We nurses are quite used to being asked by our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and acquaintances who are poor, lazy, or cheap about their various medical maladies. I don't mind at all - sometimes I ask them about household repairs, legal matters, car problems, etc.
The question I am asked the most concerns food: "I've had this or that in the refrigerator for X number of days. Should I eat it?" I always have the same response: "Throw it out. It's a lot cheaper than having to go to the emergency room for dehydration if you get severe diarrhea!" In other words, never take a chance and get food poisoning.
Long ago I knew a woman who fed her husband spaghetti that had been in her refrigerator for two weeks. He developed such severe food poisoning he was hospitalized for two weeks! Never take a chance on food; throw it out after 3 or 4 days. When in doubt, throw it out!!
It's a good idea to keep medicines you can buy over the counter at home for minor illnesses. For diarrhea, keep immodium tablets. Follow the directions on the box exactly. NEVER take more than it calls for. Never give adult medicine to children.
It's good planning to be ready for other small medical problems you can handle on your own. Everyone catches a common cold at one time or another. Keep a nasal decongestant and lots of facial tissues on hand so you won't have to go out in the cold if you have a runny nose. Best PREVENTION FOR COLDS: wash your hands before eating. NEVER put food or anything in your mouth unless you have thoroughly washed your hands!!! Cold viruses are tough! They may live for two weeks on hard surfaces. You spread cold germs to yourself by touching them on hard surfaces and them putting your hands in your mouth or objects your hands have touched. Don't bite on your pens, etc. Watch out for 'shared' things like computer keyboards at work, public phones, TV remotes, door handles and light switches.
If a cold continues for several days, unchanged, despite your over-the-counter medicine, IF you develop chest pain when you breathe or a fever, go visit your doctor or nurse practitioner. People are so cheap when it comes to visiting a professional!! Always remember: the charges are cheaper than the emergency room charges! Don't wait too long!!
Another area that's neglected concerns Dental Care. If you have pain in your mouth, you NEED to see a dentist! Don't forget: a simple infection can quickly spread to your whole body. Then you have a very serious problem! Take care of small problems before they grown into big problems!!
Folks hate to seek medical advice and many wait too long. This is brash, but: funerals - yours - cost even more! Take care of yourselves, please!! People love you and need you! Don't let them down!!
Dear Lord, please help us develop good health habits so we can PREVENT most minor illnesses.
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