| How to Relieve Ear Pain at Night Posted: 14 May 2019 01:00 AM PDT Earaches can keep anyone up at night, and it's painful and frustrating when you or your child are suffering from one. It's important to have a doctor diagnose and treat the root cause of the earache as soon as possible to help speed up the recovery process. Most earaches will clear up within 2-3 days, but in the meantime, you can ease the pain with warm compresses and over-the-counter medications as needed. However, if your ear pain doesn't clear up or it's accompanied by other symptoms, you may need to see a doctor to make sure something else isn't wrong.[1] EditEasing the Pain without Medication - Put a warm washcloth over the affected ear. Run a washcloth under warm water. Wring out the excess water from the cloth and lay it over your ear. The warmth from the water will provide some relief.[2]
- Re-warm the washcloth as often as needed.
- Place a cool washcloth over your ear if warmth doesn't work. Warm or cool compresses can both help relieve pain, so if one isn't working, try the other. For a cool compress, dip a washcloth in cold water and wring it out. Lay it over the ear and leave it there to help with the pain.[3]
- You can re-wet the washcloth as needed.
- You can also use ice wrapped in a washcloth. However, do not leave ice on for more than 20 minutes. You can leave cool compresses made with just water on as long as you want.
- You may find that alternating heat and cold is helpful.
- Avoid secondhand cigarette smoke if you or your child has an earache. Cigarette smoke decreases the ears' ability to drain fluid, which can make earaches and infections worse. Ask smokers to go outside if anyone in your household has an earache.[4]
- This tip is also helpful for preventing earaches.
- Prop your head up with a few pillows. Sleeping a bit more upright may help the fluids drain, relieving pressure. Simply put an extra pillow or 2 under your head or lift your child's head up the same way.[5]
- Only do this if your child is old enough to use pillows.
- Try a gentle massaging motion for tension-related earaches. Sometimes, earaches arise due to tension headaches. Massaging the area behind the ear may help. Place your fingers just behind your ear and rub down toward the back of your neck. Then, repeat the same downward motion as you go under your ear, eventually moving to just in front of your ear.[6]
- This motion may help drain fluids.
- It may also provide relief when earaches arise from conditions like temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders.[7]
- Suck on a piece of hard candy or a cough drop. Eating something using a sucking motion can relieve pressure in your ears. Older children can also suck on hard candy for pain relief. For younger kids, try a pacifier or even a bottle or breast.[8]
- Keep in mind that hard candies are a choking hazard for children, particularly under the age of 7. If your children are under 7, you might try something else that uses a sucking motion, such as a popsicle before bed.
EditUsing Medication - Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve pain. Use these over-the-counter medications to help ease earaches by taking them or giving them to your child at bedtime. If you're treating a child, make sure to give them the children's version and always read the package to give the child an appropriate dose.[9]
- Avoid giving aspirin to kids as it puts them at risk for Reye's Syndrome. Also, don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months.[10]
- Always talk to your doctor before starting a medication.
- With many pain relievers, you can give another dose in 4 hours, so check the package.
- Medicate with ear drops if your doctor recommends them. To use analgesic or pain-relieving ear drops, lie down on your side or have your child lie down with the affected ear facing up. Place the dropper just above the ear canal and drip a few drops in. Stay in this position for a few minutes to give the ear drops a chance to sink in.[11]
- These typically are prescribed for the pain, though some may have antibiotics in them.
- Ear drops are available over-the-counter, but talk to your doctor first before using them.
- Give a full round of antibiotics if prescribed by the doctor. Antibiotics will help clear the infection if it's bacterial, relieving pain. If you've already seen a doctor who's given you or your child antibiotics, make sure to take all of the prescribed medicine, even if it seems like you're better. Otherwise, the infection could return.[12]
EditVisiting the Doctor - Call the doctor immediately if the earache is accompanied by other symptoms. Look for swelling in or around the ear, a stiff neck, and unsteady balance. Also, if your child seems confused or has a fever over with the earache, you should visit the doctor.[13]
- Also, call if the earache seems severe and doesn't respond to an over-the-counter pain reliever in 2 hours.
