Basic first aid skills everyone should know about

Hello dassyb blog readers, hope you are having a great weekend? Have you or someone close to you ever experienced an emergency medical conduction and wished you had some basic first aid skills before going to a doctor? Having first aid skills is important because this can help save lives when you least expect. This post will be about basic first aid skills I learnt and researched about. Happy reading and learning.

What is first aid?

First aid is the assistance given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and/or promote recovery.It includes initial intervention in a serious condition prior to professional medical help being available, such as performing CPR while awaiting an ambulance , as well as the complete treatment of minor conditions, such as applying a plaster to a cut . First aid is generally performed by the layperson , with many people trained in providing basic levels of first aid, and others willing to do so from acquired knowledge. Mental health first aid is an extension of the concept of first aid to cover mental health.
There are many situations which may require first aid, and many countries have legislation, regulation, or guidance which specifies a minimum level of first aid provision in certain circumstances. This can include specific training or equipment to be available in the workplace (such as an automated external defibrillator), the provision of specialist first aid cover at public gatherings, or mandatory first aid training within schools. First aid, however, does not necessarily require any particular equipment or prior knowledge, and can involve improvisation with materials available at the time, often by untrained persons.

Conditions that often require first aid

• Altitude sickness , which can begin in susceptible people at altitudes as low as 5,000 feet, can cause potentially fatal swelling of the brain or lungs .
• Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition in which the airway can become constricted and the patient may go into shock . The reaction can be caused by a systemic allergic reaction to allergens such as insect bites or peanuts. Anaphylaxis is initially treated with injection of epinephrine .
• Battlefield first aid—This protocol refers to treating shrapnel, gunshot wounds, burns, bone fractures, etc. as seen either in the ‘traditional’ battlefield setting or in an area subject to damage by large-scale weaponry, such as a bomb blast.
• Bone fracture, a break in a bone initially treated by stabilizing the fracture with a splint .
• Burns, which can result in damage to tissues and loss of body fluids through the burn site.
• Cardiac Arrest , which will lead to death unless CPR preferably combined with an AED is started within minutes. There is often no time to wait for the emergency services to arrive as 92 percent of people suffering a sudden cardiac arrest die before reaching hospital according to the American Heart Association.
• Choking, blockage of the airway which can quickly result in death due to lack of oxygen if the patient’s trachea is not cleared, for example by the Heimlich Maneuver .
• Childbirth.
• Cramps in muscles due to lactic acid build up caused either by inadequate oxygenation of muscle or lack of water or salt.
• Diving disorders, drowning or asphyxiation.
• Gender-specific conditions, such as dysmenorrhea and testicular torsion.
• Heart attack , or inadequate blood flow to the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.
• Heat stroke, also known as sunstroke or hyperthermia , which tends to occur during heavy exercise in high humidity, or with inadequate water, though it may occur spontaneously in some chronically ill persons. Sunstroke, especially when the victim has been unconscious, often causes major damage to body systems such as brain, kidney, liver, gastric tract. Unconsciousness for more than two hours usually leads to permanent disability. Emergency treatment involves rapid cooling of the patient.
• Hair tourniquet a condition where a hair or other thread becomes tied around a toe or finger tightly enough to cut off blood flow.
• Heat syncope , another stage in the same process as heat stroke, occurs under similar conditions as heat stroke and is not distinguished from the latter by some authorities.
• Heavy bleeding, treated by applying pressure (manually and later with a pressure bandage ) to the wound site and elevating the limb if possible.
• Hyperglycemia (diabetic coma) and Hypoglycemia (insulin shock ).
• Hypothermia, or Exposure, occurs when a person’s core body temperature falls below 33.7 °C (92.6 °F). First aid for a mildly hypothermic patient includes rewarming, which can be achieved by wrapping the affected person in a blanket, and providing warm drinks, such as soup, and high energy food, such as chocolate. However, rewarming a severely hypothermic person could result in a fatal
• arrhythmia , an irregular heart rhythm.
• Insect and animal bites and stings.
• Joint dislocation.
• Poisoning, which can occur by injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion.
• Seizures, or a malfunction in the electrical activity in the brain. Three types of seizures include a grand mal (which usually features convulsions as well as temporary respiratory abnormalities, change in skin complexion, etc.) and petit mal (which usually features twitching, rapid blinking, and/or fidgeting as well as altered consciousness and temporary respiratory abnormalities).
• Muscle strains and Sprains , a temporary
• dislocation of a joint that immediately reduces automatically but may result in ligament damage.
• Stroke, a temporary loss of blood supply to the brain.
• Toothache , which can result in severe pain and loss of the tooth but is rarely life-threatening, unless over time the infection spreads into the bone of the jaw and starts osteomyelitis .
• Wounds and bleeding , including lacerations ,
• incisions and abrasions, Gastrointestinal bleeding , avulsions and Sucking chest wounds, treated with an occlusive dressing to let air out but not in.

