Archive for the ‘health’ Category

My experience as a patient

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

I was so grateful that the hospital’s nurses and doctor were so nice with me. I was asked what is wrong with me. I told the nurse that I am having a severe pain in my left flank area and that I have a scanty urination. I was requested to have a urinalysis. So I did pee a little just enough for the U/A. while waiting, the pain still making me vomit. I vomited twice at the hospital. I ask the doctor to gave me a pain reliever because I cannot handle the pain anymore.

The doctor told the nurse to give a diclofenac – a pain reliever IM. But I informed the doctor that I am allergic to it. She asked me if I tried Ketorolac – another kind of pain reliever. I haven’t tried that one yet so I do not know if I am allergic to it. So I was injected in my right deltoid muscle. It was painful. Now I felt what my patients feel when I inject them. After about 15 minutes I felt medication took effect already. I was so glad. But my eyes started to be itchy. I thought I was just imagining it but after 5 minutes, my eyes started to swell. I immediately inform the nurse about it and the nurse informed the doctor. When the doctor saw my swollen eyes, she was so surprised. She then realized that I was not kidding when I told them about my allergy. It seems that they took my history lightly. She prescribed me with antihistamine caplet. While my mom went out and buy those, my eyes swollen to the max like a Garfield in front of the doctor. She immediately ordered antihistamine IM. So I was injected with Diphenhydramine. My mom can’t buy ice anywhere so the doctor tried to find an ice for me. She is so sweet and nice of her for finding an ice for me.

The doctor wanted me to be admitted for at least 24 hours just to observe as to what extent my allergies go. But I felt good with no chest pains and the pain in my left side was very minimal. I decided to just go home and just be back anytime if there will be a problem. I signed that I went home against medical advice. It was not that I am a hard-headed person but I felt so great and there is no point of staying in the hospital. I was confident to go home because I was already injected with antihistamine. So we went home. I still had cold compress on my eyes until I slept.

KUB ultrasound result

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Today, my mom went with me to the hospital for my KUB ultrasound (kidney, ureters, urinary bladder). Though I do not have severe pain anymore in my left side, I just want to have a check with my kidneys. I want to know if I have 2 because my mom only one kidney is functioning. Her other kidney is very small according to the doctor it is inborn. I am glad every thing was normal. Thank you Lord. I was so relieved.
This is my result : Left Kidney measures 8.8 x 4.8 x 1.4 cm, Right kidney measures 8.7 x 4.1 x 1.6cm. there is no significant disparity in the sizes, shapes and locations of both kidneys. No evident mass, calculus nor any abnormality in the scans obtained. Both ureters were not visualized (not significantly dilated). There is a good filling of the urinary bladder, showing regular contours and smooth walls with no intraluminal echoes.
IMPRESSION : Normal study

Renal stones?

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Last night I was about to iron my nursing type C uniform for my first day Training. I was very excited by then. But just before I plugged the iron, I suddenly had a very severe left flank pain. I sat for a while and observe the pain. The pain is getting more painful and I started to have scanty painful urination. I drank a lot of water plus buko juice (good for UTIs). I diagnosed myself with UTI (urinary tract infection) but I am alarmed because the pain is confined in my left flank and I was positive CVA (costovertebral angle) and it is very painful even I was not touching the area. I was thinking of having pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) or renal stones on the left kidney. Because of the pain I decided to have a check-up in the hospital.

Constipation sensation

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Have you ever experienced constipation? You probably have because constipation spares nobody- and when it happens, you need to deal with it immediately! If you’ve been experiencing pain and straining while moving hard and dry stools, or if you’ve been feeling gassy or bloated or if your bowel movement has been less that 3 times a week, then you know you’re suffering from constipation.
You should check your lifestyle to see if you are at risk of having constipation. Similarly, if you’re always stressed-out and you constantly repress your urge to move your bowel, you might end up constipated as well.

Most people think traditional cures like drinking more liquids or eating papaya and kangkong are the way to go, but they only take effect after several days especially if constipation has already set in. With 1-2 tablets of dulcolax, you can expect relief in 6-8 hours. It is a doctor-trusted contact laxative that promotes natural bowel movement, producing soft and well-formed stools. Set yourself free from the burden of constipation and get your movement back on track.

