Ouch! My Back Hurts: Understanding and Dealing with Low Back Pain

Working in Occupational Medicine one of the most common injuries and complaints that I encounter are back pain/injuries. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that nearly everyone at some point in their life will have back pain which will interfere with work, everyday activities as well as any leisure activities. It is also stated that back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States whereas headaches is listed as the first common.

If anyone has ever suffered the agonizing experience of having low back pain, then they know the impact of having their quality of life affected. It us one of the most annoying and agonizing discomforts that just seems to present at the most unfortunate times. Rushing and stressful events may trigger this type of injury secondary to neglect and carelessness. I think we have all been there.

Often there is no one event that may be the cause of the low back, it may arise from many different sources such as lifting especially if done improperly, sitting, standing, or walking for a long period. Other precipitating factors may also contribute to low back pain such as a fall or a trip. Read More For Tips and Prevention of Back Pain

Measles Outbreak in the United States!

Everyone Be Aware:

There is a measles outbreak!!
It is affecting different parts of the United States.

A measles outbreak has been reported in the United States. This has been linked to an introduction from someone in Switzerland visiting Arizona. The first case was reported on February 12, 2008 when an adult visitor from Switzerland was hospitalized with the measles and pneumonia. Still ongoing there has been nine confirmed cases through March 31, 2008 in Arizona. And two other suspected cases in which one is a resident from Colorado. These nine cases that have been confirmed range from the ages of 10 months to 50 years old. All of these were infected in the healthcare setting except for one. And all these cases were individuals that were unvaccinated during the time of exposure. Read More About Measles Outbreak...

Child Abuse and Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome (MBPS)

Please read this it may save a child:
During my career as a Physician Assistant and having worked in several Emergency Rooms I have encountered unfortunate situations with child abuse. These have to be the hardest cases and scenarios to deal with because there is seldom a true or definite sign of physical abuse. Only when the cases are very clear where the child has been battered severely can this be definitely called a case of child abuse.

We all know that child abuse can be done in many forms and not only through physical abuse. There are many forms of psychological and emotional abuse as well. And again these are very unfortunate cases because these children are often missed and go on to having more abuse inflicted on them for several years. However, there is also another form of abuse which is not so quickly recognized and for that matter not many are even aware that it exists, and this is called Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome also known as MBPS.

Examples of MBPS cases are usually presented as a young child that is hospitalized more than 30 times in his or her 6 years of living. They are diagnosed with asthma, pneumonia, unexplained fevers and mysterious illnesses. Physicians are unable to determine a cause of illnesses. Another example could be that of a child at the age of 10 has been admitted to the hospital more than 200 times. He or she has gone through numerous surgeries for unexplained abdominal pains and diarrhea. The child at times has vomited for no apparent reason and has also developed unexplained fevers and malaise.

These unfortunate children were the result of MBPS. Please read more on this...

Understanding a Blood Pressure Reading: Systolic and Diastolic

As a health care provider I am always asked about blood pressures and the significance of "the numbers" used in obtaining a blood pressure. I have found a vast variety in how individuals correlate and interpret "these numbers." An understanding of what and how a blood pressure is obtained may help to clarify that.

Accurate measurement of blood pressure is crucial to classify individuals with certain health risks and to also guide in correct management of other disease processes. There are several types of devices used in measuring blood pressure. The auscultatory (listening) technique with a trained professional and a mercury sphygmomanometer (an instrument used to measure blood pressure in an artery that consists of a pressure gauge, an inflatable cuff placed around the upper arm, and an inflator bulb or pressure pump) is still considered to be the method of choice in assessing a blood pressure according to the American Heart Association Journals. However, we know that there are a variety of different devices found today such as electronic ones.

Regardless, of which method is used the way a blood pressure is measured is done the same. A cuff is wrapped around the upper arm which occludes the brachial artery it is then inflated to above systolic pressure (the contraction of the heart, during which blood is pumped into the arteries), then it is gradually deflated as the blood flow is re-established giving a tapping noise. Please read more on obtaining and understanding a B/P.