Patient safety is often the main concern when moving patients from bed. But remember not to lift at the expense of your own back. This transfer often requires the patient’s help, so clear communication is essential. If the patient can’t help much, you’ll need two…

Patient safety is often the main concern when moving patients from bed. But remember not to lift at the expense of your own back. And, never move a patient by yourself. Two people usually can do this move safely. The leader, who pulls, should be…

Once the momentum has started, it’s almost impossible to stop a patient from falling. By trying to do so, you can injure your back. Instead, guide the patient to the ground; then get help to move the patient back to a bed or stretcher. Guiding…

The heartbeat is the rhythmic contraction of the heart muscle’s 4 chambers. The heart muscle has a special system that creates and sends electrical signals to activate these 4 chambers. First, a signal generated in the right upper chamber of the heart tells the 2…

The middle ear is an air-filled chamber that lies behind the eardrum. Pressure in the middle ear changes to match air pressure outside of the eardrum. When inside and outside pressures are balanced, the eardrum is flexible and normal hearing is more likely. Problems happen…

There are two parts of the inner ear. One part (hearing canal) is for hearing. The other part (balance canal) is for balance. The canals are filled with a fluid called endolymph. The level of this fluid is maintained by a small organ called the endolymphatic sac….

The ear is a complex and delicate organ. It collects sound waves so you can hear the world around you. The ear also has a second function—it helps you keep your balance. Your ear can be divided into 3 parts. The outer ear and middle…

Healthy kidneys clean the blood. Two normal kidneys can filter wastes and excess fluid from hundreds of pints of blood each day. This helps maintain the chemical balance the body needs to stay healthy and alive. The kidneys also carry out many other vital functions….

The kidneys may fail from reduced blood supply, damaged blood vessels or filtering units (nephrons), or a blocked urinary tract. Illnesses that affect the entire body, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, are the most common cause of kidney damage. Illnesses that harm the…

The lungs’ job is to get air into and out of the body. Inside the lungs, air travels through a network of branching airways (tubes) made of stretchy tissue. Each airway is wrapped with bands of muscle that help control the width of the tube….

Wisdom teeth are very much like your other permanent teeth. The main difference is that they are the last to develop and grow in (when you’re “older and wiser”). Most people have 4 wisdom teeth, 1 in each corner of the mouth. Some people naturally lack…

The thyroid is a gland in the neck, just below the voicebox. It is an endocrine gland. Endocrine glands make hormones. These are chemicals that carry messages through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland…

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a ball-and-socket joint located where the upper and lower jaws meet. The TMJ and its nearby muscles make up a complex, loosely connected system. Because of this, a problem in one part of the system can affect the other parts. This…

When you look at your mouth in the mirror, you can see hard white teeth surrounded by soft gums. What you likely can’t see is a sticky coating of bacteria and other substances on your teeth and gums. This coating, called plaque, can harm your mouth…

A jaw that’s too small, too large, or crooked can cause problems with chewing, speaking, breathing, and even sleeping. The shape of your jaws also affects the way your face looks. This sheet helps you understand how the teeth and jaws work. It also describes…

Do you need to be convinced that exercise is a good idea? Exercise and fitness offer you all kinds of rewards. Think about your goals. Can exercise help you achieve some of them? A stronger and happier you Even before you see the difference, you…

If you have been told that your fainting is not caused by a heart problem, you can help prevent fainting. And you can learn to respond to your body’s warning signs. For your safety and the safety of others, limit your driving as instructed. Do…

If heart trouble caused your fainting, treatment may improve blood flow, stop syncope, and help prevent further heart problems. Your healthcare provider can explain the benefits and risks of each treatment. Pacemaker or ICD These devices can help speed up or slow down your heartbeat….

Syncope (fainting) has many causes. Sometimes it is not serious. In other cases, syncope is a sign of a heart problem. But treatment can help. When syncope is not serious Your healthcare provider may call your problem vasovagal syncope, reflex syncope, or orthostatic hypotension. These…

To diagnose a heart valve problem, your doctor will first ask you questions about your family and medical history. Certain tests may be done such as ultrasound and other imaging tests. These help diagnose your heart valve problem and rule out any other disease you…