| 5 Ways to Catch Some ZZZs When Someone is Snoring Posted: What do you do if you find yourself sharing a bed (or a room) with someone who snores? A study showed that partners of millions of snorers are kept awake for two hours each night, which equates to two years' lost sleep over the course of an average marriage! [1] If you have to deal with someone's snoring every night, encourage them to take steps to stop. In the meantime, here are some quick fixes. Steps - Roll the person onto his or her side. People tend to snore less in this position. If possible, make it so that they're at the edge of the bed, facing away from you. (Most people "know" they're at the edge of the bed when they're sleeping and won't fall off.) Put some pillows snugly against their back so that they don't roll back onto their back. Some people even tape or sew a tennis ball or something similar to the back of their partner's shirt, so the person is uncomfortable sleeping on their back, and will go back onto their side without you having to wake up and push them.
- Muffle the sound with earplugs. If it's too late to buy a pair at the store, you can make temporary earplugs, but make sure that they're big enough to not get stuck inside your ear canal, and leave a tail so you can pull them out easily. Use a dense material that won't shred when you tug on it. Cotton is a bad idea because it can tear easily, and it doesn't muffle much noise anyway. The filters from cigarettes can make good impromptu ear plugs because they're made of a tight foam material. A small, tightly rolled piece of fabric will also work. If it's late and you're tight on options, cut up an old sock or t-shirt, and roll up little pieces.
- Listen to music with headphones. If you're used to falling asleep to silence, this will be difficult at first, but if you listen to certain music only when it's time to sleep, your body will eventually adapt to the noise and even associate that music with sleepiness. The headphones and earbuds can also double as earplugs, without music.
- If there is a fan around, put it next to the bed and turn it on. Many people find that the noise made by a fan is effective in drowning out snoring. If you don't have a fan, turning on a computer monitor can have the same effect.
- Use a nonprescription antihistamine to help you sleep. Do this only as a last resort, as your body quickly develops a tolerance. Read the labels. The main ingredient you're looking for is diphenhydramine. Pain relievers or cold and flu products marketed as nighttime formulas often include analgesics (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), decongestants (like pseudoephedrine), cough suppressants (like dextromethorphan), and sometimes alcohol. Stay away from those unneeded ingredients if you can.[2]
Warnings - Never place anything over the snorer's mouth or head to prevent the sound from keeping you up. Suffocation could occur.
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| How to Treat Shock Posted: Shock is a life threatening condition that usually results from severe physiological or emotional stress. Shock occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow [1]. Recognizing shock and treating it correctly may save a life. Steps - Understand the possible causes of shock. Shock usually is associated with:[1][2]
- Blood loss (hypovolemic shock)
- Severe head injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Severe infections (septic shock)
- Heart failure (cardiogenic shock)
- Severe burns
- Severe trauma
- Dehydration
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) - this may be due to drugs, foods, insect stings or snakebites.
- Assess the situation. If the cause of the victim's injuries (for example, a fire or a building collapse) is a serious risk, you may have to try to remove the victim to a safer place, or get help before attempting treatment.
- Look for shock signs/symptoms. Common shock signs/symptoms include:[1][2]
- Pale, cold, clammy skin (cool to the touch, and sweaty)
- Rapid pulse
- Sweating
- Nervousness, agitation
- Disorientation/confusion, giddiness
- Thirst
- Bleeding/blood loss
- Rapid breathing, gasping for air
- Blue-tinged skin (especially lips) or fingernails
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakened pulse
- Dizziness / fainting
- Unconsciousness (possible eventually).
- Call your local emergency number, if there is any indication that a victim is suffering from, or is likely to go into shock.
- In the United States/Canada: 911
- In the UK: 999
- In Europe: 112
- In Australia: 000
- In New Zealand: 111
- Also, it is important to stay on the line with the 911 dispatcher in case the victim's condition worsens. This way you can get the instructions you need, and provide the proper first aid.
- Communicate with the victim if he or she is conscious.
- Seek permission to help with their condition, but do not imply any training or qualification that you do not have.
- Look for injuries such as bleeding which you may be able to treat.
- Loosen any constricting clothing around the neck, waist, and chest.[3]
- Begin treatment immediately if you see any of the signs/symptoms of shock. The sooner you begin treatment, the less likely a person is to go into shock.
- Make sure that the person is breathing and has a steady heart rate. Begin CPR if necessary. Keep checking breathing and pulse regularly.
- Lay the victim on his back, and elevate his legs about a foot. This is called the "shock position", and facilitates blood flow to the organs and brain. Make sure that the legs are higher than the heart.
