This section of articles provides useful and simplified information on health topics. The subjects available in this section include diseases, disorders, and cosmetic surgeries.
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Tips on what to feed children when they're ill.
How to recognize the signs and symptoms of Polymalgia Rheumatica
Difference between Advil and aspirin.
Tips for proper handwashing to keep you and your family from getting sick.
While looking good and self-pampering haven't gone out of style, the trend in today's personal care is taking care of the 'inner woman'
How to recognize the signs and symptoms of Polymalgia Rheumatica
Immobilization is the last thing a woman shot in the face by her ex-boyfriend needs
There are two kinds of EMS funerals, a wise man once observed.
A medical mass-casualty incident requires consultation and coordination in its response
It was a perfect occasion, then, to publicize the grim findings of governor Brad Henry's Task Force on EMS Readiness.
What I have to say is for the person who, like myself, is dying. We, too, need to plan - to think ahead in order to fashion, out of the time remaining, the best of what is possible.
Did you know that a dysfunctional team is normal? What is not
common is for your team to remain that way over time. Learn the
six tell tale signs on how to know if your team is dysfunctional,
along with how you can start to improve performance once and for
all
Getting and keeping good people isn't easy. What are the secrets of those doing it successfully?
Determining appropriate safety equipment, emergency actions and objectives during those first critical minutes of a hazmat event
Learning from 35 years of publishing
A Call for Widespread Application of Intranasal Medication Delivery in the Prehospital Environment
Magazine redesign improves readability and organization of materials
Help vendors and manufacturers help you
From the beginning, the medical and research communities have been divided on whether avian flu would be the next big pandemic.
Some people have a difficult time in managing their depression.
Sometimes, their depression and fears can get best of them. As a
result, here is a short list of techniques that a person can use
to help manage their depression.
The new head of NEMA reminds us that emergency management = customer service
Prehospital assessment and treatment of foodborne illnesses
Low thyroid function affects more than 30 million women and 15
million men. And it can lead to problems losing weight, decreased
sex drive, depression, anxiety, thinning hair, and poor quality,
thick, cracked fingernails.
Why do ambulances carry what they carry? It combines factors like state law, scope of practice and medical director's discretion
EMS providers need to acknowledge their patients' pain, assess it and treat it
A Former Acid Reflux Sufferer and Qualified Nutritionist Gives
You the FACT about Heartburn Causes.
Lifestyle changes are often the first step in improving your
health. Introducing a special acid reflux diet can be the first
step for treating acid reflux. Many researchers rightly claim
that particular dietary changes can be beneficial in the
prevention of various health conditions and chronic diseases,
acid reflux being one of them.
13,000 people are diagnosed with esophageal cancer each year. At
least 12,000 people die from it. The overall survival rate is
very poor. Acid reflux is the greatest known risk factor for
developing Barrett's Esophagus, which is the precursor of
esophageal cancer. Medical science has not found a cure. Could
a natural supplement called MSM be the answer?
Acid reflux is a condition that plagues millions of people
worldwide. It is caused by stomach acid splashing up into the
esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a ring-like
valve at the bottom of the esophagus. It opens to allow food to
enter the stomach and then closes to keep it there. When the LES
becomes damaged and, or relaxed, stomach fluids are refluxed up
into the esophagus and throat.
The key to acid reflux recovery is to eat only mild, easy to
digest food until the esophagus has healed. The trick is to make
it fun and delicious. Try these quick and easy recipes. They
helped me get out of the acid reflux syndrome - I hope they help
you, as well. Bon Appetite!
Thirty years ago, when the practice of modern EMS was still new and NAEMT was a young association, the main focus of EMS was on clinical issues and patient care.
This article provides the critical care paramedic with a review of the ongoing management of a patient with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women.
Here are things you can do to help you to deal with a traumatic experience or tradegy.
Your fears, anxieties, and other problems have the best of you
and you don't know where to turn for help. At some point you
feel totally helpless as you struggle each day. What do you do?
As a layman and an author of a managing fear book, there were
times that my fears had the best of me. Through these
experiences, there is one thing that I learned. You can't hide
or runaway from your fears.
EMS competition tests medics' skills
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease of the brain with progressive loss of the brain’s nerve cells over time. This results in dementia...
Because I have observed it in close relatives, Alzheimer's disease is my dread disease. I remember when I first realized that I was losing the mother I knew.
There were a total of 41 ambulance accidents reported on EMSResponder.
