Preparing for Life’s Mishaps by Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Having this card in your wallet could save your life in an ER When Real Simple Magazine reporter contacted me for a story on emergency rooms, I was delighted to help out. I think it’s important for readers to have the perspective from a nurse on the front line of the ER as well as ER doctors. The March edition of Real Simple is on…
Read More...Baby It’s Cold Outside
By Barbara Ficarra Be Careful When Shoveling in a Winter Wonderland While you were sleeping the snow began to fall. Your alarm clock wakes you with the latest weather forecast. “Accumulations of snow totaling 10 inches cover the roads, bitter temperatures of 15 degrees reach across the region and with the wind chill it feels like 2 degrees. Strong gusty winds are whirling between 45 and 50 miles per hours; expect major delays across the…
Read More...Bacteria Risks and Pregnancy
By Alan Greene, MD There are certain microscopic bacteria that can pose special health risks to pregnant women and to their babies. Although most people can safely eat food containing a type of bacteria called Listeria, pregnant women are ten times more likely to get sick if they eat those same foods. And if they do get sick, the infection can be devastating for the baby. The tricky thing about Listeria is that, unlike many…
Read More...Infomercial Health Products: Buyer Beware
Turn on the TV and you’ll likely you’ll be bombarded with ads for dietary supplements that promise you more energy and easy weight loss. These ads may capture your attention, but they rarely give you the complete picture. Some of these advertised products may increase your blood pressure or your heart rate, or interact with your current medications. It’s important to note that the FDA does not regulate many of these products, and the ingredients…
Read More...Traumatic Brain Injuries and Sports
Put me in coach I’m ready to play! Playing sports is great exercise and fun, but it could also be dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 135,000 traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are treated in emergency rooms each year in kids ages 5 to 18 years old. TBI’s are caused by a bump or a blow to the head that interfere with the way the brain normally works. Coaches, parents and kids–make…
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