- Do this only if it does not cause further injury. You should not move someone to this position if he has suffered significant injuries to the legs, neck, head or spine.[1]
- Do not put a very weak or unconscious victim on his back. Instead, lay him on his side in the recovery position. This will allow the mouth to drain in case of vomiting and prevent the tongue from blocking the airway.[4]
- Maintain normal body temperature. You don't want the victim to get too hot or too cold.
- If it is cold, remove wet clothing and place an insulating barrier between the victim and the ground, if available, to decrease body heat loss (body heat is lost quickly through cold ground). A blanket, jacket, or a large towel will help. Wrap the victim in a rescue blanket or cover them with any available covering to keep them warm.
- If it is hot, move the victim to a shaded area and keep him out of the sun. Remove restrictive clothing if you have not already done so.
- Watch for vomiting. If the victim vomits, tilt their head to the side and clear their airway. Do not move someone's head if they could have a head/spine injury. Instead, log-roll their head and body as one (you'll need at least two people to do this effectively).
- Treat the underlying injury. Do your best to stop bleeding, stabilize fractures, treat a snakebite, or take other steps to prevent the victim from getting worse.
- Keep the victim warm and comfortable until medical help arrives. Try to keep the victim calm; speak to the victim in comforting tones. Treat any injuries that you are able to competently treat, and observe anything which may be helpful to the emergency responders.
- Continue to monitor the vital signs - level of response, pulse and breathing.
- If unconsciousness occurs, keep the airway free, check breathing and be ready to give chest compressions and rescue breaths if required.[5]
Video Tips - Shock is prevented via the same steps that it is treated. If anyone has been injured significantly, assume that he could go into shock without notice. Begin treatment immediately.[2]
- Do not give food or water to a victim of a serious injury or accident. Offer a moist towel to dampen their lips if needed.
- Call for an ambulance as soon as possible.
- With anaphylactic shock, check to see if the victim is carrying auto-injectors of epinephrine (adrenaline), or other allergy treatment.
Warnings - Never treat an injured person beyond your capabilities, you could cause more damage. If you do not know the proper treatment, seek trained help.
- Treat any serious accident victim for shock if possible.
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| Happy Father's Day! How to Make Breakfast in Bed Posted: Making someone breakfast in bed is a nice gesture. While the standard breakfast-in-bed fare is pretty straightforward–you make breakfast and put it on a tray or table so that the person can put it on their lap–it's more fun to go to additional effort when preparing it. Here are some tips for making breakfast in bed extra special. Steps - Get a tray that has small sides on it. This will contain the food securely, and keep any spillage from falling onto the bed. There are specially made small tables intended for this very purpose. If you can't find one, use a laptop desk.
- Decide what you'll make for breakfast. Here are some ideas:
- Prepare the breakfast as quietly as possible, if there's a chance you might wake the person up. If you can chop or mix any ingredients the night before, do so. If you're making coffee, put a towel along the crack at the bottom of the bedroom door so that they don't smell it. (This is assuming that you want the breakfast in bed to be a surprise.)
- Be sure to clean up after yourself, too. If the person you're treating comes into the kitchen to find a pig stye, that might kill their delight over what you just did for them.
- See also the way to make a good pot of coffee and how to make tea. Don't forget to supply cream and sugar, if the person being treated likes it in their hot drink.
- Pour any liquids only 3/4 of the way. This is especially important with hot liquids, as you don't want them to spill onto the person or the bed linen when the tray is moved.
- Add some nice touches:
- When you bring the breakfast, put it aside while you prepare the area. Use a stand such as a coffee table, or a folding table already assembled. Puff up the pillows, and add extras, so as to make sitting up more comfortable. Straighten the bed covering, so that you can place down the tray's legs (if any). If the tray is flat, add some books or something strong under the tray for support.
- Turn on the television, play music, or give the person something to read while they eat. And, of course, feel free to stick around and talk with them!
- When they're done, clean up. Take the tray from them and clean the dishes. Another excellent touch is to run a luxury bath and while they're enjoying it, make the bed!
Tips - Choose a time when your special recipient won't be rushed to finish their breakfast. A weekend is often a good time, or a special holiday.
Warnings - Avoid serving toast or anything that might create a mess of crumbs. Sleeping on sheets with crumbs on them can be unbearable. If you do serve something crumbly, try to make sure to get all of the crumbs off the bed after the person gets up, or change the sheets entirely.
Things You'll Need - Suitable tray or stand
- Serviettes/napkins
- Vase and flower
- Best dinnerware and cutlery
- Cloth for lining tray
- Artistic decorations
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