Most Popular
1500 questions
10
votes
1 answer
Why would it be necessary to take a brand name medication if a generic drug is available?
Many prescription pads have a way for the doctor to indicate if a brand name medication must be dispensed instead of the generic version (e.g. a line where they can write something like "brand necessary", "dispense as written", or "no…
pacoverflow
- 368
- 1
- 12
10
votes
2 answers
Can a person die of hunger while still being severely obese?
A severely overweight American is imprisoned in some country XYZ after accusations of spying. Whilst in prison the XYZ people put him on a diet of just plain water. He is not placed on any kind of hard labor however, and the location where he is…
SherlockEinstein
- 215
- 1
- 5
10
votes
1 answer
Wound precautions in public facilities?
I bicycle quite a bit, and recently had a crash where I have some fairly extensive road rash on my hip, knee, calf and shoulder area. While most are fairly scabbed over, the ones on my shoulder and knee tend to crack and bleed with movement.
What…
JohnP
- 6,647
- 3
- 29
- 53
10
votes
2 answers
Can a banana peel cure a plantar wart?
I have a large plantar wart (a wart on the bottom of my foot). It's been resistant to freezing and acid. My dermatologist said I just need to wait until my immune system is ready to get rid of it, and I could try placebo treatments like putting a…
Zaralynda
- 1,225
- 1
- 10
- 22
10
votes
2 answers
First aid measures for a snake bite
If a person is bitten by a snake, what first aid measures should be taken to prevent the venom from spreading all over the body until the proper medical help arrives?
Akshay Vasu
- 3,354
- 1
- 21
- 41
10
votes
1 answer
Does bed type have an effect on sleep quality?
People naturally have varied preferences for bed firmness / angle / temperature, but is there any evidence that a soft bed improves sleep quality?
Spending ~8 hrs a day on a soft cushion (instead of some leaves or animal furs) is a recent…
chbrown
- 227
- 1
- 6
10
votes
1 answer
Pulmonary diseases and oxygen therapy
The team first aid guidelines in France say that for an adult victim, a saturation (SpO2) below 94 triggers the administration of 9L/min of oxygen using a non-rebreather mask. We first aid guys are not doctors, so we strictly apply this rule before…
Shlublu
- 2,260
- 2
- 19
- 37
10
votes
3 answers
How does getting up and moving help me recover from surgery?
I've just had a laparoscopic gallbladder removal, done as day surgery. I was released about 3 hours after the surgery started. The sheet of paper they sent me home with stresses the importance of getting up and moving. Resume your normal routine…
Kate Gregory
- 3,919
- 17
- 37
10
votes
1 answer
Can wearing retainers at night affect sleep quality?
Besides being uncomfortable, does wearing retainers at night cause any effects like sleep apnea?
I'm wondering this because I've woken up with dry mouth multiple times after sleeping with my retainer, which is also a symptom of sleep apnea. Of…
Dave Liu
- 4,876
- 1
- 21
- 55
10
votes
3 answers
Methods for dealing with gas pains?
The Internet is full of advice on how to prevent flatulence (e.g. diet changes), but no serious tips on how to get rid of gas once it's set in.
Gas trapped in the colon can cause significant pain. Are there any methods to help move gas along and…
user2719
10
votes
1 answer
Do vitamins protect you from common cold?
Do vitamins (taken as pills) boost your immune system, and make you less likely to contract diseases such as common cold or flu?
Is there scientific evidence either way?
I tend to think that vitamin pills are mostly useless. If they were…
Nemo
- 201
- 1
- 3
10
votes
2 answers
How far should I go to avoid antiboitics?
We know (or should know) that the overuse of antibiotics is causing a rise in "superbugs" that are resistant to them.
This means that we should avoid using them when we don't need to, for example, in soaps and similar products.
How far should we be…
Mary ML
- 201
- 2
- 4
10
votes
1 answer
Effects of ARBs on potassium levels
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are commonly used to treat hypertension. One of the side effects of these drugs is to raise serum potassium levels. This occurs because ARBs block the effects of angiotensin II on receptors, which leads to…
Carey Gregory
- 9,854
- 4
- 26
- 49
10
votes
1 answer
Why can we extend the middle finger when there is only one muscle for all fingers?
I'm wondering:
there is the musculus extensor digitorum, that extends finger 2 to 5 up.
There is an extra muscle for the 2. and the 5. finger (m. extensor digiti minimi and m. extensor indicis).
But why can I than lift my middle finger (3. finger)…
Zwerg
- 131
- 1
- 4
10
votes
2 answers
How much sleep is too much?
As I have understood from reading stuff on the internet and talking to people, too little sleep can have very serious health problems and you need to sleep at least 6 hours every night. what I don't know is if there is an upper limit to the the…
Sohail Ahmed
- 103
- 4