Here in D.C., we are slowly starting to thaw from what my friends on Facebook have been calling "snowmageddon" or the "snowpocolypse." We haven't had this much snow in DC for over 100 years!
Today's Washington Post had an interesting article entitled "What Every viagra cialis online pharmacy pharmacy Cabinet Needs." Because traffic around the Beltway is normally horrible, we in the DC Metro area run to raid the local grocery store at the first sign of snow. However, a stop at the pharmacy isn't usually considered since it generally doesn't snow that much here. However, this latest winter blast found many stuck in their houses for days, unable to get to a store or pharmacy. Some pharmacies shut down. All of this leading to the Post's question in preparation for the next blizzard. They asked a few local docs and here's what they came up with:
Neosporin
Bandages
Hydrogen peroxide
Benadryl
Tylenol
Aspirin
Thermometer
Robitussin
Neti Pot
Vicks VapoRub
Plan B
While I think the list is a good start, I might change or get rid of some and add a few. Here's my list.
Neosporin and Bandages- both useful in case of cuts and scrapes
Rubbing alcohol -prefer this over hydrogen peroxide, but either probably OK
Benadryl - a life saver in case of a severe allergic reaction. Also, before Ambien, this is what we used for insomnia.
Tylenol-good for fever, headache
Naproxen (Alleve)- though also good for fever and pain, slightly better than Tylenol for menstrual cramps and muscle pain (that one might get from shovelling 2 feet of snow). Also, for high fevers, you can take both naproxen and Tylenol. Aspirin is not a great pain reliever because at true anti-inflammatory doses, it can cause side effects, which is why it's not on my list. Though aspirin can prevent heart attacks, if you are at high risk (diabetes, high blood pressure) you should be on a baby aspirin every day, and this would be part of your regular meds and not something in the back of the cabinet.
Decongestant- I would ditch the Robitussin and Vaporub from the Post's list. These do absolutely nothing. Neti pots are OK for allergies, but unless you are a regular user, no need to keep one around. If you get a cold or congestion, or even a cough which is usually caused by post nasal drip and congestion, decongestants work great. If you can, get the pseudoephredrine that's behind the counter.
Dextromethorphan. Robitussin or guaifenessin doesn't do much, but dextromethorphan which is the DM in Robitussin DM works great on coughs. Delsym is DM strait up and tastes good too!
Antacids- Tums are OK, but now that Prilosec is OTC, I would have some of these on hand. That frozen pizza you are stuck eating during a snowstorm could cause bad heartburn.
Laxatives- constipation can be quite uncomfortable. Though increased fluids and high fiber foods might help, it's always good to have a laxative on hand. My preference is Miralax.
Hydrocortisone cream 1%-eczema is common in the winter, and lots of things can irritate the skin, which a cortisone cream will fix.
יום שלישי, 1 בנובמבר 2011
יום שבת, 29 באוקטובר 2011
The new pandemic: Will viral social media lead a health care revolution?
The new pandemic: Will viral social media lead a health care revolution?
As we watch events unfold around the world with social media orchestrated revolution you can see the power that this new media can play in change.
First in Egypt, and now in Libya, millions of people are hearing about democracy and demanding change via smart phones and iPads over the internet.
What started as merely a march toppled a world leader.
So can social media create these same kind of changes in health care?
Today the ability to stay connected almost anywhere in the world has made being "off the grid" almost impossible. Which means that patients and health care providers are almost always able to communicate.
And, effective communication is the key to any health care message.
For years the internet has provided and almost encyclopedic reference for any illness, ailment, treatment, or medication. It is a rare patient that comes into my office that hasn't Googled their problem first.
Our office has free WiFi for patients, so even in the exam room patients can look up our recommendations and interact about conflicting discussions on the internet.
With the advent of online images, patients often compare tumors and rashes with jpegs they find on Flickr. This is their first opinion.
I am their second.
But what we see now going in the world is much deeper. And it offers the opportunity for a revolution in how we interact and disseminate health care information.
And ultimately care for patients.
Though smart phones and iPads, with WiFi and 3G, people can now be connected virtually anywhere in the world. It has made being "off the grid" a dream weekend away for many techno-nerds.
This technology is fascinating in its ability to behave almost like a living creature.
The word "viral" has always been used to describe how messages and content can spread so quickly around the globe. We've all seen those videos that reach a million or so downloads days after they are posted.
Viruses though by nature are not truly "living and breathing." They are merely protein products that rely on transmission from one host to another.
