| How to Help People With Anxiety Posted: 17 Nov 2016 04:00 PM PST If you know someone with anxiety, you may know that it can be a crippling disorder of emotion that can leave the nervous individual feeling exhausted and powerless.[1] Fortunately, a lot can be done to help individuals cope with and treat anxiety. EditLearning The Ropes - Learn about the causes of anxiety. Read up on the causes of anxiety.[2] This will help you understand the other person's perspective and give you some sense of when to offer help. You might ask about a difficult past, a medical condition, or just if there's anything to talk about.
- Although the exact cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood, certain factors such as painful or traumatic life experiences and certain genetic traits increase the likelihood of having anxiety.[3]
- Other times, anxious individuals have an underlying medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, asthma, premenstrual syndrome, or thyroid problems.[4]
- Learn about different types of anxiety. There are several different kinds of anxiety disorders that have different underlying triggers. Try to get a sense of what kind of anxiety your contact might be suffering from so you can form a more specific response:[5]
 - Agoraphobia: anxiety about being in places where you could become trapped or lose control.[6]
- Anxiety caused by an underlying medical condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, or thyroid problems. You might be able to reduce the anxiety if you can help with treatment for the underlying medical condition (for example, by reminding them to take medication).
- Generalized anxiety disorder. This type of anxiety describes individuals who are excessively anxious about the day-to-day events in life.
- Anxiety related to substance abuse or withdrawal. Suggest a visit to a medical professional to help get clean or manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Panic disorder: very intense feelings of anxiety and/or fear, lasting up to several minutes. These can involve difficulty breathing, heart fluttering (palpitations), and a sense of danger or incoming doom.[7]
- Social anxiety disorder: an excessive fear of social interactions. The anxious person may be excessively self-conscious, become embarrassed very easily, or fear screwing up in social situations.[8]
- Remember what anxiety feels like. Anxiety is not a fun experience. One way to help is by understanding what the anxious person is going through so you can provide comfort in specific ways related to the individual's symptoms. Anxiety symptoms include:[9]
- Feeling nervous.
- Feeling powerless.
- Feeling a sense of incoming danger.
- Feeling weak.
- Feeling tired.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Listen carefully. Different people may require different kinds of aid. Perhaps the best way to find out how you can help is to ask. There are a number of things you can do to be a good listener:[10]
- Keep your expressions neutral. For example, say things like "I see", or "uh huh".
- Match your expressions with the emotional tone of the conversation. For example, if your friend is very upset, try to make your "I see" sound empathic or reassuring rather than either emotionally cold sounding or excited (both of these contrast with the other person's mood).
- Ask a lot of open-ended questions. If you want to find out more about how you can help, rather than asking "are you anxious?" use an open-ended question such as "what kinds of things or situations generally make you anxious?"
- Pay close attention by doing your best to clear your mind of your own worries and keep track only of the other person's thoughts and feelings.
- Practice empathy. Empathy refers to the ability to sense others' emotions and imagine what they might be thinking or feeling.[11] There are a number of ways to be empathetic towards those with anxiety:[12]
- Focus your attention on the anxious person.
- Keep in mind shared human values and the shared human experience. Remember that we all have a lot of the same pains, fears, and worries; this can make it easier to understand another perspective.
- Temporarily suspend your own judgments.
- Share relatable experiences, but do so sparingly so as not to take over the conversation. The key is to demonstrate that you can relate to the anxious person's experiences.
- Observe the anxious individual. Learn to look for outward signs of anxiety so you can get a sense of when they are anxious. This lets you provide help or comfort in times of distress. Signs of anxiety include:[13]
- Nervousness.
- Rapid breathing.
- Sweating.
- Trembling.
- Keep costs and benefits in mind. Try to remember that if you don't get much benefit out of an activity but it causes your friend or partner significant anxiety, it may be best to stop.
- That said, avoid over-accommodating the anxious person's anxiety, as it provides little incentive to change.[14]
EditNavigating Your Relationship - Positively reinforce healthy behaviors. For example, compliment your socially anxious partner if they attend a party and get on well with people. Let them know they were the life of the party and give a few specific compliments.[15]
- This may help your partner realize that engaging with others socially isn't so bad and that it is possible to thrive in social interactions.
- Avoid criticizing unhealthy, anxiety-driven behaviors. If you rebuke someone for anxiety-related behaviors, this might just cause more anxiety. This is the opposite of what you want to do.[16]
- If you are frustrated and tempted to criticize, try leaving the room and entering again once you have calmed down.