Basic first aid   

What to do after an incident

If someone is injured in an incident, first check that you and the casualty are not in any danger. If you are, make the situation safe. When it's safe to do so, assess the casualty and dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance (if necessary). You can then carry out basic first aid.

• Assessing a casualty The priorities when dealing with a casualty can be remembered as ABC:
  
• Airway
• Breathing
• Circulation

Airway

If the casualty appears unresponsive, ask them loudly if they are OK and if they can open their eyes. If they respond, you can leave the casualty in the position they are in until help arrives. While you wait, keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response:

• Are they alert?
• Do they respond to your voice?
• Do they respond to pain?
• Is there no response to any stimulus (they're unconscious)?

If there is no response, leave the casualty in the position they are in and open their airway. If this is not possible in the position they are in, gently lay them on their back and open the airway.
You open the airway by placing one hand on the casualty’s forehead and gently tilting the head back, then lifting the tip of the chin using two fingers. This is to move the tongue away from the back of the mouth. Do not push on the floor of the mouth as this will cause the tongue to obstruct the airway.
If you think they may have a spinal injury, place your hands on either side of their face and use your fingertips to gently lift the angle of the jaw to open the airway. Take care not to move the casualty’s neck. This is known as the jaw thrust technique.

Breathing

To check if a person is still breathing:

• Look to see if their chest is rising and falling.
• Listen over their mouth and nose for breathing.
• Feel their breath against your cheek for 10 seconds.

If they are breathing, place them in the recovery position so the airway remains clear of obstructions.
If the casualty is not breathing, call 767 or 112 for an ambulance, then begin CPR.

Circulation

If the heart stops beating, you can help maintain their circulation by performing chest compressions. This is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when combined with rescue breaths.
If you are not trained or feel unable to give rescue breaths, you can perform compression-only CPR.
Agonal breathing is common in the first few minutes after a sudden cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating). Agonal breathing is sudden, irregular gasps of breath. This should not be mistaken for normal breathing and CPR should be given straight away.

 If someone is unconscious and breathing

If a person is unconscious but is breathing and has no other life-threatening conditions, they should be placed in the recovery position until help arrives.
Putting someone in the recovery position will ensure their airway remains clear and open. It also ensures that any vomit or fluid will not cause them to choke. To place someone in the recovery position:

• kneel on the floor on one side of the person
• place the arm nearest you at a right angle to their body with their hand upwards towards the head
• tuck their other hand under the side of their head, so that the back of their hand is touching their cheek
• bend the knee farthest from you to a right angle
• roll the person onto their side carefully by pulling on the bent knee
• the top arm should be supporting the head and the bottom arm will stop you rolling them too far
• open their airway by gently tilting their head back and lifting their chin, and check that nothing is blocking their airway
• stay with the person and monitor their breathing and pulse continuously until help arrives
• if their injuries allow you to, turn the person onto their other side after 30 minutes

Spinal injury

If you think a person may have a spinal injury, do not attempt to move them until the emergency services reach you, unless their airway is obstructed.
If it is necessary to open their airway, place your hands on either side of their face and gently lift their jaw with your fingertips to open the airway. Take care not to move their neck.
You should suspect a spinal injury if the person:

• has a head injury, especially one where there has been a large blow on the back of the head, and is or has been unconscious
• complains of severe pain in their neck or back
• won't move their neck
• feels weak, numb or paralysed
• has lost control of their limbs, bladder or bowels
• has a twisted neck or back

If you must move the person (for example, because they are vomiting, choking or they are in danger of further injury), you will need assistance to roll them.

If someone is unconscious and not breathing

If a person is not breathing normally after an incident, call for an ambulance and then, if you can, start CPR straight away. Use hands-only CPR if you are not trained to perform rescue breaths.

CPR 

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first aid technique that can be used if someone is not breathing properly or if their heart has stopped.
Chest compressions and rescue breaths keep blood and oxygen circulating in the body.
If someone is not breathing normally and is not moving or responding to you after an accident, call 767 or 112 for an ambulance. Then, if you can, start CPR straight away.

Hands-only CPR

If you have not been trained in CPR or are worried about giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a stranger, you can do chest compression-only (or hands-only) CPR.
To carry out a chest compression:

1. Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers.
2. Position yourself with your shoulders above your hands.
3. Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5–6cm on their chest.
4. Repeat this until an ambulance arrives.