Certainly they can morph and evolve, becoming resistant to treatments and more easily spread, but they never replicate alone and they eventually die with their host.
I would argue that our social media revolution is more than viral. It is becoming living and breathing.
It is becoming alive.
With 500 million or so folks on Facebook, new groups and pages are made every second.
Instantaneous social networks can be created on autism, HIV, depression, and on and on.
Testimonials, treatments, and even tears can be shed together over a continuous interactive stream of discussion.
And it takes on a life of its own.
Never was this more clear than in Egypt. Once the message commenced and the social debate was started, the government shut down the internet, wireless phones, cable television, and even the power to some satellite relay stations.
Yet the revolution continued. It was spread via rumor and from person to person.
Even to people who never participated in Facebook, Twitter, or any internet discussion.
So will we see this in health care communications? I think we will. Is it too far fetched to believe that patients will move beyond just Googling a treatment suggestion in an exam room, to rather posting the idea on Facebook and immediately being able to discuss the concept with friends and family for feedback and suggestions?
Physicians already post diagnostic dilemmas sans personal information on the internet for assistance. So as treatments and plans are discussed will the confluence of information become the new "standard of care" against which we are all measured.
That would mean that the "standard" will be constantly evolving and changing as millions of patients and physicians provide continuous feedback and input.
And will this impact spread beyond the electronic world to effect patients and physicians who have steadfastly refused to participate in social media?
There are certainly dangers involved here. Aside from the privacy concerns, it is clear that without physicians and other health care providers being involved in the process that this standard could evolve into bad medicine and harm for patients.
Imagine if you will that a viral video on antiperspirants causing Alzheimer's creates a national outrage against personal hygiene, Congressional inquiry, and a ban on your favorite roll-on.
Funny? Just Google "phthalates" and "small online pharmacy." I think you can see how science and medicine can be influenced by social media. Sometimes with junk science.
So, the take home message here? Social media communication is here, and it will continue to grow and influence how we treat and take care of patients.
It will become alive and self perpetuating regardless if you participate or not.
It's essential that all the parties embrace and participate in the technology. We should welcome patients to examine their care on the internet, and we should encourage physicians to become involved in internet based discussions, groups, blogs, Facebook, and Twitter.
There is an evolution in the doctor-patient relationship and it will revolve around social media interactions.
And it's not a bad thing.
I guess if you are reading this blog you are already participating in social media to some extent. So will these words become viral?
Self interestingly I hope so.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
As we watch events unfold around the world with social media orchestrated revolution you can see the power that this new media can play in change.
First in Egypt, and now in Libya, millions of people are hearing about democracy and demanding change via smart phones and iPads over the internet.
What started as merely a march toppled a world leader.
So can social media create these same kind of changes in health care?
Today the ability to stay connected almost anywhere in the world has made being "off the grid" almost impossible. Which means that patients and health care providers are almost always able to communicate.
And, effective communication is the key to any health care message.
For years the internet has provided and almost encyclopedic reference for any illness, ailment, treatment, or medication. It is a rare patient that comes into my office that hasn't Googled their problem first.
Our office has free WiFi for patients, so even in the exam room patients can look up our recommendations and interact about conflicting discussions on the internet.
With the advent of online images, patients often compare tumors and rashes with jpegs they find on Flickr. This is their first opinion.
I am their second.
But what we see now going in the world is much deeper. And it offers the opportunity for a revolution in how we interact and disseminate health care information.
And ultimately care for patients.
Though smart phones and iPads, with WiFi and 3G, people can now be connected virtually anywhere in the world. It has made being "off the grid" a dream weekend away for many techno-nerds.
This technology is fascinating in its ability to behave almost like a living creature.
The word "viral" has always been used to describe how messages and content can spread so quickly around the globe. We've all seen those videos that reach a million or so downloads days after they are posted.
Viruses though by nature are not truly "living and breathing." They are merely protein products that rely on transmission from one host to another.
Certainly they can morph and evolve, becoming resistant to treatments and more easily spread, but they never replicate alone and they eventually die with their host.
I would argue that our social media revolution is more than viral. It is becoming living and breathing.
It is becoming alive.
With 500 million or so folks on Facebook, new groups and pages are made every second.
Instantaneous social networks can be created on autism, HIV, depression, and on and on.
Testimonials, treatments, and even tears can be shed together over a continuous interactive stream of discussion.
And it takes on a life of its own.