- Instead of focusing on the current, negative behavior, focus on the potential positives that could result if the behavior changed. For example, instead of getting upset at a friend for avoiding social situations, say something like "imagine all the networking opportunities there will be at that party tonight. In the past, I've made a few great friends from these sorts of events."
- Suggest treatment. You can help someone with anxiety by encouraging them to seek treatment.[17] Let them know that psychotherapy, medication, or some combination of both often succeed in treating anxiety.[18]
- Keep in mind that the kind of treatment you suggest may depend on the type of anxiety or its underlying cause. For example, rehab is useful for anxiety caused by drug abuse. Social anxiety is typically treated by a mental health professional.
- Prepare for panic attacks. Some kinds of anxiety result in panic attacks. Panic attacks may result in difficulty breathing or heart palpitations, and the anxious individual may think they are having a heart attack or losing control. Panic attacks can be very scary for the anxious individual, and for you if you aren't prepared.[19]
- During a panic attack, the sufferer likely won't have the energy to physically move, respond, or have normal thoughts. Rather than getting upset or worried yourself, provide reassurance and tell them that it will soon pass.
- If you have any suspicions that the symptoms are not the result of a panic attack, take the necessary medical precautions, such as calling emergency services.
- Relax. Spend a nice, quiet, relaxing evening with just the two of you. Spend it at home if public spaces increase anxiety.[20]
- Make it clear that you don't mind spending time, in a way that makes the other person feel comfortable and at ease. Perhaps the biggest way to help an anxious individual is to be understanding and flexible.
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| How to Perform CPR on a Cat Posted: 17 Nov 2016 08:00 AM PST If your cat stops breathing as the result of an accident, choking, or illness, then you need to act quickly to clear the airway and get her to breathe again. Performing CPR on a cat may seem scary, but if you know what steps to follow it will be much easier. Your best bet is to get your cat to the veterinarian right away, but on the way you can determine if your cat needs CPR, check your cat's airway, and begin performing CPR. Keep reading to learn more about how to perform CPR on a cat. EditDetermining if Your Cat Needs CPR - Take your cat to a veterinarian at the first sign of a problem. The best thing you can do is get your cat to a vet right away so that you can avoid having to perform CPR on your cat yourself. A veterinarian is much better equipped to handle a severe health crisis. Watch for signs that there may be a serious problem and get your cat to a veterinarian immediately if you notice that your cat is:
- having difficulty breathing
- unconscious
- weak of lethargic
- severely injured
- severely ill[1]
- Determine if your cat is breathing. To determine if your cat is breathing, you can either watch for movement in your cat's chest, feel for breath by placing you hand in front of his nose and mouth, or place a small mirror in front of your cat's nose or mouth and see if a mist forms. If your cat is not breathing, you may need to give him CPR.[2]
- Check for a pulse. Whether or not your cat has a pulse may also help your decide if you need to perform CPR. To check for a pulse, place your fingers on the inner part of your cat's thigh and wait. If you have a stethoscope, you can use it to try and listen to your cat's heart. If your cat has no pulse, you may need to give him CPR.[3]
- Inspect your cat's gums. The color of your cat's gums can also indicate whether or not your cat needs CPR. Normal, healthy gums should be pink in color. If your cat's gums are bluish or gray, that means that he is not getting enough oxygen. If your cat's gums are white, that means that he may have poor circulation. These factors should be considered as you decide whether or not your cat needs CPR.[4]
EditPerforming CPR on a Cat - Get your cat and yourself out of danger's way. Sometimes a cat may require CPR after being injured by a moving vehicle. If you're tending to a cat in a roadway or driveway, move your cat out of the way of traffic before beginning CPR.
- If possible, have someone drive you and the cat to the nearest animal hospital or your veterinarian. That way you can perform CPR on the way.
- Place the unconscious or semi-conscious cat in the recovery position. Ensure that she is lying on his side on something comfortable such as a coat or blanket. This will help your cat conserve heat and feel more comfortable.[5]
- Check the cat's airway. With the cat on his side, tilt his head back a little bit. Open his mouth, and use your fingers to extend the cat's tongue. Look to see if you can see an obstruction in the cat's throat.[6] If you can't see anything, gently sweep the inside of the mouth with your finger to feel for a foreign object that may be obstructing the airway. If you feel an obstruction, determine if you can remove it with your fingers or if you need to use abdominal thrusts.