Odd cravings point to iron-deficiency

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

In my field of work most common problem of pregnant women is anemia. I did about 15 prenatal check-up and 70 % of them are anemic. There is what we call physiologic anemia which means it is normal for pregnant women that their iron or hemoglobin level is lowered during pregnancy. It is called in medical terms “Physiologic anemia”. People with iron-deficiency anemia may develop strong cravings to eat dirt, rice, ice, paint, starch, raw potatoes or tomatoes. Such cravings are called pica (PIE-Kuh). If you experience an unusual craving, tell your doctor about it. A simple blood test can show whether you have an iron deficiency. Other symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia include fatigue, pallor, cracks in the sides of your mouth and brittle nails. They also complain of difficulty of breathing by just walking a short distance. We are doing our best to help them to have their hemoglobin level with in normal limits.

Four legs can be better than two

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

As we know that two heads are better than one. Same thing with four legs are better than two. And I truly believe it. It is not all the time though. We can just use it in certain situation like hiking. Having a cane or walking sticks are not only good for the patients but it is good for everyone of us. Once considered frivolous accessories, walking and trekking sticks are becoming popular on hiking trails. They’re used to improve balance, posture, and the cardiovascular benefits of walking. Available options range from humble wooden sticks to high-tech telescoping poles.
Both walking sticks and poles can improve your balance and reduce the risk of falls and injuries.
Poles can also increase the aerobic benefits of walking. The effect is similar to carrying hand weights, though the poles are usually lighter, so there’s less chance of injuries. Poles may be beneficial for anyone with ankle, knee, or hip problems, because they support some body weight, placing less stress on the spine and lower extremities.

Facts about malaria

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

In many Asian countries there are a lot of cases of malaria. I knew some people who have malaria. Malaria is caused by tiny parasites that grow in the red blood cells. They can multiply 10 times every two days and invade new cells. Eventually they may cause fever or more severe illness such as anaemia or coma.
• Malaria parasites are spread by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito.
• There are four types of malaria parasites. P. Falciparum is the most dangerous type which causes cerebral malaria. P. Vivax cause a milder type of malarial. The other two malaria parasites (P. Ovale and P. Malariae) are less common.
• Children under five and pregnant women are most at risk of death from malaria.
The Department of Health in the countries where malaria is prevalent are doing their best to prevent people from having malaria. Clean surrounding is still the best way to prevent it for mosquitoes do not dwell in clean areas. People like missionaries should take some antimalarial drugs. The use of some mosquito lotion and the use of mosquito net are also good protection.

Moody day

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Today I do not feel good. I was moody. I do not know why but may be due to hormonal changes. Lol. Anyways, someone got me to insert an IV (intravenous) to the patient. I prayed that God would still help me to insert it successfully even I am not in the mood. God really did not disappointment. I got it in one try. To God be the glory.

PRICE is the right treatment

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

I am reminded about my sister’s motorcycle accident last year. She almost broke her leg. Thanks God she only had sprain on her knee. It made her knee very swollen. The PRICE treatment did help. Now she is able to walk without any support.
“Sprain” is used to describe a wide range of injuries. But a true sprain involves damage to ligaments, the bands of elastic like tissue that support joints by connecting the bones. Sprains can often be treated with simple home-care measures. However, there are times you should see medical attention.
To treat a minor soft-tissue injury, remember the letters PRICE, which stand for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
• Protection – protect your joint from further injury. An elastic wrap, brace, sling, air-cast, cane or crutches may help support the joint that cause pain or swelling.
• Ice – cold reduces swelling and inflammation, decreases muscle spasms and helps relieve pain.
Apply ice or an ice pack with a dry towel or a blanket for insulation. Apply ice for no more than 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Don’t apply heat, which can cause more swelling. If you have vascular disease, rheumatism or decreased sensation, talk to your doctor before applying ice.
• Compression – this decreases bruising and swelling. Keep the joint wrapped until swelling subsides. Keep the wrap snug but not tight. Loosen if pain increases or you have numbness.
• Elevation – raising a swollen joint above the level of your heart reduces swelling. This is especially important at night.
Continue the PRICE treatment as long as it helps. You may want to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain or nonaspirin anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (advil, motrin), for pain and inflammation (aspirin may slightly increase risk of bleeding).

Hydrogen Peroxide

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

I mistakenly used hydrogen peroxide as a facial cleanser today. It took me a while to realize that it was it. I wondered why the smell is very different than my usual cleanser. I remembered that I put a little amount of hydrogen peroxide in an empty facial cleanser bottle. It really smelled very stink. I prepared and brought it with me when we had our youth camp. It was just for first aid emergency use only. The thing was I did not put a label in it. I was so glad that it was not used but I suffered the dose of my own medicine. It is always necessary to put a label when you are putting some thing in a container. This one of the lessons to be learned.