Animal Bites and Rabies Animal Bites and Rabies What are the dangers of animal bites? Animal bites and scratches, even when they are minor, can become infected and spread bacteria to other parts of the body. Whether the bit...
Appendicitis Appendicitis What is appendicitis? Appendicitis is an irritation, inflammation, and infection of the appendix (a narrow, hollow tube that branches off the large intestine). The appendix functions as ...
Asthma Attacks Asthma Attacks What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the lungs in which the airways become sensitive to allergens (any substance that triggers an allergic reaction) and irritan...
Bee Stings Bee Stings The danger of bee stings The two greatest risks from most insect stings are allergic reaction (which occasionally could be fatal in some individuals) and infection (more common and less se...
Car Safety Car Safety The importance of seat belts and car seats: For children between the ages 14 and younger, unintentional injury-related deaths occur most often when riding in a car. According to the most r...
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon Monoxide Poisoning What causes carbon monoxide poisoning? Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be created whenever a fuel (such as wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, or k...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) What is cardiopulmonary resuscitation? Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is administered when someone's breathing or pulse stops. If both have stopped, then sudd...
Cat Scratch Disease Cat Scratch Disease What is cat scratch disease? Cat scratches and bites can cause cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection carried in cat saliva. The bacteria are passed from a cat to a human afte...
Chemical Poisoning and Syrup of Ipecac Chemical Poisoning and Syrup of Ipecac The danger of chemical poisoning: Common sources of chemical poisoning include household products, agricultural products, plants, and industrial chemicals. Iden...
Choking and the Heimlich Maneuver Choking and the Heimlich Maneuver Choking is caused by food or another foreign object becoming lodged in the throat or airway. Choking prevents oxygen from getting to the lungs and the brain. Lack of...
Dehydration and Heat Stroke Dehydration and Heat Stroke The danger of dehydration and heat stroke: Dehydration and heat stroke are two very common heat-related diseases that can be life threatening if left untreated. What is de...
Emergency Information Form Emergency Information Form In an emergency, it is easy to "forget" even the most well-known information. That is why it is crucial for you to complete the information in this form for each member of ...
Fever Fever What is fever? Fever (also called pyrexia) is defined as body temperature that is higher than normal for each individual. It generally indicates that there is an abnormal process occurring in t...
Fire Safety Fire Safety The importance of fire safety Thousands of people annually suffer injuries in home fires in the U.S. The majority of fire-related deaths (about 70 percent) are caused by smoke inhalation ...
Firearms Safety Firearms Safety The importance of firearms safety It is estimated that 40 percent of all homes in the U.S. have some type of firearm, of which one in four is a handgun. Access to firearms in the home...
First-Aid Kit First-Aid Kit Everyone should have a well-stocked first-aid kit at home, in the car, and in the workplace. You may also want to stock a portable kit (a box or small bag) that can be taken to the site...
Fleas, Mites, and Chiggers Fleas, Mites, and Chiggers Fleas, mites, and chiggers often bite humans, but are not poisonous. It is sometimes difficult to assess which type of insect caused the bite, or if the rash is caused by p...
Food Allergies Food Allergies What is food allergy? A food allergy is an abnormal response of the body to a certain food. It is important to know that this is different from a food intolerance, which does not affec...
Food Poisoning Food Poisoning What is food poisoning? Food-borne illnesses affect millions of Americans each year. Many people who think they have the flu or a virus are really victims of mild cases of food poisoni...
Food-Drug Interactions Food-Drug Interactions What happens during a food-drug interaction? Food-drug interactions can happen with both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including antacids, vitamins, iron...
For Parents: Bicycle, In-Line Skating, Skateboard Safety For Parents: Bicycle, In-Line Skating, Skateboard Safety Safety statistics for bicycles, in-line skating, and skateboards Over 70 percent of children between the ages of five and 14 ride bicycles. In...
Frostbite Frostbite What is frostbite? Frostbite is an injury that can occur in a situation of extreme cold. In frostbite, body tissues become frozen, and permanent damage may occur if the affected area is not...
Gallstones Gallstones What are gallstones? Gallstones form when bile stored in the gallbladder hardens into stone-like material. Too much cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin (bile pigment) can cause gallstone...
Glossary - Nontraumatic Emergencies Glossary - Nontraumatic Emergencies | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A [retu...
Heart Attack Heart Attack What is a heart attack (myocardial infarction)? A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when one or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged lack of oxy...
Home Page - Non-Traumatic Emergencies Topic Index Unintentional Injury Statistics Preventing Unintentional Injuries Potential Emergency Situations and Conditions Glossary Trauma is defined as a physical injury or wound caused by an exter...
Household Safety Checklist Household Safety Checklist In order to protect you and your family, a thorough safety check of every room in your home should be conducted on a regular basis. Unintentional accidents, injuries, and n...
