infection (redness, pus).

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Splinter (Wood)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach

Clean & Tweezers

Preparation & Use

Wash the area with soap and water. Sterilize (make free of germs) a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol. Gently pull the splinter out in the same direction it went in. Wash again and apply an antibiotic ointment.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE home care. CAUTION: Do not dig deeply into the flesh.

When to Seek Medical Help

If the splinter is deep, under the nail, near the eye, or if the area becomes red and swollen later.

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Splinters (Deep)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach

Clean & Tweezers

Preparation & Use

Wash the area with soap and water. Sterilize (make free of germs) a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol. Gently pull the splinter out in the same direction it went in. Wash again and apply an antibiotic ointment.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE home care. CAUTION: Do not dig deeply into the flesh.

When to Seek Medical Help

If the splinter is deep, under the nail, near the eye, or if the area becomes red and swollen later.

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Sports HerniaA–Z Health · Musculoskeletal Health
Recommended Care

Rest & Physiotherapy

Preparation & Use

Stop sport activity. Do core strengthening exercises. Anti-inflammatory meds if needed.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE conservative care.

When to See Doctor

Persistent groin pain affecting performance.

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SprainA–Z Health · First Aid / Musculoskeletal
Recommended Care

R.I.C.E. Method

Preparation & Use

Rest. Ice for 15 mins. Compress with bandage. Elevate limb.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE first aid.

When to See Doctor

Cannot bear weight, severe swelling, or deformity.

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Sprain (Joint)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach

R.I.C.E. Method

Preparation & Use

Rest the injured joint. Apply Ice wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes. Compress with an elastic bandage (not too tight). Elevate the limb above the heart to reduce swelling.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not apply heat in the first 48 hours.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you cannot bear any weight on the joint, or if it looks deformed (suspected fracture).

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Sprain (Wrist)First Aid & Emergency · First Aid
First Aid Approach

R.I.C.E. Method

Preparation & Use

Rest the wrist. Apply Ice wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes. Compress with an elastic bandage (not too tight). Elevate the hand above the heart to reduce swelling.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE first aid. CAUTION: Do not apply heat in the first 48 hours.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you cannot move the wrist, or if there is severe pain and swelling (suspected fracture).

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Sputum Culture and SensitivityDiagnostics & Lab Reports · Microbiology
Test Purpose & Procedure

Culture (growing bacteria in a lab) and Sensitivity (testing which antibiotics will kill the bacteria) are performed on a sputum (thick mucus coughed up from the lower airways) sample. Rinse your mouth with water before coughing deeply to provide a clean sample.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE non-invasive test.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If bacteria grow in the culture, consult your doctor to get the correct antibiotic prescription for respiratory infections like pneumonia or bronchitis.

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Sputum for Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB)Diagnostics & Lab Reports · MicrobiologyUrgent information
This entry includes urgent or emergency precautions. Read the original Safety and Medical Help information below. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.
Test Purpose & Procedure

Examines sputum under a microscope or cultures it to detect AFB (Acid-Fast Bacilli, the specific type of bacteria that cause tuberculosis). Early morning samples collected on three consecutive days are often required for the highest accuracy.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE non-invasive test. CAUTION: Wear a mask when providing the sample to prevent spreading potential infection.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If the test is positive, consult a pulmonologist or infectious disease specialist immediately to begin tuberculosis (TB) treatment.

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Squint (Strabismus)A–Z Health · Eye Health
Recommended Care

Glasses & Patching

Preparation & Use

Wear prescribed glasses. Patch strong eye to strengthen weak one. Surgery if severe.

Safety & Precautions

CAUTION: Early treatment in children is crucial.

When to See Doctor

Visible eye misalignment or double vision.

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Stab Wound (Abdomen)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
This entry includes urgent or emergency precautions. Read the original Safety and Medical Help information below. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.
First Aid Approach

Do Not Remove & Control Bleeding

Preparation & Use

Do NOT remove the object if it is still in the wound. Apply firm pressure around the object (not directly on it) with clean cloths to control bleeding. Keep the person lying flat with knees bent.

Safety & Precautions

EMERGENCY: High risk of severe internal organ damage and bleeding.

When to Seek Medical Help

IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance and keep the person completely still.

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Stab Wound (Chest)First Aid & Emergency · FA/EUrgent information
This entry includes urgent or emergency precautions. Read the original Safety and Medical Help information below. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.
First Aid Approach

Seal & Monitor Breathing

Preparation & Use

If the wound is 'sucking' air (making a hissing sound), cover it with a plastic wrapper or sterile dressing taped on three sides (leaving one side open to let air escape). Do not remove any embedded object. Keep the person sitting up or leaning toward the injured side.

Safety & Precautions

EMERGENCY: Can cause a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).

When to Seek Medical Help

IMMEDIATELY: Call an ambulance immediately.

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StammeringA–Z Health · Speech / Mental Wellness
Recommended Care

Speech Therapy & Patience

Preparation & Use

Practice slow breathing. Speak slowly. Join support groups. Do not rush the speaker.

Safety & Precautions

SAFE support. CAUTION: Needs professional speech therapist.

When to See Doctor

If it causes distress or affects communication significantly.

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STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)A–Z Health · Infectious Disease / Men’s/Women’s Health
Recommended Care

Safe Sex & Medical Treatment

Preparation & Use

Use condoms. Get tested regularly. Take prescribed antibiotics/antivirals. Inform partners.

Safety & Precautions

CAUTION: Many are curable; HIV is manageable.

When to See Doctor

Unusual discharge, sores, or pain in genital area.

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