Ask yourself, “Why am I reading this?” or “What am I supposed to learn from reading this?” By understanding your purpose for reading the material, you will be able to stay on task and focus on the more relevant parts of the text. For example, if you keep in mind that you are reading the material for an exam, this will help you focus on important dates, events, and people. Become familiar with the topic by doing a quick Internet search. The more you understand and know about a particular topic, the more likely you will be able to make associations and remember the information better. For example, if you will be reading about Islam, type in “Islam” in your search engine. Then, click on an article, for example a Wikipedia article, and familiarize yourself with the basic tenets of Islam. Before reading the material, take note of headings, pictures, tables, blurbs, charts, and opening paragraphs. Focus on the important information that fulfills your purpose for reading the material. Skimming the material primes your memory, orients your thinking so you can focus on important information, and helps you formulate a bigger picture of the content, which makes it easier to remember important information. Reading when you cannot focus is a waste of time. Therefore, to maximize your focus, read in short segments. For example, read only a section, or read for only 10 to 15 minutes at a time. After you read the section, go over what you just read in your mind. Increase your reading endurance by steadily increasing the amount of time you read each day or week. For example, if you read in short segments of 10 to 15 minutes one week, read for 20 to 25 minute segments the next week.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Know what goal you hope to achieve by reading the material. Become familiar with the topic. Skim the material. Read in short segments.

Q: You may be able to tell that your hamster is in pain. He might not be as active or won't want to move at all. Other signs that your hamster has a fracture include:  Swelling A crackling or popping sound (from the broken bone rubbing against itself) The bone visibly sticking out of the open wound (which is rare) Once you suspect your hamster has a broken bone, you need to determine what type of a break he has. If it's an open fracture, the white of the bone will be visibly poking through the skin. If he has a closed fracture, the bones aren't visible and there's no skin wound. Instead, the broken bones remain sealed within the muscles of the leg. If your hamster has a closed fracture, you will notice:  Dragging of the leg The hamster avoids putting weight on the leg A crunching sensation beneath your fingers when you gently feel the area If your hamster has an open fracture, you must visit the vet. You won't be able to treat this kind of break at home and without medical treatment, your hamster will get infected bone stumps, leading to general tissue infection, blood poisoning, and death. This is slow and painful for your hamster, so get immediate help. You should be prepared for the vet to suggest euthanasia, to prevent the hamster from suffering. If there's no medical option to treat the leg, euthanasia will save your pet from pain and suffering. If your hamster has an open fracture, the veterinarian may suggest that the best course of treatment is amputating the limb, or trying to fix the fracture. Both of these are high risk procedures which need to be done under strict sterile surgical conditions in order to avoid infection. Your hamster will need anesthesia to deal with the pain. Be aware that the procedure is high risk and there is a high likelihood of the hamster passing away   Do not try to replace the bone ends under the skin without anesthesia, since this is incredibly painful for your hamster. It should only be done under trained medical supervision.  Do not give pain relief at home since the small size of the hamster makes it inevitable you will overdose the hamster. Too much pain relief is harmful and could cause gastric ulcers or death.
A: Look for signs of a fracture. Distinguish between an open and closed fracture. Know when to go to the veterinarian. Be prepared for surgery.

Article: Water may help minimize inflammation by flushing your system. While sciatica is not always directly associated with inflammation, pain is always associated with inflammation. In addition, the tissues of the spine contain water and staying hydrated can help strengthen those structures. Both hot and cold therapy are very useful approaches in treating sciatica. Most natural practitioners will recommend first applying ice followed by heat for three cycles. This should be repeated at least four times a day. Apply ice for about 10 minutes followed by heat for five minutes. This is one cycle. Chiropractors are specially trained, especially in spinal disorders. They are trained to manipulate and move the bones of the spine back into alignment and reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Overall, chiropractic care has been shown to significantly improve symptoms of sciatica.  Chiropractors are also trained to treat all the major causes of sciatic pain and, if necessary, can refer patients to other specialists such as surgeons. Chiropractors also educate their patients regarding specific exercises designed to improve the spine and the bones, joints and muscles that may be impacted in sciatic pain. Traction, or spinal decompression therapy involves stretching out the spine using a traction table or other device is often used to reposition a bulging disc and can be very helpful in treating sciatica. Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is based on the concept that meridians — energy channels — run throughout the body. The placement of needles at specific points along these meridians can relieve pain and treat a wide variety of conditions.  The placement of the needles will depend on your specific needs and may be combined with Chinese medical massage (Tui na). Acupuncture may also be combined with the use of Chinese herbs combinations to promote muscle relaxation and release of tension. This can provide direct pain relief. Therapeutic massage can improve circulation, relax the muscles, and lead to the increase in endorphin levels. Endorphins are the body’s natural opiates or pain relievers. The type of therapeutic massage usually used to treat sciatica is called trigger point myotherapy or just myotherapy. This therapy utilizes the concept of trigger points or specific areas on the muscles that can be “defused” by applying pressure for five to seven seconds to those points using the fingers, knuckles or elbows. When the pressure is removed, the trigger points become “deactivated." Herbal therapy can utilize muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory agents. For best effects, these herbal remedies may need to be combined. For this, consult a naturopath or a medical herbalist. Some of the herbs that may be used are:  Equisetum or Horsetail, an ancient plant that is commonly used to flush out the kidneys.  It contains high levels of minerals and can help strengthen the skeletal structure including the spine. Jamaican dogwood, a muscle relaxant and a potent sedative.  It should only be used on the advice of a knowledgeable healthcare professional.  It is also an effective anti-inflammatory agent and pain reliever. Curcuma longa or turmeric, which has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine and is an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Willow bark, the basis of modern aspirin.  The bark has been used for centuries to treat pain due to inflammation. Holy Basil, which is similar to regular kitchen basil but has more effective anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger root, which is another effective anti-inflammatory agent. Nutmeg, which has been used as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever for centuries — and along with its value as a culinary spice, there has also been a lively trade in nutmeg for centuries!
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Drink more water to keep yourself hydrated. Use hot and cold therapy to relieve your sciatica pain. See a chiropractor to treat your sciatica. Visit an acupuncturist to treat your sciatica. Employ massage therapy to treat your sciatica. Use herbal treatments for sciatica.