- Do not try to remove the tiny bones in the back of a cat's mouth. These are part of the cat's larynx.[7]
- Perform abdominal thrusts if needed. If you cannot dislodge an object from your cat's throat using your fingers you can try to use abdominal thrusts. First, lift the cat so his spine is up against your chest then use your other hand to locate the bottom of the cat's rib cage. If the cat is not struggling, clasp both hands under the last rib. If the cat is struggling, hold the cat by his scruff with one hand while making a fist under the last rib with the other. Press your fist or clasped hands to the cat's body, and push up. Repeat this upward thrust five times.
- Do not attempt to do this if your cat is conscious and seems upset. Put him into a carrier and take him to the veterinarian right away.[8]
- If the object does not come out, you should turn your cat over and give him five blows on the back. Position the cat over your forearm so his head is dangling toward the floor and you are supporting his body with your arm under his hips. Use the hand not holding the cat to locate the shoulder blades. With the open palm of your free hand, strike the cat sharply between the shoulder blades five times.
- If the object does not dislodge, try using your finger to remove it again, and keep cycling through the removal methods until you remove the object.
- Once the object is dislodged, move on to check the cat's breathing, and begin or continue CPR procedures as needed.
- Deliver rescue breaths if needed. If the cat is not breathing, you will need to immediately give the cat two rescue breaths. To deliver rescue breaths, close the cat's mouth with your hand and gently extend the neck to straighten the airway. With the cat's mouth closed, cup your hand around the nose and put your mouth to the cat's snout.[9]
- Breathe directly into the cat's nose for 1 second.
- If you feel the breath go in, give another breath and resume CPR if the cat has no heartbeat. If the cat has a heartbeat but is not breathing, continue rescue breathing at a rate of 10 breaths per minute until the cat breathes on his own or you reach help.
- Make sure to keep checking the cat for a heartbeat, and if it ceases, begin compressions. If the breath does not go in, straighten the neck and try again. If it still does not go in, recheck for an obstruction.
- Perform chest compressions if needed. Place the cat on his side and wrap your hand around the cat's chest behind the front legs. Your thumb should be on the side of the chest facing up and the rest of your fingers under the cat. If using this position, you will squeeze the cat's chest to perform the chest compressions. If you cannot easily span the cat's chest with your hand or the position is uncomfortable for you, place one hand over the side of the cat that is facing up. Then, position your hand(s) with the heel of your hand against the chest wall. Make sure that your elbows are locked and your shoulders are directly over your hands.
- Depending on whether you are using one hand or two, squeeze or push down on the chest hard enough to compress it to 1/3 to 1/2 of its normal depth, and then, allow it to return to normal depth before compressing it again.
- Avoid leaning on the chest or allowing it to remain partially compressed between compressions.
- The rate of the compressions should be 100 to 120 per minute. A common recommendation is to compress the chest to the beat of the Bee Gees' song, "Stayin' Alive."[10]
- After giving the first 30 compressions, check the cat's airway and breathing again. If the cat has resumed breathing on its own again, then you can stop performing the compressions.
- Continue administering CPR. You should continue giving the cat CPR until the cat starts breathing on its own and the heart begins to beat again or until you reach the veterinarian. You may need to have a friend help you if you have a long ride to the veterinarian. Follow this cycle of CPR measures every two minutes:
- Deliver 100-120 chest compressions per minute along with one rescue breath for every 12 compressions.[11][12]
- Check for heartbeat and respiration.
- Repeat the cycle.
EditCaring for a Cat After CPR - Check the cat often for breathing and a heartbeat or pulse. When the cat does start to breathe on her own again, keep her under very close observation. If you haven't done so already, get her to the vet for a thorough check-up and to fix any injuries or bleeding.[13]
- A vet visit is vital. Your cat needs to be checked for internal injuries and fractures or broken bones. In some cases, emergency surgery may be required after she has stabilized.
- Your pet may still be in shock. A cat in shock must be treated by the vet.
- Follow the veterinarian's instructions for care. Be aware that your veterinarian may need to keep your cat for a few days to observe her and get her back to optimal health.[14] After your cat is released to you again, make sure that you follow the veterinarian's instructions for care. Administer any medications that your veterinarian prescribes and observe your cat closely.