Try to perform chest compressions at 100-120 chest compressions a minute.
When you call for an ambulance, telephone systems now exist that can give basic life-saving instructions, including advice on CPR. These are now common and are easily accessible with mobile phones.

CPR with rescue breaths

If you’ve been trained in CPR, including rescue breaths, and feel confident using your skills, you should give chest compressions with rescue breaths. If you are not completely confident, attempt hands-only CPR instead (see above).

Adults

1. Place the heel of your hand on the centre of the person's chest, then place the other hand on top and press down by 5–6cm at a steady rate, at approximately 100 compressions per minute.
2. After every 30 chest compressions, give two breaths.
3. Tilt the casualty's head gently and lift the chin up with two fingers. Pinch the person’s nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth. Check that their chest rises. Give two rescue breaths.
4. Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

Children over one year old

1. Open the child's airway by placing one hand on the child’s forehead and gently tilting their head back and lifting the chin. Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose.
2. Pinch their nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth, checking that their chest rises. Give five initial rescue breaths.
3. Place the heel of your hand on the centre of their chest and press down by at least one-third of the depth of the chest. Use two hands if you can't press down hard enough with one.
4. After every 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute, give two breaths.
5. Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

Babies under one year old

1. Open the baby's airway by placing one hand on their forehead and gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose.
2. Place your mouth over the mouth and nose of the infant and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth, checking that their chest rises. Give five initial rescue breaths.
3. Place two fingers in the middle of the chest and press down by one-third of the depth of the chest. Use the heel of one hand if you cannot press deep enough with two fingers.
4. After 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute, give two breaths.
5. Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis (or anaphylactic shock) is a severe allergic reaction that can occur after an insect sting or after a person eats certain foods, for example. The reaction can be very fast, happening within seconds or minutes of contact with the thing a person is allergic to.
During anaphylactic shock, a person may find it difficult to breathe and their tongue and throat may also swell, obstructing their airway.
If you suspect a person is experiencing anaphylactic shock, call 767 or 112 straight away.
Check if the person is carrying any medication. Some people who know they have severe allergies may carry an adrenaline injector, which is a type of pre-loaded syringe. You can either help the person administer their medication or, if you're trained to do so, give it to them yourself.
Make sure they are comfortable and can breathe as best they can while waiting for medical help to arrive. If they are conscious, sitting upright is normally the best position for them.

Burns and scalds

In the event of a burn or scald:

• Cool the burn as quickly as possible with cold (but not ice-cold) running water for a minimum of 10 minutes or until the pain is relieved.
• Call 999 or seek medical help if necessary.
• While cooling the burn, carefully remove any clothing or jewellery, unless it is attached to the skin.
• Keep the person warm using a blanket or layers of clothing (avoiding the injured area) to prevent hypothermia. This is a risk if you are cooling a large burnt area, particularly in babies, children and elderly people. 
• Cover the burn lengthways with strips of cling film or a clean plastic bag if the burn is on a hand or foot. If no plastic film is available, use a sterile dressing or non-fluffy material. Do not wrap the burn as this may lead to swelling and further injury.
• Do not put creams, lotions or sprays on the burn.
• If appropriate, raise the limb to reduce the swelling and offer pain relief.

For chemical burns, wear protective gloves, remove any clothing affected, brush the chemical off the skin if it is a powder and rinse the burn with cold running water for a minimum of 20 minutes. If possible, determine what has caused the injury.
Be careful not to injure yourself, and wear protective clothing if necessary. Call 767 or 112 and arrange immediate medical attention.

Bleeding

If someone has severe bleeding, the main aim is to prevent further loss of blood and minimise the effects of shock (see below).
First, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance as soon as possible.
If you have disposable gloves, then use them to reduce the risk of any infection being passed on.
Check that there is nothing embedded in the wound. If there is, take care not to press down on the object. Instead, press firmly on either side of the object and build up padding around it before bandaging to avoid putting pressure on the object itself. If there is nothing embedded:

• Apply and maintain pressure to the wound with your hand, using a clean pad if possible.
• Use a clean dressing to bandage the wound firmly.
• If the wound is on a limb and there are no fractures, raise the limb to decrease the flow of blood.
• If bleeding continues through the pad then apply another pad over the top and bandage it in place. Do not remove the original pad or bandage.

