Respirator treatment of crushed chest injuries

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Disodium Cromoglycate (Lomudal) in Asthma with Emphasis on Lung Function Tests

Twenty allergic asthmatics were treated with inhaled disodium cromoglycate (Lomudallt in addition to extant therapy. Improvement was assessed by the patient, clinically by the physician, by analysis of the patients' diary cards and by a battery of pulmonary function tests, after 3 months' treatment. Eighteen patients were improved. At the end of 1 year's treatment, only 1 failed to maintain improvement. No serious side-effects were encountered. Lung function tests demonstrated less hyperinflation in 9 out of 11 patients tested, less airway obstruction in 14 out of 20, no change in a standardized exercise test and an improvement in acid-base balance from compensated respiratory alkalosis to normal. The results in this trial are discussed in relation to others in this literature. The value of DSCG in facilitating reduction of corticosteroid and sympathomimetic therapy for asthma is emphasized. Some practical points in the use of DSCG are listed. Disodium cromoglycate is safe and efficacious in allergic bronchial asthma and is a very useful adjunct in the therapy of this common, potentially serious condition

The introverted medical school - time to rethink medical education

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The lung in progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

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Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency

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Changing the malaria treatment protocol policy in Timor-Leste: an examination of context, process, and actors’ involvement

In 2007 Timor-Leste, a malaria endemic country, changed its Malaria Treatment Protocol for uncomplicated falciparum malaria from sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine to artemether-lumefantrine. The change in treatment policy was based on the rise in morbidity due to malaria and perception of increasing drug resistance. Despite a lack of nationally available evidence on drug resistance, the Ministry of Health decided to change the protocol. The policy process leading to this change was examined through a qualitative study on how the country developed its revised treatment protocol for malaria. This process involved many actors and was led by the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health and the WHO country office. This paper examines the challenges and opportunities identified during this period of treatment protocol change

Recent Experiences in the Respiratory Unit of the Johannesburg Hospital

The importance of respiratory disease in medicine is emphasized. One hundred and thirtyfive cases were referred to the Respiratory Unit in a 5-month period. These cases 'have been analysed in terms of age, sex and major disease. Fifty-six patients,of whom 47 had intermittent positive pressure respiration, required treatment in an intensive care unit. Twenty-two patients died in the intensive care unit-a mortality rate of 39%. Also discussed and briefly illustrated are problems of intermittent positive pressure respiration, tracheostomy and endotracheal intubation, cardiac arrhythmias, oxygen toxicity, fat embolism and tetanus

Malaria control in Timor-Leste during a period of political instability: what lessons can be learned?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is a major global health problem, often exacerbated by political instability, conflict, and forced migration.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To examine the impact of political upheaval and population displacement in Timor-Leste (2006) on malaria in the country.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Case study approach drawing on both qualitative and quantitative methods including document reviews, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, site visits and analysis of routinely collected data.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The conflict had its most profound impact on Dili, the capital city, in which tens of thousands of people were displaced from their homes. The conflict interrupted routine malaria service programs and training, but did not lead to an increase in malaria incidence. Interventions covering treatment, insecticide treated nets (ITN) distribution, vector control, surveillance and health promotion were promptly organized for internally displaced people (IDPs) and routine health services were maintained. Vector control interventions were focused on IDP camps in the city rather than on the whole community. The crisis contributed to policy change with the introduction of Rapid Diagnostic Tests and artemether-lumefantrine for treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although the political crisis affected malaria programs there were no outbreaks of malaria. Emergency responses were quickly organized and beneficial long term changes in treatment and diagnosis were facilitated.</p

Intersectionality: Social Marginalisation and Self-Reported Health Status in Young People.

BACKGROUND:The aim of this study was to measure young people's health status and explore associations between health status and belonging to one or more socio-culturally marginalised group. METHODS:part of the Access 3 project, this cross-sectional survey of young people aged 12-24 years living in New South Wales, Australia, oversampled young people from one or more of the following groups: Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander; living in rural and remote areas; homeless; refugee; and/or, sexuality and/or gender diverse. This paper reports on findings pertaining to health status, presence of chronic health conditions, psychological distress, and wellbeing measures. RESULTS:1416 participants completed the survey; 897 (63.3%) belonged to at least one marginalised group; 574 (40.5%) to one, 281 (19.8%) to two and 42 (3.0%) to three or four groups. Belonging to more marginalised groups was significantly associated with having more chronic health conditions (p = 0.001), a greater likelihood of high psychological distress (p = 0.001) and of illness or injury related absence from school or work (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:increasing marginalisation is associated with decreasing health status. Using an intersectional lens can to be a useful way to understand disadvantage for young people belonging to multiple marginalised groups