MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'hand'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:48:12 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130663&cid=t_93762_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fhealthy-lives-healthy-people-a-tobacco-control-plan-for-england%2F Scan or click to download 'Healthy lives, healthy people: a tobacco control plan for England' Title: Healthy lives, healthy people: a tobacco control plan for England The Skinny: Sets out how tobacco control will be delivered in the context of the new public health system, focusing in particular on the action that the Government will take nationally over the next five years to drive down the prevalence of smoking and to support comprehensive tobacco control in local areas. It includes commitments to: implement legislation to end tobacco displays in shops; look at whether the plain packaging of tobacco products could be an effective way to reduce the number of young people who take up smoking and to support adult smokers who want to quit, and consult on options by the end of the ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130663 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 08:21:03 +0100 5130663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107571&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FKQpYUu2tK7w%2Freview-of-nsaids-effects-side-effects.html Recently I gave in and went to see a rheumatologist after more than 3 months of intense morning stiffness and swelling of my hands (especially around the PIPs and MCPs) and wrists which improved during the day but never went away.  It had gotten to the point where I could no longer open small lid jars (decreased strength), do my push-ups or pull ups (pain and limited wrist motion), and OTC products (Tylenol, Advil, etc) weren’t working.  I can’t take Aleve due to the severe esophagitis it induces.  I didn’t want to write a prescription for my self-diagnosed (without) lab arthritis. BTW, all the lab work came back negative with the exception of a slightly elevated sed rate and very weakly positive ANA.  The rheumatologist was impressed with the swelling, pain, and ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107571 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:15:01 +0100 5107571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077640&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=35060&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthnewsblog.com%2Fblog%2F729111 A new report says hand, foot and mouth disease has killed at least 70 people in Vietnam. Most of the those who have died have been children under the age 5. This is an increase from a report last week that said 56 people have died from the disease. There have been over 20,000 cases in recent months and as many as 2,000 new patients each week. A report in the English edition of Saigon Giai Phong says the outbreak is being blamed on a new etiological agent, Enterovirus 71 (EV-71). The virus causes severe complications, including paralysis and brain swelling. Hand, foot and mouth disease hits Vietnam each year and kills about 20 to 30 children. The numbers this year are much higher. Permalink | Facebook | Twitter | Recent Headlines | News Feeds (Source: HealthNewsBlog.com) HealthNewsBlog.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077640 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:00:00 +0100 5077640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050712&cid=t_93762_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F22%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-july-22-2011%2F Yesterday, I was stuck in traffic when I had to consciously take a deep breath and go to my happy place so I wouldn’t freak out at the scene in front of me. There were three or four cars spread out in an accident across four lanes. A tow truck was on the right and its driver was cautiously, but assertively attempting to stop cars from hitting him as he walked valiantly across the freeway to help a car get towed. I was amazed by two things. First, that merely putting up his hand “sort of” stopped track. The second is that it didn’t stop cars completely. As I sat there, I saw cars wiggle next to me on my right almost hitting the truck driver in the process. I saw him make it to the shoulder lane, briskly carrying a crying little boy who had been in the car and helping... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050712 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:25:15 +0100 5050712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997618&cid=t_93762_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F02%2Fkahlil-gibran-on-pain%2F One of my favorite passages on pain is what Kahlil Gibran writes in his classic, “The Prophet”: Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain. And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy; And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields. And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief. Much of your pain is self-chosen. (If I cut one line, it would be that one.) It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore trust the physician, and drin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997618 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 19:34:09 +0100 4997618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934160&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fvitamin-d-for-copd-why-that-wont-be-enough%2F2011.06.16 I am frequently extolling the health benefits of Vitamin D because almost weekly there is a new study that correlates high vitamin D levels with reducing some disease.  The latest is from the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and research shows that high doses of vitamin D supplementation improved respiratory muscle strength in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).  The patients that did not receive supplemental vitamin D had blood levels of 22.8 compared to 53.8 in the supplemented group.  The patients who were supplemented had improved respiratory function, strength and less shortness of breath.  It certainly didn’t cure or reverse COPD but the improvement was an encouraging trend in this terrible chronic disease. In reading about ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934160 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4934160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921435&cid=t_93762_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FjkJtnC7xuoA%2F LITFL reviews the June edition of Emergency Medicine Practice on Traumatic Hand Injuries. Are you ready for the Top 10 Review Questions? (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921435 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:29:16 +0100 4921435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862609&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FVu7QNvkNyq4%2Fshout-outs_24.html Medgadget is the host for this week’s issue of Grand Rounds! You can read this week’s edition here. Welcome to Grand Rounds, the weekly recap of the best in the medical blog universe! And welcome to Medgadget, where our team of researchers, doctors and engineers cover the world of medical devices and health-related technology news. For Grand Rounds this week, we suggested bloggers send us technology-related material, and they rose to the challenge; we received some amazing links. Of course, there was great non-techie material too. It’s all below, loosely categorized, with photos and quotes lifted from posts of note.   ……. …………………………… Amazing story from BBC science reporter Neil Bowdler: Bionic hand for 'elective amputation' patient (photo ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862609 Tue, 24 May 2011 11:52:19 +0100 4862609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841483&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrlindagalloway.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F1031747_hospital.jpg At one time, a hospital would be called a 24-hour institution but now it’s a business. Within this business are shift workers that include nurses, technicians, clerical staff and even hospital employed doctors who are now called hospitalists.  In a teaching hospital resident physicians also work in shifts so the responsibility of patient care is always being transferred from one group of healthcare providers to another. Do they always communicate effectively? Regrettably, “no.” Sign-outs, handoffs, shift changes, nurses’ report. These are the multiple names for the process where a departing  provider is responsible for letting the arriving provider know what’s going on with the patient.  According to statistics, 80% of medical mistakes occur during shift changes and 50 to 60% ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841483 Wed, 18 May 2011 16:00:13 +0100 4841483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780311&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhand-transplantation-is-it-worth-a-lifetime-of-immunosuppression%2F2011.05.03 There was a lovely news article on the first California hand transplant patient in the LA Times earlier this week:  Hand transplant patient speaks (bold emphasis is mine) Emily Fennell, 26, last month became the first person in California to have the revolutionary surgery. Six weeks and many hours of therapy later, she has no regrets. ….. On March 5, Fennell became the first person to undergo a hand transplant in California and the 13th nationwide to have the revolutionary surgery. . …. “It’s crazy how good it looks,” she said at her occupational therapy session one morning last week at UCLA, where she spends about eight hours a day working on learning how to move her new hand and fingers. “I knew the match wouldn’t be perfect, but if you didn’t kno... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780311 Tue, 03 May 2011 16:00:00 +0100 4780311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762714&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F04%2Forthopedic-surgeon-dr-paul-manske-died-age-72%2F Prominent hand surgeon Dr. Paul Manske has died at age 72 after a long illness. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762714 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 01:18:00 +0100 4762714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734158&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F5rtsPwMhdGc%2Fmore-on-hand-and-face-transplantation.html Conclusions: Although the risk of donor-derived cytomegalovirus is acceptable in life-saving solid organ transplantation, for face transplantation patients, the scenario is different. When the authors' team performed the first nearly total face/maxilla transplantation (December of 2008), there was little known regarding the consequences of cytomegalovirus-related donor transmission in face transplantation. Therefore, the authors now recommend that all candidates be fully informed as to the risks of cytomegalovirus/infectious transmission and that aggressive viral, bacterial, and fungal prophylaxis be instituted.   As with the young women who would give a year of life for a perfect body, it is a question for the individual (I am coming to believe) to decide.  But for them to deci... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734158 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:15:00 +0100 4734158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658407&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FbMtNu5kRDkU%2Fflorida-student-gets-hand-transplant.html This is a difficult post for me to write.  As much as I admire the surgeons who are pushing this new advance I found myself bothered by this one.  Why? That’s what I have been asking myself.  After all, Linda Lu, 21 year old, is a college student from Orlando, Florida is ecstatic about the new hand -- (quote/photo credit) "I've already accepted it as my hand since the day I woke up," Linda Lu said during a Monday press conference at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, where the surgery took place. "But just looking at it, sometimes I still can't believe that it's there... It kind of feels like magic." "I'm in information technology," Lu said. "So, my primary goal is to be able to type." Simple enough goal, isn’t it? ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658407 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:14:00 +0100 4658407 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600492&cid=t_93762_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F15%2Fnursing-times-2011-vol-107-no-6%2F This study reveals how specific hand hygiene products boost patients’ handwashing. Contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Hand Hygiene, Infection Control, Patient Preference (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600492 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:28:18 +0100 4600492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570548&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2F5-avoidable-air-travel-health-risks%2F2011.03.10 For those of you planning air travel to your next medical conference (and ACP Internist isn’t too shameless to plug Internal Medicine 2011 — we hope to see you there), TIME reports that there are five health risks that are rare yet have recently happened. Tips on avoiding these maladies include: – E. Coli and MRSA on the tray table. Microbiologists found these two everywhere when they swabbed down flights. Bring your own disinfecting wipes. – Bedbugs in the seat. British Airways fumigated two planes after a passenger posted pictures online about her experience. Wrap clothes in plastic and wash them. – Sick seatmates. Everyone has experienced (or been) this person. Wash your hands. – Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Tennis star Serena Williams experienced a p... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570548 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4570548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560497&cid=t_93762_133_f&fid=35124&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspergerwoman%2F%7E3%2F7TVVciqs80E%2Fspring-new-horizon.html We have shared many beautiful moments together. But sometimes one needs to continue his own way. After 1.5 years a beautiful love story has come to an end. I thank my former boyfriend for all the love, inspiration and much more he has given me. Time to set a new horizon. Each day I am grateful for my freedom. Think about all those people worldwide, abused, locked up and treated inhumane. Bradley Manning in prison for over 280 days now. Speaking about solitary confinement and autism, for me it is clear that the loneliness felt inside is often related to my Aspergers. But do not feel that sorry for yourself having autism. Unless you are physically disabled too, we have the ability to walk around freely despite our autism. There is a world outside worth to be explored. Walk in the light a... The Art of Being Asperger Woman blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560497 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:34:00 +0100 4560497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495240&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FAfQzGdKcPdw%2F1790-eagle-quilt-finished.html Last month I showed this quilt as a WIP (work in progress).  It is now finished after 3 weeks of hand quilting, every night for 2-3 hours.  I am pleased with how it turned out.  Forgive my photos as I am not great at taking photos of whole cloth quilts.  The quilt is white white not a cream white. The quilt is 20 in square and hand quilted.  The front and back look like mirror images of each other.  Here is the front: Here is the back: Here is a photo of the eagle detail (from the back). Here is a photo of one of the corners. This quilt will be part of the Eagle Motif Wallhanging Decade by Decade Project and represents the decade 1790-1800. (Source: Suture for a Living) Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495240 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:15:00 +0100 4495240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477762&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffugus-an-unwanted-yoga-partner%2F2011.02.14 Yoga is good for your mind and body, including your skin. Yoga mats, on the other hand, might not be. Using someone else’s yoga mat for an hour could lead to an infection. Fungal infections are common and appear as athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and ringworm. Unfortunately, the fungus can survive on surfaces like mats long after the infected person has left. Although most people blame the gym locker room when they develop athlete’s foot, you can catch the fungus from a variety of places anytime you walk barefoot. Fortunately, even if the fungus comes into contact with your skin, it doesn’t always lead to infection. Dry, cracked skin, or soft, wet skin disrupt your primary defense against the fungus — the densely packed barrier of skin cells, oils and proteins on your healthy... