Questions and Answers!
Your Training Resource

February-March 2008, Volume 11, Issue 2

In Sickness & Health: Seizures

What is seizure disorder? Commonly called epilepsy, it means that the person has recurrent seizures.

Are febrile seizures dangerous? Not usually.

What should I do if a child has a seizure? Prevent injury from a fall or striking an object, check for breathing, and call emergency services.

What triggers a seizure? Fever, head injury, metabolic disturbances, and toxic substances are a few of the causes of seizure.

Safety First: Indoor Air Quality

List three physical/medical problems associated with indoor air pollution. Headache, fatigue, dizziness, skin irritation, nausea, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, irritation of eyes and throat, other.

What are some sources of indoor air pollution? Improperly ventilated heaters, furnaces, and stoves; new furniture and flooring materials; asbestos; improperly maintained heating and cooling equipment; water damaged furnishings with mold; art supplies; cleaning solutions; pesticides; animal dander; dust mites; etc.

What are some signs that indoor air pollution may be causing problems? Symptoms that affect multiple people, disappear after leaving the building, begin after a change to the environment, or occur only indoors.

What are ways to improve indoor air quality? Regular thorough cleaning, proper disposal of garbage, avoiding use of aerosols or toxic chemicals, increasing ventilation, changing air filters on equipment, etc.

Nutrition Action: Pica

What is pica? Pica involves craving and eating non-food objects.

What are some dangers of pica? Eating toxic substances; choking on inedible objects; improper nutrition; infection from contaminated substances.

What can caregivers do to prevent problems? Be trained in prevention and first aid procedures for poisoning and choking; supervise children closely; document children's eating habits and inform parents.

Medicine Chest: Children and Families of Military Personnel

What are some of the behaviors children may exhibit when missing a parent or family member? Regression to earlier behavior like thumbsucking, acting out emotions, disruption of eating and sleeping habits, aggression, crying or clingyness, etc.

What are some ways to help children cope? Encourage children to write letters or make art projects for deployed person; give extra hugs; be patient and listen to children; maintain consistent routines.

Health & You: Stop Smoking

Will quitting smoking reduce health risks? Quitting reduces risk of lung and other cancers, heart and lung disease, blood clots, strokes, cataracts, and respiratory infections.

Why is quitting hard? Nicotine causes addiction.

What is nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)? NRT gives the smoker small doses of nicotine to help relive some withdrawal symptoms.