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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Many suffer from flare-ups of red, dry, itchy skin, and never realize that these are the symptoms of a skin condition called eczema.
As children head back to class, healthy meals and snacks each day will help ensure they receive the energy they need to learn.
How do hockey and football players of all ages play for keeps? By playing smart, playing to your abilities, and playing safe.
Just because you're getting older doesn't mean you should be getting less sleep.
The difference between bacteria and viruses, as well as how to protect yourself and your family.
It's not too late to fight the toxins which cause fatigue, illness, stress, and mood swings bringing back your healthier self. Body detox diets give you the power to do this.
Detoxification can be implemented by the use of movement and exercise.
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.
This article reveals 3 ways you can build muscle and get lean.
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 hazardous materials event.
Learning from 35 years of publishing
Intranasal drug delivery is supported by recent research into new forms of drug delivery and is emerging as a promising method of delivering medications directly to the bloodstream through absorption across the nasal mucous membranes.
Magazine redesign improves readability and organization of materials
Help vendors and manufacturers help you
And although it now appears that avian flu cases are occurring less frequently, it is clear that historically and statistically, we are due for such a pandemic in the next 5–10 years. For this reason, planning for a potential pandemic should continue, and it's important that fire and EMS services become active participants in planning for their communities.
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, including types of foodborne illnesses and their accompanying symptoms.
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!
Because abdominal pain can be a common finding in so many different conditions, a single differential field diagnosis may or may not be completely possible, or even necessary. The primary goal in assessing the patient complaining of acute abdominal pain is to recognize an acute abdomen and determine if any life-threatening or potentially life-threatening conditions exist.
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.
Since its beginnings in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous has helped several million people in their plight for sobriety.
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
So you've probably heard of antioxidants and all the health benefits attached to them, but do you know what they are and how they really work?
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 the assessment and treatment of the an ankle injury, as well as an understanding of what to do when the injury occurs.
Telemedicine has shown promise in treating patients in remote areas enroute to the hospital.
Just because you're getting older doesn't mean you should be getting less sleep.
Preplanning is key when handling a campus emergency
What you need to know about lifting and back safety in EMS
The difference between bacteria and viruses, as well as how to protect yourself and your family.
How to keep a balance between your EMS career and the rest of your life.
Budgeting and purchasing tips for the wise money manager
Bariatric surgery, the focus of this article, is a prevalent and popular treatment for patients who are classified as morbidly obese (BMI between 40–49.9 kg/meter2). There are four common surgical procedures that can be divided into two broad categories: restrictive surgical procedures, or procedures that result in malabsorption of food and water.
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?
Proper handwashing can help keep you and your family from getting sick.
Advanced medicine for the moment of death
Acute abdominal pain is a common presenting complaint encountered by prehospital care personnel.
Proper airway management is still critical to the outcome and survivability of any patient EMS encounters.
You are finishing an uneventful 12-hour shift with your local EMS company.
Effects of intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure on brain injuries, as well as how to prevent them.
All levels of EMS personnel are taught that a patent airway is imperative to effective patient management.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) obstructs the airways causing a serious medical condition affecting one in four adults.
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.
How to asses the five vital signs ( pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pupils, and skin) as well as how to treat any complications.
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 can be vital to both the mother and the unborn child.
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. This article is an overview of vascular diseases, signs, and symptoms.
In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Americans were gripped by a fear that other attacks would soon follow. This fear also included the potential for an attack with a biological warfare agent.
Top tips to ensure you see the money
Billing basics for EMS personel this article provides practical, easy-to-implement information on all facets of EMS operation.
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.
What to do when you disagree with your medical control physician or a patient asks for your advice.
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
This article will show you how to overcome plateaus. You will learn that if you have been following the same workout regime for months, rested well and ate right without results, it might be because you are not having the compounds the body needs for building muscle.
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, especially pertaining to physical and mental well being.
Electronic devices and services are bring designed to help people drop excess pounds.
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
A case study of a patients with congestive heart failure with pump dysfunction that results in fluid overload. The fluid often presents as edema in the lower extremities. As the patient lies down, that fluid gets mobilized and returned to the vascular system, and in a full reclining position will fill the vascular system in the lungs.