- Contact the veterinarian again if the cat shows signs of a problem. A cat who has had a severe health problem that required CPR may be at risk of other problems or even death. Make sure that you notify your veterinarian right away if your cat shows signs of a problem and schedule regular check-ups for your cat to help keep him healthy.[15]
- Consider taking a pet first aid class. Knowing how to perform CPR on your pets may save their lives if you don't have a vet nearby.
- If carrying the cat or transporting her, keep her wrapped in a blanket to provide comfort and to ensure her safety (and yours).
- Never attempt to perform CPR on a healthy, conscious animal.
- A cat in pain is unpredictable in temperament and may resort to biting and scratching in self-defense or as a reaction to the pain.
- Many cats that require CPR do not survive. Do your best to save the cat's life, but take comfort in knowing that you did all that you could if the cat does not survive.[16]
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| How to Treat Chicken Pox Posted: 17 Nov 2016 12:00 AM PST Chickenpox is a common infection that is not serious in most healthy children and adults (though it has become much less common thanks to vaccination), but it can cause problems in people with certain diseases or immune deficiencies. The infection causes small lesions on the skin that turn into itchy and sometimes painful blisters and crusts, as well as fever and headache. Follow a few simple steps to treat chickenpox and limit discomfort. EditHelping Children and Healthy Adults - Take an over the counter medication. When you or your child has chickenpox, it will likely be accompanied by a fever. To combat fever and reduce any pain, use over the counter fever reducers such as paracetamol or acetaminophen. Read all packaging information before taking any medication. If you are not sure if the medication is safe to take, do not give or take it before talking to a medical professional.
- Do not give aspirin or aspirin-containing medication to treat fever or other symptoms of the chickenpox. Taking aspirin while you have the chickenpox can cause Reye's syndrome, which affects the liver and brain and can be fatal.[1]
- Talk to your doctor about ibuprofen use. In rare instances, it can cause adverse skin reactions and secondary infections.[2][3]
- Try over the counter antihistamines. The major symptom of chickenpox is intense itching at the site of the pox. There may be times when the itching is unbearable or causes too much discomfort. When this happens, take over the counter antihistamines such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin to help relieve the itching. Talk to your doctor about dosing of these medications for children; they may be especially helpful at night when you want to sleep.
- If you find that you or your child are in severe pain or discomfort, see a medical professional. The doctor might be able to provide a prescription strength antihistamine.[4][5]
- Stay hydrated. It is important to stay hydrated while you have the chickenpox. There is a possibility of dehydration while you have the chickenpox. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Also drink other hydrating liquids, such as sports drinks.
- Popsicles are a great way to help children stay hydrated if they don't want to drink enough water.[6]
- Eat soft, gentle foods. Sores may develop on the inside of the mouth when you or your child get the chickenpox. These can be very irritating and cause you pain, especially if you eat the wrong foods. Try soft, gentle foods such as warm soup, oatmeal, pudding, or ice cream. If there are especially painful sores inside the mouth, avoid eating foods that are salty, spicy, acidic, or too hot.
- You or your child can occasionally suck ice cubes, popsicles, or suckers to ease the pain of sores inside the mouth.[7]
- Stay home. If you or your child has chickenpox, stay at home or keep them at home as much as possible. Do not go to work or school or let your children who are infected go to school. You do not want to spread the virus to anyone else — chickenpox is easily spread through the air or contact with the rash. Plus, you do not want to make the symptoms worse through overexertion.
- Once the sores have scabbed over and dried up, the virus is no longer contagious. This generally takes five to seven days.[8][9]
EditTaking Care of the Pox - Don't scratch. The most important thing to remember about chickenpox is that you or your child shouldn't scratch the pox. Scratching them will make them worse and cause even more irritation and possible infection. If they are scratched too much, the sores can develop into scars that might remain after the chickenpox has cleared up.
- This will be hard, but you have to try or make your child try.[10]
- Cut the fingernails. Although you should avoid scratching or letting your child scratch the sores in general, it is typically difficult to avoid all the time. Since you or your child will likely scratch yourself, keep the fingernails short and filed smooth. This will help prevent the nails from scratching the sores, which can open the skin, prolong the healing process, be more painful, and possibly cause infection.[11]
- Cover the hands. If you or your child is still scratching with short fingernails, consider covering the hands with gloves or socks. This will help to prevent injury. If you or he attempt to itch with covered hands, there will be minimal irritation and problems because the fingernails will be covered.