If a body part has been severed, such as a finger, do not put it in direct contact with ice. Wrap it in a plastic bag or cling film, then wrap it in a soft material and keep it cool. Once it is wrapped, if possible, place the severed body part in crushed ice.
Always seek medical help for the bleeding unless it is minor. If someone has a nosebleed that has not stopped after 20 minutes, go to the nearest hospital's accident and emergency (A&E) department

Choking

The information below is for choking in adults and children over one year old.
If the airway is only partly blocked, the person will usually be able to speak, cry, cough or breathe. In situations like this, a person will usually be able to clear the blockage themselves. If choking is mild:

• Encourage the person to continue coughing to try to clear the blockage.
• Carefully remove any obvious obstruction from the mouth using your first two fingers and thumb.
• Do not put objects or fingers into the person's throat as this could push the obstruction further into the airway or cause vomiting.

If the obstruction is severe and the person is struggling to breathe, give up to five back blows (between the shoulder blades), using the heel of your hand. Carefully check the mouth and, if possible, remove any obstruction after every blow.
If this does not clear the obstruction, perform abdominal thrusts by following the steps below. This technique should not be used on babies under one year old, pregnant women or people who are obese:

• Stand behind the person who is choking.
• Place your arms around their waist and bend them well forward.
• Clench one fist and place it just above the person's belly button and below the breastbone.
• Place your other hand on top, then pull sharply inwards and upwards.
• Repeat this up to five times until the object stuck in their throat comes out of their mouth.

The aim is to get the obstruction out with each chest thrust rather than necessarily doing all five. If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance and continue until help arrives.
The person choking should always be checked over by a healthcare professional afterwards to check for any injuries caused by abdominal thrusts or any smaller pieces of the obstruction that remain.

Drowning

Do not enter the water to help unless it is absolutely essential.
Once the person is on land, if they are not breathing, open the airway and give five initial rescue breaths before starting CPR. If you are alone, perform CPR for one minute before calling for emergency help.
If the person is unconscious but still breathing, turn them into the recovery position with their head lower than their body to allow water to drain out, and call an ambulance immediately.

Electricity

If someone has been electrocuted, dial 767, 112 or applicable emergency numbers for an ambulance.
Switch off the electrical current at the mains to break the contact between the person and the electrical supply.
If you cannot reach the mains supply:

• Do not go near or touch the person until you are sure any electrical supply has been cut off.
• Protect yourself by standing on some insulating material (such as a phone book).
• Using something dry and non-metal, such as a wooden broom handle, push the person away from the electrical source, or move the source away from the person if this is easier.
• If the person is not breathing, carry out CPR and call an ambulance.

Always seek medical help unless the shock is very minor.

Fractures

It can be difficult to tell if a person has a broken bone, or a joint or muscle injury. If you're in any doubt, treat the injury as a broken bone.
If the person is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or is bleeding severely, these must be dealt with first.
If the person is conscious, prevent any further pain or damage by keeping the injury still until you get them safely to hospital. Assess the injury and decide the best way to get them to hospital. If they have a broken finger or arm, you may be able to drive them yourself without causing more harm.

• If they have a broken leg, do not move the person but keep them in the position you found them in. Support the injured part with anything you have handy, for example rolled up blankets or clothes. Call for an ambulance.
• If you suspect they have injured or broken their spine (back) do not move them and call for an ambulance.
• Look out for signs of shock. If the person is pale, cold and clammy, has a weak pulse and rapid shallow breathing, they are probably in shock (see below).

If you think that the person may have shock, lie them down and loosen any tight clothing. Do not raise an injured leg. Otherwise, if their injuries allow, raise their legs above the level of their heart by placing something suitable under their feet such as blankets or cushions.
Do not give the person anything to eat or drink as they may need a general anaesthetic when they reach hospital.

Heart attack

A heart attack is one of the most common life-threatening heart conditions in the world.
If you think a person is having or has had a heart attack, make them as comfortable as possible and call for an ambulance. Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• chest pain – the pain is usually located in the centre of the chest and can feel like a sensation of pressure, tightness or squeezing
• pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is travelling from the chest to one or both arms, jaw, neck, back or abdomen

Sit the person down.
If they are conscious, reassure them and give them a 300mg aspirin tablet to chew slowly (unless there is any reason not to give them aspirin, for example if they are under 16 or allergic to it). If the person has any medication for angina, such as a spray or tablets, help them to take it. Monitor their vital signs, such as breathing, until help arrives.
If the person becomes unconscious, open their airway, check their breathing and, if necessary, start CPR.