- If you have a compromised immune system due to conditions like cancer, sickle cell disease, or HIV, see the doctor with an earache. Organ transplants or oral steroids can also cause issues with the immune system.
- It's also important to see the doctor immediately if a sharp object in the ear caused the pain.
- See the doctor if your child is under 2 with pain in both ears. If you're caring for a child under 2 with ear pain in both ears, that could be a sign of a more serious condition. Check their temperature; if it's over , see the doctor.[14]
- Go to the doctor if the pain lasts more than 2 days. This is especially true in kids. Most of the time, the doctor will want to wait it out a bit anyway. Ear infections and earaches are not always caused by bacteria, so antibiotics aren't helpful all the time. However, if it persists, you should talk to your doctor so that it doesn't develop into a worse infection.[15]
- Ask if a specialist is appropriate for frequent ear infections. If you or your child are getting ear infections constantly, it may be time to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Talk to your family doctor about a referral. An ENT doctor can help decide if further treatment is needed, such as inserting tubes in the ears.[16]
- Tubes help open up the ear, allowing fluid to drain, which is particularly helpful in children.
- Wash your hands often! Also, teach your kids to wash their hands frequently to help prevent them from getting sick.[17]
- Get vaccinated for the flu and do the same for your kids, as the flu can lead to earaches.[18]
- Kids tend to get earaches more frequently than adults, mainly because their eustachian tubes are smaller and they can't fight infections off as well as adults. They are more likely to get an earache after having a respiratory condition, such as a cold or the flu.[19]
- Don't put your baby down to sleep with a bottle as fluid can drain into the ears.[20]
- Avoid putting cotton swabs or any long object in the ear to clean it. Instead, gently wash the outer edge of the canal with a washcloth. Never stick anything in the ear canal.[21]
EditReferences
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| How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker Posted: 13 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT If you're trying to swap out white rice for more nutritious quinoa, don't change the cooking method. Your rice cooker is a great tool for quickly steaming quinoa that turns out fluffy and light every time. Although you only need quinoa and water to make a batch, you can easily flavor quinoa by adding spices, herbs, or flavorful liquid in place of the water. EditIngredients - 1 cup (170 g) of quinoa
- of water
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt
Makes 4 servings EditMaking Basic Quinoa - Rinse the quinoa in cold water. Put 1 cup (170 g) of quinoa into a fine mesh strainer or sieve and hold it under cold running water. Use your hands to swish the quinoa around as you rinse it.[1]
- It's important to rinse quinoa before cooking it since this will remove quinoa's bitter covering.
- Put the quinoa, water, and salt into the rice cooker. Scoop the rinsed quinoa into your rice cooker and pour in of water. Then stir in 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt.[2]
- Use cold water because hot water would make the quinoa turn gummy in texture.
- Cover and turn on the rice cooker. Put the lid on your rice cooker and turn it on. If your rice cooker has a white or brown rice option, choose the white rice option. Leave the quinoa to cook until the rice cooker clicks off.
- Avoid lifting the lid as the quinoa cooks since it won't steam properly if moisture escapes.
- Let the quinoa sit for 3 to 5 minutes before you fluff it with a fork. Keep the lid on the rice cooker and unplug the machine. The quinoa will finish steaming as it rests for a few minutes. Then lift off the lid and fluff the quinoa gently with a fork.[3]
- Fluffing the quinoa will loosen it so it's light instead of compact in the rice cooker.
- Serve the quinoa. You can serve the quinoa hot along with your meal or chill it and serve it as a cold salad. For example, mix cold quinoa with vinaigrette and shredded vegetables.[4]
- To store leftover quinoa, put it into an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
- You can also freeze the quinoa for up to 2 months. To defrost it, put the container in the refrigerator overnight.
