In a previous show, we told you about a report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) which warned about inadvertently giving neuromuscular blocking agents such as pancuronium to patients who aren’t receiving ventilator support. This can cause respiratory arrest, permanent injury, or death. ISMP noted that some errors are due to look-alike packaging and labeling, and recommended placing warning labels on vials, syringes, infusion bags and boxes that say “Warning: paralyzing agent, causes respiratory arrest.” ISMP also cited unsafe storage as a cause of errors, and they recommended keeping boxes containing these agents in separate refrigerators and shelves. ISMP had several other recommendations. For example, allow floor stock of these drugs only in the OR, ED and critical care units, require an independent double check of the drug against the actual order before dispensing and administering, and isolate vials, syringes and infusion bags containing the drug as soon as the patient has been extubated or the drug discontinued. Now the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has issued a similar statement warning about these kinds of errors. The USP report lists over 20 recommendations to help solve this problem. Here are a few of them: • When choosing neuromuscular blocking agents for purchase, select those that have distinctive labeling and packaging. • Use sealed intubation kits or anesthesia kits in areas outside the OR, which will restrict access until an …
Fioricet for Migraines
Archive for June, 2011
USP Statement on Preventing Errors w. Neuromuscular Blocking
June 29th, 2011LawsuitGuru asked:
How to Treat an Allergy-Triggered Cough
June 28th, 2011
Lorraine Weston asked:
It’s springtime; the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming…and you’re stuck inside, coughing and sneezing and hiding from the substances that trigger your allergic reactions. Having a cough or cold is bad at any times – having cold-type symptoms every year at the same times is even worse. There are various ways to treat an allergy cough and help you get back to enjoying life outdoors.
There are various substances that can cause an allergy-triggered cough. The most obvious one is pollen, which plagues thousands of people across the country. Others include animal dandruff, dust, and mold. Before you run out and buy a cough suppressant so that you can have a rest from coughing, it’s good to remember that coughing is your body’s way of clearing the respiratory tract and lungs. It may not be in the best interest of your health to stop the cough immediately. There are packaged drinks that can be bought at a drug store that contain calming ingredients like honey or chamomile which can help to control your cough without suppressing it altogether.
If you have been suffering from a cough for over a week, and you believe it is allergy-related, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor. The doctor can diagnose what is causing your cough, and can also prescribe what would be the best treatment. He or she can choose from a variety of products that are already available, or can write you a prescription. Your doctor may advise that you take a cough syrup that helps to calm the throat but also allows you to continue coughing to clear your lungs.
Once you have been diagnosed with an allergy, you now have a weapon you can use against the substances that cause your allergic reaction – knowledge. If you know what triggers a reaction, you can avoid it, or, in the case of an allergen like pollen, you can take allergy medication before stepping outside. Especially when you have a cough, one of the best steps you can take is to rest. If you have to work, take a nap when you come home. Give your body not only the medication, but the time it needs to recover and get you feeling healthy again.
Carisoprodol, Fioricet, Tramadol
It’s springtime; the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming…and you’re stuck inside, coughing and sneezing and hiding from the substances that trigger your allergic reactions. Having a cough or cold is bad at any times – having cold-type symptoms every year at the same times is even worse. There are various ways to treat an allergy cough and help you get back to enjoying life outdoors.
There are various substances that can cause an allergy-triggered cough. The most obvious one is pollen, which plagues thousands of people across the country. Others include animal dandruff, dust, and mold. Before you run out and buy a cough suppressant so that you can have a rest from coughing, it’s good to remember that coughing is your body’s way of clearing the respiratory tract and lungs. It may not be in the best interest of your health to stop the cough immediately. There are packaged drinks that can be bought at a drug store that contain calming ingredients like honey or chamomile which can help to control your cough without suppressing it altogether.
If you have been suffering from a cough for over a week, and you believe it is allergy-related, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor. The doctor can diagnose what is causing your cough, and can also prescribe what would be the best treatment. He or she can choose from a variety of products that are already available, or can write you a prescription. Your doctor may advise that you take a cough syrup that helps to calm the throat but also allows you to continue coughing to clear your lungs.
Once you have been diagnosed with an allergy, you now have a weapon you can use against the substances that cause your allergic reaction – knowledge. If you know what triggers a reaction, you can avoid it, or, in the case of an allergen like pollen, you can take allergy medication before stepping outside. Especially when you have a cough, one of the best steps you can take is to rest. If you have to work, take a nap when you come home. Give your body not only the medication, but the time it needs to recover and get you feeling healthy again.
Carisoprodol, Fioricet, Tramadol
What is a Muscle Spasm?
June 28th, 2011
Nikit Atolstoy asked:
The Medical Dictionary states muscle spasm is persistent increased tension and shortness in a muscle or group of muscles that cannot be released voluntarily.
Everyone at some point in their life is likely to suffer from muscle spasm whether from doing excessive exercise or from just having a cold breeze hitting the side of their neck. A muscle spasm can also be a symptom of a previous medical condition for instance Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or acute lower back pain.