Poisoning

Poisoning is potentially life threatening. Most cases of poisoning occur when a person has swallowed a toxic substance such as bleach, an overdose of a prescription drug or eaten wild plants and fungi. Alcohol poisoning can cause similar symptoms.
If you think someone has swallowed a poisonous substance, call for immediate medical help.
The effects of poisoning depend on the substance swallowed but can include vomiting, loss of consciousness, pain or a burning sensation:

• Find out what has been swallowed so you can tell the paramedic or doctor.
• Do not give the person anything to eat or drink unless a health professional advises you to.
• Never try to cause vomiting. 
• Stay with the person as their condition may get worse and they could become unconscious.

If the person is unconscious, while you wait for help:

• Make sure the airway is open and they are breathing. You open the airway by gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin to move the tongue away from the back of the mouth.
• If they are breathing, turn them into the recovery position, preferably with their head down so any vomit can escape without being swallowed or inhaled.
• If they are not breathing, perform CPR until they start breathing or medical help arrives.
• If there are any chemicals on their mouth, use a face shield or pocket mask to protect yourself if you give rescue breaths.

Do not leave the unconscious person as they may roll onto their back. This could cause them to vomit, which could then reach their lungs.

Shock

In the case of a serious injury or illness, it is important to watch for signs of shock.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the circulatory system fails and, as a result, deprives the vital organs of oxygen. This is usually due to severe blood loss, but it can also happen after severe burns, severe vomiting, a heart attack, bacterial infection or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
The type of shock described here is not the same thing as the emotional response of feeling shocked, which can also occur after an accident.
Signs of shock include:

• pale, cold, clammy skin
• sweating
• rapid, shallow breathing
• weakness and dizziness
• feeling sick and possibly vomiting
• thirst
• yawning
• sighing

If you notice any signs of shock in a casualty, seek medical help immediately:

• Dial 767 or 112 as soon as possible and ask for an ambulance.
• Treat any obvious injuries.
• Lay the person down if their injuries allow you to and, if possible, raise and support their legs.
• Use a coat or blanket to keep them warm, but not smothered.
• Do not give them anything to eat or drink.
• Give lots of comfort and reassurance.
• Monitor the person. If they stop breathing, start CPR.
• Do not give them anything to drink.

Stroke

The FAST guide is the most important thing to remember when dealing with people who have had a stroke. The earlier they receive treatment, the better. Call for emergency medical help straight away.
If you suspect a person has had a stroke, use the FAST guide:

• Facial weakness: is the person unable to smile evenly, or are their eyes or mouth droopy?
• Arm weakness: is the person only able to raise one arm?
• Speech problems: is the person unable to speak clearly or understand you?
• Time to call 767 or 112 for emergency help if a person has any of these symptoms. 

I hope this was helpful, thanks for reading and please dont forget to leave a comment.

Full lists of newly appointed ministers, what do you think about it

Hi Dassyb blog readers, President Muhammad Buhari has sworn in all 37 ministers he appointed recently.Former governors Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, and 34 others took the oath of office on Wednesday at the presidential villa.

 

The full list of the ministers and their offices are as follows:

Kemi Adeosun (Ogun) – Finance

Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)–Transportation

Chris Ngige (Anambra)–Labour and Employment

Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti)–Solid Minerals

Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)–Power, Works and Housing

Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano)–Interior

Aisha Alhassan (Taraba)–Women Affairs

Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi)–Science and Technology

Abubakar Malami (Kebbi)–Justice

Hadi Sirika (Katsina)–State for Aviation

Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa)–Water Resources

Solomon Dalong (Plateau)–Youths and Sports

Ibeh Kachikwu (Delta)–State for Petroleum

Osagie Ehanire (Edo)–State for Health

Audu Ogbeh (Benue)–Agriculture

Udo Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom)–Budget and National Planning

Lai Mohammed (Kwara)–Information

Amina Mohammed (Gombe)–Environment

Ibrahim Usman Jibril (Nasarawa)— State for Environment

Anthony Onwuka (Imo) – State for Education

Muhammadu Bello (Adamawa) — FCT

Adamu Adamu (Bauchi) — Education

Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia) – Industry, Trade and Investment

Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto) — State for Trade, Industry and Investment

Khadija Bukar Abba (Yobe) – State for Foreign Affairs

Claudius Daramola (Ondo) – State for Niger Delta

Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu) — Foreign Affairs

Monsur Dan-Ali (Zamfara) — Defence

James Ocholi (Kogi) – State for Labour

Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna) – State for Budget and National Planning

Mustapha Shehuri (Borno) — State for Power

Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)–State for Agriculture

Isaac Adewole Folorunsho (Osun) — Health

Usani Usani Uguru (Cross River) — Niger Delta

Abubakar Bwari Bawa (Niger) — State for Solid Minerals

Adebayo Shittu (Oyo) — Communications

Muhammadu Buhari — PetroleumPetroleum

What do you think about the appointments, satisfied or not? Air your views by leaving a comment...

netdoctor - First aid – what everybody should know

netdoctor - First aid – what everybody should know

Sports personalty..... Diego Maradona

Hi Dassyb blog readers, hope you had a great week. Its Saturday and I will be kick starting the series on sports personalities with Argentine legend Maradona. So sit back and read on because their is a lot to come on this series. Don't forget to drop your comments. Happy reading....

