The Anoscope for Foreign Bodies in the Rectum
Rectal exams are difficult for the patient and require true expertise. You cannot expect to complete a good rectal exam or remove a rectal foreign body without the correct information, good bedside relationship, and the right equipment.Ensuring your patient has confidence in your ability is vital. Take the time to get to know what equipment is available in your ED. It's important to know what to do before a patient comes to your department with a rectal complaint.Most departments have a box dedicated to the anoscope. It typically will have two handles for light sources and two sizes of obturators with casing. The items ...
Source: The Procedural Pause - December 31, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs
Acute Angle Closure: Mastering Tonometry
Identifying and managing disease often requires the delicate and skillful use of temperamental emergency department machinery. The ability to apply these may appropriately help determine a difficult diagnosis.Glaucoma, we all know, can cause blindness, and acute narrow angle glaucoma refers to the angles within the eye that are not as wide and open as normal. People with acute angle glaucoma have abnormal anatomy within the eye where the angle changes as the eye is dilated. This can cause blockages of fluid drainage from the anterior to posterior changes resulting in increased intraocular pressure. It ca lead to acute a...
Source: The Procedural Pause - November 9, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs
Live the Wheat Belly lifestyle, get off prescription medications
Take a look at the list of medications people have been able to stop by following the Wheat Belly lifestyle.
These represent medications prescribed by doctors to, in effect, “treat” the consequences of consuming wheat and grains. They prescribe drugs to treat inflammation, swelling, skin rashes, gastrointestinal irritation, high blood sugars, airway allergy, joint pain, high blood pressure, leg edema and other abnormal effects caused by wheat and grains.
The list includes anti-inflammatory and pain medication, acid reflux drugs, injectable and oral drugs for diabetes, numerous anti-hypertensive agents, asthma i...
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - October 27, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr. Davis Tags: News & Updates autoimmune blood sugar bowel flora cholesterol Gliadin gluten-free grain-free grains Inflammation undoctored Weight Loss wheat belly Source Type: blogs
What the medical profession can learn from this patient
A excerpt from A Mind Unraveled: A Memoir. Copyright © 2018 by Kurt Eichenwald. Published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.
I awoke in pain. Sometime during a seizure, I had fallen down the stairs outside of my bedroom and banged myself up. I suspected I broke a bone and decided to get an X-ray once I was more coherent. About an hour later, I hailed a cab and asked to go to the nearest hospital. Any doctor, I figured, could find a fracture. The cabby dropped me off at Capitol Hill Hospital.
I remember little that followed, but my father later told...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - October 16, 2018 Category: General Medicine Authors: < a href="https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/kurt-eichenwald" rel="tag" > Kurt Eichenwald < /a > Tags: Patient Neurology Source Type: blogs
We Seem To Have News Thick And Fast On Prescription Monitoring.
First we have:DORA the ignorer: Prescription-tracking system failing to monitor all high-risk addictive drugs Diazepam, quetiapine and fluoxetine contributed to ex-Navy submariner's death, says coronerAntony Scholefield2nd October 2018A coroner has stressed the need for real-time script-tracking software to cover addictive schedule 4 drugs such as diazepam and quetiapine, not just opioids.The Tasmanian coroner made the comments after investigating the 2014 death of 44-year-old ex-Navy submariner Michael Allan Steer, who died from a toxic combination of prescription medication.Toxicology analysis revealed the presence of di...
Source: Australian Health Information Technology - October 12, 2018 Category: Information Technology Authors: Dr David G More MB PhD Source Type: blogs
Can I Become Addicted to My Anxiety Medication?
What is Anxiety?
Having anxiety is a difficult issue suffered by millions. It is much more than just butterflies in your stomach before going on stage or before an important event – it can be crippling and can cause severe impacts on one’s life, and you may need to be on anxiety medication to help with the symptoms.
According to anxiety.org, there are many anxiety-related disorders, and they are divided into three main categories:
Anxiety disorders
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
Trauma and stressor-related disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterized by a general feature of excessive fear (i.e. emoti...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - October 8, 2018 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Addiction Addiction Recovery Addiction to Pharmaceuticals Anxiety Drug Rehab Information Drug Treatment PTSD anxiety medication benzodiazepines Source Type: blogs
Is Addiction Hereditary?
Looking at Your Family History
It can be widely speculated that addiction can be hereditary. If there are addicts in your family, it could be possible that their behaviors can be passed on to you, as well. When considering this, it is important to look at your family history, especially your parent’s. Numerous studies show the cause of addiction can be broken down to 50 percent genetic and 50 percent issues with coping skills.
Further studies have shown that children of addicts are up to 8 times more likely to also develop an addiction. One study in particular took 231 individuals who had been clinically diagnosed with a...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - September 20, 2018 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Addiction Addiction Recovery Alcohol Alcoholism Depression Depression Treatment Drinking Drug Rehab Information Drug Treatment Dual Diagnosis and Eating Disorder Treatment Mental Health family family disease hereditary Source Type: blogs
Anxiety and Addiction
Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a complex condition that affects millions of people all over the world. It is a broad term in itself and can look different on everybody. It is literally defined as: “a nervous disorder characterized by a state of excessive uneasiness and apprehension, typically with compulsive behavior or panic attacks.” Often times, anxiety and addiction can also go hand-in-hand.