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477762 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:00:35 +0100 4477762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472972&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FpwSeElExBJk%2Fheart-in-hand-quilt-wip.html This quilt won’t be done in time for Valentine’s Day as I just started it yesterday. It is inspired by this scarf featured on Street Anatomy. I cropped a screen shot, brushed in the heart (suggested by the arterial formation), and then printed it out on a sheet of Colorfast fabric. There is a long tradition of heart in hand quilt blocks. When searching for the meaning of the symbolism I found several – charity, friendship, compassion. These photos were taken after I finished the piecing and basting of the quilt. I now have to do the quilting. It will be approx 18 in X 23 in when finished. Here is a close up of the center which is approx 5 in X 11 in. (Source: Suture for a Living) Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472972 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:49:12 +0100 4472972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377666&cid=t_93762_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fmedia-broken-brains-tonight-on-bbc-4.html Enjoy a brainy evening tonight on BBC4! Broken Brains (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377666 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:19:00 +0100 4377666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4324780&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fprominent-hand-transplant-surgeon-dr-warren-breidenbach-accepts-position-arizona%2F Dr. Warren Breidenbach has accepted a position at the University of Arizona and will be leaving Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. Breidenbach has performed hand transplants on six patients in the last thirteen years, including a double hand transplant on Dr. Rich Edwards. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4324780 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:46:22 +0100 4324780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265575&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fstudy-shows-cigarette-chemicals-linger-months%2F A new study just published is finding that cigarette smoke residues such as nicotine linger for months in homes, even after the walls and surfaces have been cleaned. The health effects of this so-called “third-hand smoke” are unknown but testing reveals greatly increased body levels of these chemicals in both children and adults who move into residue-filled houses. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265575 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 02:17:57 +0100 4265575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253192&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F6Kxmx-nOuwo%2Fnew-technology-may-help-prevent.html Previously I posted on rejection in hand transplant patients when it was reported double hand transplant on patient Rich Edwards of Oklahoma might “lose the fingertips on his right thumb and pinkie because his body started to reject the new limbs.” Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center and the Christine M Kleinert Institute have released news on a new medical device which may allow detection of rejection at an earlier stage.  Early detection could then improve treatment and perhaps prevent limb loss as with the team’s 4th patient Dave Armstrong who had his transplanted hand amputated in April 2009 due to rejection. I first read about this new device, an ultrasound biomicroscopy device, in Wave3.com’s December 6, 2010 article: New technology helping keep transplanted hands attached.... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253192 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:09:00 +0100 4253192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245337&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FYFUPzMscFxs%2Frepost-focal-dystonia-of-hand.html Earlier this week I caught bits and pieced of Diane Rehms interview of pianist Leon Fleisher. She was interviewing him about his many musical careers and his memoir: My Nine Lives: A Memoir of Many Careers in Music. So I thought I would repost my blog post from October 2007 on Focal Dystonia of the Hand. …… Earlier this week I read an article in Reader's Digest (November 2007 Issue) on Leon Fleisher and his focal dystonia of his right hand. The article is written by Oliver Sacks, MD and is a exert from his book "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain". I wanted to review what I knew about focal dystonia and ended up learning much. I would like to try to share this with you. Enjoy this "Ravel Piano Concerto for the Left Hand 1/2" played by Leon Fleisher.The term dystonia collectiv... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245337 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:15:00 +0100 4245337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233219&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FOSMoEUN-H14%2Fdorsal-hand-coverage-refinements.html We present our hand in greeting for a hand shake. Our hands are visible when keyboarding or talking on the phone. We hold hands with our loved ones. We want our hands to both work/function and be aesthetically pleasing. Function must come first with a severe injury, but the authors of the first article referenced below correctly note “with high success rates, flap survival should no longer be the sole criterion in judging success in dorsal hand and wrist reconstruction.” In an attempt to determine the best flap for dorsal hand coverage in terms of aesthetic appearance, donor-site morbidity, and minimization of revision surgery, the authors conducted a retrospective review of all free flaps for dorsal hand and wrist coverage from 2002 to 2008 was performed. Flaps were divided into four... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233219 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:16:00 +0100 4233219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225255&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhand-or-arm-transplantation-when-the-body-rejects-it%2F2010.12.02 Dr. Richard Edwards, a chiropractor from Oklahoma and the nation’s third double-hand transplant, was recently in the news again. This time it a report that he “may lose the fingertips on his right thumb and pinkie because his body started to reject the new limbs.” Dr. Edwards’ surgery was live tweeted when it was done in August by Louisville surgeons at The Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center. Jeff Kepner, the first patient in the United States to receive two hands simultaneously, experienced an episode of rejection which was dealt with successfully. Rejection is never a good thing in a transplant patient no matter which organ or body part is transplanted. Even though I applaud the advances being made, we must always consider the cost of the proposed treatment and ask: Is there a ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225255 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:00:00 +0100 4225255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4219777&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FCcwbR3uU4RQ%2Frejection.html Doctor Richard Edwards, a chiropractor from Oklahoma and the nation's third double hand transplant, was recently in the news again.  This time it a report that he “may lose the fingertips on his right thumb and pinkie because his body started to reject the new limbs.” Dr. Edwards’ surgery was live tweeted when it was done in August by Louisville surgeons at The Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center. Jeff Kepner, the first patient in the United States to receive two hands simultaneously, experienced an episode of rejection which was dealt with successfully. Rejection is never a good thing in a transplant patient not matter which organ or part transplant.  Even though I applaud the advances being made, we must always consider the cost of the proposed treatment and ask if there a b... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4219777 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:16:00 +0100 4219777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082004&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fhand-surgeons-offer-tips-safe-pumpkin-carving%2F Oklahoma City hand surgeons Drs. Joel Frazier and Houshang Seradge offer tips to reduce the likelihood of hand injuries while carving pumpkins. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082004 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:58:47 +0100 4082004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074063&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-to-prevent-an-infection-from-your-pet%2F2010.10.15 Can your dog give you MRSA? Sharing with your dog is wonderful — unless you’re sharing bacteria. Pets can harbor harmful germs to pass on to you. Staphylococcus bacteria is a common cause for skin infections in people and animals. A virulent strain of staph, called MRSA, has made headlines for school outbreaks and fatal infections. MRSA infections are usually blamed on dirty locker rooms and contaminated gym clothes, but the source for an infection might be in your lap right now. Here are five ways to avoid catching an infection from your pet: 1. Your pet’s mouth is not clean. It’s teeming with bacteria. Don’t let your pet lick your wounds. A dialysis patient once contracted a life-threatening pasturella bacteria infection from his beautiful golden retriever this way. 2... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074063 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:00:19 +0100 4074063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4025666&cid=t_93762_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FcLkaotRYRd0%2F Seriously, what is this? Yes, yes, I know that hand hygiene is important, but this makes Vanilla Ice look like KRS-One. Maybe in Milton Keynes this is cool. (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4025666 Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:18:07 +0100 4025666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018206&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FGO5Y5iHWu58%2Fpostoperative-management-of-cmc-joint.html I haven’t seen or treated any wrist dislocation injuries since my hand surgery fellowship, but still read an article regarding their treatment every now and then. I stumbled across this one (full reference below) via MDLinx. The full article is available for free online. The authors of the article note in their literature search that most multiple carpometacarpal (wrist) fracture/dislocation injuries are due to motor vehicle accidents. They were unable to find any large studies of multiple CMC dislocations. One of the “largest” had only 10 patients. Multiple CMC dislocations are uncommon and occur from high-energy trauma. Treatment of these injuries require operative fixation. The reduced fractures/dislocations are stabilized using K-wires which remain in place for 6-8 weeks. Prolon... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018206 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:15:00 +0100 4018206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003205&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fplaying-video-games-improves-handeye-coordination-surgeons%2F New research published in the journal Cortex shows that the hand-eye coordination skills developed in playing video games is very similar to the skills obtained by top laparoscopic surgeons. Lead author Joshua Granek of the Vision Research Center in York, Canada shares his thoughts on his study. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003205 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:42:20 +0100 4003205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4002883&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpre-heart-attack-screening%2F2010.09.26 Imagine: There you are sitting outside on a warm, sunny day having a leisurely picnic with your family. You hear an ambulance in the distance getting closer. You’re not on call. Suddenly, the paramedics hop from the vehicle’s cabin and pronounce: “Excuse me sir, your heart’s not getting enough oxygen and you might develop a heart attack. Please, come with us.” Sound far fetched? Well, maybe not. A new device is being tested that might detect “silent” ischemia and notify a patient (or even call 911) that he or she is showing signs of heart ischemia on the wire installed in his or her chest. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4002883 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 18:00:00 +0100 4002883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4001675&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fupdate-chiropracter-richard-edwards-double-hand-transplant%2F Chiropracter Richard Edwards is several weeks out from a double hand transplant and appears to be regaining function. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4001675 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:32:54 +0100 4001675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993986&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F73nJiEZ2a1M%2Fcost-of-hand-transplantation.html Discussion: An Economic Analysis of Hand Transplantation in the United States; Concannon, Matthew J.; Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 125(2):599-600, February 2010.; doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181c831e5 Hand transplantation not cost-effective; AAOS Now, January 2010 Issue; Peter Pollack Hand Transplantation; Brown University Biomed Course Info (2001); accessed September 15, 2010 (Source: Suture for a Living) Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993986 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:14:00 +0100 3993986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993911&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fall-about-hands-guidance-and-germs%2F2010.09.21 Some interesting items this week involving hands. The one which has gotten much news coverage is the issue of handwashing. Take a look at some of the headlines: High five! Handwashing on rise (Chicago Sun-Times) For Many, ‘Washroom’ Seems to Be Just a Name (The New York Times) 93% of women wash their hands vs. 77% of men (USA Today) All the above are reporting on the same study, but the difference in presentation is amazing to me. The study doesn’t involve handwashing in a hospital or doctor’s office setting. The JAMA article (2nd reference below) does, but this article focuses on whether public reporting of handwashing compliance is helpful or not. Do we inflate our numbers to make ourselves look better? (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993911 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3993911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3982015&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhuman-touch-does-it-belong-in-medicine%2F2010.09.18 The New York Times asks: “Should the doctor hold a patient’s hand” during emotional times? The comments that follow the short article are the most interesting. Most readers say this question shouldn’t even be asked and that human compassion should always win out. Touch is a human gesture of comfort and understanding. But some readers disagree. One said she recoiled when the doctor reached out to touch her hand after telling her that her cancer had returned. It felt really creepy to her. Another asked: “What if the physician is also a Catholic priest or a pediatrician and a priest?” Whoa. It becomes more complex when you get into the psyche of the abused. I have often thought that one of the appeals of chiropractors is that they “lay on hands&#... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3982015 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3982015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976526&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FiC1uEAWYNqk%2Fhands-guidance-and-germs.html Some interesting items this week involving hands.  The one which has gotten much news coverage is the issue of hand washing.  Take a look at some of the headlines: High five! Hand washing on rise (Chicago Sun-Times) For Many, 'Washroom' Seems to Be Just a Name (New York Times) 93% of women wash their hands vs. 77% of men (USA Today) All the above are reporting on the same study, but the difference in presentation is amazing to me.   The above study doesn’t involve hand washing in a hospital or doctor’s office setting.  The JAMA article (2nd reference below) does, but this article focuses on whether public reporting of hand washing compliance is helpful or not.  Do we inflate our numbers to make ourselves look better? Public reporting creates an incentive to m... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976526 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:15:00 +0100 3976526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972937&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FAjKF4s-9uyw%2Ftreatment-of-common-congenital-hand.html This article and the companion videos are worth your time.     REFERENCES Treatment of Common Congenital Hand Conditions; Oda, Takashi; Pushman, Allison G.; Chung, Kevin C.; Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 126(3):121e-133e, September 2010. Treatment of Common Congenital Hand Conditions - Video 1 - Syndactyly release with proximal-based dorsal rectangular flap Treatment of Common Congenital Hand Conditions Video 2 - Ablation of the radial thumb and ligament reconstruction Treatment of Common Congenital Hand Conditions - Video 3 - Pollicization of the index finger (Source: Suture for a Living) Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972937 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:15:00 +0100 3972937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965537&cid=t_93762_118_f&fid=34702&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fmspblog%2F%7E3%2FdJesxG33Qyg%2F Are you struggling with improving handwashing compliance in your hospital? There are some simple steps organizatons can take that may help improve compliance with this important but basic infection control technique. The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare has put together a list of Handwashing Factors and Solutions, which is based on first-hand observation in multiple healthcare settings by Joint Commission surveyors. The Center for Transforming Healthcare is making their findings available for free to any organization interested in using them.  