Diego Maradona

 Ex football player

Full name: Diego Armando Maradona Franco

Date of birth:30 October 1960 (age 55)

Place of birth: Lanús , Buenos Aires , Argentina

Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)

Playing position: Attacking midfielder

Best known as: The hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup win

Diego Maradona is the Babe Ruth of Argentinian soccer, a pudgy, charming and hard-partying star who dominated his country's favorite sport. Maradona is best remembered for helping Argentina win the 1986 World Cup with two goals in a quarterfinal match against England; on the first he punched the ball in with his hand, a sneaky maneuver that went unseen by the referee. (Maradona wryly credited the goal to "a little bit of Maradona's head, a little bit of the hand of God.") Maradona was a goal-scoring midfielder for Argentina in four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994) and played professionally for more than two decades. Among his many pro clubs were FC Barcelona (1982-84) and SSC Napoli (1984-91). His career included plenty of controversy: he was suspended for 15 months in 1991 after testing postiive for cocaine, suspended again in 1994 after failing another drug test, and ran up an unpaid income tax bill in Italy that eventually exceeded 30 million Euros. Photos of Maradona looking bloated and decidedly unathletic were commonplace in the 1990s, and he survived a heart attack in 2004, but he never quite lost the public's affection. In 2005 he began hosting his own television show in Argentina titled La Noche del Diez, or "The Night of the Number Ten."

Career stats 

Youth career

1968–1969 Estrella Roja

1970–1974 Los Cebollitas

1975–1976 Argentinos Juniors

Senior career*

Years.           Team Apps † (Gls

1976–1981 Argentinos Juniors 166 (116)

1981–1982 Boca Juniors 40 (28)

1982–1984 Barcelona 36 (22)

1984–1991 Napoli 188 (81)

1992–1993 Sevilla 26 (5)

1993–1994 Newell's Old Boys 5 (0)

1995–1997 Boca Juniors 30 (7)

Total 491 (259)

National team

1977–1979 Argentina U20 24 (13)

1977–1994 Argentina 91 (34)

Teams managed

1994 Mandiyú de Corrientes

1995 Racing Club

2008–2010 Argentina

2011–2012 Al Wasl

Villa Fiorito, Maradona's hometown, is a slum on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Some sources list his birthplace as Lanus, but the biography on his official site names Villa Fiorito... Maradona had his stomach stapled in a weight-loss operation in 2005... Lionel Messi, an Argetine soccer star of the 21st century, has often been compared with the young Maradona.

Thanks for reading.... Leave your comments.....

UCL results.......Bayern hammer Arsenal

Hi Dassyb blog readers, how's the week going? The match day 4 of the champions league has been played and it was fun and interesting as always with upsets and suprising results with some teams securing qualification into the next round while others have to wait for match day 5 & 6 to know their faith.

On Tuesday, Astana and atletico Madrid played out a goalless draw while shakhtar Donetsk defeated malmo by 4 goals to nothing. Man united and benfica recorded victories over csk Moscow and galatasary respectively. Real Madrid recorded a slim victory over PSG while PSV defeated Wolfsburg by 2 goals to nil. Monchengladbach played out a 1 all draw with juventus while Manchester city recorded an away 3-1 win over sevilla.

On Wednesday Barcelona recorded a 3-0 home win over bate borisov with Roma also defeating Bayern Leverkusen by 3 goals to 2. Bayern hammered arsenal by 5 goals to 1 with giroud getting the consolation goal while olympiakos came back from a goal down to defeat dynamo Zagreb putting arsenal qualification to the round of sixteen in jeopardy. Chelsea Snatched a late win over dynamo Kyiv by 2 goals to one while Porto recorded a comfortable away away win over M.tel-aviv. Lyon lost at home by two goals to zenith who qualifies for the next round while gent recorded a 1 nil win over Valencia.

Below is the full results of champions league match day 4. 