Odessa Fire/EMS meets the challenges of emergency response in West Texas
A public/private partnership brings AEDs to the people of Minnesota
Grownups often find themselves becoming the caregivers of their parents who are near death.
The hit TV show 24 is fiction, but the threat of chemical nerve agents is real
EMS Magazine congratulates AEMS on five years of success and growth
Using a scorecard to assess your level of emergency preparedness
It can be hard to own up to a mistake, especially a major one, but in the articles that make up this month's cover report, two veteran EMS providers admit to just that— medical mistakes that caused harm to their patients.
Can you fix this?
This article will define and describe in a straightforward manner what each treatment is, when each treatment might be useful, when each treatment is not likely to be useful, and...
Lots of our shiny new resources, in this age of terrorism and major-disaster readiness, look good on paper or in the garage.
Proper examination is essential to proper treatment of the injured ankle
There are long transports, then there are long transports.
Preplanning is key when handling a campus emergency
What you need to know about lifting and back safety in EMS
Protecting your life
Budgeting and purchasing tips for the wise money manager
Having the right equipment in place, and knowing how to use it, can be the key to safely and humanely assisting bariatric patients
Our mission is to transport bariatric patients safely, efficiently and with attention to patient dignity
Are you safe on the road?
As much as we all might prefer jeans and T-shirts, there are times when dressing up is simply necessary.
Who's found a better way of doing things, and how can you benefit too?
Advanced medicine for the moment of death
Acute abdominal pain is a common presenting complaint encountered by prehospital care personnel.
As our EMS profession grows in number of providers, calls for service and increasing technology, the reality is that the most basic of assessments—proper assessment of the airway—is still critical to the outcome and survivability of any patient we encounter.
You are finishing an uneventful 12-hour shift with your local EMS company.
Effects of intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure on brain injury
All levels of EMS personnel are taught that a patent airway is imperative to effective patient management.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are common and potentially serious calls
You respond to the scene of a car versus semi truck.
Part 1: Hyperthyroidism and Thyroid Storm
Part 2: Hypothyroidism and Myxedema Coma
In the past, mass-casualty incidents described as plane or bus crashes or other similarly devastating events were taught at the end of an EMT class.
Assessing vital signs is a standard component of any patient assessment.
It is estimated that a lightning flash occurs approximately 8 million times per day throughout the world.
Prehospital management of abruptio placentae and placenta previa
You are called to a man with an altered mental status.
Six steps to clinical competence
Thoracic injuries can be very dramatic, and may present with obvious physical findings that lead to immediate identification and management during the initial and rapid trauma assessment.
Changes in the standard of care for pediatric patients are not something the medical community takes lightly.
Vascular diseases, specifically of the arteries, have been and continue to be one of the major contributors to death in the United States.
We all know about anthrax and smallpox, but there are other dangers out there too
Top tips to ensure you see the money
Choosing the trustiest background of all
A body detox program shouldn't be all about suffering and
sacrifice. It should be fun, too! Learn about some of the
different spa treatments that you can try to give your natural
body detox a boost.
Remembering who we are
Are you interested in larger breasts? Are you trying to take your
look to the next level? If so, you are not alone. There are
thousands of women the world over who are interested in larger
breasts. Not only do they think that this is attractive, but they
also know that men love this as well. But when it comes down to
it, enlarging your breasts is not always the easiest thing to do.
Basic principles of cleaning, decontamination and disinfection for EMS
How community colleges are training the next generation of providers
New research has shown that spending pennies a day on a few key
nutritional supplements can dramatically reduce sickness and
chronic disease -- and greatly decrease healthcare expenditures
as a result.
Job satisfaction survey outlines ongoing barriers to recruitment and retention in EMS
Are you an Emergency Magical Technician?
Understanding the role of Basic Life Support in the latest American Heart Association guidelines
Understanding the role of advanced life support in the latest American Heart Association guidelines
At approximately 1530 hours, Rescue 24 responds to a person complaining of chest pain.
If you are a caregiver for someone in the final stages of life, you may recognize yourself in the following paragraphs and find benefit in the accompanying suggestions.
Why a healthy lifestyle is key to a successful EMS career
Work can be frustrating and stressful sometimes. Yet, no matter
how tough your job is, you'll need a healthy mind and body to
tackle it. If you are eating poorly, not exercising, or
internalizing stress, you won't feel well. And if you don't feel
well, you can't treat your career with the attention and respect
it deserves. Without energy, you cannot make your career as
fulfilling as it could be.
