March 3rd, 2010 by BarbaraFicarraRN in Better Health Network, Health Tips
Tags: Cardiology, Heart Attack, Hollywood, MI, Nursing, Signs, symptoms
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How do you know if you’re having a heart attack? Are you thinking about the classic Hollywood example?
Hollywood Loves Drama – Know the Signs of a Heart Attack
The classic example of a Hollywood heart attack is a person clutching their chest, gasping for a breath and falling to the ground.
After all, Hollywood is hot for drama, and when it comes to portraying a person having a heart attack, the exaggerated Hollywood version is far more riveting than a person sitting quietly wondering if their very slight arm discomfort is anything they should be concerned about.
The Hollywood version can be very misleading. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Health in 30*
March 2nd, 2010 by Peggy Polaneczky, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Tips
Tags: Hormone Therapy, Hormones, Obstetrics And Gynecology, Vagifem, Vaginal Estrogen
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years when it comes to medications, it’s this – more is not necessarily better. You can have too much of a good thing, and less can sometimes be more.
Certainly that’s been the mantra when it comes to hormone replacement in menopause. Since the WHI findings were released in 2002, we’ve all been going lower and lower with estrogen dosing, and finding that, for many women, it’s more than enough to treat the symptoms.
Now, a new low dose formulation of vaginal estrogen, Vagifem 10 ug, approved in Dec 2009, has hit the market. I have to say that I am thrilled to have this option for my patients.(I know, some of you are in shock that I would actually be talking favorably about a new drug, but hey, when they get it right, they get it right.) Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at The Blog that Ate Manhattan*
March 1st, 2010 by Toni Brayer, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Tips
Tags: 100 Years Old, Lifestyle, Long Life, Longevity, Tips
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Research from Denmark shows that life expectancy is increasing steadily and there is a good possibility that by controlling life factors, most everyone can live to be 100. Of course, living in a high income, first world country is the first factor. The Danish experts report that since the 20th century, people in developed countries are living about three decades longer than in the past.
Check out the list (click on it for a better read) to see what factors you can control.
Tip: Don’t eat the nuts if you have an allergy. That would definitely lower your chances! And having a baby “later in life” does not mean with IVF or infertility drugs. And a “little” wine doesn’t mean a bottle a day.
*This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth*
March 1st, 2010 by JessicaBerthold in Better Health Network, Health Tips
Tags: ICH, Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Management, Neurology, Stroke
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Some quick tips about medically managing patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage, courtesy of a talk at Stroke 2010 by Craig Anderson, MD, George Institute for International Health in Sydney NSW, Australia:
–avoid excess elevation of variables like blood pressure, glucose levels and body temperature
–maintain hydration; many of these patients present dehydrated
–elevate the head
–abandon intensive insulin therapy
–In terms of lowering blood pressure, going from 220 mm Hg systolic to 140 mm Hg over one hour appears safe, but it’s still unknown whether more rapid lowering is better, or if it would be better to achieve a lower systolic level.
*This blog post was originally published at ACP Hospitalist*
February 27th, 2010 by MotherJonesRN in Better Health Network, Health Tips, Humor
Tags: Hospital, Nursing, Snow Day, Snow Storm, Survival Guide, Tips
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These young ladies are prancing back to their nursing dormitory after a snowstorm. They look really happy to finally make their exit from the hospital. I identify with these girls because I got snowed in at my hospital for eight days last week. It was tedious, but I used my time constructively. I studied human nature.
People go through three phases when a snowstorm starts bearing down. The first phase is giddiness. I saw at lot of people become gleeful when the first snowflakes started hitting the sidewalk. They became delusional and said things like, “Look at the snow. It’s so beautiful!” People, snow is NOT beautiful. It is wet and cold. No one enjoys digging their car out from a five-foot snowdrift.
The next phase of a snowstorm involves a strange survival instinct that compels people to rush to their local grocery store and buy copious amounts of milk, toilet paper, and comfort food like corn chips. I’ve never been about to understand this phenomenon, but I’m sure that grocery store chains love it. Panic in the air indicates that people are entering into the final phase of their snowstorm response. The snowstorm is in full gear and everyone wants to leave work and go home. The walls start closing in, and those with a lesser constitution make a break for the door. I understand that some people can’t deal with their claustrophobia, but please don’t yell, “You can reach me on my Blackberry,” as you run out the door. That just makes you look pathetic. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Nurse Ratched's Place*
