Monday, November 24, 2008

HOW TO PERFORM TURPENTINE STUPES AND THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT IT

TURPENTINE STUPES
The application of turpentine stupes and oil to the abdomen or joint, combined with moist health.

Effects:
1. Relaxes abdominal distention of gas pain.
2. Relaxes bowel and intestinal spasms.
3. Stimulates the peristaltic movement of the intestines.
4. Relieves pain and congestion in the adjoining parts of the sprained ankle.
5. Relieves pain due to intestinal colic.
6. Promotes the absorption of serious effusions and exudates.

Things needed:
1. Set of Hot Fomentations.
2. Sheet or blanket to cover patient.
3. One hot towel.
4. Bottle containing turpentine and oil in the following mixture: 1tablespoon turpentine to 8 tablespoons of mineral oil for children, 1 tablespoon turpentine to 6 tablespoons of mineral oil for adults. Turpentine mixture: Put one turpentine mixture in a bottle with cover and add 8 tablespoons of mineral oil, if used to children and for adults, 6 tablespoons of mineral oil to one turpentine. Cover the bottle and shake the mixture thoroughly. Label the bottle with its proportion of turpentine and mineral oil. This mixture can be kept for future use. Keep bottle away from children.
5. Cream or lotion.

Procedure:
1. Bring all things needed to the bedside including the mixture of turpentine and mineral oil.
2. Prepare the patient for fomentation on the abdomen or ankle.
3. Apply the oil and turpentine mixture with your fingertips to the area to be treated.
4. Observe the skin of the patient to see if there are allergic reactions. If redness is noticed, discontinue the treatment. Wipe and remove the oil and turpentine mixture and apply cream or lotion to the skin.
5. Cover the area with dry towel and apply hot fomentation over the area covered. Fomentation pad should not be too hot.
6. Give three sets of fomentations. For abdominal distention, teach patient to do abdominal breathing. While the hot fomentation is still on the abdominal area, tell the patient to do abdominal breathing. Breathe in slowly bringing the abdomen up on inspiration and down on expiration. Do this exercise in few times, with rest periods in between.
7. After the last fomentation pad, remove hot towel and with dry towel remove oil from the skin.
8. Apply cream or hand lotion over the skin area treated and bandage (for sprained patients).
9. If abdominal distention persists, repeat the treatment after two hours, unless contraindicated.
10. If patient is not relieved in spite of the treatments, consult your physician immediately.

Precautions and Contraindications.
1. Do not use turpentine on patients with kidney problems.
2. Do not give patients allergic to turpentine.
3. If intestinal obstruction is suspected, never give any hot treatment but bring patient immediately to the nearest hospital. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction: a. Severe abdominal pain, b. No intestinal activities. Listen with your ears against the abdominal wall if the are movements of the intestines. C. Cannot pass out gas or stool.
4. Elderly patients and fair complexioned individuals are more sensitive. Use mixture of oil and turpentine for children.
5. For diabetic patients, use the children mixture.
6. Fomentation towels should not be very hot.