Click here for a free copy of  Handwashing Factors and Solutions. (Source: MSSPNexus Blog) MSSPNexus Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965537 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:37:45 +0100 3965537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942791&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpatient-safety-video-hand-hygiene-saves-lives%2F2010.09.07 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has produced a patient safety video about the importance of handwashing for hospital patients and their healthcare providers. The instructional piece entitled “Hand Hygiene Saves Lives” is available for hospitals to offer their newly-admitted patients. I think everyone should watch and learn: Source: CDC-TV (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942791 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:00:57 +0100 3942791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3938293&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Famyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als-lou-gehrigs-disease%2F Pathophysiology a group of disorders with progressive upper and lower motor neuron disease causing progressive motor weakness Signs and Symptoms 1) lower motor neuron signs are symmetric muscle atrophy and fasciculation (rapid and irregular contractions that do not move the limb) 2) upper motor neuron signs are spasticity and hyperreflexia 3) first sign is usually wasting and weakness of hand muscles Histology/Gross Pathology 1) hallmark is loss of large motor neurons 2) progressive degeneration of anterior horn motor cells accompanied by gliosis 3) loss of myelinated fibers laterally in corticospinal tracts 4) degeneration of motor nuclei in brainstem (especially hypoglossal nuclei, ambiguous and motor trigeminal nuclei 5) degeneration of upper motor neurons of cerebral cortex 6) atrophy... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3938293 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:42:50 +0100 3938293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3934455&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fhand-schuller-christian-disease-classic-clinical-triad%2F Exophthalmos, diabetes insipidus, multiple cystic skull defects (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3934455 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 06:00:35 +0100 3934455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907542&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fman-receives-rare-double-hand-transplant%2F In only the third double hand transplant that has been perforemed in the United States, a man with badly burned hands had them first amputated and then replaced with a double hand transplant at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. The lead surgeon on the case was Dr. Warren Breidenbach. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907542 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:43:48 +0100 3907542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907633&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F6z3gWJcmQEg%2Fdouble-hand-transplant-on-twitter.html Louisville surgeons at The Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center recently performed the 3rd double hand transplant done in the United States.  It is the first to be live tweeted. The procedure began around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 24, and finished late Wednesday afternoon, August 25.  Lead surgeon, Warren C. Breidenbach, M.D, with Kleinert Kutz & Associates, and his team of surgeons focused on the surgery while senior hand fellow Christiana Savvidou, M.D. used a laptop just outside the operating room to document the surgery as it takes place. This bilateral transplant is the third double hand transplant to be done in the United States.  The first two double hand transplants were done at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the first in May 2009 and the second in Feb... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907633 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:06:21 +0100 3907633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3861953&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Finternationally-renowned-hand-surgeon-dr-wp-andrew-lee-returning-hopkins%2F Internationally known hand transplant surgeon Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee is leaving University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and returning to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he attended medical school and trained as a surgical resident. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3861953 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:52:26 +0100 3861953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3831357&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fanatomy-101-are-you-up-to-snuff%2F2010.08.06 It’s time we get away from all of the serious nonsense and back to something I am far more comfortable with: Taking otherwise-useful information and twisting it into utter nonsense. Yes, it’s time to journey back to the wonderful world of the physical exam. My ongoing mission is to explore the human body from my unique (albeit moderately unstable) perspective. For an overview of my previous posts on the physical exam see this post which features Dick Chaney on a Segway (reason enough to click on the link). Please visit a psychiatry blog to aid in recovery once you have done so. My most recent post in this fine series covered the topic of psychics and about the examination of the hand. It was mainly about psychics examining the hand, but I did slip in a little doctor stuff to keep the ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3831357 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:00:05 +0100 3831357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816446&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FQTLJX_LzgtM%2Fshout-outs.html Mike, LITFL is the host for this week’s “killer” Grand Rounds.  You can read this week’s edition here. It is with great honor that the Life in the Fast Lane team and the Utopian College of Emergency for Medicine host this weeks Grand Rounds Vol. 6 No. 45 on August 3rd 2010. The theme for this edition is ‘Killer Posts‘. We asked the MedBlogosphere to trawl their blog archive and dive deep into the soul of their writing to find their best; most inspirational; clever; witty; well-researched; head-turning; gut-wrenching; magnificent; glorious requiem of a post…and they did! Furthermore, each author has chosen their preferred deadly Aussie critter, and we have coupled each blogger accordingly… ………………………………………. In case you haven’t heard ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816446 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:39:20 +0100 3816446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802540&cid=t_93762_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FAhUjgJYH2EM%2Flend-a-hand-for-diabetes-awareness.php I'm not a huge proponent of BigPharma, but do give two thumbs up for the Global Diabetes Handprint, inspired by Luis Emiro's idea for the TuDiabetes Word in Your Hand Project, spearheaded by Manny Hernandez, a photo contest in which hundreds of diabetics took photos of our belabored hands, sporting a word or two to sum up some aspect of life with diabetes. My contribution is to the left.I'll be honest; I'm not a real in-yo-face marketing type professional nor a gimmick-y prone gal, but I like this idea. And I like how simple it is: by writing a word on your hand (or on a virtual one!) and sharing a 200 word blurb about your word(s) along with your name and email address (though you can fully opt out of any correspondence with One Touch), One Touch will donate $5 to one of the following sma... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802540 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:58:54 +0100 3802540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3729903&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F6KoFe6syNgw%2Fshout-outs.html Dr. John Schumannis, Glass Hospital, the host for this week’s Grand Rounds. It’s the “customer service in healthcare” edition. You can read this week’s edition here. Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. GlassHospital is proud to host this week’s Grand Rounds, a compendium of medical-related writing and blogging from around the world. This week’s theme, in honor of the holiday, is CELEBRATION. Here at GH we’re pleased to be celebrating the six month anniversary of our debut. We have 21 pieces to share with you, including one poem and one photo. This week’s submissions, all celebratory-themed, seemed to cluster into five main categories: Aging gracefully, history & literature, medical drama, health care policy, and good ol’ humor. So pull up a chair, maybe a ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3729903 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:43:59 +0100 3729903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665901&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fboy-rare-toetohand-transplant%2F Three year old Vaughn Washington lost his right thumb when it was duct-taped in an effort to prevent him from sucking it. Because the thumb provides half of the function of the hand, Drs. Michel Saint-Cyr and Sean Bidic of UT Southwestern Medical Center recently moved Vaughn’s second right toe to his missing right thumb area. Because it was his own tissue being transplanted Vaughn will not need immunosuppressive drugs to keep the body from rejecting it. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665901 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:09:12 +0100 3665901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648568&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FR7njCO0GXSo%2Fmelanoma-of-nail-matrix.html Two recent articles in the Archives of Dermatology serve as a reminder that melanoma may occur under the finger nail in the nail matrix. The first one (full references for both below) used slides and prepared information from 12 cases to “test” dermatologist. Here is one of the examples given in the paper: Nevus. A, Clinical features; B, nail plate dermoscopy; C, intraoperative dermoscopy. ABCDEF rule information: A (age, 35 years), C (change in band at 2 years; it became enlarged or darker), D (digit, third finger, right hand), and F (no family or personal history of melanoma) Only 46-55% made the correct diagnosis of nail matrix melanoma in situ in this study. The level of expertise did not statistically influence the correct diagnosis. Early diagnosis of melanoma of the nail u... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648568 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:01:00 +0100 3648568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648497&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysician-burnout-isnt-new%2F2010.06.09 Dr. Wes and Kevin, M.D. have both written reviews of the documentary film “The Vanishing Oath.” I started the process rolling of trying to get the film shown locally. No date yet, but looks like it will happen before the year is out.  This is not a new phenomenon in medicine (or any profession). Dr. Robert Goldwyn wrote a nice essay on the some of the issues that can lead to burnout, though not once did he mention burnout specifically. The title says much: “I Bargained on Working Hard as a Surgeon, Not Working Hard to Be Able to Work Hard as a Surgeon” The preceding title is a quote from a letter written by a resident in the last year of his training (S. A. Teitlebaum, August 20, 1994). It reflects the gloom besetting the young in particular but certainly not them exclusivel... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648497 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3648497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607465&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fhand-sanitizer-gels-4-things-to-know-before-you-squirt%2F photo: Thinkstock Check out our roundup of three allegedly all-natural hand sanitizer gels. Sure, instant hand sanitizer gels have made it a little easier to stay clean on-the-go. They’re great for hospital waiting rooms and other places where germs run rampant, or after your ride on public transportation. But hand sanitizer gels won’t work unless you use them properly. Here’s how: 1. Buy hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol – anything less won’t kill viruses and bacteria as well. 2. Squirt a lot onto your hand – doctors recommend a blob the size of a silver dollar. There needs to be enough gel to wet the entire back and front of your hands, since a sanitizer only kills germs with which it has direct contact. Rub the gel into your hands for at least... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607465 Fri, 28 May 2010 14:59:01 +0100 3607465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603705&cid=t_93762_122_f&fid=35373&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmerzenich.positscience.com%2F%3Fp%3D251 I had the great pleasure of attending a symposium held in the College of Education at my alma mater, the University of Portland, focused on this interesting subject, and the implications that it bears for effective learning and teaching. My co-participants were distinguished professors in linguistics and education science (Ellyn Arwood and Richard Christen), and [...] (Source: On the Brain by Dr. Michael Merzenich, Ph.D.) On the Brain by Dr. Michael Merzenich, Ph.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603705 Wed, 26 May 2010 20:27:55 +0100 3603705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3563961&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fexamine-a-hand-foreshadow-a-future%2F2010.05.14 Back to the subject at hand. To those who are relatively new to this blog, one of the most popular…uh…tolerated series of posts has been my series on the physical exam. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to go back and read the posts to get in the proper mindset (or destroy enough brain cells). Astute readers will note that doctors are not the only professionals to examine the hand. Long before we knew anything about carpal tunnel syndrome or the thenar eminence, we had Madam Linda and her cohorts looking at the hand for signs of what the future will bring for the individual that happens to be connected to the hand in question. Just as stars and planets can have a peculiar interest as to whether a person will run into money, the lines on a person’s hand can foreshadow a ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3563961 Fri, 14 May 2010 12:00:05 +0100 3563961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556174&cid=t_93762_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F11%2Fthe-situational-effects-of-hand-washing%2F NPR’s Morning Edition had a recent story (by Nell Greenfieldboyce) about research on the effects of hand-washing.  Here are some excerpts. * * * Soaping up your hands may do more than just get rid of germs. It may scrub away the inner turmoil you feel right after being forced to make a choice between two appealing options. That’s according to a new study on the psychological effects of hand washing in the journal Science. The study builds on past research into a phenomenon known as “the Macbeth effect.” It turns out that Shakespeare was really onto something when he imagined Lady Macbeth trying to clean her conscience by rubbing invisible bloodstains from her hands. A few years ago, scientists asked people to describe a past unethical act. If people were then given... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556174 Tue, 11 May 2010 16:55:24 +0100 3556174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3542605&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-look-at-the-history-of-microsurgery%2F2010.05.06 Facial transplants, hand replants, and free flaps are only possible in large part due to microsurgery.  I finally got around to reading the “History of Microsurgery.” The article is good reading for anyone interested in the history of microsurgery. The article, written by Susumu Tamai, M.D., Ph.D., (Japan) was received for publication in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery on June 14, 2007. Microsurgery is relatively young, and Dr. Tamai breaks down the history into four periods. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3542605 Thu, 06 May 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3542605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524118&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fplastic-surgeon-is-the-king-of-donkey-kong%2F2010.04.30 Donkey Kong has a new recordholder — and he’s a plastic surgeon. Hank Chien, M.D., scored 1,061,700 points in 2 hours and 35 minutes, breaking the world-record score for the classic arcade game. Read the piece to learn how he did it, and more interestingly, the painstaking steps he had to take to verify his score. The feat does lend some anecdotal support linking video games and the hand-eye coordination required for surgery. There are small studies linking the laparoscopic skill of surgeons with how well they do on video games. