Category Archives: Medical

Posted in Roy on Rescue • Environmental • Hazards • Illness • Outdoor Emergencies • Poisoning

Why Is Smog So Dangerous In Los Angeles In the Summer?

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A rescue fan wrote in and asked, “Why is smog worse in the summer in Los Angeles?”Smog in Los Angeles

I did a little research and found the following.  I hope it helps.

SMOG, nicknamed in the 19th century for the “smoke” and “Fog” found in London due to coal burning fireplaces and furnaces and low hanging fog can be a real problem with increased pollution.  One of the reasons smog is so dangerous is due to the fact that many times higher than the safe level of pollution particles hangs in the air like a nebulizer mist.  when inhaled, this polution can get into our blood stream and effect our whole body and vital organs.  There has been a lot of concern about this especially in China.  Over 8000 deaths have been attributed to SMOG in China and I’m sure that long term affects are even worse.
In an article by the “The Daily Green”, it stated that, “ozone needs heat and sunlight to form from its precursor chemicals. That’s why you hear warnings about air pollution most often on hot sunny summer days. But be aware: Ozone persists for hours after forming, so unhealthy conditions often last well into the evening, after the sun has gone down. Also be aware that ozone isn’t the only pollutant out there. Another major cause for concern are fine particulates — dust and soot, but also tiny chemical droplets. Particulates can cause air pollution problems year round, especially since furnaces and wood-burning stoves can produce unhealthy levels in the winter.”(http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/ozone-air-pollution-smog-0706)china smog

China too has hit an all time high in air pollution and a complication with Smog.(http://www.cnbc.com/id/100456949)  It is said that High levels of air pollution in China’s cities leads to 350,000-400,000 premature deaths.(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6265098.stm)

So what can be done if you find yourself “socked in” by a cloud of toxic particulate?  Well, depending on the chemicals in the air, we could walk around with particulate filtering masks designed with the appropriate micron filter.  But this is not sustainable.  It is helpful however, if you find yourself in such a slichenituation.  It would be wise to view it like any hazardous environment and try to escape as soon as possible.  One should be aware that some of these chemicals can enter our bodies via  eyes, nose, mouth, food, water and in some cases the skin or breaks in the skin.  So, the next time you go outside and can take a deep breath of fresh air and view the nice minty green lichen growing on the north side of your trees, be sure to thank God that you don’t have to deal with terrible conditions of these very polluted locations.  Oh, but remember, air moves smogmaskeverywhere and it eventually affects us all.  So, don’t forget to call your government reps and let them know you’re thinking about them and the anti pollution policies their voting on.  Here, and everywhere else too!

Here’s a News Video About The China Smog.

Posted in Medical • Abdominal Pain • Illness • Roy on Rescue

When Abdominal Pain Calls For 911!

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hitinthestomachIs abdominal pain a reason to call 911?
“Abdominal pain is pretty common, how do I know when to call the doctor or when to call 911?” -email sent by rescue fan.

 

I noticed that some Rescue Fans were wondering about when to call 911 or know when they should seek help after they get hit in the stomach. Great question! Abdominal pain can be everything from simple gas to a life threatening bleed. In my opinion, one should call 911 whenever the pain is causing decreased level of consciousness, is unbearable, rigid abdomen, pale skin, blood in urine or feces or anytime that voice inside is saying, “something isn’t right”. Then, if its nothing, great! But if it is serious, time is short and fast action to the hospital is vital. I hope this helps!

Stay well!

Posted in Roy on Rescue • Training Questions • CPR for Instructors • Patient Assessment

“Why Are There Different Names For Different Pulses?”

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Today I had a great question come in through our customer solutions department. Here’s what it said.
“What and why are the pulses of different ages called different things and what are they called?”

Well, I understood this to mean, what are the different locations for the different age groups in cardiac arrest or unconsciousness and so I gave the following answer.

Hello,

Thank you so much for your question. It’s a great question and I think I might be able to shed some light on it.

It can be a little confusing some times as we try and decode the reason why certain things in medicine are named what they are. Basic Life Support is not immune to this same situation. In regards to the names of “pulses” and how they are named according to the age or size of the patient, I’ll try to clarify.

If I understand your question correctly, you’re talking about the three locations of the pulse check.

1. Radial, which is found in the wrist of the patient, usually used for patients who are adult or child size. Older than 1 year of age. This location is used for general pulse rate and quality but not usually for the unconscious patient.
2. Brachial, which is found in the bicep/tricep region of the upper arm on the inside of the arm. This is the location for an unconscious infant, age 1 year or younger.
3. Carotid, which is found in the neck. This would be located between the trachea and the sternocleidomastoid muscle(located on the side of the neck). One can really see this muscle well when one turns their head to one side or the other. This would be the location of choice for the adult and child(older than 1 year) unconscious patient.

