A few years ago, I cut myself on broken glass. I ran around my apartment looking for a band-aid. As an anesthesiologist and cardiologist, I had airway equipment to insert a breathing tube, heart attack medications, and resuscitation equipment, including an automated external defibrillator (AED), but no basic first aid. Needless to say, it was quickly resolved. But it made me think about whether breathing tubes are medically essential not just for treating minor injuries around the home, but for monitoring our health and wellness.
We’ve often been told that it’s wise to have canned food, extra bottles of water, flashlights, and other everyday items on hand in case of a disaster. Similarly, there are some medical supplies that everyone, regardless of age, should have on hand. Despite social media, smartwatches, smartphones, and clever apps, your first aid kit should still contain a few relatively inexpensive yet valuable devices.
Oximeters: These little red lighted probes, often compared to the glowing fingertip in ET, are invaluable (yes, I’m outdated with this analogy). They measure oxygen saturation, which reflects whether your lungs, and indirectly your heart, are getting enough oxygen to your organs. In the operating rooms of the 1980s, these devices were bulky, heavy, and very expensive (over $5,000), but over time they have become very portable (the size of an earphone case) and affordable (around $25). They can also measure your heart rate, and some can determine if your heart is beating at a steady pace. With the rise of respiratory illnesses, from seasonal flu to respiratory syncytial virus infections, this is invaluable. They help doctors determine if you need to be seen or, in more serious cases, go to the emergency room.
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Blood Pressure Cuff: In past decades, monitoring high blood pressure required frequent visits to your doctor, and readings reflected only certain moments of the day. Stressful bus rides, difficulty finding parking, waiting in waiting rooms, and even “white coat hypertension” may have caused your readings to rise. Every home should have one. Some types slip easily onto your finger, but I personally find the upper arm works best. The most accurate readings are obtained after a few minutes of rest in bed, lying with your legs uncrossed. And not while you’re watching a suspenseful movie or feeling the need to go to the bathroom. It’s wise to check several times at one-minute intervals to ensure accuracy. Finally, it’s reassuring to have a record of your readings so you can share them with your doctor.
High blood pressure is called a silent killer, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack, and also contributing to dementia. Testing for high blood pressure is a simple preventative measure that is wise for all of us. When I was a medical student and first learned how to take blood pressure, back when there were no automatic measuring machines, I convinced my mother to let me take hers. My mother had always had low blood pressure, so when she noticed that hers was high, she reflexively said that I must be doing it wrong. My father, a physician, was called in to check and my mother was diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Thermometers: Mercury in glass thermometers has been replaced by newer devices to measure temperature. Infrared technology allows for a quick measurement of forehead temperature in under a second, although accuracy varies by product and location, the best spot being the center of the forehead. Significant fever (temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) is important to track, as are other medical conditions, signs and symptoms, including difficulty breathing, shivering and confusion, all of which could be signs of sepsis, that should prompt medical attention.
If you have children at home, early detection of fever can be helpful for your pediatrician, especially in children between 6 months and 5 years of age, as a sudden rise in body temperature can cause febrile convulsions.
Eyewash: Sometimes we forget how easy it is to get something in our eyes. Commercial eyewash is handy to have on hand at all times. Just keep it in a memorable place. After all, when your eyes are inflamed, the last thing you want is to spend a long time searching for a product that will help restore your vision. It is best to flush out dangerous chemicals, splashes and small foreign objects as soon as possible. Do not allow the tip of the container to touch your eye, as this can cause contamination. Discard after use. Finally, do not confuse eye drops with eyewash. The former moistens the eye, while the latter cleanses it.
Humidifiers: Humidifiers can ease allergy symptoms, improve sleep, and help those who suffer from sinus problems and skin irritation. They can also be helpful during cold and flu season. Humidified air soothes the tissues that make up the nose and throat, reducing the itchy, runny nose that accompanies respiratory illnesses. Humidifiers can also reduce snoring by thinning nasal secretions, resulting in a more restful sleep (risks of sleep apnea include an increased risk of heart disease, so a doctor’s evaluation is required). However, in addition to the benefits of humidifiers, they should be kept clean to prevent mold and bacteria.
Prevention is a key component of health and wellness. These five items contribute to that goal. Remember to keep prescribed medications on hand in the right amounts. Check expiration dates on over-the-counter medications, too. I make it a habit to do this twice a year, using the day the clocks change as a reminder. This includes antihistamines, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and even topical medications for cuts and bruises. Patients with specific medical conditions should be sure to have products tailored to their health care. Diabetics need glucose meters, asthma sufferers need inhalers, and those at risk of severe allergic reactions need EpiPens. It also doesn’t hurt to have a rapid COVID test and a mask or two in your medicine cabinet. Don’t let broken glass or other accidents be a reminder to refill your medicine cabinet. Stay healthy.
This is an article of opinion and analysis, and the views expressed by the author do not necessarily coincide with those of Scientific American.