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524118 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:00:04 +0100 3524118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519426&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwhats-in-your-purse-photo-of-the-day%2F We headed over to Flickr to indulge our inner voyeur, and found lots of interesting contents spilled all over the “Whats in Your Purse” Flickr pool. Kudos to this healthy purse: There’s lots of water and hand sanitizer, plus other smart essentials like moisturizer and meds. The contents of a healthy purse: lots of water, hand sanitizer, meds, and moisturizer. Post from: BlissTree What's in Your Purse? Photo of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519426 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:54:00 +0100 3519426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3511622&cid=t_93762_113_f&fid=36671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fopen.medicdrive.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2F28%2Fipad-and-medicine%2F This is the third part in the series of Technology enablers in Health Multi-touch screen  devices which you can carry any where, surf  the web perform basic word processing applications and also read a journal, listen to audio casts. This is what health care professionals are looking at. Many manufactures, ventured on this territory-noticeably,Cruchpad or JooJoo was [...] (Source: Constructive Medicine 2.0) Constructive Medicine 2.0 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3511622 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:03:38 +0100 3511622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3482917&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FmPcNeL_l7UA%2Ffinger-and-wrist-exercises.html A few weeks ago I received an email from a reader who appreciated my past post on posture.  She then requested information on exercises and prevention of finger/hand issues from computer/keyboard use.  I replied that I would work on it. Thanks to TBTAM who reminded me of this with this tweet last week. Duration of EMR use and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms correlated. And I was blaming the blog.... http://bit.ly/bVbOvU   One of my earliest post (June 3, 2007) was  “Good Posture for Sewing (or Blogging)”.  Posture makes a huge difference in body mechanics, be it at the computer, sewing machine, or in the operating room.  Poor body mechanics lead to or contribute to many chronic use issues (ie back pain, carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel). You and I... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3482917 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:01:00 +0100 3482917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3479641&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fdavid-duchovny-and-demi-moore-sickened-by-a-smooch%2F David Duchovny and Demi Moore (photo: WENN.com/FayesVision) Word at Starpulse is that David Duchovny initially refused to kiss Demi Moore while filming their new movie The Joneses, because the actress had what he calls a “raging cold.” Duchovny eventually relented and locked lips with Moore to keep the filming schedule on track. The former X-Files leading man claims that he did get sick from the smooch, and he doesn’t seem happy about it. With a cold season this year that never seems to end, we’re wondering, how far do you go to avoid germs? If it were your job to tongue someone with the sniffles, would you do it? Do you steer clear of your loved ones when they’re sick? Drop us a note in the comments section, below, and let us know. Post from: BlissTree D... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3479641 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:14:36 +0100 3479641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453867&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F173957%2F Think Before You Soap: The FDA is investigating health effects of triclosan, a popular anti-bacterial agent which studies show has possible negative health effects. It’s found in many soaps and hand sanitizers, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s found in 75% of the population’s urine. Yikes! Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453867 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:00:10 +0100 3453867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429210&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F5unMODCu8Oc%2Fchinese-boy-with-31-fingers-and-toes.html Daily Mail ran a story recently on a Chinese boy, 6, who was born with 31 fingers and toes (15 fingers and 16 toes).  The story reporting on the child having surgery to correct the congenital anomaly.  (photo credit) Polydactyly is a condition in which a person has more than five fingers per hand or five toes per foot.  Rarely is it more than one or two extra.  Polydactyly  occurs in approximately 1 out of every 1,000 births. Usually, only one hand is affected. In the hand, the extra digit(s) may be located on the thumb side  (radial), the small finger side (ulnar), or in the middle (central).  In the black population an extra finger on the little finger side (ulnar polydactyly) is most common. The most common congenital hand difference in the Asian p... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429210 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:01:01 +0100 3429210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378414&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Ffinally-a-man-who-really-knows-women%2F Meet Edward J. Gill, MD. By day, he’s Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Director of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, and Program Director of fellowship training in female pelvic medicine and surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Which is a long-winded way of saying that he’s really smart. By night, he practices yoga, swims, cooks, and builds furniture in his wood shop. Luckily for us, Dr. Gill will contribute regular posts to Blisstree and answer questions related to all of our “lady problems”. Seriously, why do men become gynecologists? (Sorry, but we’ve seen “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle,” and just had to ask.) That certainly comes up once in a while. In medical school, after ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378414 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:30:42 +0100 3378414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370371&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Ffergie-to-publish-kid-lit%2F Today, PR Newswire announced that Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, will launch a new children’s book series titled Helping Hand Books. Each volume will focus on a specific personal or social issue that commonly affects children growing up. Child psychologist Dr. Richard Woolfson, Ph.D., will provide tips for parents about how to help their kids deal with life’s daily struggles. The first four works, scheduled for release this year, are Ashley Learns About Strangers, Emily’s First Day at School, Matthew and the Bullies, and Michael and His New Baby Brother. Sterling Children’s Books is Fergie’s publisher, and their other upcoming releases include The Case of the Barfy Birthday and Potty Animals: What to Know When You’ve Got to Go. photo: WENN Post from: B... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370371 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:38:41 +0100 3370371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354586&cid=t_93762_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F8mNubGYqGzY%2F Women in recovery from alcoholism, addiction and co-dependency often may need new skills in the bedroom. These 5 tips may help. Want to give your man a thrilling experience like never before? Here are 5 really simple ways to make your lovemaking hotter, steamier and more passionate, starting tonight! This is a sampler the full story is at the Ask Dan and Jennifer site. 1. The best position for his enjoyment Practically every animal species utilizes the rear-entry “doggy-style” position, so it is a natural one for humans to enjoy, as well. While you won’t have face-to-face contact, there are many benefits. It’s great for guys because it gives them full control. 2. Find your man’s “hidden” zones Yes, men love to be touched sensually too. I call these “hidden” zones because ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354586 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:11:29 +0100 3354586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354288&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fnaturally-clean-hand-sanitizer-breakdown%2F Natural and organic alternatives to household cleaners and soaps have been around for ages, but only recently have companies started coming up with alternatives to chemical-laden hand sanitizers. Coming on the heels of ubiquitous alcohol-based hand sanitizers like Purell, several new “natural” brands are now on the market. They tout natural, organic, and/or plant-based ingredients, claiming to be less harsh than the nearly pure alcohol found in many traditional sanitizers on shelves. But is this just another case of greenwashing? We checked out three popular brands to find out what’s really keeping our hands clean. EO Hand Sanitizer – It contains 62% organic ethanol, distilled from certified organic, non-GMO sugar cane. When we asked the company what the difference is between this ... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354288 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:22:07 +0100 3354288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3271217&cid=t_93762_180_f&fid=38604&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fmakeitgreat%2F%7E3%2FLigOJEjqMV4%2F I was talking with my good buddy Terry Starbucker this week about the upcoming SOBCon conference, and reminiscing back to the first event, with this year’s event being the 4th annual event. The photo in this article is from that very first conference. What I love about SOBCon is the Big C Community attendees immediately become part of, and that they continue to be part of, once they attend one event. It’s an amazing thing to me, this Big C Community. There aren’t a lot of places like this in my life. I’ve been part of a lot of organizations, and few have fulfilled my need to be part of this. What’s a Big C Community? A Big C Community is one in which a shared sense of purpose pumps through everyone in the organization, whether it’s a formal organization ... Phil Gerbyshak blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3271217 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:59:24 +0100 3271217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262549&cid=t_93762_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fpeutzjeghers-syndrome%2F Pathophysiology 1) inherited disorder marked by numerous GI polyps (usually in small bowel but occasionally from stomach to rectum) and mucocutaneous pigmentation 2) heavy freckles on the face, hands, feet, and perineal areas usually fade at puberty but the buccal (mouth) pigmented spots do not 3) although the polyps are considered benign, 2-3% of patients develop adenocarcinoma in the small bowel Signs and Symptoms 1) abdominal obstruction 2) intussusception Histology/Gross Pathology polyps are hamartomas with smooth muscle and intestinal glands Associated Conditions increased risk of – 1) pancreatic cancer 2) breast cancer 3) ovarian cancer 4) endometrial cancer 5) testicular cancer Biochemistry affected gene codes for serine threonine kinase Inheritance/Epidemiology 1) autosomal ... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262549 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:48:02 +0100 3262549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239593&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FujKFUdB6doc%2Ffda-approves-xiaflex.html Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of Dupuytren’s disease. The FDA's approval of the Xiaflex which is produced by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc follows the September recommendation of a panel of outside medical experts. The panel unanimously voted to support Xiaflex. Dupuytren's contracture is an abnormal thickening of tough tissue (fibrous layer) underneath the skin of the palm and fingers. It is the thickening of this tissue that can cause the fingers to curl. When severe, Dupuytren’s can be disabling. Until now there has been no treatment other than surgery. Xiaflex is an injection which will be done in the office. (photo credit) The cause of Dupuytren’s disease is unknown... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239593 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:01:00 +0100 3239593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212357&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FgF2zAXs4Xzo%2Fus-diagnosis-of-closed-tendon-injuries.html I found the article on using ultrasound to diagnosis closed flexor tendon injuries interesting.  I  still rely on history and physical exam to make the diagnosis, but can see how the use of ultrasound (US) could be useful particularly in children. The article is a retrospective audit of the accuracy of US in diagnosing closed flexor tendon ruptures and ruptures following recent flexor tendon repair in 80 patients between January 2001 and December 2006.  The accuracy of US was found to be higher than clinical examination alone (95% vs. 79%, Z = 2.00, p = 0.03). US findings were 100% accurate when imaging was undertaken between 1 and 7 days following injury, but only 88% accurate when undertaken on the same day as injury and 85.7% accurate when performed after 1 week (X 2 = 6... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212357 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:01:00 +0100 3212357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189094&cid=t_93762_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F20%2Fbritish-journal-of-healthcare-assistants-2010-vol-4-no-1%2F Title: MRSA: Minimize the spread Skinny: Describes meticillan-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and details what healthcare assistants can do to minimize its spread, including promoting hand hygiene and good practice among other staff members, and improve patient safety. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Infection Control, Journals Tagged: Hand Hygiene, Healthcare Assistants, Infection, Infection Control, MRSA (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189094 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:54:18 +0100 3189094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178836&cid=t_93762_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F16%2Flaw-and-economics-primer%2F Situationist Contributor Jon Hanson, Kathleen Hanson, and Melissa Hart, have recently posted their outstanding introduction to law and economics (to be published in Dennis Patterson’s forthcoming volume, “Compantion to Philosophy of Law and Legal Theory) on SSRN.  The chapter includes a brief discussion of the emergence of economic behavioralism and situationism, and it is now available to download for free here.  Here’s the abstract. * * * This chapter provides an introduction to the history, uses, methods, strengths, and limits of law and economics. It begins by examining the role of positive and normative approaches to law and economics. To examine the positivist thesis – that the law does in fact tend toward efficiency – the chapter discussed and analyze... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178836 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:01:52 +0100 3178836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118900&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F6Jm-85Jx-mQ%2Fhand-rejuvenation.html I took this photo when my mom was in the hospital earlier this year. My hand looks like I wash dishes for a living. Her hand shows many of the spots that come with age and sun exposure: actinic keratosis, liver spots, etc. There is a decent article that gives an overview of hand rejuvenation in the Sept/October issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. The epidermis thins as we age. Lentigines, actinic keratoses and seborrheic keratoses, general dyschromia, and textural roughness appear. Capillary fragility may make bruising common. Fat atrophy may make tendons and bony prominences more noticeable and the veins appear to bulge. The article goes through the available treatments: chemical peels, vein sclerotherapy, fillers, laser therapy, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, fractional skin ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118900 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:01:00 +0100 3118900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108462&cid=t_93762_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Flares-extends-no-lube-option%2F Chico, CA: December 18, 2009— Lares Research has extended its no-lubrication ceramic bearing model option to its entire highspeed product line, including the non-swivel 4H and 5H FO backend configurations. The handpieces do not need lubrication, which saves time and money, and eliminates the risk of handpiece lubricants getting on the cavity prep and diminishing bond strength. Two head sizes are available in these new backend configurations: compact (Model 557) and full size (Model 757). The new Lares handpieces do not require user lubrication. They feature ceramic bearings, which significantly extend bearing life. The company’s proprietary Debris-Shield™ Bearing Shield System minimizes debris accumulation in the bearings. Lares highspeed handpieces feature higher cutting power, comp... