Problem: Article: If other methods don’t help your back spasm or you have lingering pain, take an over the counter medication to help alleviate the pain. If the pain continues for a longer period of time, though, consult your doctor.  Take ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or naproxen sodium to help with the minimize the pain.  Be aware that taking pain relievers on an empty stomach in the morning may upset your stomach or make you nauseous. If your cramping is severe, consider taking a muscle relaxant. This can not only relax the cramping muscle, but may also alleviate any pain associated with it.  You will need a prescription from your doctor for a muscle relaxant. Be aware that muscle relaxants can make you sleepy and drowsy and may make it difficult to function. Taking them on an empty stomach may also make you nauseous or vomit. Some sources suggest taking quinine for muscle cramps, but this treatment is dangerous and can cause a host of health problems including cardiac arrhythmia, nausea, headaches, and tinnitus. If you back spasms are particularly severe, call your doctor. She may want to see you or can prescribe you medication to help relieve the spasms and minimize any associated pain. If the pain is very severe and your doctor isn’t yet in the office, either call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Summary: Take a pain reliever. Ingest a muscle relaxant. Stay away from quinine. Call your doctor.

Problem: Article: You might think, “There’s no way I’ll forget that!” and yet, under stress, you may forget even the most basic things. Write a list of what needs to be bought, packed, accomplished, and arranged before you leave. Start well in advance so you don’t get stuck doing loads of laundry the day you leave.  Let someone else look over the list to make sure that you haven't forgotten anything. Put reminders where you need them. For example, write a list of bathroom items you need and put it on your bathroom mirror so that you can collect all of the items at once. Put sticky notes onto necessary items you need to bring or put a list of things you need on the door. If you need to find a pet sitter, do this well before you leave on your trip. If you are running out of your prescription medication, get a refill prior to leaving. Take stock of any arrangements that must be made before you leave for your trip and take care of them before you go. It’s best to take care of any details before traveling so you don’t have to think about them while you are away. Pay your bills and run any errands that are vital before leaving. You might be packing your stuff, your children’s things, and gifts for other people. Staying on top of that many things can be difficult, so use a bit of organization. Pack your suitcase with clothes ahead of time and make sure everything fits well. Chose simple, lightweight clothing and fold your clothes in a way that saves space in your suitcase. Decide whether to wrap the presents before or after traveling.   If you’re traveling in a car, consider having a bag within reach with certain items you may want or need on your journey. For heavy or bulky items, such as shoes or coats, choose one to take. Make sure the rest of your clothing matches this one item. If you’re on a schedule (like catching a bus, train, or airplane), plan for potential hazards to getting there. Plan ahead for traffic, running late, or toddler tantrums. Especially if you are traveling with children, prepare for any emergencies by having snacks, a change of clothes, and any other necessary items that might come in handy while traveling.   Whether you’re on an airplane or in a car, have snacks for any passengers that may get grumpy without food. Avoid sweets, as blood sugar spikes and crashes can make people grumpy. Bring clothing for various temperatures, and plan to layer. Even if it might be hot at your destination, bring a sweater in case there is air conditioning or a cold breeze. If you’re traveling around holiday time, opt for airlines that aren’t known for lengthy delays or canceled flights. If you find a flight with a very short layover, opt for a longer layover (or pay a bit extra for a direct flight) in order to avoid the hassle of potentially missing a flight. Consider purchasing flights that depart early in the day. Airports tend to be less crowded and if you need to make changes, it may be easier to get a different flight.
Summary: Write lists. Make arrangements ahead of time. Organize your things. Plan for likely hazards. Choose flights (or airlines) with minimal delays.

Problem: Article: Peel the banana first, then slice it in half lengthwise. Place the two banana halves into a long, slender serving dish, with the pointed ends facing up. If you froze the yogurt, remove it from the muffin liners first, then set it between the banana slices. If you are using regular yogurt, use a spoon to scoop it into the dish, placing it between the banana halves. Dark chocolate or semi-sweet would taste the best, but you can also try milk chocolate or even white chocolate. For an even healthier banana split, omit the chocolate chips altogether.
Summary: Place the banana into a serving dish. Set the yogurt between the two banana slices. Add a sprinkle of chocolate chips, if desired.

Problem: Article: Being active naturally speeds up your pulse, so you want to check your resting heart rate when determining if you may have an issue. Sit or lie down until your breathing is normal and you feel at rest, which usually takes at least 5 minutes. Face your palm toward the ceiling, and relax your arm and hand. You can also tilt your arm slightly toward your body. Since your heart is on your left side, your pulse will be easier to find on your left arm. This will be between your wrist and the tendon below your thumb. Press gently against your skin to find your pulse. You’ll feel a steady beat as your blood pumps through the vein.  You don't need to apply much pressure to find your pulse. In fact, pressing down too hard can make it harder to feel it. If you don’t feel your pulse, move your fingers around until you feel your heart beating. Set a timer or watch an analog clock for 1 minute. During this time, count the number of times your heart beats. Additionally, notice the pattern of your heart beats. A normal pulse feels like a slow, steady beat with little variation. However, you may notice irregular beats, such as missed (aka skipped) beats or extra (aka galloped) beats. If you frequently experience these irregularities, it might be a symptom of AFib. If your heart is beating rapidly, it may be a sign of AFib. However, it could also be caused by other conditions or lifestyle choices, such as drinking too much coffee. It’s best to see your doctor if you're experiencing a rapid pulse to make sure you get the right diagnosis. A healthy resting heart rate is usually between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Summary:
Rest for 5 minutes before you take your pulse. Extend your left hand in front of you with your elbow slightly bent. Place your right index and middle fingers at the base of your left thumb. Use a clock or timer to count how many times your heart beats in 1 minute. Determine if your pulse feels irregular. Notice if your heart beat feels erratic or rises above 100 beats per minute.