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What is it? Tissue damage caused by strong acids, drain cleaners, paint thinner, gasoline and many other substances. Usually, you are aware of such a burn and its cause. But sometimes you may not immediately recognize a burn caused by a milder chemical. As w...

What is it? When any chemical splashes in your eye(s). Plan of Action: 1. Flush your eye(s) with water.  Use clean, lukewarm tap water for at least 20 minutes. Use whichever of these approaches is quickest: Get into the shower and aim a gentle str...

What is it? A blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle due to a clot. Symptoms: A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes. The pain may be mild or severe. Some heart attacks strike suddenly, but many people have warning signs hou...

What is it? Chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to your heart muscle. Symptoms: It can be hard to tell the difference from angina and other types of chest pain, such as indigestion. Angina can be stable or unstable. Stable angina is ...

What is it? A blood clot in the lung. It occurs when a clot, usually in the leg or pelvis, breaks free and gets stuck in a lung artery (pulmonary artery). The clot interrupts blood flow, making it more difficult for your lungs to provide oxygen to the rest o...

What is it? A tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the large blood vessel branching off the heart. Blood rushes through this tear into the middle layer of the aorta, causing the inner and middle layers to separate (dissect). Symptoms: Sudden severe che...

What is it? Inflammation of the membranes that surround the lung (pleura). Symptoms: Chills Fever  A cough that may produce bloody or foul-smelling sputum Chest pain when taking a breath or coughing Unlike a true heart attack, ple...

What is it? Swelling and irritation of the thin, saclike tissue surrounding your heart (pericardium). Symptoms: Sharp chest pain that gets worse when you cough, lie down, or take a deep breath Pericarditis is usually mild and goes away without trea...

What is it? A type of muscle pain in the chest. Types of Chest Wall Pain: Bruised chest muscles   from excessive coughing, straining or minor injury can cause harmless chest pain. Costochondritis causes pain and tenderness in and aro...

What is it? When an object lodges in the throat or windpipe blocking the flow of air. Signs/Symptoms: One or both hands clutched to the throat A look of panic, shock or confusion Inability to talk Strained or noisy breathing Squeaky ...

What is it? A superficial scratch on the clear, protective "window" at the front of the eye (cornea).  The cornea can be scratched by contact with dust, dirt, sand, wood shavings, plant matter, metal particles, contact lenses or even the edge of a piece of p...

What is it? A minor skin wound that may or may not draw blood. Plan of Action: 1. Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection. 2. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If needed,      apply gentle pressure with a cle...

What is it? An injury in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. Dislocation usually involves the body's larger joints. In adults, the most common site of the injury is the shoulder. In children, it's the elbow. Your thumb and fi...

What is it? A skin burn that occurs when the body comes in contact with electricity. Symptoms: Burn or other injury to the skin Confusion, dizziness, or headache Heart pounding or fluttering Muscle contractions Numbness or tingling ...

What is it? Injury to the body from direct contact with a high-voltage source. The danger from an electrical shock depends on: Voltage Length of time in contact with the source Overall health Electricity's path through your body Type...

What is it? When your brain temporarily doesn't receive enough blood supply, causing you to lose consciousness. This loss of consciousness is usually brief. Fainting might have no medical significance. Or the cause can be a serious disorder, often involving ...

What is it? A rise in body temperature. consisting of 100.4 (38 C) or higher. Plan of Action: To treat a fever: Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Dress in lightweight clothing. Use a light blanket if you feel chilled, until the chills ...

What is it? Illness caused by food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. Symptoms: Diarrhea, which may be bloody Nausea Abdominal pain Vomiting Dehydration Low-grade fever (sometimes) If you are very de...

What is it? Anything in the ear canal that normally would not be there. If left untreated, a foreign object in the ear can cause pain, infection and hearing loss. Plan of Action: Know when to seek help. If there is bleeding, severe pain, drainage or si...

What is it? Anything that is in the eye that wouldn't normally be there. Plan of Action: To help yourself: Wash your hands with soap and water. Try to flush the object out of your eye with a gentle stream of clean, warm water. Use an eyecup or a s...