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108462 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:54:12 +0100 3108462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075633&cid=t_93762_117_f&fid=34808&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthebeautybrains.com%2F2009%2F12%2F10%2Fare-hand-sanitizers-bad-for-nails%2F Michelle’s concern…I’m freaked out about getting the piggy flu so I use a hand sanitizer like 10 times a day. Now my nails look like crap. Is there a connection? The Left Brain responds: Yes, Michelle, hand sanitizers are effective against germs but they can have a negative effect on your skin and nails. Sanitizer insanity One of the Beauty Brains’ favorite resources is North Carolina dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos. In a recent article in the Dermatology Times, Dr. Draelos talks about the damage that waterless sanitizers can do to your hands.  In fact, she claims that they are the biggest cause of increased brittle nails.  That’s because nails need some level of water content to allow the keratin protein to flex and bend when deformed.  But the alcohol in th... thebeautybrains.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075633 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:01:17 +0100 3075633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063422&cid=t_93762_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fautism-back-to-basics.html I think it’s time for a good old moan; a grumble on the topic of impairment to joint attention, one of the hallmarks of autism, a pivotal skill that’s adrift, so the experts tell me. The trouble is, when it comes to parenting an autistic child we are often advised to ‘trust our instincts.’ It is my experience that this is basically wrong, or perhaps more accurately, that my instincts are wrong. Lets just look at three of the basics. They’re universal, so I’m told. The power of speech is helpful but not essential.First up:-I am the parent. You are the child and we gave you a name. You have learned your name, so I call you, either because you’re hiding or you’re busy doing something, “Freddy, where are you?” You, Freddy, do not reply. It may be that you’re replying in y... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063422 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:52:00 +0100 3063422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059822&cid=t_93762_123_f&fid=39037&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.drgreene.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F04%2Fnot-all-hand-sanitizes-are-the-same%2F One of the best ways to keep your toddlers healthy during flu and cold season is to keep their hands clean. A good washing with soap and water is very effective in reducing the spread of contaminants that may make your kids sick. But frankly it can be tough to get our little ones to [...] (Source: Conversations with Dr Greene) Conversations with Dr Greene blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059822 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:56:25 +0100 3059822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089429&cid=t_93762_123_f&fid=39037&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.drgreene.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F04%2Fnot-all-hand-sanitizes-are-the-same%2F One of the best ways to keep your toddlers healthy during flu and cold season is to keep their hands clean. A good washing with soap and water is very effective in reducing the spread of contaminants that may make your kids sick. But frankly it can be tough to get our little ones to [...] (Source: Conversations with Dr Greene) Conversations with Dr Greene blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089429 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:11:38 +0100 3089429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003797&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FmvzoY8suqh0%2Ffinger-nail-bed-injuries_18.html I was supplied these photos by someone who found my blog and then corresponded with me regarding their injury. He had injured his fingers in a motorcycle accident six weeks previous to our “meeting.” He understood that I could not be his treating physician and keep his questions respectful of that. I am grateful to him for the use of his photos as they show how healing occurs. This photo to the right is the one taken at 6 weeks post injury. Note the split of the nail growing back. There does not appear to be any connection centrally between the two nails growing back. If you look back to the photo of the 1st day, (and I know it is difficult to see due to the size) there is a deeper injury in the central area. It would have been to his benefit to have had this central area sutured at ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003797 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0100 3003797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999547&cid=t_93762_101_f&fid=38969&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheemtspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2F17%2Ftest-for-unconsciousness-the-sternal-rub%2F Ahhh the embattled sternal rub. Revered, reviled … the sternal rub is the Ann Coulter of medical interventions. Abrasive, annoying, loved by many, hated by many more. The subject of the usefulness of the sternal rub is bound to cause controversy in any EMS forum. In other words … it’s a great subject for The Spot. Like many controversial assessments and treatments, the sternal rub (sometimes referred to as the sternum rub) got its bad-boy reputation more from its misuse than from its own shortcomings. Never-the-less, the technique does have its shortcomings. Like so many other tools, it has its place when used appropriately and it has its potential for misuse. So let’s make sure you understand its uses and limitations. If you’ve never encountered this techni... The EMT Spot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999547 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:53 +0100 2999547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999617&cid=t_93762_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F17%2Fthe-situation-of-the-invisible-hand%2F Yesterday, Paul Rosenberg published an intriguing situationist piece at Open Left about the context and meaning of Adam Smith’s “invisible hand.”   Here are some excerpts. * * * What if Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” argument doesn’t mean what we think it means?  What if it doesn’t mean that everything else but the “free market” can and should be ignored?  What if if Smith actually depended on social and historical context in order to make his argument in the first place? What if it was an argument deeply dependent on what . . . The Situationist blog calls “the situation”? In fact, that’s exactly what happened! Recently, Berkeley economist Brad DeLong posted “Yet Another Note on Adam Smith’s &#8216... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999617 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:01:50 +0100 2999617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3016925&cid=t_93762_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2F6lLEi6_Ck78%2F This study was carried out – where else? – in Switzerland, where 7 million individuals exchange 20 – 100 million banknotes each day. Thomas Y, Vogel G, Wunderli W, Suter P, Witschi M, Koch D, Tapparel C, & Kaiser L (2008). Survival of influenza virus on banknotes. Applied and environmental microbiology, 74 (10), 3002-7 PMID: 18359825 (Source: virology blog) virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3016925 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:13:28 +0100 3016925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950687&cid=t_93762_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F02%2Fmax4health-hand-hygiene-evaluation-report%2F Title: Max4Health hand hygiene evaluation report Skinny: Sets out the results of an evaluation of the Max4Health hand hygiene campaign undertaken at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust over a nine week period between February and April 2009 Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 16p Published: 23/10/2009 Posted in Grey Literature, Impact Assessments, Infection Control Tagged: Good Practice, Grey Literature, Hand Hygiene, Infection Control (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950687 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:04:41 +0100 2950687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2907603&cid=t_93762_46_f&fid=38787&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2Fphotos%2F2009%2F10%2F20%2Fsomalia-4%2F Photo: Javier Roldan Jamaame hospital, southern Somalia – July 2009 The hospital was opened in March 2007. A 55 beds hospital, located nearly 30 kms North of Kismayo. Activities include Nutrition, maternity, general medicine and emergency care. In 2009, there was an average of 4 000 consultations and 140 admissions per month. In terms of nutrition an average of 260 kids have been treated every month in ambulatory while 90 more sever cases had to be admitted every month. (Source: MSF Blogs) MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2907603 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:11:08 +0100 2907603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904906&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FT6ob4TpcGl8%2Fxiaflex-for-dupuytrens.html The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Advisory Panel met Wednesday, September 16, to review the data on Xiaflex and its use for Dupytren’s Disease.  A company rep came by the office a couple of weeks ago to update me.  I find the possibility of treating Dupuytren’s with an injection absolutely, wonderfully,  fascinating!!! Dupuytren's contracture is an abnormal thickening of tough tissue (fibrous layer) underneath the skin of the palm and fingers. It is the thickening of this tissue that can cause the fingers to curl.  It can be disabling.   (photo credit) Until now there has been no treatment other than surgery.  Xiaflex is an injection which will be done in the office. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine which looked at... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904906 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:01:00 +0100 2904906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890866&cid=t_93762_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fwayback-wednesday-devilish-raynauds-syndrome.html Do your hands go numb or turn blue sometimes? Especially now that the weather’s turning colder? I received this message from a reader not long ago, which reminded me of yet another add-on ailment I haven’t addressed in a while: I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a little more than 3 1/2 years ago. I [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890866 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:00:56 +0100 2890866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886522&cid=t_93762_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FTpvkCUAu4Ag%2F In the Philippines, they’ve taken recycling to the next step. Funeral homes have been providing hospitals with pacemakers that are still in good condition so the equipment may be refurbished and used again in people who may not otherwise be able to afford having a pacemaker inserted. The pacemakers, which came from Michigan, were part of a study that was intended to see if there would be complications from these second-hand items. To qualify for use, there had to be at least 70% of battery power left in the device. Even though there were 50 pacemakers that were donated by the families to the funeral home, only 12 met the requirements for re-use. The 12 patients in the Philippines who received the devices are doing well and have not experienced any complications, say the doctors. You ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886522 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:41:55 +0100 2886522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2871716&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FqkuActt7S3Y%2Fpumpkin-carving-safety-tips.html It’s that time of year again!  Here’s a reposting of  my post from last year.  Enjoy, but be careful!   Carved pumpkins can be works of art, but carving one incorrectly can leave you with cut fingers. Minor cuts will often stop bleeding on their own or by applying direct pressure to the wound. Most of these cuts and scraps will be minor and can be treated by washing with soap and water initially. After this initial care, keep the wound clean and dry while it heals. However, if the bleeding continues after 15 minutes or if you lose the ability to move the finger properly (very likely a tendon injury), then seek medical attention at a hospital emergency department. (photo credit--Headless Horseman) Let's prevent the injuries. Keep these tips in mind: Carve in a c... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2871716 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:01:00 +0100 2871716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832234&cid=t_93762_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FkW7hNAqEJf0%2F For the last several months, health officials have told us that frequent hand washing might be one way we can help prevent the H1N1 virus. While everyone from office workers to school children has been told to wash their hands several times a day, new reports have surfaced that showed that some schools with diligent hand washing rules still had massive outbreaks of H1N1. Health officials agree that hand washing can help with many diseases like the common cold. But for the flu? Especially the H1N1 virus? Not so much. However, health officials still say hand washing is important, as it can help with “transmission of other respiratory diseases.” Image: sxc.hu. Post from: Blisstree Hand Washing May Not Prevent H1N1 (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832234 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:10:41 +0100 2832234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828417&cid=t_93762_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FmSJX_nd6kUs%2Fmaking-sense-of-diabetes-video-contest.php The Diabetes Hand Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit is launching the Making Sense of Diabetes video contest to raise diabetes awareness. I strongly encourage you to participate. Your work will be spread far and wide to help other know what it's like to have diabetes. Manny Hernandez, founder of the Diabetes Hand Foundation, explains the genesis of this contest:Diabetes affects our lives in ways we may not always realize. We smell insulin, savor glucose tablets, feel the poke of our lancing devices, react to our doctor’s words and see the life ahead of us. A beautiful example of how diabetes can be lived through our five senses was captured in early 2009 in this poem by Brad L. of Canada. To inspire you to record and enter your own video(s) into this contest, consider these thoughts: Has h... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828417 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:23:00 +0100 2828417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814381&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fbanish-germs-with-this-diy-hand-sanitizer%2F Word everywhere is that washing your hands is the key to staying healthy, especially when there are so many bugs and viruses floating around. Soap and water work great but sometimes you just feel the need to use something a little more potent  – like an alcohol based hand sanitizer. But there’s a lot of controversy surrounding hand sanitizer products. Some people worry about the effectiveness of them. Others are concerned about the chemicals put in them – chemicals such as the endocrine disruptor Triclosan. Easier, in some ways, to make your own. That way, you exactly what’s in it. DIY hand sanitizer recipe In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup each of pure aloe vera gel and grain alcohol with 5 drops of tea tree essential oil. To make it smell less pungent, add 5 drops of your fav... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814381 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:26:20 +0100 2814381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2793189&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2Fdg__TsMHzwg%2Fcarbolic-gangrene-of-hand.html I stumbled across an old surgery text, A Text-Book of Minor Surgery by Edward Milton Foote, MD, which was published in 1908 at an antique store a few weeks ago. I have enjoyed thumbing through it. There are photos of conditions I have only read of and never seen. Carbolic gangrene of the hand is one of those conditions. Carbolic acid [car·bol·ic acid   (kär-bŏl'ĭk)]  is now more commonly known as phenol [phe·nol   (fē'nôl', -nōl', -nŏl')].     A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C6H5OH, derived from benzene and used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Also called carbolic acid. In 1865 Dr. Joseph Lister (1827-1912) began the practice of using an antiseptic... