August 15th, 2009 by KevinMD in Better Health Network, Opinion
Tags: Bad, Huffington Post, HuffPo, Medical Advice, Medicine, Poor, Untrustworthy
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The Huffington Post is one of the most prominent, and fastest growing, news sites, and as pediatrician Rahul Parikh puts it, “one of the most valuable pieces of real estate on the Internet these days.”
They have a prominent health and wellness section, but as you can read from Dr. Parikh’s piece, The Huffington Post is crazy about your health, readers be warned.
As with their approach to other topics, The Huffington Post accepts submissions from a wide variety of bloggers, some of whom, “mirror [founder Arianna Huffington’s] own advocacy of alternative medicine.”
With such influence, that can be problematic. Well documented are numerous pieces advocating against childhood vaccines, and perpetuating its mythical link with autism. And by accepting factually suspect pieces on the subject by celebrities, such as actor Jim Carrey for instance, it’s a powerfully dangerous platform for misinformation.
What Dr. Parikh simply asks for is fairness and accuracy from such an influential site, but in his words, they “take a back seat to sensationalism and self-promotion on the Huffington Post.”
Indeed.
*This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com*
August 15th, 2009 by Paul Auerbach, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Tips
Tags: hot water, jellyfish, Jellyfish Sting, Treatment
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There are multiple therapies recommended for field therapy (first aid) for jellyfish stings. These include topical decontaminants, such as vinegar (acetic acid), rubbing alcohol, papain, citrus juice, ammonia, and others; rapid decontamination combined with removal of nematocysts (by scraping, shaving, or abrasion); application of ice or cold packs; and application of heat. In addition, there is the consideration of therapy for an allergic reaction to jellyfish venom(s).
Application of heat, in the form of hot water “to tolerance” (non-scalding) is a relatively new therapy, in comparison to others that have been recommended for years in one form or another. The major proponents for this therapy are Australians, who have observed and evaluated this therapy clinically, predominately in victims of the Australian species of man-of-war jellyfishes. Their observations have been that this therapy is very helpful, as the victims improve clinically, particularly in showing relief from pain.
I am encouraged by this finding, and hope that it proves to be true over the long haul, and not just until it falls out of favor based upon some new recommendation. So, until further notice, here is general advice about how to manage a jellyfish sting:
The following is recommended for all unidentified jellyfish and other creatures with stinging cells, including the box jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war (“bluebottle”), Irukandji, fire coral, stinging hydroid, sea nettle, and sea anemone:
1. If the sting is felt to be from the box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), immediately flood the wound with vinegar (5% acetic acid). Keep the victim as still as possible. Continually apply the vinegar until the victim can be brought to medical attention. If you are out at sea or on an isolated beach, allow the vinegar to soak the tentacles or stung skin for 10 minutes before you attempt to remove adherent tentacles or further treat the wound. In Australia, surf lifesavers (lifeguards) may carry antivenom, which is given as an intramuscular injection at the first-aid scene. There is recent discussion in the medical literature about whether or not antivenom against box jellyfish as currently administered to humans is beneficial. Until further notice, it is likely to be used by clinicians. Notably, the pressure immobilization technique is no longer recommended as a therapy for jellyfish stings.
2. For all other stings, if a topical decontaminant (vinegar or isopropyl [rubbing] alcohol) is available, pour it liberally over the skin or apply a soaked compress. Some authorities advise against the use of rubbing alcohol on the theoretical grounds that it has not been proven beyond a doubt to help. However, many clinical observations support its use. Since not all jellyfish are identical, it is extremely helpful to know ahead of time what works against the stinging creatures in your specific geographic location. For instance, vinegar may not work as well to treat sea bather’s eruption, which is commonly seen in certain Mexican coastal waters; a better agent (also subject to some differing opinions) may be a solution of papain (such as unseasoned meat tenderizer). For a fire coral sting, citrus (e.g., fresh lime) juice that contains citric, malic, or tartaric acid may be effective, with emphasis on the word “may.”
Until the decontaminant is available, you can rinse the skin with seawater. Do not rinse the skin gently with fresh water or apply ice directly to the skin, as these may worsen the envenomation. A brisk freshwater stream (forceful shower) may have sufficient force to physically remove the microscopic stinging cells, but nonforceful application is more likely to cause the stinging cells to discharge, increasing the envenomation. A nonmoist ice or cold pack may be useful to diminish pain, but take care to wipe away any surface moisture (condensation) prior to its application.
As I mentioned above, observations from Australia suggest that hot (nonscalding) water application or immersion may diminish the sting of the Portuguese man-of-war from that part of the world. The generalization of this observation to treatment of other jellyfishes, particularly in North America, should not automatically be assumed, because of the fact that application of fresh water worsens certain envenomations. However, the concept is intriguing, and I intend to try it the next time I am stung if hot water is available. (How hot is hot? The upper limit of temperature should be 113 degrees Fahrenheit or 45 degrees Centigrade.) Otherwise, I will continue to use vinegar (e.g., StingMate) or another of the useful topicals.