There is yet another location used in emergency medicine but not usually pre-hospital and that would be the femoral artery. This is located in the groin of the patient and again is usually used for trauma patients that have C-Spine collar or the carotid is not easily accessed due to intubation etc.

The reason to use the brachial over the carotid for an infant is primarily due to the fact that most baby’s don’t have necks to speak of. They have milk catching folds of skin but other than that, their anatomy is such that an area to evaluate an accurate carotid pulse is not easily obtained. Therefore, the brachial artery is the location of choice and works extremely well for the health care professional to ascertain whether a pulse is present or absent.

In most cases for adults and children over the age of 1 year, the carotid artery is the location of choice to check for pulse presence due to it being the last place to feel a pulse prior to the blood pressure being too low to feel a pulse regardless of whether the heart is beating or not. Secondly, it’s next to the location where we are performing a head tilt and chin lift while giving rescue breaths and is convenient to the rescuer for checking pulse presence(little perk).

So, though the names of the locations can be a little challenging, they do make great scrabble words, or can make you look really intelligent at dinner parties. Remember, it’s not the feeling of a pulse that will determine if we’re going to start cardiac compressions or not, It’s the absence of signs of life that will determine that. This includes, unconscious and unresponsiveness and that the patient is not breathing normally or not breathing at all. If these two signs are present, begin CPR. Pulse checks have often given false readings and postponed cardiac compressions in a patient who needed cardiac compressions desperately.

I hope this helps anyone who may have had the same question.

Best wishes and keep on rescuing!

Roy
RoyOnRescue.com

—
Roy W. Shaw, EMT-Paramedic
Director of Training and Compliance

ProTrainings.com

Posted in Medical • Illness • Roy on Rescue • Diabetic Emergency • Hyperglycemia • Hypoglycemia

Overcoming Diabetes Part 2 of 2 Interview With Clint Crabtree

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This is the concluding episode of the interview between Clint Crabtree, MMA Champion, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt and Owner of Grand Rapids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  In this final part of the interview with Clint, he explains in more detail how he manages his diet combined with exercise and how it’s redefining the way we think about living with diabetes type 1 or type 2.  If you have diabetes, want to prevent diabetes or maybe know someone who is diabetic, you won’t want to miss this final part of a very enlightening interview.

 

 

Posted in Medical • Illness • Roy on Rescue • Diabetic Emergency • Hyperglycemia • Hypoglycemia

Overcoming Type 1 Diabetes Interview With Clint Crabtree, Mixed Martial Artist

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RoyOnRescue has the honor of interviewing a local Mixed Martial Arts champion, Black-Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and owner of a thriving BJJ/MMA and Health Improvement gym. When I met Clint Crabtree he was at the very beginning of his diabetic diagnosis. It didn’t take me long to realize that in everything Clint does, status quo is not an option. In this part 1 of 2 part interview, we hear how Clint has not only overcome a near death experience but has actually found a way to use only a fraction of his insulin and has baffled his doctors on how he has stayed so healthy as a “brittle” insulin dependent diabetic. You’ll want to be sure to watch this episode.

 

 

Posted in Medical • Illness • Roy on Rescue • CPR for Instructors • CPR for Providers • Strokes

What’s The Difference Between A TIA(Transient Ischemic Attack) and A Stroke?

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In this RoyOnRescue videoblog I answer a request to expound on TIA’s or Transient Ischemic Attacks.  I found a great definition at this link.

This “mini stroke” can last from a couple of minutes to around a half hour and looks and acts like a full blown stroke.  Take a look at this RoyOnRescue post to learn the difference and what you should do if you come across someone who shows these signs and symptoms.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Roy, RoyOnRescue.com

Posted in Medical • Illness • Roy on Rescue • CPR for Instructors • CPR for Providers • Dehydration

Vomiting, Diarrhea And Dehydration, Oh My!

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Some time ago, I received an emailed question asking if I could do an episode on Food Poisoning. 3 days ago, my little girl, 7, came down with symptoms that were really similar to that of Food Poisoning. After doing my own research and then calling the doctor, I thought it would be a great time to address this somewhat common and sometimes dangerous problem. Some of the suggestions given, are those that the Pediatrician gave me after my daughter had been unable to keep even a sip of water down for over 36 hours! She was pale, dry and if I’m not mistaken, it seemed like her eye sockets were indeed a bit sunken. She’s feeling better now going into hour 49 and is now holding down water, Gatorade, and a BRATY( Bread, Rice, AppleSauce, Toast, Yogurt)diet. I hope this helps anyone else who has been suffering with the flu or food poisoning. Remember, the leading reason people die from vomiting and diarrhea is due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and organ failure. Don’t wait until the last minute to get advanced medical attention and if it seems like the person is becoming dehydrated, get help right away. Oh, and if you’re weak or dizzy, don’t try to drive yourself in to the hospital…that’s what 911 is for!

