Tales from the Emergency Department: Seriously??

Fans of Gray's Anatomy will recognize the mantra of the show, stated when a character really can't believe what they are seeing in front of them and says, "Seriously. Seriously?" Frequently in the ED I have these moments where I want to say "Seriously. Seriously, you came to the ED because of THAT?"

Of course one never says that to a patient because it would be insulting to them, but having this blog allows me to vent a bit about how silly the human race can be! So here's my favorite from the day: a middle-aged person drives 45 minutes in the hot car (no AC, windows down) to the beach, where it is 90 degrees in the baking sun. She proceeded to sit on the beach for four hours in that hot sun, drinking an iced coffee. When she and her friends decided that it was time to head home, she jumped up from her beach chair, gathered her belongings, and started up the beach for the car.

Suddenly, to her surprise, she feels "a little dizzy," and sits down in the sand. Now, what do you think she does next? Does she have someone get her some water? Does she get out of the sun? No, she calls "911" and comes to the ED! Where, before I enter her room to evaluate how dehydrated she is, I say to the EMT's who have delivered her to our doorstep, "Seriously. Seriously?"

Please, learn something about dehydration and heat-related illnesses. For every 30 minutes of outdoor activity that you do, you should be drinking 8 ounces of water or other hydrating fluids. This doesn't mean iced coffee, because caffeine (and alcohol) containing drinks increase urination, and this will make your dehydration worse. Whether you go to the beach, the ballpark, the kid's soccer or softball games, or go for a walk in the midday sun, take a periodic break from being in the direct sunlight by getting into the shade somewhere and have your cool, hydrating drink. If you get dizzy, sit or lie down, and again, have something to drink. When you think you are ready, get up slowly...and have someone else drive the car home.

Should you fail to follow these instructions, please feel free to come to see your friendly ED staff, but don't be surprised if we say with a smile, "you didn't drink your water, did you?"

Stay cool and don't forget your sun screen!

~Laurie

Related Topics:

• First Aid Center
• Beach Safety 101

Technorati Tags: heat, heatstroke, dehydration, beach, summer safety

Legislation We Should All Support

Despite the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke that occur annually from smoking, there is no government agency with the authority to regulate tobacco products. As a result the tobacco companies are free to use addictive substances in cigarettes without disclosing their presence and they are free to market to children and teens.

Recently a piece of legislation, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (S. 625/H.R. 1108), was introduced in both the House and Senate. This proposed law would prohibit the marketing of tobacco products to children, stop illegal sales to them, and outlaw candy cigarettes, which are a product starter for many kids. It would require the cigarette makers to disclose what is in their products and it would give the FDA the authority to require manufacturers to remove or reduce the amount of harmful additives in tobacco products. It would also stop confusing health claims from tobacco manufacturers. such as those which suggest that "lite" or "natural" products are safer or less addicting.

Each year 400,000 individuals die from smoking-related causes; of these 150,000 die from cardiovascular diseases. Another 35,000 die from exposure to second-hand smoke. Don't you think that it's time we regulated tobacco in a way that helps to protect our children from becoming addicted and helped current smokers to reduce their dependence on tobacco? Don't you think it's silly that the FDA has authority over foods and not tobacco?

If you are interested I urge you to write a letter to your state legislators encouraging the passage of this legislation. For more information and a sample letter look to the American Heart Association and the Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids. I love the Tobacco-Free Kids web site, and have long referred people there to read about the incredible job that "big tobacco" does with advertising. I especially like this slide show about marketing to target audiences. Do you see a reference to a certain perfume campaign of the past in the product for women?

I think this legislation is well worth our efforts to support and encourage you to inform yourself and to contact the offices of your elected officials to ask them to pass the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (S. 625/H.R. 1108).

Take care.

~Laurie

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: Quit Smoking for Good
• WebMD Smoking Cessation Health Center

Technorati Tags: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, smoking, FDA, healthy heart