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2793189 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:01:00 +0100 2793189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774595&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fbreastfeeding123%2Fpumping-expression-breastfeeding-a-poll%2F The implication of the Medela Breast Milk Commercial that women will need a breast pump if they plan to breastfeed got me wondering — in the last two months, have you used a pump? Was it electric or manual, or do you prefer to hand express? Medela Swing Breast PumpDid you not require a pump or hand expression in the last two months? What is your opinion on whether a breast pump is necessary? As a stay-at-home mother, I used a manual pump with my first child but quickly found that my baby would not take a bottle and I only needed to express milk to relieve engorgement or get rid of a plugged duct. I preferred hand-expression for those tasks. #MicroPollDiv_201565 { width: 250px; margin: 0px auto; } Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3 (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774595 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:02:30 +0100 2774595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772507&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7841 I was at Bangkok recently and naturally had to drop by the famous MBK Centre. I noted that MBK had thoughtfully placed hand cleansing lotion dispensers at their entrances. Kudos! Photo taken with my Treo Pro from the Malaysian Medical Resources Do our malls have this? (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772507 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2772507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741441&cid=t_93762_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fa36XduxD3Rs%2F Alright, George Clooney fans out there, time to get your get well cards and positive energy flowing. Turns out George broke his hand while staying at his pad in Italy. I know what you’re thinking… will he still be able to wave to the fans? Yes. His doctor joked that he was giving George “30-40 years more to live, and no live animals were harmed during the wrapping of the hand.” (Sounds like George had just the right doctor to suit his personality, doesn’t it?) Rumors fly that perhaps George broke his hand while riding a motorcycle (because he did have that accident a couple years ago where his cycle collided with a car), but it turns out George simply closed the car on his hand. Ouch! We’re sending out our love, Mr. Clooney! Image: Zuma Press ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741441 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:53:36 +0100 2741441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727096&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7760 Things are getting ridiculous to the point that the Government has to make Face masks now a price-controlled item. If you read the media, it seems the “proper thing” to do is to wear face masks when you go out in public. What is the true value of wearing the common three ply face mask (see pic:)? Does this type of face mask protect you from H1N1? Answer is it has very limited value. This type of mask is best worn by the people having cough/runny nose/flu symptoms not by those who wish to avoid H1N1. The reason is H1N1 is transmitted by droplet infection and you won’t get it by breathing in the air. The main risk comes from being in constant close contact with infected individuals. In this instance the 3 ply mask is not good enough, the proper mask to wear are the N95 mas... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727096 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2727096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699687&cid=t_93762_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FxHCe8NeAyuM%2F OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder, is one of those weird and fascinating diseases that confuses medical professionals. If you’ve ever seen someone with the disease, you know why. Is it caused by anxiety? Is it something related to an addiction? About four million Americans have some form of OCD. Right now, the medical community has it classified with other anxiety disorders. Some experts believe it should remain in this category because “people with the disorder tend to engage in repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety.” In other words, it isn’t so much that they are obsessed about something (like checking locks or washing hands) but they go back to this behavior because they think it will help soothe them. It doesn’t however. Other medical folks say the d... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699687 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:14:20 +0100 2699687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688730&cid=t_93762_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F11%2F7-ways-to-give-an-apology-4-ways-to-accept-one%2F When I was seven and preparing for my First Communion, we were expected to go to Confession first. Back in the sixties that was a scary prospect, involving a dark booth, hell’s fire and spilling your guts to a shadow behind a screen. The only thing my seven-year-old self could come up with to confess was the time I stole a fancy little brush from Joyce Weber, my friend from down the street. I coveted that pink and blue plastic brush. My mom had already marched me over to Joyce’s house to hand the brush back and apologize. What more penance could there possibly be? Seven ways to apologize: Don’t get defensive and be all, “I don’t have anything to apologize for!” Think about it. On your knees, groveling. Usually reserved for extreme transgressions like an affair... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688730 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:00:59 +0100 2688730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2626056&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FRgUbxwxNxPY%2Fde-quervain-tenosynovitis.html I love this problem though I’m sure I wouldn’t if I ever had it.  It is one of those hand problems diagnosed by history and physical exam.  The name can be a mouthful and is tricky to spell, but it is one that is treatable.  Most often with a good outcome. De Quervain tenosynovitis was first described in 1895 by a Swiss surgeon, Fritz de Quervain.  He reported 5 cases of patients who had the now “classic” physical finding -- a tender, thickened first dorsal wrist compartment.  Now this condition bears his name – De Quervain tenosynovitis.   De Quervain tenosynovitis is an entrapment tendinitis of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist.  Even a small amount of swelling or inflammation of the tendons ( abductor pollicis longus and extensor poll... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2626056 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:01:01 +0100 2626056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741091&cid=t_93762_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2F_WaLQEy1tZY%2F This study is not perfect – the number of subjects was small, and the effects of the treatments on different strains of influenza virus was not determined. Nevertheless, the findings that simple washing with soap and water or alcohol-based gels is effective at removing influenza virus from hands is likely to help prevent transmission of infection. Grayson, M., Melvani, S., Druce, J., Barr, I., Ballard, S., Johnson, P., Mastorakos, T., & Birch, C. (2009). Efficacy of Soap and Water and Alcohol‐Based Hand‐Rub Preparations against Live H1N1 Influenza Virus on the Hands of Human Volunteers Clinical Infectious Diseases, 48 (3), 285-291 DOI: 10.1086/595845 (Source: virology blog) virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741091 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:25:05 +0100 2741091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2606004&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FNFM1eduVHdw%2Fdigital-mucous-cyst.html Earlier this month I received an e-mail asking for information.  I have changed it slightly: I have been pouring over the computer, searching for information on a tumor.  I had removed last week from my left long finger (third finger).  The pathology report came back as a myxoid tumor.  I was told it was a tumor, not a cyst.  Could you help me give me more information? To begin, most digital myxoid or mucous tumors are cystic in nature.  Very few are not.  It is difficult to find much information in the literature, especially the current literature.    Digital mucous cysts (DMCs) are benign ganglion cysts.  They most often are located at the most distal joint of the finger or in the nail fold.  Physicians call this joint the distal... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2606004 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:01:00 +0100 2606004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2593258&cid=t_93762_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2F5-ways-to-please-your-man-in-bed%2F Women in recovery from alcoholism, addiction and codependency often may need new skills in the bedroom. These 5 tips may help. Want to give your man a thrilling experience like never before? Here are 5 really simple ways to make your lovemaking hotter, steamier and more passionate, starting tonight! This is a sampler the full story is at the Ask Dan and Jennifer site. 1. The best position for his enjoyment Practically every animal species utilizes the rear-entry “doggy-style” position, so it is a natural one for humans to enjoy, as well. While you won’t have face-to-face contact, there are many benefits. It’s great for guys because it gives them full control. 2. Find your man’s “hidden” zones Yes, men love to be touched sensually too. I call these “hidden” zones bec... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2593258 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:00:00 +0100 2593258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2584197&cid=t_93762_107_f&fid=35029&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sennoma.net%2Fmain%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2Fplease_consider_1.php After seven years (for at least three of which I've been a fan), Jörg Colberg is asking for help covering the costs of his photography blog, Conscientious. I don't have time these days to follow photo blogs the way I follow, say, issues in scholarly publishing, but of all the photo blogs I used to read, Conscientious is the only one still on my regular reading list. I like the way Jörg thinks and talks about photography, and he consistently points me to outstanding images and the artists who make them. When he talks about not only maintaining but expanding the blog, I'm curious to know what he has in mind. So I've sent him the price of a couple of beers, which is about all I can free up these days, and I'd like to invite my readers to do the same, if they have the means. And wh... Open Reading Frame blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2584197 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:10:51 +0100 2584197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580240&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FBca3Cm651vs%2Fmacrodactyly.html is an uncommon anomaly of the extremities.  It can affect both the fingers or toes which become abm=normally large due to overgrowth of the tissues composing the digit.  All the tissues are involved:   bone and soft tissue-particularly the nerves, fat and skin.  (photo credit) Other names used for macrodactyly include megalodactyly, overgrowth, gigantism, localized hypertrophy, or macrodactylia fibrolipomatosis. Hands are more commonly involved than feet. Most of the time (~90%) patients present with unilateral (one side affected) macrodactyly.  Often more than one digit is involved.   The most frequently involved digits of the hand are the index finger, followed by the long finger, thumb, ring, and little fingers.  Syndactyly may be present ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580240 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:01:00 +0100 2580240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576778&cid=t_93762_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fa-better-analogy-to-describe-an-ms-symptom%2F In the first few months of blogging on Life with MS, I made an analogy between baseball and multiple sclerosis.  I was new to blogging and, well, it probably wasn’t my best work… The other day, however, baseball and multiple sclerosis made their way into my head once again and this time…it makes perfect sense! First, let it be said that baseball is the greatest invention/sport/game/call-it-what-you-will in the history of mankind (ok, save for the printing press).  Now that we have that out of the way, I’ll explain. An early summer’s evening and I’m out in the back garden doing whatever one does on such evenings: flipping chicken on the barbecue, watering the plants, picking peas, brushing the dogs; doesn’t matter.  I’m likely to have the l... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576778 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:20:00 +0100 2576778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2572912&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fbreastfeeding123%2Fgetting-organized%2F As the mom of three children, I need to be efficient with my time and energy. Over the long holiday weekend, my husband and I unpacked and organized some of our belongings. Generally I like to stay away from plastic tubs for organizing things, but the laundry baskets and plastic bags weren’t cutting it to store all of my three daughters’ hand-me-down clothes. It’s hard for each girl to let go of her things as she outgrows them, and I would get everything organized only to find that sneaky hands had stolen into the baskets and plucked out old favorites, leaving a pile of other clothes on the floor. I finally gave in, and here is the result: Tubs for hand-me-down clothes, diapers, and ski clothes My 11.5-month-old now wears size 12-18 months, so I set aside all of the small... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2572912 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:58:28 +0100 2572912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570430&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fcasino-workers-and-second-hand-smoke%2F Despite all the smoking bans in place, there are still some places, such as casinos, where workers are still consistently exposed to second hand smoke. A new study, funded by the Flight Attendent Medical Institute, finds that casino workers face higher risks of heart disease and lung disease because a smoke filled work environment. In the study, the air quality in three Pennsylvania casinos was tested for levels of two indicators of tobacco smoke - cancer-causing chemicals and particles small enough to inhale.  At the same time, eight volunteers, each of whom spent four hours in the casinos, provided urine samples which were measured for levels of a tobacco smoke byproduct. Measuring the air quality revealed that the tobacco smoke indicators inside the casino was four to six times higher ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570430 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:15:53 +0100 2570430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523072&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FAXchYFfvWug%2Fhow-polands-syndrome-was-named.html Poland's syndrome is a congenital disorder. The classic ipsilateral features of Poland syndrome include the following: absence of sternal head of the pectoralis major, hypoplasia and/or aplasia of breast or nipple, deficiency of subcutaneous fat and axillary hair, abnormalities of rib cage, and upper extremity anomalies. These upper extremity anomalies include short upper arm, forearm, or fingers (brachysymphalangism). (photo credit) Additional features of Poland syndrome include the following: hypoplasia or aplasia of serratus, external oblique, pectoralis minor, latissimus dorsi, infraspinatus, and supraspinatus muscles; total absence of anterolateral ribs and herniation of lung; and symphalangism with syndactyly and hypoplasia or aplasia of the middle phalanges. (photo credit) The name... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523072 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:01:02 +0100 2523072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473226&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fbreastfeeding123%2Fa-mystery-illness-identified%2F Sometimes being a mother means being a detective. My 10-month-old had a restless night last Saturday. On Sunday she was fussy and not much interested in eating solid food, which was unusual for her. I chalked it up to teething because I could see two new teeth poking their way through the top gums. Photo by Joana CroftTeething was ruled out later that night when she spiked a fever of 103 degrees Fahrenheit. The next morning I started to get really worried — what would cause a fever and disinterest in food, but no runny nose, vomiting, or diarrhea? Had she managed to swallow something she shouldn’t? I started researching by reading the fever information at AskDrSears.com. Roseola sounded like a possibility but it didn’t explain why my little one didn’t want solids. T... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473226 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:35:29 +0100 2473226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2463049&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F4cMYfgy8mOw%2Fcell-phone-elbow.html Last Tuesday, this tweet from @AllergyNotes caught my eye. Call cubital tunnel syndrome a "cell phone elbow" and you make the front page of CNN.com: http://bit.ly/RaXrt and http://bit.ly/TTRfg   Cubital tunnel syndrome I know, but I had not heard it called “cell phone elbow.”  The first link is to the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine article (full reference below).  It is an excellent article and well worth reading.  The second link is to CNN news article picking up the “cell phone elbow” line.   Cubital tunnel syndrome is a nerve compression syndrome (like carpal tunnel syndrome).  In the case of cubital tunnel syndrome, the nerve involved is the ulnar nerve and the location is at the elbow.  