A patient came in the other day with a rare condition that affects the liver. She had heard differing opinions from different doctors about what she should do to follow up on this. One said, don't do anything and another was advocating frequent ultrasounds. She was looking for another opinion. I'm not an expert in liver disorders, so after I did some on-line research, I did the next logical thing, I called up a real expert in the field and asked for a consult for this patient.
Today's Featured Article is from nurse.com News., by Sidney C. Smith Jr., MD, chairman of the guideline writing group and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Those who are at high risk for myocardial infarction or stroke, or who have already had such an event, can live longer, experience a better quality of life and lower the chance of a repeat attack or the need for artery-opening procedures through healthy habits and medication.
That statement was the crux of joint guidelines released Thursday from the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association. The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association endorsed the guidelines.
Sign up now for Health Perks. It's free when you use Nurse Barb as the code. This is like having access to medical and nursing school without the tuition costs or the pressure.
I recently sat down with Dr. Carolyn Stratz to discuss the importance of obtaining a Family Medical History.
If you've ever had shingles or known someone who has, you know that it's very painful and debilitating. If it's recognized quickly and treated appropriately, it can save the person weeks of pain.
How to Recognize Shingles
Pink, raised blisters or sores that start on ONE side of the body
Pain in the same area 1 - 3 days prior to noticing the blisters
The sores may look like bumps
There may be a few or large clusters and look like an angry red rash
Sores may be filled with pus after a few days, then scab over
There may be intense burning, itching, tingling, deep pain or even muscle aches in the area
Extreme sensitivity on the rash, so that even clothing may be too uncomfortable, and
Long lasting pain for weeks or months after the sores disappear.
"I read on-line........" This phrase has changed medicine, nursing and the way that we care for patients. Like many of my colleagues, I love it, when patients do their own research, because they are invested and interested in their own health. They're much more likely to make healthier choices and I see their research as an opportunity.
Today's Featured Guest Writer is John Ullom, a neighbor and a friend, who lost his precious daughter Allie at 17 months to Mylodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).
This is a Story of Hope and Inspiration.
This is a true story, it happened to me and I love to share it every Christmas and I know many others who have shared it as a glimpse of hope for others & please if you feel so inclined share it with others.
It was December 24th 2008 exactly 10 months since our Alexandra ( Alex, Allie, Sweet Pea) was called to serve Jesus. I went to Christmas Eve Mass with my parents & my sister and her family ( unfortunately Kris did not make it as she had to work that day and her commute home was horrible ~ as usual).
I recently spoke with Grace Lee from Bay Sunday on CBS 5 in San Francisco about a very cool app for the Family Medical Officer. The FMO app is now available.
You can see the interview here.
I'm delighted to be working with El Camino Hospital to inform people about the incredible services available there, including The Genomics Institute and the Health Library. The more I learn about their programs and services, the more impressed I am with their commitment to do whatever it takes to help people live their best lives. I'm excited that they're offering Health Perks to my readers and followers free of charge. I hope you'll take advantage of it.
April Hussar from Self.com and I spoke recently about some surprising ways to stay healthy.Check out these 6 surprising ways to boost your immunity.
1. Don't Stress! As SELF reported in a recent issue of Self.com, a new study in Epidemiology shows that feeling stressed can increase your chances of getting a cold. "A lot of social anxiety masquerades as stress -- whether it's fretting about what to wear to a family event or what to bring to a potluck. It can be easier said than done, but just taking a few moments out of your day to focus on your breath and all the positive things in your life, can really alleviate some of your stress and anxiety. Find more of SELF's great holiday stress-busting tips here.
Of course, cutting back on your to-do list is also a major stress-reliever, which brings us to our next point...
As you do your holiday baking, wrapping and hopefully a little relaxing, I wanted to let you know that I'll be on with my latest edition of Nurse Barb's Daily Dose on CBS -5 in San Francisco tonight at 7:20 pm. Just before Judge Judy.
"You have your Grandmother's Eyes." I heard this a lot when I was a kid. As I became a teenager, my brothers would also helpfully point out that I had also inherited her very large, wide child-bearing hips. Of course, those were not the words they chose to describe my widening adolescent pear shaped body of which I was acutely aware of every morning as I tried to fit into jeans that were so tight I would have to lie down on the floor to zip them up.
