Article: When you are taking care of a bedridden individual, make sure you move the body every two hours. You don't have to move him to another room or piece of furniture, but the position should be different enough that the same area of the body is not under pressure. For example, turn the patient from the right side to the left. You can also use a pillow to prop him up. If you are stuck in bed yourself, you can invest in a trapeze bar and reposition yourself. This only works if you are physically strong enough to use such a device. If the patient has certain kinds of injuries, such as those to the spinal cord, make sure he is moved in such a way as to not cause more injury. One way that bed sores develop is through pressure on the skin due to sliding. The patient may lose traction when she is elevated, which causes the bedding and the skin to move in opposite directions. For example, the skin of the tailbone may stay in place while the body slides down the bed. The pressure on the skin can cause bed sores over time. When lying down, make sure the bed is not elevated more than 30 degrees as to avoid sliding and friction. If the patient can sit all the way up, this will more than likely not occur. There are special mattresses on the market that can reduce the amount of pressure put on the body. This will help the patient avoid having any one area as a focus of pressure. You can also buy a air-filled or water filled mattress to help reduce the pressure on the patient's body. Look for these at a medical supply store so you can purchase a medical-grade mattress for this purpose. If you are unsure on which to buy, ask your doctor for recommendations for the particular situation. You can also use a mattress pad or cushions to help protect the bony areas of the patient. Malnutrition can contribute to the development of bed sores. This can develop especially quickly in patient's who are unable to take sufficient calories orally and/or willingly. Make sure the patient eats balanced meals of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Make sure you check the dietary restriction of any patient you deal with. Each patient is assessed individually for his specific nutritional needs. To keep the skin of the patient healthy, make sure that she stays hydrated. If you are not sure how much water she should have, ask the doctor to advise you based on the patient's specific needs. Different illnesses and conditions require different hydration needs. You can also use juice to stay hydrated and keep up nutrition as well. Bed sores happen over a period of time. Early signs can include: non-blanching erythema or a purple or maroon localized area of discolored, intact skin, which may be painful, firm, mushy, boggy, or a different temperature than adjacent tissue. This indicates early stage of tissue damage or probable wound formation.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Keep turning the body. Cut down on shear. Buy a special mattress. Provide proper nutrition. Stay hydrated. Identify early signs of bed sores.
Article: If your landlord refuses to accept your cat, you may be able to have your cat certified as an emotional support animal. An emotional support animal is an animal that provides therapy to people with psychological disabilities. Under United States law, landlords are required to allow tenants to have emotional support animals. To have your cat classified as an emotional support animal, you'll have to have your doctor, psychiatrist, or a mental health professional certify that the pet is necessary to your mental health. Read your lease very carefully to see if there is a legal way you can have your cat live with you. If your lease doesn't prohibit pets (or cats), you may have the legal right to keep your cat with you. Remember, even if your lease says you can have a cat (or does not forbid you from having one) you still need to maintain a positive relationship with your landlord. Continue to work to convince them. After you've signed a lease that forbids a pet cat and appealed to your landlord to accept the cat, your only recourse will be a lawyer. Your lawyer might be able to find a legal way to require your landlord to accept your cat. If not, they may be able to help you mediate with the landlord so you can both come to a compromise about your cat and your living situation. Contact a lawyer in your community or a tenant advocacy group near you. Know the law of your city, state or country. Depending on where you live, tenants may have more rights than they know.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Have your cat certified as an emotional support animal. Scrutinize your lease. Look for legal advice.
Article: Close your left thumb in your left hand and make a fist. Position your thumb under your fingers. Squeeze tightly without causing yourself too much pain. Moisten the tip of your finger, dip it into some salt, and touch the salt to your tongue. Salt activates the taste buds on the front of your tongue and sets off a chain reaction that temporarily suppresses your gag reflex. Another way to do this is to put a teaspoon (0.99 metric tsp) of salt in a glass of water and rinse your mouth with that. Don't forget to spit! When an object touches the soft palate, it can trigger the gag reflex. Use an over-the-counter (OTC) throat-numbing spray like Chloraseptic to desensitize your soft palate. Alternatively, you could gently apply a topical OTC analgesic with benzocaine using a cotton swab. The effects should last for about an hour, and your palate will be less reactive. Throat-numbing sprays rarely cause side effects. However, you should stop using it if you experience vomiting, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and/or stomach cramps. Use the benzocaine remedy with caution. The cotton swab could trigger a gag or choking reflex. Other possible side effects include fatigue, weakness, skin irritation around the ears, blue skin around the lips and fingertips, and shortness of breath. You should avoid the benzocaine remedy entirely if you're allergic to benzocaine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about interactions with other OTC medications, vitamins/supplements, or herbal remedies you might be taking.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Squeeze your thumb. Put a little table salt on your tongue. Numb your soft palate.