From the article … the ulnar nerve ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2463049 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:01:00 +0100 2463049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452745&cid=t_93762_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FEhck2py4JXw%2F I never realized that getting medical personnel to wash their hands was that big a deal. But apparently, it is. One source says that failure to wash hands, especially with the spread of the recent Swine Flu virus, “contributes to 1.7 million hospital-acquired infections each year.” Now, Boston-area hospitals have “launched hand-washing campaigns, including some that involve rap music videos and undercover surveillance.” Do you think this aids in getting people to wash hands more frequently? I’m not sure, but it certainly gets people talking about it. Image: sxc.hu. Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree Rap Video to Get Nurses to Wash Hands (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452745 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:34:03 +0100 2452745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452481&cid=t_93762_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F06%2Ffacem-vaq-trauma-003%2F A 45 year old male presents to the emergency department with swollen, painful wrist following a fall onto the outstretched hand. a. Describe and Interpret this X-ray? (70%) b. Outline the potential long term sequelae? (30%)       Basic Interpretation This X-ray demonstrates a transcaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocation and oblique ring finger metacarpal fracture. A fall onto the outstretched hand may displace [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452481 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:13:42 +0100 2452481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452643&cid=t_93762_107_f&fid=35029&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sennoma.net%2Fmain%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2Fevery_little_bit_counts.php There are so many good causes, and so many of them are not just good but urgent -- even assuming you have some money to spare, where are you to donate it? Everyone has their own solution to this problem. Mine is to try to hedge my bets: donate roughly equally to long- and short-term, local and global, human and environmental. I'm out of work and thoroughly skint right now, but I try to remember that by world standards I'm still living like a king; my budget includes some "don't go insane" funds for occasional movies or dinners out or whatever, and I can always skip one of those in order to give just a little to some good cause. One such is the Open Knowledge Foundation, which is turning five and asking for support: This month the Open Knowledge Foundation is five years old. Over those l... Open Reading Frame blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452643 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:14:59 +0100 2452643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447632&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2Fk1duBISSEAM%2Fglomus-tumor-repost.html I first posted this early in my blog life, October 29, 2007.  It amazed me how the comment section of this post has become more of a forum than just comments.  I would also recommend checking out this post by Dr David Nelson which shows some great operative photos.   A glomus tumor is a rare benign tumor of the hand. It constitutes 1–5% of the soft-tissue tumors in the hand. It arises from the   glomus body which is a neuromyoarterial apparatus described by P. Masson in 1924. The normal glomus body is an arteriovenous shunt that is composed of an afferent arteriole, an anastomotic vessel (Sucquet-Hoyer canal), a collecting vein, and a capsular portion. It resides in the stratum reticulum of the skin. There are large numbers in the subungual region and in the dist... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447632 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:01:00 +0100 2447632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447488&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7097 Not for the squeamish. Flickr videos stream quite well I must say. (via Unboundedmedicine) from the Malaysian Medical Resources VIDEO: Traumatic hand injury surgery (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447488 Sat, 30 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2447488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441234&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7105 sambantan writes: I am looking for ozone therapy treatment centres in malaysia. Will you help with their contacts, please. Short answer - no. This is because we consider ozone therapy at best “fringe therapy” and at worse outright fraud. We’ve blogged about Ozone therapy in the past so you might be interested to read these links: Ozone therapy revisited - the Malaysian Ministry of Health has evaluated Ozone therapy and found that it falls under therapy which is not recommended. Death by Alternative medicine - breast cancer patient whose early disease progressed under the hands of an unscrupulous ozone therapy practitioner. Other MMR posts mentioning Ozone therapy and do read Quackwatch - Oxygenation Therapy: Unproven Treatments for Cancer and AIDS from the Malaysian Medi... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441234 Fri, 29 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2441234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441233&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34969&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FUnboundedMedicine%2F%7E3%2FRZmB-OQtkR0%2F Hand reconstruction (Source: Unbounded Medicine) Unbounded Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441233 Fri, 29 May 2009 01:08:46 +0100 2441233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442346&cid=t_93762_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fsnack-on-stick-why-fox-wears-gloves.html There is no end to the variety of food that you can pop onto a popsicle stick. Many may ask..... ‘why would you want to put a snack on a stick?’ to which I would reply, ‘why wouldn’t everyone want to put their snack on a stick?’ A snack on a stick is the perfect solution to two major issues:- people who need to keep their fingers clean on pain of death and people who like to cook things to eat. It’s the neophobic OCD equivalent of ‘physician heal thyself,’ or so I like to think. I would go as far as to predict that sometime in the not so distant future, a certain young man will come into his own as an entrepreneur. He'll set up as a sole trader in these unique snacks, unless someone else pinches his idea first. Even if someone else gets there before him, this will still be ... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442346 Thu, 28 May 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2442346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2424380&cid=t_93762_133_f&fid=35124&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspergerwoman%2F%7E3%2FlX3azJ4EhMY%2Fautism-grief.html Tell me if I am wrong, but in my humble opinion many NT people might judgde the emotions of people with autism (secretly) as "being second hand". It is like a bit of " ahhh, poor auti, he of she has emotions too, we should take their emotions serious too..." Some NT people do play this game with people with autism. They do not want to disembarras themselves and do not want to be rude but their attitude is often a play which is easy to see through. Know what I mean? In my opinion many (high funtioning) people with autism do have the skills to express their emotions like sadness, joy, anger, shame, love and many more. We can feel those emotions, but the way we show them could be different. What do you think of the way people with autism handle grief? These days once more the emotion of grief... The Art of Being Asperger Woman blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2424380 Tue, 19 May 2009 16:49:00 +0100 2424380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405652&cid=t_93762_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Ftestosterone-gel-warningsnew-information%2F If you or someone you know uses topical testosterone gels (AndroGel or Testim) there’s important new information from the FDA on their safety. Because these gels are applied by hand to the skin of the shoulders and upper arms, or the abdomen, it is extremely important that those hands be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water after every application. The reason for this is to avoid any possibility of transferring the drug from the hand to the skin of a child. Testosterone is the male sex hormone and some men need to take it as a medication to supplement their own naturally made testosterone because, for any number of reasons, their natural levels are low. But if it gets on the skin of a child it can be absorbed and cause premature sexual effects in the child. The FDA has received rep... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405652 Thu, 14 May 2009 17:21:59 +0100 2405652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405333&cid=t_93762_107_f&fid=35029&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sennoma.net%2Fmain%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2Fbetter_than_nothing_a_bookmark.php A while back, I mentioned that the Open Lab could really use a bookmarklet to make submission easier and faster. Since for once the LazyWeb did not provide, I've had a crack at it. I've got a simple version working (though I haven't tested it anywhere but FireFox3); all it does is pop up a conveniently-sized window showing the submission form: OpenLab If you drag that to your toolbar, you can at least hit the bookmarklet while you're on the page you want to submit, and simply move the popup around in order to copy over the information. I find it a lot more convenient than having to open the submission form in a separate window and go back and forth. What would really make this useful is if it would auto-fill in the submitter's name, address and website and pull in the title and url of... Open Reading Frame blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405333 Thu, 14 May 2009 10:10:46 +0100 2405333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390147&cid=t_93762_129_f&fid=36036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fkelly-building-a-crohns-disease-community%2Fliving-with-chronic-illness-during-the-swine-flu-era%2F Swine flu seems to be the new buzz words and there seems to be a lot of panic out there concerning this flu right now.  I would like to talk about this from the perspective of a mother, wife and Crohn’s disease patient. First thing I want to say is don’t panic! These are the words written on the front of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and they are very appropriate today.  I also encourage you to get the facts.  Everyday Health has key facts about the swine flu. For some reason, the virus is a lot worse in Mexico than in the US.  I asked my general doctor on Friday if I needed to be concerned about this outbreak and if I should run out and get a supply of Tamiflu.  He told me that I actually should be a lot better off since I don’t have a normal immune system and am on immun... Life with Crohn's blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390147 Wed, 06 May 2009 21:38:37 +0100 2390147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390064&cid=t_93762_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fprotect-yourself-from-swine-flu-scams%2F It’s an unfortunate reality, but as a widespread, somewhat mysterious illness that has more questions than answers, the swine flu is a ripe target for scam artists. So along with protecting yourself and your family from infection, you’ve also got to be on guard against unscrupulous and shady marketers. There are three main types of swine flu-related scams: Swine spam Swine malware Swine “cures,” “remedies,” and “vaccines” Swine spam are e-mail messages that have the words “swine flu” in the subject line. The senders are simply using swine flu as a hook to get you to open the e-mail. When you open a spam e-mail, the sender may be notified that yours is a valid address and that you are amenable to opening messages. At a minimum they can collect these “good” addres... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390064 Tue, 05 May 2009 16:27:00 +0100 2390064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2380945&cid=t_93762_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fwho-warns-of-likely-pandemic%2F Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has elevated their swine flu pandemic alert to phase 5, the number of confirmed cases as of April 29, 2009 remains extremely low, with most cases mild and rarely fatal. In fact, although you may hear about some 2,500 cases in Mexico with 152 deaths, only 26 cases and 7 deaths have actually been confirmed as being due to swine flu. Around the world only 148 cases are confirmed. The one death of the 91 cases in the United States was in a Mexican child who contracted the illness in Mexico before visiting the U.S. The only thing newsworthy about these numbers is that they are so low and yet the reaction to them so high. It’s important also to remember that “pandemic” simply means worldwide spread. An epidemic is a localized outbrea... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2380945 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:59:51 +0100 2380945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376400&cid=t_93762_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fpreventing-the-swine-flu-to-mask-or-not-to-mask%2F The current swine flu outbreak has many people worrying, and even more wondering, about how to avoid getting sick. And because of all the media photos and videos of people in Mexico walking around wearing face masks, people in this country naturally want to know if these are an effective means of prevention? Unfortunately, however, as with many aspects of this unusual epidemic there aren’t adequate answers for all the questions. It turns out, that there just haven’t been enough studies to say whether or not wearing a face mask would help prevent infection. Some people will doubtless say that it’s obvious that wearing a mask would reduce the chance of your inhaling a respiratory virus that can be spread by coughing and sneezing. But it’s not nearly as obvious as they would have you ... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376400 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:27:19 +0100 2376400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376401&cid=t_93762_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fthe-swine-flu-can-the-flu-vaccine-protect-you%2F As I wrote earlier if you’re an average person living in the U.S. there’s absolutely no reason now to panic about the current swine flu situation in spite of the media hysteria. That may change as time passes, but it could just as easily go the other way and not become a full-blown pandemic. That’s what happened in 1976, when a swine flu scare led to emergency vaccination of some 40 million Americans in 10 weeks but the feared pandemic just never panned out. The Los Angeles Times has a nice piece on that story. But many people have questions about the flu vaccine right now. Does this year’s vaccine cover the current swine flu strain? Why doesn’t the flu vaccine cover all strains? Why do I need to get a new flu immunization every year when I don’t have to... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376401 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:55:17 +0100 2376401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376402&cid=t_93762_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fswine-flu-separating-hysteria-from-fact%2F As of today, Monday April 27, I agree completely with President Obama when he says that while swine flu is an issue of concern, it is “not a cause for alarm.” There are several reasons why you should not panic in spite of the incessant media drum beat and the minute by minute updates. First, so far this is an extremely uncommon illness affecting a very small number of people in the United States, all of whom had mild illness and recovered without incident. Yes, it might spread further, but even so, let’s take a step back and remember that we’re talking about influenza, not Ebola or smallpox. And while full-blown influenza is no walk in the park, for most people it’s not even remotely life-threatening. It’s an unpleasant upper respiratory illness with systemic symptoms of fever,... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376402 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:53:24 +0100 2376402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349335&cid=t_93762_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fcaught-dead-to-rights.html I flit around the kitchen with the phone clamped to my left ear. Productivity is hampered without the use of my hand but the right one copes with the usual domestic tasks. After 22 minutes on ‘hold’ my patience wears thin. Supper is nearly ready. The children continue to play Wii. We conduct a limited conversation roughly along the lines of “come see our video that we made,” v. “in a minute, I just need to finish cooking.” We repeat this exchange once every three minutes. I sip tea from the second pot in the same time span, to whet my mouth for the silent curses of ‘hold.’ The musak on the telephone vies for my attention but the background musak from the Wii game, Swan Lake, massacred and digitally rejigged by the boys, is every bit as annoying, especially since the same ... