Pain and laughter for a veteran patient
Mr. Sampson, a 70-year-old man with a history of diabetes, was referred to us by his primary care physician for nerve conduction studies. He had been experiencing increasing numbness in his right hand for the past year and had recently started having trouble playing his beloved guitar. As a Vietnam War veteran, he had a
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Pain and laughter for a veteran patient originally appeared in KevinMD.com. (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - August 6, 2023 Category: General Medicine Authors: Ton La, Jr., MD, JD Tags: Physician Hospital-Based Medicine Source Type: blogs
Strategy and Tactics: Two Essential Keys to Success
I recently read Outlive by Peter Attia. It’s a book about longevity that I found insightful. It contains many lessons about different aspects of health.
However, what I’d like to share with you here isn’t the health lessons from the book. Instead, it’s a quote by Sun Tzu that I found there:
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Interesting quote, isn’t it? Strategy without tactics might lead you to victory, but it’s the slowest route to get there. You will waste a lot of resources along the way. On the other hand, tactics without ...
Source: Life Optimizer - August 5, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Productivity Thinking Source Type: blogs
Study Warns That Even Light Drinking Can Raise Blood Pressure
Conclusion
In sum, the international research study underscores the significant impact of alcohol consumption on blood pressure, with effects noticed even at low levels. Contrary to common assumptions, it highlights no beneficial effects in low-level drinkers compared to non-drinkers.
The findings serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of moderation, or ideally, avoidance of alcohol for effective blood pressure management and optimal cardiovascular health. The global scale and comprehensive approach of the study lend weight to its findings, making them a key resource for individuals worldwide.
In the face o...
Source: The EMT Spot - August 1, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: News Source Type: blogs
Fight Aging! Newsletter, July 31st 2023
In conclusion, an SBP level below 130 mmHg was found to be associated with longevity among older women. The longer SBP was controlled at a level between 110 and 130 mmHg, the higher the survival probability to age 90. Preventing age-related rises in SBP and increasing the time with controlled BP levels constitute important measures for achieving longevity.
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Source: Fight Aging! - July 30, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs
Higher Blood Pressure, Greater Mortality
In conclusion, an SBP level below 130 mmHg was found to be associated with longevity among older women. The longer SBP was controlled at a level between 110 and 130 mmHg, the higher the survival probability to age 90. Preventing age-related rises in SBP and increasing the time with controlled BP levels constitute important measures for achieving longevity.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.22.23291783 (Source: Fight Aging!)
Source: Fight Aging! - July 28, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
IoMT – Helping Data Reach Its Full Potential
The importance of data in healthcare has been beaten into our heads again and again and again. Healthcare runs on data, all good decisions are backed by data, etc. I think we’re all on the same page about making sure our organizations have all of the healthcare and patient data we can get our hands on. But in repeating the simple message that data is important, we tend to leave out that even more important is the ability to properly manage it to make it accessible, especially with the sheer amount of data that healthcare organizations need to run properly. One tool that can help in this endeavor is the Internet of Me...
Source: EMR and HIPAA - July 27, 2023 Category: Information Technology Authors: Grayson Miller Tags: Ambulatory Analytics/Big Data C-Suite Leadership Clinical Health IT Company Healthcare IT Hospital - Health System LTPAC Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring Asensus Surgical Dustin Vaughan Grayson Miller Internet of Medical Things Source Type: blogs
Potassium: The Silent Ally In Your Battle With Hypertension
Conclusion: Balancing Potassium Intake As Part Of An Overall Healthy Lifestyle
While elevating your potassium intake can be instrumental in your battle against high blood pressure, it’s essential to remember that it’s part of a broader health strategy. There’s no magic bullet in managing blood pressure. A symphony of lifestyle adjustments working in harmony is what lays the groundwork for victory.
Eating an overall healthy diet, limiting your sodium intake, getting regular exercise, and quitting smoking if needed – all these factors dance hand in hand with your potassium intake. These habits f...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 26, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs
Testimony from Actress Justine Bateman, JDRF's Aaron Turner-Phifer FTC Testimony and 2007 Express Scripts Study on Potential Savings of Biogenerics in the U.S.
Back in 2007, I blogged that the PBM Express Scripts (five years before that company acquired rival PBM Medco Health Solutions in 2012 before selling itself to the insurance company Cigna when it lost most of its paying clients in 2018) published a report on its forecast for savings which might come from biosimilar competition (see my original post athttps://blog.sstrumello.com/2007/03/generic-biologics-could-save-71-billion.html for more). An archived copy of the old Express Scripts report is archived athttp://web.archive.org/web/20100922170223/http://express-scripts.com/research/studies/pharmacybenefitresearch/specialtyp...