UCL results for tuesday 3/11/2014

Astana 0-0 Atlético

Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 Malmö

Man. United 1-0 CSKA Moskva

Benfica 2-1 Galatasaray

Real Madrid 1-0 Paris

PSV 2-0 Wolfsburg

Mönchengladbach 1-1 Juventus

Sevilla 1-3 Man. CityCity

UCL results for wednesday 4/11/2015

Chelsea 2-1 Dynamo Kyiv

Barcelona 3-0 BATE

Roma 3-2 Leverkusen

Bayern 5-1 Arsenal

Lyon 0-2 Zenit

Gent 1-0 Valencia

Olympiacos 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb

M. Tel-Aviv 1-3 PortoPorto

Thanks for reading and Don't forget to drop your comments.

CHEERS

STRESS........management, symptoms, causes, effects...

Hi Dassyb blog readers, how's your week going? Today we will be talking about stress.......... This issue affects almost everyone, myself included. Modern life is full of frustrations, deadlines, and demands. For many people, stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life. Stress isn’t always bad, though. Stress within your comfort zone can help you perform under pressure, motivate you to do your best, even keep you safe when danger looms. But when stress becomes overwhelming, it can damage your health, mood, relationships, and quality of life. You can protect yourself by understanding how the body’s stress response works, recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress overload, and taking steps to reduce its harmful effects.

What is stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you feel threatened, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus.
This is known as the “fight or flight” stress response and is your body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, stress helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life—giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.
Stress can also help you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you'd rather be watching TV. But beyond your comfort zone, stress stops being helpful and can start causing major damage to your mind and body.Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress -- a negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach , elevated blood pressure , chest pain , and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.
Stress also becomes harmful when people use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to try to relieve their stress. Unfortunately, instead of relieving the stress and returning the body to a relaxed state, these substances tend to keep the body in a stressed state and cause more problems.

Cognitive Symptoms of stress

Memory problems

Inability to concentrate

Poor judgment

Seeing only the negative

Anxious or racing thoughts

Constant worrying

Emotional Symptoms of stress

Moodiness

Irritability or short temper

Agitation, inability to relax

Feeling overwhelmed

Sense of loneliness and isolation

Depression or general unhappiness

Physical Symptoms of stress

Aches and pains

Diarrhea or constipation

Nausea, dizziness

Chest pain, rapid heartbeat

Loss of sex drive

Frequent colds

Behavioral Symptoms of stress

Eating more or less

Sleeping too much or too little

Isolating yourself from others

Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities

Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax

Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing).

Common external causes of stress

Major life changes

Work or school

Relationship difficulties

Financial problems

Being too busy

Children and family

Common internal causes of stress

Chronic worry

Pessimism

Negative self-talk

Unrealistic expectations/Perfectionism

Rigid thinking, lack of flexibility

All-or-nothing attitude

Health problems caused or exacerbated by stress

Pain of any kindHeart diseaseDigestive problemsSleep problemsDepressionWeight problemsAuto immune diseasesSkin conditions, such as eczema

Ways to Fight Back Against Stress -- and Improve Your Health

The next time you feel stressed, here are four stress relief tips you can try.

1. Breathe deeply. Just a few minutes of deep breathing can calm you and tame the physiologic stress response, Winner says. While building in a specific time to relax each day is a good idea, one advantage to deep breathing for stress relief is that you can do it anywhere -- at your desk or in your (parked) car, for instance.
Winner recommends that as you breathe out, you relax a specific muscle group. Start with the muscles in your jaw. On the next breath out, relax your shoulders. Move through the different areas of your body until you're feeling calm.

2. Focus on the moment. When you're stressed, you're probably living in the future or the past. You're worried about what to do next or regretful about something you've already done. To get some stress relief, instead try focusing on what you're doing right now.
"You can calm yourself by bringing yourself back to the present moment," says Winner. "If you're walking, feel the sensation of your legs moving. If you're eating, focus on the taste and the sensation of the food."

3. Reframe the situation. So you're already running late and then find yourself stuck in terrible traffic. Getting worked up is a natural reaction, but it won't help you at all. Rather than swearing and pounding the steering wheel, get a different perspective. Look at that time as an opportunity -- a few minutes to yourself where you don't have any other obligations.

4. Keep your problems in perspective. It might seem Pollyannaish, but the next time you're feeling stressed out, think about the things for which you're grateful.
"We get stressed when we focus so much on a specific problem that we lose perspective," says Winner. "You need to remind yourself of the basic ways in which you're lucky -- that you have family and friends, that you can see, that you can walk." It can be a surprisingly effective method for stress relief.

5. Engage socially. The simple act of talking face to face with another human being can release hormones that reduce stress even if you’re still unable to alter the stressful situation. Opening up to someone is not a sign of weakness and it won’t make you a burden to others. In fact, most friends will be flattered that you trust them enough to confide in them, and it will only strengthen your bond.

