A pandemic can come at any time.stop flu image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.comA pandemic is a worldwide epidemic. In the event of a pandemic, people will be advised to stay home as much as possible to minimize exposure risk. The federal government has a plan in place to deal with such...

Eyes are windows to the world; they allow you you take in beautiful artwork, see the faces of your loved ones and keep yourself safe and secure as you walk across a busy street. For people suffering from vision problems, poor eyesight can be a difficult and frustrating problem. Fortunately, LASIK su

One moment you're playing basketball with friends, the next you're doubled over from the pain of a jammed finger. A finger jam is the name given to almost any kind of sprain or stain or even dislocation of a finger joints. Jams can be caused by a fall or by sudden impact with a ball, wall, or even a

Arsenic is a heavy metal found naturally in the Earth's crust. Most people are exposed to arsenic though food, soil, water, and air. There are two types of arsenic: inorganic and organic (arsines). Inorganic arsenic is combined with other elements, such as chlorine, oxygen and sulfur, is much more t

Is herniorrhaphy recommended for pregnant women with an inguinal hernia?

Thumb splints decrease the amount of movement in the injured area, while providing support and comfort by stabilizing the affected thumb. Splints can be used for a sprain or even a broken bone and can easily be done by yourself or by a friend.

Wildcrafting is the practice of harvesting plants, herbs, fungi, seeds, berries and other materials from the wild for cooking and medicinal purposes. Wildcrafters search in any areas that have wild plant growth, including woods, cities and backyards. Landscaped properties and undeveloped pieces of l

Which Medscape articles did emergency medicine physicians value most this year?

Patients can bargain with some hospitals to reach affordable agreements on payment arrangements and medical bill amounts. Patients in the United States who request to negotiate with hospitals receive up to 60 percent discounts, according to Carrie McLean of eHealthInsurance.com. Negotiating options

How do diagnostic and treatment practices for acute bronchiolitis differ between these key providers?

Thrombolysis can be an effective therapy for early stroke -- but can it be successfully initiated and delivered by emergency department physicians?

Don't wait for an emergency to start scrambling for vital supplies--get ready now. Most necessary equipment is inexpensive and readily available. You'll need kits in the event of an earthquake, power outage, snowstorm, flood or hurricane. For long car trips, you need a mobile kit. Keep everything in

This study examines the rate of complications, length of stay and costs associated with PCA use vs interval analgesic dosing in patients with blunt thoracic trauma. How do they compare?

Burns are probably the most painful household injury. Healing them quickly and safely is key. Here are some tips.

This summary of recent journal articles will help you keep up with your field.

All laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States, except for research, is regulated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, using Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), which covers about 200,000 laboratories. CLIA is designed to make sure laboratories perform qua

Tummy tuck surgery, or an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the abdominal region. It tightens skin left over from extreme weight loss and loose skin that develops after pregnancy. The procedure also reduces the appearance of abdominal stretch marks found below the

Burns are serious injuries that must be handled delicately and carefully. If a burn area becomes infected, the infection can spread and become much more serious than the original burn. You can take a number of steps to treat an infected burn.

A blizzard is no ordinary snowstorm. You face a blizzard when, for at least three hours, winds reach or exceed 35 mph and there is enough blowing snow to stop you from seeing farther than a quarter-mile (see References 1, References 3). Temperatures will be well below freezing, too. The high winds,

This case report suggests that IV ketamine, administered in a dissociative dose, may help avoid the need for mechanical ventilation in patients with severe asthma exacerbations.