EditTrying Variations - Substitute a flavorful liquid for the water. One of the simplest ways to add flavor to your quinoa is to substitute the water with vegetable or chicken broth. Control how salty your quinoa is by using low-sodium broth or stock.[5]
- For a burst of fresh flavor, add a squirt of lemon juice to the liquid.
- Add spices to give the quinoa a unique flavor. Stir up to 2 tablespoons (12 g) of your favorite dried seasonings into the cooking liquid so the quinoa absorbs it as it cooks. Consider what you're eating the quinoa with to determine how to season it. For example, try:[6]
- Mexican taco or fajita seasoning
- Curry powder
- Chinese five-spice powder
- Cajun seasoning mix
- Stir in aromatics or oil to flavor the quinoa. Toss in a clove of crushed garlic, a piece of lemon peel, or a sprig of fresh rosemary for an instant flavor boost. You can also pour in of a flavored oil, such as walnut, toasted sesame, or hazelnut.[7]
- Remove the garlic, peel, or herbs just before serving the quinoa.
- Use coconut milk and add fruit for breakfast quinoa. For a nice change from your morning oatmeal, cook a batch of quinoa in the rice cooker, but use coconut milk instead of water. Stir in chopped fresh fruit and sprinkle ground cinnamon over the top just before serving.[8]
- If you prefer, use an alternative milk, such as almond, hemp, or soy milk, instead of coconut milk.
- To use dried fruit, add it to the rice cooker when you add the quinoa. This will allow the fruit to plump up as it cooks.
- Always read your rice cooker's instruction manual. Some manuals will include instructions for cooking quinoa.
EditThings You'll Need - Fine mesh strainer or sieve
- Rice cooker
- Spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
EditReferences
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| How to Pack Necklaces for Traveling Posted: 13 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT When it comes to packing necklaces for travel, visualizing a knotted mess of necklace chains may cause you enough anxiety to avoid packing jewelry altogether. There are several easy ways to organize your necklaces when packing to ensure they stay separated and in good condition. Once you read how simple it is to pack necklaces carefully, all that's left to do is decide which necklaces to bring with you. Just don't forget to keep in mind the extra precautions to take when traveling with expensive jewelry. EditUsing Plastic Wrap to Pack Necklaces - Unroll a large piece of plastic wrap. On a hard surface, unroll a sheet of plastic wrap that is large enough for your necklaces to rest vertically with of space between each necklace. Unroll it slowly and place it on the surface immediately so that it doesn't stick onto itself or anything else.[1]
- You can use regular plastic wrap or press and seal plastic wrap for this method of storing necklaces.
- Space the necklaces evenly across the plastic wrap. Gather the necklaces you want to pack and set them carefully onto your workspace. When holding up a necklace at the clasp, the necklace should fall in a nearly straight vertical line. Lay them onto the plastic wrap exactly like this, leaving of space between each necklace so that they don't get tangled.[2]
- When traveling with more than 6 necklaces, you may want to split the necklaces onto 2 separate sheets of plastic wrap as this can be easier to deal with. If so, repeat the directions for each batch of necklaces.
- Cut another sheet of plastic wrap that is the same size as the first one. Your second sheet of plastic wrap will lay directly onto the sheet with your necklaces, so try to cut a piece that is the same size, or slightly larger, than the original sheet.[3]
- Don't forget that plastic wrap is super sticky. Do your best to carefully remove it from the roll while holding onto each cut edge so it doesn't become unruly.
- Place the second piece of plastic wrap on top of the first sheet. Carefully holding the second piece of plastic wrap with a hand on each cut side, place it onto the first sheet covered in necklaces. You are essentially sandwiching the necklaces between each sheet of plastic wrap.[4]
- Be sure the necklaces between the plastic wrap stay separated. Use your fingers to adjust the necklaces as needed.
- Press to seal the necklaces between the two sheets of plastic wrap. Now that your necklaces are sandwiched between two sheets of plastic wrap, press firmly between and around each necklace.[5] This will seal each necklace in plastic wrap, so they remain straight and separated. This will ensure that they don't fall into a tangled mess.
