Health Library

The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.

Injuries and Trauma

  • Many prescription and nonprescription medicines may reduce your blood's ability to clot and cause bruising or bleeding under the skin. A few examples are: Medicines (called blood thinners) that prevent blood clots. Also, taking a nonprescription medicine with a blood thinner may increase your risk of bruising and...

  • Discusses how and why bruises and blood spots might develop. Offers checklist to help you decide when to call a doctor. Offers home treatment and prevention tips.

  • You may be able to prevent cold exposure by having emergency equipment with you if you do outdoor sports or activities. Your equipment may include: 2 or 3 fire-starting kits and a cigarette lighter. A pocketknife. A wire saw, to cut large pieces of...

  • What is hypothermia? Hypothermia occurs when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than the body can make it. A rectal temperature is considered the most accurate body temperature. A normal rectal body temperature ranges from 97.5 F (36.4 C) to 99.6 F (37.6 C), and for most people it is 98.6 F (37 C). For...

  • Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of injury from cold exposure. Alcohol: Changes your body's ability to regulate body temperature. Changes your judgment. For example, a person may not put on more clothing when it is needed if his or her judgment is changed by alcohol. Can cause blood vessels in the skin to get...

  • Cold injuries occur more in certain outdoor conditions, such as: Cold temperatures. Hypothermia can develop quickly with temperatures below freezing. Frostbite develops at freezing temperatures. People who live in poorly heated homes can gradually develop hypothermia in temperatures of 60 F (16 C) to 65 F...

  • Babies Babies, especially newborns, are more likely to suffer injury from cold temperature exposure. They have a large body surface area compared with their weight. Their body heat is lost more rapidly when exposed to cold weather conditions. Their ability to regulate body temperatures is not well-developed. They...

  • To prevent getting too cold, wear proper clothing and shoes, such as: A hat and face mask. Up to 80% of total body heat loss is from your head and neck areas. Layers of clothing to keep you warm and dry. Clothing made of wool, polypropylene, down, or Thinsulate. These are good insulators and will prevent loss of...

  • First aid measures may prevent further heat loss and help the body slowly warm up. Remain calm. Fear or too much activity causes sweating. Sweating can make you feel chilled. Find shelter so you can get out of the cold, the wind, or the water. Remove cold, wet clothes. Put on dry clothing, especially...

  • The body loses heat through: Evaporation of water from your skin if it is wet (sweating). If your clothing is wet, you will also lose some body heat through evaporation and through respiration (breathing) when the body temperature is higher than 99 F (37 C). During intense exercise, the body loses 85% of its...

  • Learn how to safely get up after a fall and what to do if you need to call for help.

  • Learn how to fix some common tripping hazards around your home.

  • As people age, they lose muscle strength, which can make them more likely to fall. Also, their reflexes slow down. This makes it harder for them to regain their balance if they start to fall. Learn some strength and balance exercises, and take the time to do them each day. This can help you stay active and...

  • Learn what causes most falls and what you can do to stay safe.

  • Learn how getting an eye exam may help you stay safe and independent.

  • Learn how to do two exercises to improve your strength and balance.

  • Learn to spot hazards in your home by using a home safety checklist.

  • What does "high-risk" mean? High-risk means that a medicine can cause serious health problems or accidents. High-risk doesn't always mean "do not use." It can mean "use with care" when a medicine is more likely to help you than harm you. If you take a medicine that may make you feel confused, drowsy, or dizzy...

  • You can help protect the person in your care by making the home safe. Pad sharp corners on furniture and countertops. Keep objects that are often used within easy reach. Install handrails around the toilet and in the shower. Use a tub mat to prevent slipping. Use a shower chair or bath bench when...

  • Protecting babies Each new learning stage for your baby requires increased attention on your part to prevent an injury. It may surprise you how fast your baby can move from one stage to the next. Being aware of your baby's abilities and what skills he or she is likely to develop next will help you prevent...

  • Tips for older adults and people who have had a stroke or have multiple sclerosis or osteoporosis to help prevent falls and injuries. Covers taking care of your health and making changes in your home. Covers preventing falls in the bathroom and outdoors.

  • Covers making your home fall-proof to prevent injuries. Looks at common hazards like clutter and throw rugs. Discusses simple changes you can make in your home and the way you do some activities to reduce risk of falling.

  • Fishhook injuries to the eye are rare. When they occur, they can cause a serious injury, including blindness. Prompt emergency room or ophthalmology care is needed to remove the fishhook, prevent complications, and minimize damage from the fishhook. Do the following, and then seek emergency care: Do...

  • Do not try to remove a fishhook (seek medical care instead) if any of the following are true: The fishhook is in or near an eye. See first aid measures. The fishhook is in a joint, in a bone, or deep in a muscle. You are concerned that removing the fishhook may damage nearby blood vessels or nerves. The person who...

  • Even if you fish carefully, you may get a fishhook in your skin. A fishhook is a curved, sharp instrument placed on a lure or line to catch fish. Some fishhooks have a barb near the tip that keeps the fish on the hook. You can also use a barbless...

  • If you touch a frozen metal surface with a wet body part such as your tongue, lip, or wet hand, it could stick. Don't pull or tug. This can cause an injury. Have someone pour warm water on the metal and on the part of the body that's stuck. Try...

  • An injury to the genital area can cause severe pain. Usually the pain subsides over the course of a few minutes to an hour. Severe pain does not always mean that your injury is severe. After an injury to the genital area, it is important that you watch for urinary problems. Other injuries that can cause problems with...

  • When your child injures his or her genital area, the pain can be quite severe at first. Usually, the pain subsides over the course of a few minutes to an hour. The severity of the pain is not always an indication of the severity of the injury. After an injury to the genital area, it is important to watch for urinary...

  • Discusses heat-related illnesses. Looks at heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash, and dehydration. Covers signs and symptoms. Offers home treatment and prevention tips. Covers emergency first aid treatment.

  • The National Weather Service developed the heat index to help people identify days when the risk for a heat illness is higher than normal. During a heat wave, the heat index is excessive for many days in a row. Everyone has an increased risk for a heat-related illness during a heat wave. A heat-related illness can be...

  • Many medicines change how well your body can stay cool. They include: Some antidepressants. Antihistamines. Some blood pressure medicines. Some sedative medicines. Thyroid medicine. Alcohol and illegal drugs such as methamphetamines, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, PCP (phencyclidine hydrochloride), and LSD...

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