Article: Get pH testing strips at your local pool store, big-box store, or order them online. Follow the product's instructions, which are typically dipping the strip into the water and checking its color against the range listed on the product. Some pH test kits require you to fill a small tube with pool water and add drops which change color based on the pH. Record the pH level in a small notebook to track the change over time. The pH of your pool changes frequently due to many causes. This is why it's important to check often. Write the pH down in a notebook to track it as it changes over time. . Test strips change color when exposed to water. The color corresponds to the pH level. Match the color to the package and you'll find the current pH level. The ideal pH level for a pool is between 7.4 and 7.8. Determine how many points you need to raise the pH. For example, the color of your test strip might show the yellow of a banana. According to your product, this means the pH level is 7.2. You'd want to raise the pH by a minimum of .2 and a maximum of .6.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Test the pool water's pH level with test strips. Check the chemical levels one to two times per week. Aim for a pH level of 7.4 to 7.8.
Article: Have a target weight or body shape in mind. It is a common problem to overshoot the mark and turn a thin cat into a fat cat, which comes with a whole new set of health problems. This will help you recognize when it reaches an ideal weight. Body scoring is about feeling for your cat's ribs and backbone, to see how much fat covers the bones, and looking at the cat's body shape to recognize if it is over or under weight. The perfect cat should have ribs and a backbone that is easily felt, but without standing out through the fur. The cat should also have a slight waistline when viewed from above and the side, but without sharp angles. Healthy weight charts can easily be found online that illustrate and describe feline body scores, making it easier to analyze your cat's body. Alternatively your vet can weigh your cat and make an estimate of their desired target weight. Weigh the cat weekly at home and keep a record of its weigh-ins. They can assess your cat's health and make suggestions for any necessary treatments. In addition, your vet can take care of routine deworming. If your cat is healthy but underweight, make sure it is dewormed against both roundworms and tapeworms. Be sure to check whatever product you use is effective against both sorts of worms. Some common products, such as Stronghold (UK) Revolution (US) and off the shelf products such as Hartz once-a-month wormers, work against roundworms but NOT tapeworms. Speak to your vet about a multi-wormer containing praziquantel, in order to kill tapeworms as well. If your cat is older, runs around like a kitten, eats well, but is losing weight, be aware the cat may have a medical problem called hyperthyroidism. This involves the cat having high levels of thyroid hormone in the blood stream, which acts as a stimulant. The cat burns off calories quickly and eats loads to try and replace them. However, despite the cat's apparent good health, this stimulation puts pressure on the organs, including the heart and kidneys. Rather than trying to combat the problem by feeding the cat more, seek veterinary help and get the source problem corrected to preserve your pet's good health. The vet might tell you that your cat has anorexia. This means that it lacks the desire to eat. In this case, they may tell you to water down canned food and give it to your cat using an oral syringe. Ask your vet if they think this approach would help your cat bridge the gap until it is in better health.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Know your cat's ideal weight. Learn how to body score your cat. Take your cat to the vet. Be aware that a greedy cat with a thin body indicates a problem.
Article: During a physical examination for a hernia, the doctor should always have you stand up. While the he or she gently probes the swollen area, you'll be asked to cough, strain, or perform a movement to the best of your ability. The doctor will evaluate the flexibility and movement in the area where a hernia is suspected. After assessment, he or she will be able to diagnose whether you have one, and what type of hernia you may have. This is the most common type of hernia, and happens when the intestines or bladder push the lower abdominal wall into the groin and inguinal canal. In men, this canal holds chords that connect to the testicles, and hernias are usually caused by a natural weakness in the canal. In women, the canal holds ligaments that keep the uterus in place. There are two types of inguinal hernia: direct and, more commonly, indirect. Direct inguinal hernia: Place your finger on the inguinal canal the crease along the pelvis where it meets the legs. You will feel a bulge that pops out toward the front of the body, and coughing will make the larger. Indirect inguinal hernia: When you touch the inguinal canal, you will feel a bulge going from outside towards the center of your body (lateral to medial). This bulge may also move down towards the scrotum. Hiatal hernias happen when the upper part of your stomach pushes through the opening of the diaphragm, and into the chest. This type of hernia usually happens in people over 50 years old, though. If a child has a hiatal hernia, it's likely because of a birth defect. The diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscle that helps you breathe. It's also the muscle responsible for separating the organs in the abdomen and in the chest. This kind of hernia causes burning sensations in the stomach, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing Though they can occur later in life, umbilical hernias commonly occur in newborns or babies less than 6 months old. They happen when intestines push out in the abdominal wall near the belly button or the navel. The bulge is especially noticeable when the child is crying. With umbilical hernias, you will see a bulge at the "umbilicus," or belly button. Umbilical hernias usually go away on their own. But, if it lasts until the child is 5 to 6 years old, is very large or is causing symptoms, the hernia may need surgery. Take note of the size; small umbilical hernias, around half an inch (1.25cm), can go away on their own. Large umbilical hernias require surgery. The incisions (cuts) performed during surgery take time to heal and scar over properly. It also takes time for the surrounding muscles to regain their strength. If organ tissue pushes out through the incision scar before it's healed, an incisional hernia occurs. It's most common in elderly and overweight patients. Place gentle but firm pressure near the surgical site with your fingers. You should feel a bulge somewhere in the area. While femoral hernias can happen to both men and women, the vast majority of cases occur in women because of their wider pelvic shape. In the pelvis, there's a canal that carries arteries, veins and nerves into the upper-inner thigh. This canal is normally a tight space, but it often becomes larger if the woman is pregnant or obese. When it stretches out, it becomes weak, and thus vulnerable to potential hernias.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Understand how doctors diagnose hernias. Recognize an inguinal hernia. Suspect a hiatal hernia in people over 50. Look for umbilical hernias in babies. Be careful of incisional hernia after surgery. Recognize a femoral hernia in women.