Muscle spasm manifests when abnormal activity in the muscle triggers involuntary contractions, these contractions can be chronic and become very painful. The contractions arise when the electrical signals to the brain affect the nerve cells located in the spinal cord. This causes muscles to tighten and pull the spinal bones enough to slightly rotate them, resulting in pinched nerves. This is then often mistaken to be nerve pain, which is also very painful.
Hamstrings, quadriceps, feet, hands and calf muscles are the most common places for muscle spasm to occur. They can be chronic and if left untreated may turn into a muscle knot. A muscle knot is when sections within the muscle have constricted to create constant tension and pain.
Most muscle spasm appear early after an injury and are the body’s way of protecting itself from further injury. Other causes include poor nutrition, too much exercise, depletion of electrolytes, dehydration, muscle fatigue and magnesium and calcium deficiencies. All of which are easily treatable at home.
Poor nutrition, magnesium and calcium deficiencies can be treated by diet alteration or supplements. Calcium deficiencies can be overcome by eating milk products such a yogurt or cheese or other calcium rich foods such as salmon, beans, almonds and spinach. Magnesium enriched foods include nuts, seeds, soy milk and whole grain used in cereals and breads.
Alternative causes of muscle spasm can be treated by a range of things at home, although medical treatment should be sought in the long-term. These treatments include rest, ice, heat and massage. Deep breathing and relaxation exercises will help to relax the muscle, for example if the pain is in the knee or calf pulling the toes towards you will shorten the tightened muscle and will help it to relax by relieving some pressure and help to reduce the pain.
Medical treatment for muscle spasm may include muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory drugs and trigger point injections. The negative side to this being there is always a chance of unwanted side effects such as vision changes, light-headedness, nausea and drowsiness; this can interrupt general day to day life during the treatment process.
As with every other condition, prevention is the best medication. Luckily, preventing muscle spasm is easy enough
1. Deep hydrated especially when it is hot out
2. Stretch your feet and legs after taking your shoes off
3. Warm up properly before physical activities as this puts less strain on your muscles
4. Drinking herbal tea help you relax, camomile contains glycine, a chemical that eases muscles
5. Do strengthening exercises on the area the spasm’s have presented themselves in
Take Fioricet, Butalbital APAP Caffeine
The Medical Dictionary states muscle spasm is persistent increased tension and shortness in a muscle or group of muscles that cannot be released voluntarily.
Everyone at some point in their life is likely to suffer from muscle spasm whether from doing excessive exercise or from just having a cold breeze hitting the side of their neck. A muscle spasm can also be a symptom of a previous medical condition for instance Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or acute lower back pain.
Muscle spasm manifests when abnormal activity in the muscle triggers involuntary contractions, these contractions can be chronic and become very painful. The contractions arise when the electrical signals to the brain affect the nerve cells located in the spinal cord. This causes muscles to tighten and pull the spinal bones enough to slightly rotate them, resulting in pinched nerves. This is then often mistaken to be nerve pain, which is also very painful.
Hamstrings, quadriceps, feet, hands and calf muscles are the most common places for muscle spasm to occur. They can be chronic and if left untreated may turn into a muscle knot. A muscle knot is when sections within the muscle have constricted to create constant tension and pain.
Most muscle spasm appear early after an injury and are the body’s way of protecting itself from further injury. Other causes include poor nutrition, too much exercise, depletion of electrolytes, dehydration, muscle fatigue and magnesium and calcium deficiencies. All of which are easily treatable at home.
Poor nutrition, magnesium and calcium deficiencies can be treated by diet alteration or supplements. Calcium deficiencies can be overcome by eating milk products such a yogurt or cheese or other calcium rich foods such as salmon, beans, almonds and spinach. Magnesium enriched foods include nuts, seeds, soy milk and whole grain used in cereals and breads.
Alternative causes of muscle spasm can be treated by a range of things at home, although medical treatment should be sought in the long-term. These treatments include rest, ice, heat and massage. Deep breathing and relaxation exercises will help to relax the muscle, for example if the pain is in the knee or calf pulling the toes towards you will shorten the tightened muscle and will help it to relax by relieving some pressure and help to reduce the pain.
Medical treatment for muscle spasm may include muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory drugs and trigger point injections. The negative side to this being there is always a chance of unwanted side effects such as vision changes, light-headedness, nausea and drowsiness; this can interrupt general day to day life during the treatment process.
As with every other condition, prevention is the best medication. Luckily, preventing muscle spasm is easy enough
1. Deep hydrated especially when it is hot out
2. Stretch your feet and legs after taking your shoes off
3. Warm up properly before physical activities as this puts less strain on your muscles
4. Drinking herbal tea help you relax, camomile contains glycine, a chemical that eases muscles
5. Do strengthening exercises on the area the spasm’s have presented themselves in
Take Fioricet, Butalbital APAP Caffeine
