3rd Annual Are You Normal or Nuts?

William Speed Weed

Dear Reader,

Are you too shy? Too pushy? Do you cry too much? Do you cry too little? Do you pull your hair? Other people’s hair?Are you afraid of spiders? Or stuffed animals?

Yes, yes, and yes. You are, dear readers, all these things and more. As the hundreds of letters we got this year prove once again, we are a bunch of nutty folk. But not to worry: To be human is to be quirky. Of course, not all quirks are cute. It’s often difficult to know whether a given behaviour is harmless or hurtful. The line between silly and serious is vanishingly thin. And so we put your letters before a panel of trusted experts to demonstrate which are merely colourful and which may require professional attention –to giggle where we can and to guide where we must. (more…)

Spot Strokes Fast

Rapidly treating a mini-stroke, or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), reduces the risk of a major stroke by 80 percent according to a study by Oxford’s Radcliffe Hospital. Someone who suffers a TIA has similar symptoms to a stroke but the symptoms may only last a few minutes.

Ignoring them, however, can result in a major stroke following within three months. The Stroke Association uses the FAST test to diagnose whether someone is having a stroke or TIA:
Facial weakness – can the person smile, has the person’s mouth/eye drooped?
Arm weakness – can the person raise both arms?
Speech problems – can they speak clearly and understand what you say?
Test all three symptoms. If he or she fails any of these tests, call emergency so they can receive treatment quickly at a hospital and damage to the brain can be reduced.

– Reader’s Digest (October, 2008)

Guide in IV Therapy

Choosing a Compatible Diluent

          *D5W is a must:

                      Epinephrine                              Levophed

                      Dopamine                                 Metapropanolol

                      Ephedrine                                 Nitroprusside

          *NSS only:

                     Phenytoin                                 Vitamin K

                     Hydralaxine                             Vitamin B6

                     Furosemide                              Vitamin C

          *Not in LR:

                    Pen G                                        Cephalosphorin

                    Ampicillin                                 NaHCO3

Cold-Sensitive:

                   Phenobarbital Na

                   Metoclopromide

Photosensitive Drugs:

                  Diazepam

                  Epinephrine

                  Furosemide

If I Fell…

          Fall in love with this song! And to ladies out there, be serenaded by Jason (wishful thinking! haha!)… Great and unique version here by Jason Castro. Originally by Beatles but I think Jason did a very good job… I agree with Paula with the “emotional connection” she’s talking about. Bitter comments by Simon and Randy, they simply can’t relate. Hahaha! I told my brother to study the chords and the song so we can jam with his guitar.  

A Young Athlete in Cardiac Arrest

BACKGROUND

A 17-year-old male was found in cardiac arrest following a blow to the chest. The patient immediately dropped to the ground and was unresponsive after being elbowed by a teammate who ran into him. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated by his coach after no pulses were palpated, and the patient was taken to the ED.

What is the likely pathophysiology that led to the cardiac arrest?

(more…)