Best Wishes and God bless you as we enter into this most Holy season of Easter,

Roy Shaw, RoyOnRescue.com

Posted in Medical • Illness • Roy on Rescue • Child Emergencies

Blast That Thrush!

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I just recently had a question that isn’t really within my expertise as a paramedic, but ironically ranks high with me because it’s so common with people who use inhaled steroids or take antibiotics. You guessed it Thrush.   Thrush is the more common name for a more technical problem called Candida or Yeast infection on the tongue. It’s painful, it’s unsightly and it’s a pain in the neck. Oh sure, you can get medicine from the physician for it, but it was probably a visit to the physician and their prescription for antibiotics or an inhaled steroid that go this nice little complication. Not because you wouldn’t want to go back to the doctor for their help, it’s just that you may not want a piggyback bill. So, one of the readers emailed in a question regarding their 82 year old relative that has inhalers and developed “Thrush”. They asked if there were any home remedies that might help heal this without a prescription. I gave my advice below.

Hello,

Oral Thrush

Thrush has got to rank as one of the most aggravating and painful side effects I’ve encountered when dealing with something as sensitive as the tongue. It’s unfortunate that some of the life saving medications like inhaled steroids can cause this frustrating and painful complication. I agree with you regarding the spacer. I think it’s wise not only for getting more of the medication off the back of the patients tongue but also getting more of the medication into the patients lungs where we really want it to go anyway. I’ve found that spacers become one of those important items that are not used due to the terrible cost. I’ve encountered prices close to $100 just for the spacer. Crazy!

Anyway…regarding natural remedies for thrush(Candida). There is a lot of natural ideas but of course none of them have been tested in a non-bias lab or do they carry the FDA approval. I also want to re-instate that I’m a licensed paramedic and not a licensed homeopathic expert. That being said, there’s at least three of my own family members that struggle with thrush or yeast complications from time to time and I’ve found a couple of ideas pretty useful.

The first would be liquid Acidophilus with Bulgaricus and Bifidus. This is usually located in health food stores and would be located in the refrigerator section. I personally believe that this keeps the cultures alive longer and therefore more effective. The flavors are nothing to report to the press about but it tastes a little better than good old fashioned organic plain yogurt. We like strawberry or blueberry. I have the kids take a tablespoon or two several times per day and then again just before bed time. I make sure that they do it after they brush and drink so that they will leave the film coating in their mouth. This usually heals the condition within a couple of days and begins showing relief sometimes as early as 24 hours just from my experience.

Secondly, though I’ve known about the benefits of virgin, non processed coconut oil for health purposes, I’ve only recently heard about it’s ability to promote a healthy immune system and it’s natural properties(caprylic acid) for anti fungal assistance. This tropical oil can be melted over vegetables, spread on toast instead of butter or mixed into smoothies where you really don’t notice much of it at all. Because coconut oil melts at around room temperature, a 98.6 degree mouth melts the oil quite quickly. Just a quarter or half a teaspoon melted in the mouth might be an aid to help get rid of the thrush/yeast and give some soothing relief to your sweet relative. Again, I’m no expert in this area and nothing I’ve said is meant to be a prescription or a diagnosis, but I have used the Acidophilus before with great results.
Regarding the Tea Tree Oil, I’ve read several sources that voice some health concerns when using tea tree oil in or outside the body. I would take a look at this website (LiveStrong.com) and then do your own study. Then if you are still planning on using it, I would consult your relatives physician prior to administering any of the oil.

Best wishes in your quest to find a home remedy that’s effective and safe. I hope that what I’ve shared with you will help in some way.

Roy Shaw, RoyOnRescue.com
royonrescue@gmail.com

Posted in Roy on Rescue • CPR for Instructors • CPR for Providers • Patient Assessment

AVPU for Deciding to Start CPR?

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In this episode of RoyOnRescue, Roy offers an answer to an email question about using the assessment of Awake, Verbal, Painful Response, Unconscious(AVPU) method for deciding to begin CPR.   He sheds some light on what AVPU is and how it can be blended with the guidelines to decide to start CPR.

Posted in Roy on Rescue • Sports Related • Broken Bones • Broken Ribs • Concussions • Head Injuries • CPR for Instructors • CPR for Providers • Patient Assessment

“Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes…”

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A student emailed a question regarding the Head to Toe exam.  Though this is normally performed as a secondary survey in a more advanced setting, I do think there are times where knowing how to check a person for other injuries is a good idea.  Take a look at the video blog and I hope this helps.
Best Wishes,
Roy