Problem: Article: By far the best way to treat simple, uncomplicated newborn jaundice is by exposing your infant to filtered sunlight either through a polarized window or shade in your home or by taking him outside in a covered stroller for five minutes twice daily. The infant should not be exposed to direct sunlight, but can benefit from sunlight filtered through a shade or glass specifically treated to allow blue light through while blocking ultraviolet rays. Some pediatricians are reluctant to recommend this due to the harmful effects of sun rays on sensitive infant skin; however, all over the world this is still the preferred treatment as long as parents are mindful of the amount and type of exposure. Breastmilk is important to your baby because it encourages bowel movements, which help to remove bilirubin from the baby's system. The more your baby feeds, the more milk is produced and the more bilirubin your baby excretes. Your doctor may suggest an increase in feeding. A breastfed baby may be upped from eight to ten feedings per day. Supplementation may also be suggested. The newborn should be kept hydrated to help excrete bilirubin from their body. A formula supplement to breastfeeding may be necessary to keep your newborn hydrated. Excess loss of water can occur through the newborn's skin. Consider working with a lactation professional to ensure the baby is feeding properly. A lactation professional can also help with supplementation. Your doctor may order light therapy for you baby either at home or in the hospital. Your baby will be placed under special lighting that emits blue-green light. This changes the shape and structure of the bilirubin molecules so that they can be excreted in urine and stool. The baby will be weighed each day and the levels of bilirubin in your newborn's blood will be checked often. Your baby will wear a diaper and protective eye patches during treatment. The light isn't an ultraviolet light. A protective shield filters out ultraviolet light that may be emitted. Light therapy may be supplemented with the use of a light-emitting mattress or pad. If standard phototherapy doesn't work, the doctor might suggest the baby be placed on a fiber optic blanket; an additional bank of lights might be added. Physiological jaundice (the most common form) almost never requires treatment beyond phototherapy. An exchange transfusion may be ordered by your doctor if the bilirubin levels in your baby's blood remain high. Your newborn will receive new blood through a small plastic tube inserted into a blood vessel. The bilirubin-heavy blood will be replaced with bilirubin-free blood reducing levels quickly. Your baby's condition will be closely monitored throughout the transfusion process. An exchange transfusion can take several hours. When the transfusion is completed, your baby's blood will be tested for bilirubin. If the levels haven't dropped enough then the baby will undergo another transfusion. An intravenous transfusion of an immunoglobulin might help to prevent the necessity of a blood transfusion. It introduces a blood protein to the infant that that can reduce levels of antibodies. An intravenous transfusion of an immunoglobulin could decrease jaundice and eliminate the need for an exchange blood transfusion.
Summary: Treat uncomplicated jaundice with filtered sunlight. Increase daily feedings for your baby. Lower your newborn's level of bilirubin with phototherapy. Replace the baby's blood with blood from a matching donor.

Problem: Article: You might be anxious about going to the bathroom at work or at school because of the fear that someone might walk in. Remind yourself that everyone, even your boss, teacher, and coworkers, have been exactly where you are now. This can be a scary thing to consider, but once you let yourself imagine beyond the initial embarrassment, you'll realize that its not really the end of the world at all. Anxiety about anything can affect the body in many ways. Be sure to take deep breathes and relax your muscles. If you are too anxious and tight, you'll have more trouble going and ultimately be in the bathroom even longer. Ask yourself, what's worse, holding it in and risking an accident, or taking charge and relieving yourself of discomfort?
Summary: Remember that everyone has bowel movements. Picture what would happen if someone did walk in. Breathe. Don't let your anxiety control you.

Problem: Article: The serious symptoms listed earlier may be signs that you have a ruptured eardrum, caused by pressure from the infection. The following treatments are unsafe with this condition, since the fluids can drain past the eardrum and into your inner ear. Always visit a doctor if you have one of these symptoms along with swimmer's ear. If you have ever had a damaged eardrum or ear surgery in the past, consult a doctor before using the treatments below, even if you do not have these symptoms. Create an equal mix of white vinegar and 70% rubbing alcohol, heated until warm but not hot. Alternatively, purchase a non-aqueous acetic acid eardrop at a drugstore. Putting cold or hot liquids in your ear may lead to dizziness. Try to warm the solution to roughly your body temperature. Some earwax is fine, but if the ear canal is blocked or if dirt or debris is in the ear, it may need cleaning first. Fill a bulb syringe with the vinegar and alcohol mixture and squirt a trickle into your ear canal, letting it drain out. Warm water rinsing is not recommended for swimmer's ear. If your ear still feels blocked, visit an otolaryngologist or ask a general practice doctor for a referral. The otolaryngologist can clean your ear more effectively using suction. Never perform this step on a person with diabetes, not even at a doctor's office. The alcohol will help remaining moisture evaporate, while the vinegar will make your ear canal more acidic. Both of these make your ear a less welcoming place for bacteria. Apply with the following method: Warm the solution by rubbing the container in your hands or placing it in a cup of warm water without mixing the two liquids together. Lie down with your ear facing upward. Have an assistant place two or three drops on the wall of the ear canal, allowing air to escape so drops can get into the ear. Gently wiggling your ears will aid in this process. Remain lying down for a few minutes. If there are no signs of improvement, a doctor should be able to examine your ear and recommend one or more of the following treatments: An antibacterial eardrop (or more rarely, an antifungal eardrop) Insertion of a wick into a swollen ear canal, to allow eardrops to penetrate Oral or injected antibiotics if the infection has spread Surgical cleaning of the ear canal Incision and drainage of an abscess Let your doctor know if you are diabetic, immune-compromised, or if you have had ear surgery or a punctured eardrum in the past.
Summary:
Do not use these if you have serious symptoms. Warm a mix of rubbing alcohol and vinegar. Rinse your ear if it feels blocked. Use the solution as eardrops. Ask a doctor about further treatment.