Human Bites Human Bites Human bites can easily become infected because of the number of bacteria in the human mouth. In fact, human bite wounds are more likely to become infected than dog or cat bites. A health ...
Hyperbaric Therapy for CO Poisoning and Decompression Sickness Hyperbaric Therapy for CO Poisoning and Decompression Sickness Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has helped heal a variety of illnesses. Over the years, research has shown that it can treat many conditions t...
Hypothermia Hypothermia What is hypothermia? Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature brought on by staying in cold temperatures for a long period of time. This lowered body temperature affects the brai...
Immunizations Immunizations Importance of immunizations Immunization is key to preventing disease among the general population. Vaccines benefit both the people who receive them, and the vulnerable, unvaccinated p...
Influenza (Flu) Influenza (Flu) What is influenza (flu)? Influenza (or flu) is a highly contagious viral respiratory tract infection. An estimated 5 to 20 percent of people in the U.S. get influenza each year. Influ...
Insect Bites Insect Bites Regardless of how careful you are, or how many precautions you take when outside, insect bites and stings are sometimes unavoidable. Many different types of bites and stings require clin...
Lead Poisoning Lead Poisoning The danger of lead poisoning: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, lead poisoning, once a major environmental health hazard, has declined greatly in the past two to t...
Mushroom Poisoning in Children Mushroom Poisoning in Children Facts about poisonous mushrooms There are thousands of varieties of mushrooms in North America, but only about 100 are poisonous and can be dangerous if eaten by humans...
Online Resources - Nontraumatic Emergencies Online Resources - Nontraumatic Emergencies This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional ...
Poisons Poisons Many poisonous substances can potentially turn fatal if inhaled, digested, or absorbed by the body. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Poison...
Poisons Overview Poisons Overview The danger of poisons Persons of any age can become ill if they come into contact with certain medications, household pesticides, chemicals, cosmetics, or plants. However, children, ...
Potential Emergency Situations and Conditions Potential Emergency Situations and Conditions Many nontraumatic situations or conditions may occur and need to be handled properly. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided ...
Preventing Falls Preventing Falls The importance of fall safety According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2.8 million emergency room visits each year are related to childhood falls, while abo...
Preventing Unintentional Injuries Preventing Unintentional Injuries Many nontraumatic situations or conditions may occur and need to be handled properly. Being prepared and knowing how to react ahead of time could prevent a situation...
Preventing Unintentional Injuries Overview Preventing Unintentional Injuries Overview How to prevent unintentional injuries Many unintentional injuries and emergencies can be prevented by reevaluating your family's health habits, lifestyles, ...
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke Signs and Symptoms of Stroke What are the most common symptoms of stroke? The following are the most common symptoms of stroke. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. If any of...
Snake Bites Snake Bites Each year, the American Association of Poison Control Centers receives reports of approximately 5,000 snake bites. Even a bite from a so-called "harmless" snake can cause infection or all...
Spider Bites Spider Bites Which spider bites are dangerous? Most spiders found in the United States are harmless, with the exception of the black widow and the brown recluse spiders. Both of these spiders are fou...
Sports Safety Sports Safety Important sports safety for the entire family Participating in sports is great for children and adults, both physically and psychologically. Sports can increase physical coordination, f...
Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependence in Adolescents Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependence in Adolescents What is substance abuse/chemical dependence? There are three different terms used to define substance-related disorders, including the following: Su...
Sun Safety Sun Safety Sun safety for the entire family While everybody needs some sun exposure to the body produce vitamin D (which helps in the absorption of calcium for stronger and healthier bones), unprotec...
Ticks and Lyme Disease Ticks and Lyme Disease (LD) The danger of tick bites While most tick bites are harmless, several species can cause life-threatening diseases. Two of these well-known diseases are Rocky Mountain Spott...
Topic Index - Non-Traumatic Emergencies Topic Index - Non-Traumatic Emergencies Non-Traumatic Emergencies Home Unintentional Injury Statistics Preventing Unintentional Injuries Preventing Unintentional Injuries Overview Vital Signs (Body T...
Unintentional Injury Statistics Unintentional Injury Statistics The following are the latest U.S. statistics available from the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and othe...
Vital Signs (Body Temperature, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, Blood Pressure) Vital Signs (Body Temperature, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, Blood Pressure) What are vital signs? Vital signs are measurements of the body's most basic functions. The four main vital signs routinely...
Water Safety for Parents Water Safety for Parents The importance of water safety: Although most drownings occur in residential swimming pools, children can drown in just one inch of water (such as in buckets, bath tubs, wadi...
When to Call For Help When to Call For Help Anytime you are not comfortable with a medical situation, call 911 (or your local emergency number), go to your nearest emergency room, or call your family physician. The follow...