MEDICAL REMEDY FOR FAINTING SPELLS

FAINTING SPELLS
Fainting is a feeling of light-headedness and dizziness.

First Aid
1. Lower the head between the knees, if the patient is still on a chair.
2. Or let him lie flat with the head lower than the feet. This is done to draw blood to the head.
3. Check pulse and respiration to see if breathing and pulse is strong. If breathing is rapid and pulse is strong, get a paper or plastic bag, big enough to cover the face. Hold the bag over the nose and mouth and let the patient breathe in and out slowly in the big bag for a few minutes. If he does not recover after 15-20 minutes, bring the patient to the nearest hospital or medical clinic for medical attention.
4. if the patient is not breathing and pulse cannot be felt, prepare to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Have someone to call a doctor or get ready to transport the patient to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. If someone is able to do CPR, give CPR while the patient is being transported to the hospital. Stop only when the patient’s pulse becomes palpable and he is already breathing.
5. Check if the patient is diabetic or not. Ask the family.

Herbal Medication
1. Atis or Sweet Sop Leaves. If the patient is breathing and pulse is strong, crush atis or Sweet Sop leaves. Let the patient smell the aroma of the juice. Put it over the nose for him to smell it. Let him smell it until dizziness or fainting spell is out.
2. Bayabas or Guava leaves. Crush the bayabas or Guava leaves. Let the patient smell the aroma instructing him to take deep breathes. Put the crushed leaves over his nose for him to smell the essence of the leaves.

TURPENTINE STUPES MEDICAL PROCEDURE

TURPENTINE STUPES
The application of turpentine and oil to the abdomen or joint, combined with moist heat.

Effects:
1. Relieves abdominal distention or gas pain.
2. Relaxes bowel or intestinal spasms.
3. Stimulates the peristaltic movements of the intestines.
4. Relieves pain and congestion in the adjoining parts of the sprained ankle.
5. Relieves pain due to intestinal colic.
6. Promotes the absorption of serious effusion and exudates.

Things Needed:
1. Set of Hot fomentations.
2. Sheet or Blanket to cover the patient.
3. One bath towel.
4. Bottle containing turpentine and oil in the following mixture: 1 tablespoon turpentine to 8 tablespoons mineral oil for children, 1 tablespoon turpentine to 6 tablespoons mineral oil for adults. Turpentine Mixture: Put one tablespoon of turpentine in a bottle with cover and add 8 tablespoons mineral oil, for children. For adults add only 6 tablespoons of mineral oil to 1 tablespoon of turpentine. Cover the bottle and shake mixture thoroughly. Label the bottle with this proportion of turpentine and mineral oil. This mixture can be kept for future use. Keep bottle away from children.
5. Cream and lotion.

Procedure:
1. Brings all things needed to the bedside including the mixture of oil and turpentine.
2. Prepare the patient as for fomentation on the abdomen or ankle.
3. Apply the oil and turpentine mixture with your fingertips to the area to be treated.
4. Observe the skin very carefully o see if the patient is allergic to turpentine. If redness is noticed, discontinue the treatment. Wipe and remove the oil and turpentine mixture and apply cream on the skin.
5. Cover the area with the dry towel and apply the hot fomentation over the area with the turpentine mixture. Fomentation pad should not be very hot.
6. Give the three sets of fomentations. For abdominal distention teach patient to do abdominal breathing. While the hot fomentation is still on the abdominal area, tell patient to do abdominal breathing. Breathe in slowly bringing the abdomen up on inspiration and down on expiration. Do this exercise for a few minutes, with rest periods in between.
7. After the last fomentation pad, remove the hot towel and with the dry towel remove the oil from the skin.
8. Apply cream on hand lotion over the skin area treated and bandage (for sprained joint).
9. If abdominal distentions persist, repeat the treatment after two hours, unless contraindicated (not advised).
10. If patient is not relieved in spite of the treatment, consult your physician immediately.

Precaution and contraindications:
1. Do not use turpentine on patients who have kidney disease.
2. Do not give to patient allergic to turpentine.
3. If intestinal obstruction is suspected, never give any hot treatment but bring the patient immediately to the nearest hospital. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction are: severe abdominal pain, no intestinal activities. Listen with your ears against the abdominal movements of the intestines. Cannot pass out gas or stool.
4. Elderly patient and fair-complexioned individuals are more sensitive. Use mixture of oil and turpentine for children.
5. For diabetic patient, use children’s mixture.
6. Fomentation towels should not be very dry.

HOT FOOT BATH PROCEDURE

HOT FOOT BATH
A local immersion bath covering the feet, ankles and legs.

Effects:
1. Relieves head, chest and pelvic congestions by the drawing of blood from those areas to the legs and feet.
2. Stops nosebleed.
3. Relieves pain and spasm of the feet and legs.
4. Induces sweating in the case of fever-lowers body temperature.
5. Relieves menstrual cramps by relaxing the uterine spasm.
6. Relieves headache.
7. Relaxes the whole day.

Things Need:
1. One kerosene can or plastic pail.
2. One small basin.
3. One large “Kaserola” or kettle of boiling water.
4. Chair or stool.
5. Compress cloth or face towel.
6. Pitcher or diaper.
7. One old newspaper, if done in bed.
8. Bath towel.
9. One blanket.

Procedure:
1. Close windows and doors. If done in the bathroom, the patient should seat on a chair. If the patient is too weak to sit, patient may lie down and treated in bed.
2. Remove clothing of patient, and drape with blanket.
3. Assist patient’s feet into pail or basin of water. Water is ankle deep to start with. Temperature should be as hot as can be tolerated.
4. Apply cold compress to the forehead or on the nape if compress is small.
5. Add hot water. In adding hot water to the foot tub, push the patient’s feet to one side and place your hand between the feet and steam of water. Increase the water temperature to the patient’s heat tolerance.
6. Continue adding hot water for 20-30 minutes. Don’t let the water cool off.
7. At the end of the treatment lift feet from the water and poor cold water over again.
8. Give hot and cold-water shower if patient. Give him warm sponge bath if done in bed.
9. Dry patient and keep him comfortable. Let patient rest till he stops perspiring.