The Windy City's emergency center offers more accurate and timely direction in the field, better preparation for receiving casualties at the city's trauma centers, and enhanced safety and backup
How do you imagine doing your own “post work”? As we are reminded of death in this fall season of growing darkness, let there be an opportunity to look at death: past the tragedy, the awesome darkness of it, to see the wonder.
Tough Truth about Chronic Yeast Infection Your Doctor Doesn't
Suspect.
Proactive managers know the benefits of community participation within their services, and successful systems often develop programs for outreach and to encourage people outside the service to get educated and involved with it.
When it comes to billing, don't get creative
Is emotional intelligence the answer?
When a suicide entails more than just picking up the body…
Do you know the reason you've been feeling down and depressed
lately in spite of leading what you consider a healthy lifestyle?
It could be that you're in need of a full body detoxification.
Full body detox programs are one of the latest and most popular
ways of cleansing your body and getting rid of those toxins from
your system. Let's talk about detox programs here and see which
one is best for you.
A beginner's guide to that first shift in the emergency department
Hypothermia complicates trauma when a hunter falls from a tree
Cancer: it's not a word that anyone really wants to hear. While not necessarily a death sentence, cancer is an illness that does have a high mortality rate depending on where in the body it strikes. Read on as we examine what can be done to head-off Colon Cancer, the third most common cancer.
If you can't integrate as a coordinated care team, all your individual skills and knowledge won't help your patient
Colon cleansing treatments are designed to better enable the body to release toxins that build up based on the types of foods that we eat, our habits - like smoking, drinking or lack of exercise - and the environment that we live in.
Don't get caught off guard by new medical technologies
Connecting with patients takes work, but is worth it
Preparation and practice are the keys to success when faced with a challenging airway
Light history about galvanic currents used for self help and well
being. Encouragement to use galvanic for anti-aging purposes.
A Colorado answer to safe, humane use of prehospital restraints
A Colorado answer to safe, humane use of prehospital restraints
A Colorado answer to safe, humane use of prehospital restraints
A Colorado answer to safe, humane use of prehospital restraints
A Colorado answer to safe, humane use of prehospital restraints
Everybody deals with anxieties and stresses in the business
world, however sometimes our anxieties can get the best of us. As
a result, here is a list of techniques that a person can use to
help manage their daily stresses and anxieties at their job and
in the business world.
When you tally the costs associated with an ambulance accident, there are obvious ones, like repairing the vehicle and managing injuries, and then there are more subtle hidden costs.
What you need to do to get where you want to go
How a small department designed and funded an ALS rescue vehicle
Dark side of the world's greatest job
The last terrorist to use cyanide as a weapon got away with it.
Now, more than ever, there is a sense of urgency to dispel the myths and to learn as much as possible about hospice. Otherwise, we will participate, albeit inadvertently, in the erosion of hospice and its benefits...
What if we all had to be perfect?
Stilted in the middle of the frigid North Sea, high atop an isolated oil rig, an employee slips on a slick surface and severely cuts their leg on the rig's machinery.
Many sponsor organizations, clinical research sites and contract
research organizations (CROs) are developing and implementing
Quality Assurance and Compliance Programs to assure adherence to
company and institutional standard operating procedures,
compliance with FDA Regulations, GCP Guidelines and protection of
human research subjects. Implementation of such programs can
improve the conduct of clinical trials and assure accurate,
compliant data prior to submission to the FDA. This article will
discuss the reason for increased growth in this area, the common
types of QA audits and why and how organizations are implementing
these programs.
How to turn good students into great medics
Do we do things for people or to them?
Are you ready to handle what your patients ask of you?
When dealing with patients in crisis, you need to show respect and understanding
Prehospital disaster education isn't new, but it now comes in a streamlined package
Read more on DISPATCHERS VS. MPDS; UNUSUAL DNR ORDERS; 'VERTICAL' RESPONSE TIMES ...
In Tampa, 12-lead ECGs sent from the field are letting hospital cath teams save precious minutes for STEMI victims
Who says ambulance diversion and turnover delays can't be solved?
Implementing alternatives to 9-1-1 in Memphis, TN
Ever watch a very large person order a Big Mac, large fries, and
top it off with a Diet Coke? Ever notice that you rarely see thin
people drinking diet sodas? I have. And it made me wonder if
could there be a link between diet beverages or artificial
sweeteners and obesity.