6. Get moving. Physical activity plays a key role in managing stress. Activities that require moving both your arms and your legs are particularly effective. Walking, running, swimming, dancing, and aerobic classes are good choices, especially if you exercise mindfully (focusing your attention on the physical sensations you experience as you move). Focused movement helps to get your nervous system back into balance. If you’ve been traumatized or experienced the immobilization stress response, getting active can help you to become "unstuck."

Factors that influence your stress tolerance

1. Your support network – Social engagement is the body’s most evolved strategy for responding to stress so it’s no surprise that people with a strong network of supportive friends and family members are better able to cope with life’s stressors. On the flip side, the more lonely and isolated you are, the less opportunity you have to utilize social engagement and the greater your vulnerability to stress.

2. Your exercise levels . Your physical and mental health are intrinsically linked, so the better you take care of your body, the greater resilience you’ll have against the symptoms of stress. Exercising regularly (for 30 minutes or more on most days) can lift your mood and help relieve stress, anxiety, anger, and frustration. It can also serve as a distraction to your worries, allowing you to find some quiet time and break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed stress and anxiety.

3. Your diet . The food you eat can also have a profound effect on your mood and how well you cope with life’s stressors. Eating a diet full of processed and convenience food, refined carbohydrates, and sugary snacks can worsen symptoms of stress while eating a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, high-quality protein, and healthy fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids, can help you better cope with life’s ups and downs.  Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress. Start your day with a healthy breakfast, reduce your caffeine and sugar intake, add plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and cut back on alcohol and nicotine.

4. Your sense of control – It may be easier to take stress in your stride if you have confidence in yourself and your ability to influence events and persevere through challenges. If you feel like things are out of your control, you’re likely to have less tolerance for stress.

5. Your attitude and outlook – Optimistic people are often more stress-hardy. They tend to embrace challenges, have a strong sense of humor, and accept that change is a part of life.

6. Your ability to deal with your emotions – You’re extremely vulnerable to stress if you don’t know how to calm and soothe yourself when you’re feeling sad, angry, or overwhelmed by a situation. The ability to bring your emotions into balance helps you bounce back from adversity and is a skill that can be learned at any age.

7. Your knowledge and preparation – The more you know about a stressful situation, including how long it will last and what to expect, the easier it is to cope. For example, if you go into surgery with a realistic picture of what to expect post-op, a painful recovery will be less traumatic than if you were expecting to bounce back immediately.

8. Set aside relaxation time . Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the fight or flight stress response.

9.Learning some relaxation techniques, meditation , or yoga will help with stress management, too. Getting good at any of these approaches will take a little time and practice, but the payoff -- for your short-term mood and long-term health.

10.Get plenty of sleep . Feeling tired can increase stress by causing you to think irrationally. Keep your cool in stressful situations by getting a good night’s sleep.

Answer the following questions about how well do you handle stress in your life?

1. I have people I confide in when I’m feeling under pressure who make me feel better.
2. I feel comfortable expressing how I feel when something is bothering me.
3. In general, I feel in control of my life and confident in my ability to handle what comes my way.
4. I find reasons to laugh and feel grateful, even when going through difficulties.
5. No matter how busy I am, I make it a priority to sleep, exercise, and eat right.
6. I’m able to calm myself down when I start to feel overwhelmed.

Each “yes” answer represents an important stress coping skill. Each “no” represents an area to work on to become more resilient.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to drop your comments and views on this issue...

Cheers....

UCL is back.....who's excited

Hi dassyb blog readers, how's your day going. The uefa champions league returns this evening. Below are fixtures for matches to be played tonight and tomorrow and the time to tune in to watch. Enjoy.......

GROUP STAGE (MATCH DAY 4)

UCL Fixtures for Tuesday 3rd November 2015

Astana 0-0 Atlético (ongoing)

Shakhtar Donetsk 20:45 Malmö

Man. United 20:45 CSKA Moskva

Benfica 20:45 Galatasaray

Real Madrid 20:45 Paris

PSV 20:45 Wolfsburg

Mönchengladbach 20:45 Juventus

Sevilla 20:45 Man. City

UCL fixtures for Wednesday 4th November 2015

Chelsea 20:45 Dynamo Kyiv

Barcelona 20:45 BATE

Roma 20:45 Leverkusen

Bayern 20:45 Arsenal

Lyon 20:45 Zenit

Gent 20:45 Valencia

Olympiacos 20:45 Dinamo Zagreb

M. Tel-Aviv 20:45 Porto

Don't forget to leave your thoughts, predictions and views.... Thanks for reading.