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349335 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 06:58:00 +0100 2349335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2286193&cid=t_93762_107_f&fid=35029&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sennoma.net%2Fmain%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2Fone_for_all_you_javascript_wiz.php A great opportunity has opened up for a code-savvy free culture type to earn a little good karma. Here's the thing: Bora Zivkovic's Open Laboratory project is way cool the more submissions they get, the cooler it is they have a badge that blogs can display for one-click submission access to the submission form, but no bookmarklet Now, a bookmarklet seems to me even better than a badge, because it's independent of the blog you're reading, right there on your browser toolbar. When you think to yourself "this is such a good post that I should submit it to The Open Lab", rather than finding the submission form and filling it in or looking to see whether the blog has a badge, you can just hit the bookmarklet. Even better, the bookmarklet can be set up to autofill at least your details, and pe... Open Reading Frame blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2286193 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:41:28 +0100 2286193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2191291&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F540911885%2Fmyofascial-compartments-of-hand-in.html This article (the first reference below) is a cadaveric study aimed at identifying the myofascial compartments of the hand.  As they point out Few studies have outlined the myofascial compartments of the hand. The standard anatomy texts do not show actual anatomical specimens but instead rely on diagrams and figures to outline the various compartments. These include the thenar, hypothenar, adductor, and interosseous compartments, each encased in fascia that extended from one metacarpal to another   The ten anatomical compartments of the hand include (photo credit) four dorsal interossei three palmer interossei adductor pollicis thenar hypothenar   The authors dissected fourteen fresh-frozen cadaveric hands.  They found no distinct tough fascia completely... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2191291 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:06:00 +0100 2191291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2152828&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Famerican-journal-of-bioethics-review-of.html This blog has received a formal review by Yale University bioethicist Stephen R. Latham. I am most pleased that it is a mixed review with some very nice compliments as well as pointed criticisms, and I very much appreciate Latham's even handedness. (When Culture of Death came out, I recall one bioethicist reviewer called it the book that should never have been published!)A thoughtful review deserves a respectful response. I will divide my reaction into two parts. The first--this one--will highlight the positive comments he made. I'll discuss what he found objectionable about SHS (and my work generally) in the next post.Latham "gets" a lot of what I am attempting to accomplish here. From the review (AJOB: 9(2): 65–66, 2009):...Smith’s beliefs are not religiously grounded, but are based ... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2152828 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:05:00 +0100 2152828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2129499&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F519748454%2Fsplinting-after-ctr-article-review.html I admit, I splint after carpal tunnel release (CTR), though after reading this article I will change my ways.  My use of splints after CTR has been because “I was taught that in training”.  Not always a bad thing, but not always a good thing either.   I was reminded of this by the opening of the article (first reference below): Dogma is pervasive in all of medicine, and hand surgery is no exception. As the movement toward evidence-based medicine continues, clinical researchers have striven to dispel dogmatic practices for which no scientific support exists. One such target is the practice of splinting after carpal tunnel release. There have been five prospective, randomized trials, all since 1995, showing that postoperative splinting after this procedure is of no ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2129499 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:16:00 +0100 2129499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2113414&cid=t_93762_93_f&fid=34899&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mexicomedstudent.com%2F2009%2F01%2F881 Hello and Happy New Year!  I know I took an unexpected blogging hiatus, and while I did plan on taking a small break through Christmas, the rest was, well, unfortunately not how I thought things would go down. I’ll come to talk about things soon enough, but for now I want to concentrate on getting some “real” content flowing. I refuse for the blog to continue to go stale because of things as mundane as personal problems. Tuesday is an historic day as we swear in our 44th president, Barack Obama. Personally I’m jealous I don’t live in the DC area anymore (Fairfax County across the river, same difference) because I’d love to be part of a part of a part of something that day. Oh well. But it’s just a day in the end, and much work needs to be done in ... Mexico Medical Student blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2113414 Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:48:18 +0100 2113414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2089997&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5811 We not only have to worry about second hand smoke, but research shows that even “third hand smoke” is hazardous Toxic particles in cigarette smoke can remain on nearby surfaces, as well as the hair and clothing of the smoker, long after the cigarette has been put out, and small children are susceptible because they are likely to breathe in close proximity, or even lick and suck them. Other studies have linked this exposure to learning problems in children. Breastfeeding mothers who smoke also pass toxins on to their baby in their milk, he said. His team surveyed more than 1,500 households, asking smokers and non-smokers about their attitudes. They found that while 95% of non-smokers and 85% of smokers agreed that direct inhalation of second-hand smoke was harmful to children, j... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2089997 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2089997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2080986&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2Fis-everything-cause-for-experts-to.html So, a study shows that girls play less energetically than boys. Big whup and, as they say, vive la difference. But some find even this innocuous information a cause for hand wringing. From the story:Girls tend to play less energetically than boys, because they are more interested in chatting, a new study shows. Researchers found the girls spent six per cent less time in vigorous physical activity than the boys Even at the age of 10, girls are more likely to stand around gossiping than playing games or sports like their male classmates, the research found. And here's the kicker:Researchers warn that the trends last a lifetime and could lead to obesity.Please. But, don't worry "experts:" the men catch up by drinking more beer. And I am sure you are all worried about that, too. (Source: Secon... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2080986 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:49:00 +0100 2080986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2047801&cid=t_93762_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fhand-washing-and-hand-sanitizers-reduce-the-spread-of-germs%2F I’ve been so busy getting ready for the holidays that I missed National Hand Washing Awareness Week, which was December 7-13. No matter. Hand washing, as we say here in the Pacific Northwest, is an evergreen topic that doesn’t go out of season. And with cold and flu season hard upon us, reminders, and even extra reminders, on hand washing are especially appropriate. Hand washing is simple to do and is the best way to prevent infection and its spread because your hands are constantly coming into contact with germ-laden surfaces and transferring those germs to your eyes, nose and mouth. According to the Centers for Disease Control, here’s when to wash your hands: Before preparing or eating food After going to the bathroom After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who h... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2047801 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:28:29 +0100 2047801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933484&cid=t_93762_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F05%2Fmoral-grammar-and-intuitive-jurisprudence-abstract%2F John Mikhail’s recently posted his forthcoming chapter, “Moral Grammar and Intuitive Jurisprudence: A Formal Model of Unconscious Moral and Legal Knowledge” (forthcoming in The Psychology of Learning and Motiation: Moral Cognition and Decision Making (D. Medin, L. Skitka, C. W. Bauman, D. Bartels, eds., 2009) on SSRN.  Here’s the abstract. * * * Could a computer be programmed to make moral judgments about cases of intentional harm and unreasonable risk that match those judgments people already make intuitively? If the human moral sense is an unconscious computational mechanism of some sort, as many cognitive scientists have suggested, then the answer should be yes. So too if the search for reflective equilibrium is a sound enterprise, since achieving this state of... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933484 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:01:45 +0100 1933484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1921388&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F435736979%2Fsoft-tissue-injuries-of-fingertip.html As we get closer to Halloween and in light of my post on preventing injuries when carving those pumpkins, I thought I would review injuries to the fingertip.  This post is a reworking of the post a did on fingertip injuries/amputations more than a year ago.  In this post, I’m going to stick to injuries of the fingertip.  (photo credit)   Fingertip (or pad) injuries are very common. They range from simple lacerations to partial amputations. Simple lacerations are repaired by suture or Dermabond (I have even told family members to use super glue. The bleeding must be stopped. The finger must be cleaned with soap and water. There must not be any tension pulling the edges apart. The glue is used on the surface, never within the cut.) If Dermabond is used, it is best to... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1921388 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:23:00 +0100 1921388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1779860&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FBreastfeeding123%2F%7E3%2FQ4cX9wkdeK4%2F Remember when I interviewed Dr. Jane Morton about breastfeeding education for medical professionals? Remember when I mentioned her free online video on hand expression of breast milk? Well today I learned from About.com Breastfeeding that Dr. Morton has another fascinating free video online, this time about increasing breast milk supply when it is necessary to pump for a baby in the NICU or any baby not nursing well at the breast. It is called “Maximizing Milk Production” and in 9 minutes 35 seconds, it explains how to increase milk supply without medication. Dr. Morton recommends and demonstrates such techniques as skin-to-skin contact, breast massage, “hands-on pumping,” breast compressions, and hand expression after pumping. What was really amazing to me was to s... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779860 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:09:27 +0100 1779860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1754775&cid=t_93762_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F4bIUiSasUcY%2F Body ownership is the feeling that your body belongs to you and is there constantly; vision, and other sensory signals, contribute to it. A sense of body ownership is often disrupted, the September 2nd Science Daily notes, in “a range of different neurological, psychiatric and psychological conditions, such as after a stroke, in autism, epilepsy, anorexia, and bulimia.” Body awareness and body ownership are two things that, I suspect Charlie has not always had, or had in the way that a “typical” child might. We had to teach him to put his hands in front of him to catch his fall and I’ve wondered if, when Charlie (as he rarely does now) bangs his head, he’s sometimes trying to remind himself that it is his own head. An experiment involving a rubber hand h... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1754775 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:10:30 +0100 1754775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750789&cid=t_93762_134_f&fid=36985&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fsugarstats%2F%7E3%2F380687762%2F Manny and the great folks at TuDiabetes and the Diabetes Hand Foundation are having a contest this month. They also have some great prizes (meters, supplies etc) for the winners. In case you haven’t had a look check it out: http://tudiabetes.com/profile/WordinYourHand Find out more about the Diabetes Hand Project here: http://tudiabetes.com/notes/Word_In_Your_Hand (Source: SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management) SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750789 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:28:34 +0100 1750789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734423&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F376107821%2Ftrigger-finger-prognostic-indicators.html Last July, I did this post on trigger finger (or stenosing tenosynovitis). Stenosing tenosynovitis is more commonly known as trigger finger or trigger thumb. It involves the pulleys and tendons in the hand. These tendons and pulley work together to bend the fingers. The tendons work like long ropes going from the muscles in the forearm to connect to the bones of the fingers and thumb. In the finger, the pulleys are a series of rings (made of connective tissue) that form a tunnel that the tendons must pass through. This is very much like the guides on a fishing rod through which the line (or tendon) passes. These pulleys hold the tendons close against the bone. The tendons and the pulley (tunnel) have a slick lining that allows easy gliding. Photo credit--ASSH. When the tendon develops a... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734423 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:25:00 +0100 1734423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1720660&cid=t_93762_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F369901664%2Fparonychia.html This past weekend I treated my own paronychia. Haven't figured out how I developed it, as I had no hang nails, don't chew on my fingernails, no recognized trauma to the digit. I initially treated the red, tender area around the nail with antibiotic ointment and a Band-Aid (to keep the ointment in place and to protect the area from any further injury). At first there was no "fluctuant area" and no localized pus pocket. That was until Sunday morning. Check out the photo I took with my new iPhone (my husband's birthday gift to me). Being a seamstress, there are plenty of needle around my house. I sterilized one and gently lifted the top off the localized pus. I would not recommend that just anyone do this. Remember I am a trained professional. Here is a repost of my article from last August:... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1720660 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:24:00 +0100 1720660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1709029&cid=t_93762_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F08%2F14%2Fwill-clumsy-chubby%2F If “Swift” and “Grace” were your nicknames as a kid, and nobody could ever accuse you of being particularly dexterous, guess what? That could spell trouble for you in adulthood. Because according to a British study, children who are clumsy and have poor hand control may be more likely to become obese as adults. This finding is based on the tests of around 11,000 people who were assessed in hand control, coordination, and clumsiness at age 7 and 11, then followed until they were 33. The result? The risk of becoming obese as adults more than doubled in the seven-year-olds who “certainly” showed poor hand control and tripled for those who were clumsy. I have to wonder if this obesity might be caused by the adults abstaining from physical activities because ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1709029 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:00:39 +0100 1709029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1646034&cid=t_93762_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2008%2F07%2F23%2Fcarpal-tunnel-syndrome-hand-pain-numb-fingers%2F Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common “pinched nerve” condition that neurologists see. It is a form of compression neuropathy The typical patient comes in with complaints of hand or arm pain associated with one or more numb fingers. There is usually sparing of the little finger. This painful numbness will frequently wake affected patients from their sleep. They will complain of a swollen feeling in their hand (or both hands) associated with painful numbness affecting all but the little finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve (the “carpal tunnel nerve”) as it pass under the carpal tunnel ligament. The carpal tunnel is located at the wrist. There is a small band of tissue across this to hold down the median nerve and vein. When ... Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1646034 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:00:33 +0100 1646034