Never was this more clear than in Egypt. Once the message commenced and the social debate was started, the government shut down the internet, wireless phones, cable television, and even the power to some satellite relay stations.
Yet the revolution continued. It was spread via rumor and from person to person.
Even to people who never participated in Facebook, Twitter, or any internet discussion.
So will we see this in health care communications? I think we will. Is it too far fetched to believe that patients will move beyond just Googling a treatment suggestion in an exam room, to rather posting the idea on Facebook and immediately being able to discuss the concept with friends and family for feedback and suggestions?
Physicians already post diagnostic dilemmas sans personal information on the internet for assistance. So as treatments and plans are discussed will the confluence of information become the new "standard of care" against which we are all measured.
That would mean that the "standard" will be constantly evolving and changing as millions of patients and physicians provide continuous feedback and input.
And will this impact spread beyond the electronic world to effect patients and physicians who have steadfastly refused to participate in social media?
There are certainly dangers involved here. Aside from the privacy concerns, it is clear that without physicians and other health care providers being involved in the process that this standard could evolve into bad medicine and harm for patients.
Imagine if you will that a viral video on antiperspirants causing Alzheimer's creates a national outrage against personal hygiene, Congressional inquiry, and a ban on your favorite roll-on.
Funny? Just Google "phthalates" and "small online pharmacy." I think you can see how science and medicine can be influenced by social media. Sometimes with junk science.
So, the take home message here? Social media communication is here, and it will continue to grow and influence how we treat and take care of patients.
It will become alive and self perpetuating regardless if you participate or not.
It's essential that all the parties embrace and participate in the technology. We should welcome patients to examine their care on the internet, and we should encourage physicians to become involved in internet based discussions, groups, blogs, Facebook, and Twitter.
There is an evolution in the doctor-patient relationship and it will revolve around social media interactions.
And it's not a bad thing.
I guess if you are reading this blog you are already participating in social media to some extent. So will these words become viral?
Self interestingly I hope so.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Dallas, Texas
יום שלישי, 3 במאי 2011
RRT - Donuts, Erectile Dysfunction and a Gay Club Mix
I'm usually a really cheerful person. But, last Friday was just an awful day. I was picking up a sandwich at my usual lunch spot and the woman behind the counter said to me, "Honey, why so sad today. You look like your doggy just died" I look at her and very blandly said, "Yes, she did." Ummmm.....awkward!
Today is our monthly staff meeting and I heard a rumor there will be no donuts served. I've never feel more strongly about quitting my job than right at this very moment. Those donuts are the only vice I have during that never ending meeting.
On Saturday, TH and I went out to our favorite blues club to grab a cheeseburger. It took us a few minutes to realize that we were the only hetrosexual couple in the joint. It took us another few minutes to realize that Melissa Etheridge was in town for a concert that night. (If you've never seen her live, do it! She's amazing!!!)
I love, love, LOVE Paula Dean. I want her to take me home and feed me stuff made of butter. Her warm Southern Accent, her fabulous house on the water and her even more fabulously hot sons (one is still single!!!!!) make her one of my favorite people.
Have you ever noticed how many TV commercials there are for toilet paper, erectile purchase cialis medication and herpes medication? We are a very fucked up society. Every time the person on the herpes commercial says, "I have herpes" and the other person says "I don't and we want to keep it that way", I yell at the TV, "Than you should have worn a condom". TH hates watching TV with me sometimes.
Speaking of erectile cheap cialis medication. You know when they say, "For an erection lasting longer that 4 hours, seek medical attention." Who the hell would wait that long? Sure, a 4 hour stiffy is great, but if TH had a boner for longer than 3 hours I would be carting him in to the emergency room, stat! His brain needs its blood back.
As soon as I friend someone on Facebook, I go and check out all their photos. I'm such a big snoop! People must be so disappointed if they do the same thing. I've got like 10 photos. I'm very boring that way.
As soon as I friend someone on Facebook, I go and check out all their photos. I'm such a big snoop! People must be so disappointed if they do the same thing. I've got like 10 photos. I'm very boring that way.
I love internet radio. I recently found a new station on Yahoo called "Gay Club Mix" it is "a dance station that embraces your extraordinary fabulousness". Wouldn't you know it, they play tons of Cher.
I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments, emails, letters and phone calls about my beloved pooch. I'm still broken hearted, but slowly making it day by day
I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments, emails, letters and phone calls about my beloved pooch. I'm still broken hearted, but slowly making it day by day
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