Unhealthy eating habits, the pollution in the environment
inevitably leads to the accumulation of toxins in the human body,
and if these toxins are not cleansed out once in a while. The
process of ridding your body of these poisonous substances is
known as detoxification. Instead of opting for body detoxes and
clinics and spas it is often more economical to get a home body
detox, that is getting your body detoxified at home.
Distilling the essence of the practice of EMS
No one knows better than EMS personnel the inherent risks of being exposed to a contagious disease or infectious substance while on the job.
A physician-led team of volunteers augments emergency response in NY
Think the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is here to protect
you? It isn't. Think your doctor makes decisions about your
health based on medical science? Not so fast. Truth is, half of
medical evidence is hidden from your doctors. And the half
that's hidden is the half that shows drugs don't work.
A new technology helps a skittish CHF patient avoid invasive ventilation
Is it time to stop doing multi-patient transports?
In tactical situations where medics are members of SWAT teams, time is a formidable factor when the bad guys are using gunfire.
When it comes to wirelessly linking the back of the ambulance to the emergency department, telemetry hasn't traditionally been the problem—streaming real-time patient vitals doesn't require that much bandwidth.
"The interesting thing that happens with the report," observes Brian Keaton, MD, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, "is that everybody reads it but the doctor.
What they are and why you should care
The first thing to do in order to begin a body detox program is
to get rid of all the chemical based toiletries and household
products you have been using. So, it is time for all those
cleansers, shampoos and deodorants to go. Replace them with
nature based products instead. Also strictly abstain from the
temptations of alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, unsaturated fat and
refined sugars.
An effort is underway to establish a permanent memorial for EMS personnel who die in the line of duty.
Despite multiple safety recommendations to prevent electrical injury in the home and at work, there are still some 52,000 hospitalizations a year
When disaster hit, teamwork guaranteed a successful response in Clinton, MO
A state-of-the-art dispatch system serves police, fire and EMS in the Windy City
It gives me great pleasure to announce our partnership with the Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center (EMLRC) to present the Bill Shearer International Advanced & Basic Life Support Competition, the largest EMS competition in the world.
A professional social worker's belief on counseling services.
With increasing demand for and decreasing supply of EMTs and paramedics, retention strategies should be a priority for EMS organizations
How providers can break the cycle of violence
Is there a role for us in separating the 'signal' from the 'noise'?
A bike team provides fast, flexible EMS protection to the citizens of Baton Rouge
While preparing this 35th anniversary issue, we reviewed old issues of EMS Magazine.
The dark side of an ancient gift
What better place than the world's largest EMS conference and trade show to identify the best products of the year? EMS Magazine board member Mike Smith scoured the aisles at last October's show in Orlando to identify the very finest of 2007. So without further ado…
If you build it, they will come, and come they did to EMS EXPO 2006, held late September in Las Vegas, NV.
Each of the panelists outlined their entity's work.
EMS Fellowship program offers extraordinary field training in the Big Easy
Clinical and operational excellance in prehospital care
An interview with Michael Petrie, EMT-P, MBA, MA
Eugene Nagel, MD, a physician long retired from the University of Miami and Miami Fire Department, was one of the magazine's original editorial advisory board members.
As a member of the National EMS Museum Foundation (NEMSMF), I am pleased to announce the grand opening of its Virtual Museum (www.
Top emergency-response organizations have joined with leading traffic-safety groups in a campaign to improve highway safety and efficiency.
A team from Georgetown University collected swabs from five areas of 21 ambulances at two stations.
A real bomb scare led to cancellation of a day's worth of TOPOFF terrorism-response exercise activities in Portland on October 18.
Want to give federal EMS officials an earful on the big issues of the day? Here's your chance.
Regional Preparation Key at Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Fiery Crash Rocks Ohio Community
In this era of dangers numerous and unknown, the use of law enforcement special operations teams has proliferated, and with it the need for tactical medical support.
The first draft of the new National EMS Education Standards, which will replace the longstanding DOT National Standard Curricula, was unveiled for public comment in June.
Long an integral component of CPR, mouth-to-mouth breathing is suddenly getting a hard look from researchers who are questioning its role as part of the lifesaving intervention.
An interview with Nels Sanddal
Are you paying the price for being in EMS?