- Even if you or your child are good about not scratching during the day, cover the hands at night because it is possible to scratch the skin while asleep.[12]
- Dress appropriately. The skin will be sweaty and irritated during the chickenpox. To avoid skin irritation, don't wear tight-fitting clothing. Choose looser, cotton-based clothes that keep the body at a comfortable temperature and that will move softly against the skin. These are best to prevent discomfort.
- Don't wear harsh fabrics such denim and wool.[13]
- Stay cool. The skin will get aggravated and hot during the chickenpox, both from the fever and the sores. Stay away from locations that are too hot or humid because this will make you or your child hotter and make the skin itch even more. This means you or your child shouldn't go outside in hot or humid weather and you need to keep your house at a cool temperature.
- Also avoid activities that will increase body temperature and cause too much sweating.[14]
- Apply calamine lotion. Calamine lotion is a great remedy for itchy skin and can help heal the sores. Apply it as often as needed if the itchiness and pain are too uncomfortable to handle. The lotion will soothe the skin and provide an element of relief.[15]
- You can also try other types of skin cooling gel to help with the pox. You can put hydrocortisone cream or ointment on bumps that are especially red, itchy, or inflamed for a few days
- Do not use lotion with Benadryl in it. Frequent reapplication can cause toxicity as too much of the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.[16][17]
- Take a cool bath. To help ease the itchiness of your or your child's skin, take a cool or lukewarm bath. Do not use soap that might irritate the sores. If your or your child's fever is bad, make sure the water does not cause discomfort and that it will not induce shivering.
- Add uncooked oatmeal grains, baking soda, or oatmeal bubble bath to the water to help soothe the sores and calm the irritation.[18]
- After the bath, apply skin calming lotion or moisturizer before reapplying calamine lotion.[19]
- Apply cool compresses to extra itchy areas of the skin between baths.
EditHelping At Risk Individuals - Visit your doctor if you are older than 12 years old or if your child is less than 6 months old. Chickenpox will generally run its course without medical help if the infected individual is under the age of 12. If you are older than 12, however, you need to see a doctor as soon as you notice the pox appear. Major complications can arise.
- Your doctor will likely prescribe you Acyclovir, which is an antiviral medication that helps shorten the duration of the virus. Try to see your doctor within the first 24 hours after the pox appear for this medicine to be the most effective. An 800 mg pill of it should be taken four times a day for five days, but the dose may be different for smaller or younger teenagers.[20]
- Antivirals may be particularly helpful for people with asthma or eczema, especially children.
- See a doctor if your symptoms worsen. There are certain situations where you need to see a doctor, no matter how old you are. If you have a fever for more than four days, have a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, if you develop a serious rash that oozes pus or gets near or in your eyes, become confused, have a hard time waking up or walking, have a stiff neck, have a severe cough, vomit frequently, or have difficulty breathing, you need to see a doctor immediately.
- Your doctor will examine you and decide the best course of action. These symptoms may be from a severe form of chickenpox, a bacterial infection, or another virus.[21]
- Seek immediate medical attention if you are pregnant. You are at risk of secondary infections if you are pregnant and get the chickenpox. You also may pass it to your unborn child as well. The doctor may give you Acyclovir, but you also may be prescribed immunoglobulin treatment. This treatment is a solution of antibodies from healthy individuals that is injected to help people who are at high risk of getting a severe case of the chickenpox infection.
- These treatments can also help prevent the mother from spreading it to the unborn child, which can have serious effects on the baby.[22]
- Get checked out if you have immune issues. There are individuals need to get special treatment from the doctor if they get chickenpox. If you have an immune disease, are immunocompromised, have HIV or AIDS, or are being treated for cancer or with steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, you should get checked out immediately. Your doctor may give you intravenous acyclovir, but immune disorders may cause you to be resistant to the medicine.
- If you are resistant, your doctor will give you foscarnet as a substitute, but the dosage and length of treatment will depend on your case.[23]
- Chickenpox can usually be prevented with vaccination. Talk to your doctor if you or your child may not be fully vaccinated. Preventing chickenpox is always better than treating it.
- Contact your doctor if you are unsure if you or your child has chickenpox.
- Make sure to let your doctor know if you suspect you or your child may have chickenpox if you are coming into the office. You don't want to expose others, as the virus is very contagious.
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