Source: Scott's Web Log - July 25, 2023 Category: Endocrinology Tags: 2007 2023 Biosimilar biosimilars FTC insulin JDRF Source Type: blogs
Wound Sensor Patch Indicates Healing Status
Researchers at the National University of Singapore have created a wound sensor patch that measures various wound biomarkers that can indicate would healing. Chronic wounds are an ongoing problem for many patients, and developing new ways to monitor and treat these painful lesions would be very useful. This battery-free wound patch contains five colorimetric sensors that change color in response to various wound biomarkers. These include temperature, pH, trimethylamine, uric acid, and wound moisture levels. The patch is intended to be imaged using a smartphone camera, where an AI-powered app analyses the color change to di...
Source: Medgadget - July 24, 2023 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Diagnostics Medicine Surgery NUSingapore Source Type: blogs
Beta-Blockers For High Blood Pressure: Types, Side Effects, Drug Interactions
Conclusion
In conclusion, beta-blockers serve as an indispensable tool in the realm of modern medical treatment, particularly in managing a broad range of cardiovascular conditions.
Their unique mechanism of action, which includes decreasing heart rate and blood pressure, confers a significant cardio-protective effect.
This, combined with their versatility and the extensive clinical experience with their use, has cemented beta-blockers as a first-line treatment for various conditions, from hypertension and heart failure to anxiety and migraines.
Although beta-blockers present unique benefits, it’s crucial...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 24, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs
Fight Aging! Newsletter, July 24th 2023
In this study, we tested the hypothesis that periodontal disease (PD) as a source of infection alters inflammatory activation and Aβ phagocytosis by the microglial cells.
Experimental PD was induced using ligatures in C57BL/6 mice for 1, 10, 20, and 30 days to assess the progression of PD. Animals without ligatures were used as controls. Ligature placement caused progressive periodontal disease and bone resorption that was already significant on day 1 post-ligation and continued to increase until day 30. The severity of periodontal disease increased the frequency of activated microglia in the brains on day 30 by 36...
Source: Fight Aging! - July 23, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs
Eggs And High Blood Pressure: Decoding The Dietary Dilemma
Conclusion
In navigating the winding road of managing high blood pressure, several key points emerge. Eggs, while a source of ongoing debate, can form part of a balanced diet for most people. It’s essential, though, to consider your entire dietary pattern, emphasizing heart-healthy choices like those found in the DASH and Mediterranean diets.
Avoiding processed meats and sugary breakfast options, while incorporating nutrient-dense foods, can significantly impact your blood pressure management. But remember, it’s not all about diet. A comprehensive approach, involving regular physical activity, stress mana...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 21, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs
Blood Pressure Meds vs Blood Thinners: What ’ s The Difference?
Conclusion
In conclusion, while blood pressure medicines and blood thinners are both crucial to heart health, their roles and mechanisms of action are notably distinct. Blood pressure medication works primarily on the vascular system, aiding in reducing blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels or altering the heart’s function. On the other hand, blood thinners target the blood itself, working to prevent the formation of potentially dangerous blood clots.
Throughout this article, one thing becomes undeniably clear: the importance of regular consultations with your healthcare provider. When it comes to managing m...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 20, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs
Alpha-Beta-Blockers For High Blood Pressure: Types, Side Effects, Drug Interactions
Conclusion
In conclusion, the advent of alpha-beta-blockers has marked a significant advancement in cardiovascular treatment.
These medications, combining the properties of both alpha and beta blockers, have demonstrated superiority in managing various cardiovascular conditions.
They offer the potential for enhanced blood pressure control, cardiovascular protection, and versatility in the management of several cardiovascular conditions.
The choice of using alpha-beta-blockers, however, must be tailored to the individual patient. Considerations such as past medical records, present health conditions, concurrent ...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 20, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs
AI-Powered Pain Relief: Interview with Claire Smith, VP at Nevro
Nevro, a medtech company based in California, has developed the HFX iQ spinal cord stimulation system, which is intended to treat chronic pain. While spinal cord stimulators can be very useful in controlling certain types of chronic pain, at present, patients must attend with their clinician to obtain adjustments to their stimulator. This is inconvenient for both patient and clinician alike.
Another common difficulty is the need for frequent adjustments. Pain is subjective, and a patient’s needs can vary from day to day, but such frequent changes in spinal cord stimulator settings are not typically possible. To addres...
Source: Medgadget - July 19, 2023 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Exclusive Neurology Neurosurgery Orthopedic Surgery Pain Management Rehab back pain neurostimulation Nevro_HF10 Nevro_HFX Source Type: blogs