Hospitals told: No “parking” patients with EMS crews
A female patient with a concealed weapon takes EMS by surprise
Disasters come in all shapes and sizes—some with warning, most without.
What Legal Documents Do I Need? There are three legal documents you need, at a minimum.
Government database provides information clearinghouse for selecting specialized equipment and resources
A confined area poses challenges for EMS when a man falls through his front porch
If you are feeling like life is out of control or if you have
fallen into a pattern of serving the people you love before you
serve yourself or put the needs of others consistently before
your own, then it is time to start practicing extreme self-care.
Responding to errors in emergency care
The difference between excellent and average
EMS providers should beaware that many patients can experience motion sickness while riding in the ambulance
It's not hard to write a personal or professional bio when you
use the fill-in-the-blank bio templates provided in this article.
All you have to do is choose one or two sentences from each of
the four categories and add your details. The result will be a
first-rate personal or professional bio.
People have a right to live—and a right to die
On Monday, April 16, Virginia Tech Rescue Squad (VTRS) members Matt Lewis and Matt Green were engaged in typical morning routines.
Without focus, any call could be your last
Preparing for a major incident response
Scientists have discovered a powerful new drug that may help cure
all chronic illnesses. It is a drug you take every day.
EMS Magazine pays tribute to those individuals who helped create, nurture and grow the field of prehospital care
In order to achieve any amount of success in your life, it
is important that you understand four basic characteristics.
Let's call these four attributes the four D's of success...
Effective prehospital splinting techniques
Hospice FAQ
Bob was a paramedic, an educator, an author, a consultant, a nationally acclaimed speaker and, above all, my friend.
There comes a time to say good-bye. Letting go is one of the most powerful expressions of faith and greatest parting gifts you can offer your dying loved one.
Getting kids interested in EMS
Thanks to the Crystal Charity Ball—a Dallas, TX, philanthropic organization—Dallas-area EMS and adult facilities providers are learning to deal more comfortably with oft-dreaded pediatric calls.
Nearly every community in America could face an emergency evacuation.
In recent times, as stress levels get higher and higher more and
more people want to undergo a whole body detox. With a rise in
erratic lifestyle, the reasons to want a whole body detox are
many.
Wake County EMS develops protocols for induced hypothermia
Proposed bylaws changes will give NAEMT members a national voice
How do you handle criticism?
Doing the right things before an MCI can make a big difference
As soon as possible after the death, set time aside to talk to your child. Give your child the facts in a simple manner...
This article will teach you how to become an effective advocate for your loved one while he or she is hospitalized.
While looking good and self-pampering haven't gone out of style, the trend in today's personal care is taking care of the 'inner woman'
The word is out about Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and the opportunity they offer.
The IAFP offers recommendations for requesting assistance
This brochure will guide you in ways to help your friend - and yourself - during the last days of his life.
Choosing home care or hospice services can be an emotional and difficult decision. But gathering the right information can help make your decision easier.
Use the following as a guide in preparing for the day when a friend has lost a loved one.
you are dying, you know you are dying, yet it is your nature to want to live. The thoughts in this brochure are intended to help you deal with this tension and to continue to live even though you are dying.
The following are specific ways to help yourself work through grief.
A number of options are available to caregivers for finding help at home. It is possible to hire a helper from a home health agency (listed in the yellow pages of local telephone directories).
What are advance directives? “Advance directive” is a general term that refers to your oral and written instructions about your future medical care, in the event that you become unable to speak for yourself.
The services of hospice care programs are provided wherever patients are spending their final days. This includes their own home, a family member's home, or a nursing home.
The hospice concept and movement has grown out of the commitment and vision of thousands of volunteers. From the beginning, and still today, volunteers are at the heart of hospice.
Unless some key obstacles are overcome, the answer may be 'not very'…
Harrison County Hospital EMS serves more than 60,000 residents of Harrison County, IN, with a fleet of four ambulances and a staff of 54 full- and part-time EMTs and paramedics.
Computer system management is a complex, often neglected function that is essential for the success of EMS organizations
We face more adversity every day. So do our kids. But some of
us thrive, while others drop into dperession, or worse. What
accounts for that difference? Adversity, by itself, does not
cause depression. Many of us make adversity worse by taking a
pessimistic stance toward it. We dwell on the worst aspects of
what happens to us.
There are a couple of very simple changes you can make to the way
you eat that will force your body to become a fat burning furnace
and cause you to easily drop your unwanted pounds day after day.