- Roll the sheet of wrapped necklaces and pack with your belongings. Carefully roll up the sheet of plastic-wrapped necklaces as though rolling a towel. This will make the necklaces easier to pack. Your final result will be a thick roll of plastic wrapped necklaces that can easily slip into your suitcase. [6]
- Since you have already secured each necklace within the plastic wrap, they will remain separated and safe when rolled up.
EditUsing Straws to Keep Necklaces from Tangling - Gather one straw for each necklace you plan to pack. Once you have decided how many necklaces you want to pack, collect enough straws to match up with each necklace.[7]
- The type of plastic straw used will depend on the size of your necklaces. Thin straws will work well for thin chain necklaces, while straws with a larger opening will be best for necklaces that have more bulk.
- Unclasp a necklace and thread it through a straw. Take the first necklace you want to pack and unclasp it. Once unclasped, drop the chain into the straw until it comes out the other end. At this point, you should have a straw strung on your necklace as though it were a pendant.[8]
- If your necklace has a pendant, slide it towards one end of your necklace so you can thread most of the chain through the straw. Leave the pendant outside of the straw, as it probably won't fit.
- Close the clasp of each necklace. Once the chain of your necklace is running through each end of the straw, clasp the necklace to secure it. Repeat this with each necklace you intend on packing.[9]
- The straw ensures that the necklace won't get tangled with itself or another piece of jewelry. It will keep the necklace pulled taught and secure.
- Place necklaces into a toothbrush holder or Ziploc bag. Once you have a pile of necklaces strung onto the plastic straws, you will want to place them in a bag or holder to help them stay protected during travel.
- Use a large Ziploc bag to store your necklaces. Once you have placed the necklaces into the bag, roll the bag up so the necklaces don't move around in transit.
- If you are only bringing a few necklaces, try dropping them into a plastic toothbrush holder to keep them safe and secure.
- Pack chunky necklaces by slipping them through a toilet paper tube. You can follow these same instructions for packing chunky necklaces– instead of using a straw, try a cardboard toilet paper roll.[10]
- You can also use a paper towel tube for long chunky necklaces. Cut the roll down to the right size if necessary.
EditKeeping Your Jewelry Safe - Leave your most valuable pieces at home. When it comes to traveling with jewelry, a general rule of thumb is to keep in mind the type of vacation when choosing what to pack. If you can avoid bringing expensive items, it is probably best to do so. However, if you are taking a trip where you need to bring your more expensive necklaces, you'll just want to follow certain precautions to keep them safe.[11]
- If you are going on a leisurely trip, try not to bring anything you are going to worry about losing. Bring a few neutral pieces that will work with multiple outfits but that you don't have a lot of emotional or financial attachment to.
- Consider leaving particularly sentimental pieces (like wedding rings) at home. Wear a less valuable alternative on your ring finger during your trip.
- Make a list of all the necklaces you are traveling with to keep track of them. When traveling with expensive necklaces, take the time to make a quick list of the necklaces you brought with you. Take one list with you and leave another at home (or email it to yourself). Having a list will help you keep track of your necklaces, which will especially come in handy if you misplace one or cannot remember which ones you packed.[12]
- It may be smart to take photos of the necklaces before you leave for your trip. If you misplace jewelry that is insured, photographs can be helpful when making a claim.
- Pack necklaces in your carry-on to keep them close by. Always keep expensive necklaces in bags that won't leave your sight. If flying, pack them in your carry-on. Don't leave your jewelry in an unattended suitcase.[13]
- Carrying the necklaces in your purse or personal bag is your best bet when it comes to traveling with expensive necklaces.
- Store expensive necklaces in the in-room safe. When staying at a hotel, use the in-room safe to store expensive items when you aren't wearing them. This will give you an extra sense of security when leaving the hotel room for the day.[14]
EditReferences
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