3. Apply soaks of vinegar or rubbing alcohol for 30 minutes or until pain is relieved. Baking soda powder or paste is recommended to detoxify the sting of certain sea nettles, such as the Chesapeake Bay sea nettle. If these decontaminants are not available, apply soaks of dilute (quarter-strength) household ammonia. A paste made from unseasoned meat tenderizer (do not exceed 15 minutes of application time, particularly not upon the sensitive skin of small children) or papaya fruit may be helpful. These contain papain, which may also be quite useful to alleviate the sting from the thimble jellyfish that cause sea bather’s eruption. Do not apply any organic solvent, such as kerosene, turpentine, or gasoline. While likely not harmful, urinating on a jellyfish, or any other marine, sting has never been proven to be effective.
4. After decontamination, apply a lather of shaving cream or soap and shave the affected area with a razor. In a pinch, you can use a paste of sand or mud in seawater and a clamshell.
5. Reapply the vinegar or rubbing alcohol soak for 15 minutes.
6. Apply a thin coating of hydrocortisone lotion (0.5 to 1%) twice a day. Anesthetic ointment (such as lidocaine hydrochloride 2.5% or a benzocaine-containing spray) may provide short-term pain relief.
7. If the victim has a large area involved (an entire arm or leg, face, or genitals), is very young or very old, or shows signs of generalized illness (nausea, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and the like), seek help from a doctor. If a child has placed tentacle fragments in his mouth, have him swish and spit whatever potable liquid is available. If there is already swelling in the mouth (muffled voice, difficulty swallowing, enlarged tongue and lips), do not give anything by mouth, protect the airway, and rapidly transport the victim to a hospital.
To prevent jellyfish stings, an ocean bather or diver should wear, at a minimum, a synthetic nylon-rubber (Lycra [DuPont]) dive skin. Safe Sea® Sunblock with Jellyfish Sting Protective Lotion, which is both a sunscreen and jellyfish sting inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in preventing stings from many jellyfish species.
This post, Hot Water for Jellyfish Stings, was originally published on
Healthine.com by Paul Auerbach, M.D..
August 15th, 2009 by GruntDoc in Better Health Network, True Stories
Tags: bite, bitten, Doctor, finger, Patient, Prescription
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Allegedly for “not writing a prescription”…
Dr. Paul Arnold turned his back for a moment on a patient who was upset because the doctor wouldn’t write him a prescription.
That’s when the patient, Gregory S. Powell, 45, of Fort Myers, allegedly attacked Arnold, 65, biting off part of one of the doctor’s fingers.
As my tipster says “…probably wasn’t about refusing an amoxicillin script…”.
In custody; no word on the doc, and best wishes.
Thanks to Glenn (a true homie) for the tip.
*This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc*
August 14th, 2009 by Jonathan Foulds, Ph.D. in Better Health Network, Health Tips
Tags: inpatient treatment, Quitting Smoking, rehab, smoking cessation
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Many smokers I’ve seen for help in quitting have made a comment like, “if only I could be isolated on a desert island for a couple of weeks without cigarettes, then I could quit.” Earlier this week a news item from my home country (Scotland) told of a 56 year-old successful businessman named Geoff Spice who had smoked for 43 years and then decided to live on a remote island by himself for a month to quit smoking. And this island is really remote…with no electricity and only sheep for companionship (?!). So do you think this is a god way to quit smoking?
Perhaps the closest thing to this here in the United States is the option of going to a specialist clinic for residential tobacco dependence treatment. A handful of these residential clinics exist, with the most famous being ones at Mayo Clinic and Hazelden Foundation (both in Minnesota) and the St Helena Center in California. These residential clinics typical have a 4 to 8 day program including classes, pharmacotherapy and multidisciplinary therapy. They are also typically quite expensive ($3000 to $6,000) for the patient (though not in comparison to the cost for inpatient treatment for lung cancer!).
These clinics typically boast high long term (6 month to a year) quit rates (25 to 65%). The Mayo Clinic published a comparison between one year quit rates in their inpatient and outpatient program, finding a higher quit rate after residential treatment (45% v 23%). Of course it is possible that those attending expensive inpatient treatment were more highly motivated (and more affluent) than the average smoker seeking treatment. However, it is plausible that the methods taught in the classes are helpful, and that there is an advantage of getting off to a good start by virtually guaranteeing abstinence for the first few days.
The main challenge for those who start their quit attempt at a residential clinic, or on an island, is staying quit once they return to their normal environment with all the same triggers and cues.
I’d be interested to hear of the experiences of anyone who has tried these or other “extreme” tobacco dependence treatments.
Links to further information:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/ndc-rst/residential.html
http://www.smokefreelife.com/overview.php
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=12709094
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8179781.stm
This post, Quitting Smoking Has Higher Success Rate In Inpatient Programs, was originally published on
Healthine.com by Jonathan Foulds, Ph.D..
August 14th, 2009 by Toni Brayer, M.D. in Better Health Network, True Stories
Tags: Eyelash, Eyelash Growth, Lumigan, Photos
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Last year I blogged about a new FDA approval for Lumigan (Bimatoprost) ophthalmic solution for glaucoma to be used as a safe way to grow eyelashes. I thought the readers of EverythingHealth would enjoy seeing if it really worked.
You be the judge..the before photo shows eyelashes (with mascara, of course) before using Lumigan. The 2nd photo shows eyelashes after 6 weeks of use. The manufacturer states it takes 8 weeks for full benefit.
*This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth*
