Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
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Co-authored Articles (21)
How to Treat Swollen Lymph Nodes in Neck: Natural Treatments, & More
Reduce swollen lymph nodes with our comprehensive treatment guideYou were feeling great yesterday but woke up today with swollen, painful lymph nodes—what’s the cause, and how should you treat it? Your swollen nodes ...
How to
Decrease Platelets
Platelets are so tiny that they only make up a tiny fraction of total blood volume. The function of platelets is mainly to prevent bleeding by clotting the blood. However, in rare cases, some people develop a condition i...
How to
Take Isabgol
Isabgol, also known as “psyllium husk,” is a common health supplement used to treat constipation, other digestive problems, and a few non-digestive problems such as high cholesterol. It contains 70 percent soluble fi...
How to
Clean Your Ear with Hydrogen Peroxide
Earwax (cerumen) is a natural substance produced by your ear canals to keep your ears dry and protect them against bacteria and infection. Normal activities like chewing and talking actually flake off excess earwax in ti...
How to
Lower GGT Levels
Gamma-glutamyl transferase, or GGT, is a type of enzyme that can be found in your blood. High levels of the enzyme can be a sign of diseases that cause damage to the bile duct, such as gallstones, or to the liver. High G...
How to
Treat a Salivary Gland Infection
Salivary gland infections, which are called sialadenitis, are typically bacterial in nature, but can also be viral in some instances. In either case, they are usually caused by reduced saliva flow due to a blockage in on...
How to
Prevent a Writer's Bump Callus
Writer’s calluses can be unattractive, uncomfortable, or even painful. They’re an accumulation of dead skin cells, formed by repeated friction against your finger. They’re caused by pressure created between your fi...
How to
Treat High Alkaline Phosphatase
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme naturally found in your liver, digestive system, kidney, and bones. A high ALP may indicate health conditions including liver damage, liver disease, bone disease, or a blocked bile...
How to
Heal a Hematoma at Home
A hematoma is a localized collection of blood underneath the skin that may appear as a reddish-blue swelling (bruise). It is usually due to blunt trauma to the body that blood vessels to burst and leak. A large hematoma ...
How to
Apply Dermabond
Dermabond is an FDA-approved surgical glue used to close small wounds, lacerations, and incisions. Medical professionals apply it in place of smaller sutures (stitches), after cleaning the wound. It's an efficient method...
How to Stop Feeling Like You’re Going to Pass Out: Prevent Yourself from Fainting
Medically reviewed ways to stop feeling faint and prevent falls and injuries Fainting is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness that doctors call “syncope.” It’s caused by a drop in blood flow to the brain and is us...
How to
Use Nystatin Cream
Fungal infections can be itchy and uncomfortable. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to manage these pesky yeast-related infections. Nystatin is an over-the-counter medicated cream used to treat fungal infections of the s...
How to
Create a Kidney Diet to Reverse Chronic Kidney Disease
If you are suffering from CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), you need a kidney diet that will improve impaired kidney function naturally. There is no cure for kidney disease, but you can slow the progression of symptoms with ...
How to
Use Aqueous Cream BP
Aqueous cream BP is a soap substitute for people with dry skin. It applies a thin layer of oil over your skin, locking in moisture and preventing evaporation. While it should not be used as a moisturizer, it can provide ...
How to
Diagnose Carcinoid Syndrome
Carcinoid syndrome is a very rare condition characterized by a group of symptoms that occur when a cancerous carcinoid tumor releases hormones and proteins into your bloodstream. Most people are unlikely to experience it...
How to
Get Rid of Keloids
Keloids scars can be a nuisance because they continue to grow even after the scar has healed. They rise above the rest of the skin and usually have a smooth top, are rough to the touch, and have a pink or purple colour. ...
How to
Give a Heparin Shot
Heparin is a blood thinner commonly used to prevent blood clots that may form as a result of many different medical conditions, treatments, and circumstances. Heparin may be used to keep blood flow smooth during dialysis...
How to
Donate Your Body to Science
For some people, making a contribution to society doesn't stop with their death. Many choose to donate their organs, and some opt to donate their body to science. For those who do the latter, it's often because the life ...
How to
Control Excessive Sweating
Although a certain amount of sweating is normal, and even healthy, if you find yourself sweating constantly and profusely you may be suffering from a condition known as hyperhidrosis. This is a medical condition which ca...
How to
Spot the Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen, dilated, and inflamed veins in the rectum or anus that become itchy and painful. Many people, both men and women, can get hemorrhoids. It’s only when they swell and cause problems that you real...