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
An article for emergency service personnel on how to restrain physically violent individuals, as well as understanding these different reactions that some people may have.
This article discusses patient restraint procedures for EMS providers, including the feasibility of predicting violence in the field and restraining high-risk patients preemptively.
How to safely and humanely use prehospital restraints on a violent patient.
Tips for medical personnel on how to be safe when accessing a patient, treating a patient, and entering an environment where a patient is predispositioned to violence, such as a prison.
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 to do if your partner makes a medical error and how to empathize with an unpopular partner.
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
How to turn good students into great medics. Read more in the following articles.
Do we do things for people or to them?
Are you a Dietary Supplement manufacturer trying to figure ou twhat FDA means by "Scientifically Valid Method"? Here are some hints.
The different types of hospitals for specific injuries and/or medical issues.
Different types of hospitals, whether they are teaching, commercial, non-profit or for-profit, have different levels of care and competency and you should consult your physician on which would be best for your personal care.
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
Detoxification is needed due to the accumulation of excessive toxins that occurs through the consumption of harmful food, junk diets,colas, caffeine, alcohol, drugs, lack of exercise, constipation,and even the environmental pollution.
An open discussion about your present and future medical and personal needs can secure the right kind of long-term care.
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 with the acronym ICARE: integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and empathy.
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?
The Draggin' Rescue Device was designed to help emergency responders get to a wounded person faster during dangerous tactical situation
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.
Yes, drug addiction is a treatable disorder. This treatment may include: counseling, support groups such as NA, psychotherapy, and various medications to help suppress the withdrawal syndrome.
One of the leading reasons why you might feel so tired is due to the toxins that have built up in your body. Here's how to start your detox diet.
"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
This article focuses on various facets of community preparedness for events involving terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
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
Terrorism preparedness has hit the law enforcement and Emergency Medical personnel, causing them to prepare for the unexpected.
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.
In the EMS field, mentoring can be an important part in the development of young trainees. The following article provides tips and insights to what mentoring is all about.
As a member of the National EMS Museum Foundation (NEMSMF), I am pleased to announce the grand opening of its Virtual Museum (www.
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
A real bomb scare led to cancellation of a day's worth of TOPOFF terrorism-response exercise activities in Portland on October 18.
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.
A team from Georgetown University collected swabs from five areas of 21 ambulances at two stations.
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.
Top emergency-response organizations have joined with leading traffic-safety groups in a campaign to improve highway safety and efficiency.
Fiery Crash Rocks Ohio Community
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.
Radios are the basic tools for emergency-response communications. That fact has been proved over time and by practical experience of EMS responders on the move. We don't need to reinvent the wheel, just make it smarter.
Scenario training delivers the physical and psychological tools tactical medics require to handle life-threatening situations.
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.
Being active and implementing an exercise program can help people with arthritis take charge of their disease.
This government database provides an 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
A how to guide for EMS technicians on consoling sick patients during an ambulance ride.
Tips for keeping your home germ and illness free.
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
When it comes to choosing an over-the-counter pain reliever, weighing the options available can become as dizzying as the pain or fever itself.
On Monday, April 16, Virginia Tech Rescue Squad (VTRS) members Matt Lewis and Matt Green were engaged in typical morning routines.
Ten facts and reasons to incorporating the right amount and kind of fish into your diet.
Without focus, any call could be your last
Using Class A foam and compressed air foam systems (CAFS) for everyday fire responses such as wildland, automobile and structure is the status quo in a number of departments across the United States. As their use increases, specifying the right size and design foam hardware into new apparatus is an issue for the departments adding them to their fire suppression arsenal.
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...
Fractures are commonly encountered in the prehospital environment, and the mechanisms that can create them are as varied as the types and locations of the fractures themselves. The proper methods of identifying and effectively managing fractures are extremely important in treating patients.
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.
The supplementing of creatine can help gain muscle and increase the performance of athletes in some sports. The best way is to experiment with creatine and see if it has an impact on performance.
Getting kids interested in EMS