Much like anxiety, panic attacks can be completely different for everybody who experiences them. You may experience all symptoms, or only some. Some symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks may include:
Rapid heartbeat
...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - September 11, 2018 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Addiction Addiction Recovery Addiction to Pharmaceuticals Addiction Treatment and Program Resources Alcohol Alcohol Rehab Information Alcoholism Anxiety Drug Rehab Information Drug Treatment Dual Diagnosis and Eating Disorder Treatment Source Type: blogs
Depression: Common medication side effect?
This study is especially thought-provoking, given that more and more people are taking medications with depression or suicidal thoughts as possible side effects. The CDC just released updated data showing a troubling recent rise in suicide rates, and that 54% of those who die from suicide do not have a known mental health disorder, so this is an important public health issue.
That said, it is important to note: in this study, people who used these medications were more likely to be widowed and have chronic health problems, both of which are associated with a higher risk of depression. And many (but not all) of these medica...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - July 16, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Monique Tello, MD, MPH Tags: Anxiety and Depression Drugs and Supplements Health Source Type: blogs
Internet support forums for benzodiazepine withdrawal: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Since the advent of the internet and rise of social media, patients can connect and compare their experiences with prescribed drug withdrawal. A problem that was once considered rare is a worldwide epidemic that is finally getting noticed. A recent New York Times article discussed the problems many have discontinuing antidepressants, and more than 8,800 readers responded about their difficulty stopping these drugs. Another recent article discussed the role of online communities in supporting patients withdrawing from prescribed drugs. This led me to reflect on my observations as both a doctor and patient navigating onlin...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 5, 2018 Category: General Medicine Authors: < a href="https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/christy-huff" rel="tag" > Christy Huff, MD < /a > Tags: Physician Medications Psychiatry Source Type: blogs
‘ Going to Extremes ’ Hall of Fame
LITFL • Life in the Fast Lane Medical Blog LITFL • Life in the Fast Lane Medical Blog - Emergency medicine and critical care medical education blog
In 2012, Greg Kelly suggested that LITFL collate the most extreme ‘medical extremes’.
This is how things currently stand:
ParameterLevelDiagnosisSubmitted by
Ammonia514 umol/LTorsten Behrens
Base excess (postive)40.6 mmol/LChronic Type 2 respiratory failureJakob Mathiszig-Lee
Bilirubin1113 umol/lDrug-induced hepatitis (anabolic steroids)Jurij Hanžel
Blood pressure345/245 mmHgDuring weightlifting (P. Palatini et al, 1989: https://www.ncbi.nlm....
Source: Life in the Fast Lane - April 21, 2018 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Chris Nickson Tags: Emergency Medicine Intensive Care Investigation extremes hall of fame Investigations parameters Physiology Source Type: blogs
Not Quite Digital Health But An Anti-Scientific Outrage Nevertheless!
This appeared last week:Thank God, Australia is now licensed to ‘moisten intestines’ and ‘replenish the gates of vitality ’16/02/2018Edwin Kruys
A while back I spoke with a politician who was very cross about the decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to make codeine products no longer available without prescription. When I asked why, the answer was, “Codeine is great for jet lag, especially wit h a Scotch.”Clearly there was some confusion here about the indication of (the painkiller) codeine, which can cause serious side effects, especially in combination with other drugs and alcohol.
A...
Source: Australian Health Information Technology - February 23, 2018 Category: Information Technology Authors: Dr David More MB PhD FACHI Source Type: blogs
Dr. Google: The top 10 health searches in 2017
Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling
Ever wonder what other people are wondering about? I know I do.
So, here are the top 10 health searches in Google for 2017. And just so you don’t have to look each one up, I’ve provided a brief answer. You’re welcome.
1. What causes hiccups?
I was surprised this one made it to the top 10 list of health searches. Maybe this search is common because hiccups are as mysterious as they are universal. I’ve written about hiccups before, but let’s just say the cause in any individual person is rarely known or knowable. Then again, the reason hiccups stop is also unknown.
Some triggers...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - February 21, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Robert H. Shmerling, MD Tags: Health Source Type: blogs
Sleep Medications for Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients
I often have family caregivers request medications to help people living with Alzheimer's and related dementia to sleep.By Rita JablonskiAlzheimer's Reading RoomMedications have their place in Alzheimer's care, but only AFTER all of the suggestions listed below have been followed.It may seem exhausting to the caregiver to have to engage in all of these activities; but, the resultscould lessen exhaustion, frustration, and stress in a manner of days.Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading - This is a Free Service - Join NowRule Out Physical Problems FirstThere are many medical conditions that contribute to problems sleeping.Som...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - February 19, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimers dementia connect alzheimers sleep alzheimers symptoms alzheimers treatment care of dementia patients dementia sleep not sleeping sleep medication Source Type: blogs
A Mental Health Counselor ’s Views on Speculations About President Trump’s Mental Health
Speculations about the mental health of U.S. presidents is not new and they have sometimes been justified. After he left office, it was learned that during the Watergate crisis Richard Nixon was depressed, drinking excessively and taking Valium, and talking to portraits of former presidents in the White House. President Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease after his second term, but it is assumed that he was afflicted with the progressive illness while he was still in office. All presidents have probably been called “crazy” in the colloquial sense by their political enemies. And some presidents have suffered...
Source: World of Psychology - January 22, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Jeffrey T. Guterman, PhD Tags: Celebrities Memory and Perception Mental Health and Wellness Minding the Media Policy and Advocacy Professional Psychology Stigma armchair diagnosis Cognitive Decline Conspiracy Theorist delusional behavior Dementia Denial Dona Source Type: blogs
