One of the most difficult aspects of treating pain is maintaining analgesia without overprescribing addictive pain medications such as opioids. Enter the placebo – an approach which has typically been characterized as a way of “tricking” the mind into believing that the pain has been treated, even when it hasn’t. As a result, the patient
Two weeks ago, the FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer, the first breath test for SARS-CoV-2 infection that has received such status in the US. The EUA is for the “near patient/point-of-care” setting, meaning settings in which the patient specimen is both collected and analyzed, as compared to PCR tests
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, colloquially known as heartburn, is a very common ailment all over the world. Almost everyone experiences acid reflux at some point in their lives, and for almost half those people, it occurs at least once a month [1]. Acid reflux occurs due to decreased lower esophageal sphincter tone, causing gastric acid from
Traditionally used as an antihypertensive agent since the late 1960s, clonidine has emerged in recent years as an adjuvant to commonly used medications for analgesia [1,2]. Given its potent sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic properties, clonidine has gained popularity among anesthesiologists for clinical use [2]. Clonidine is available as tablets, injections, and transdermal patches [2]. It
Anesthesiology is often acknowledged as the leading medical specialty in addressing issues of patient safety (Gaba, 2000). The first public demonstration of general anesthesia took place at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1846 and resulted in much fanfare (Wildsmith, n.d.), but the potential risks of anesthesia were recognized soon after when in 1849, physician John Snow
Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, “super-spreader” events, in which large groups of people came together without masks to engage in activities amenable to high aerosol production and exchange (ranging from nightclubs and concerts to religious meetings), were repeatedly reported in poorly ventilated venues – of particular threat given the strong airborne transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 particles.
For patients with compromised airways who struggle to breathe independently, intubation is often a necessary intervention. Intubation involves the insertion of a tube through the mouth and into the trachea of the patient to create a clear airway. Between 13 and 20 million intubations are performed in ERs across the U.S. annually, according to commercial
Medical training to become a physician is a lengthy and time-consuming process. After graduating college, medical school applicants often take 1-2 gap years to strengthen their application. After attending a four-year medical school program, trainees must complete residency in their desired specialty, which can range from 3-7 years of more training. After residency, trainees can
Immunocompromised patients, such as organ transplant recipients, are at a particular risk of experiencing severe symptoms from COVID-19. These patients have reduced resistance to infection, can become infected with fewer infectious particles and less aggressive strains, experience more rapid progression of infections, and have higher mortality rates (1,2). To date, the standard two-dose COVID-19 vaccination
Face-mask ventilation is an important skill for emergent airway management and can be difficult to perform correctly and effectively [1]. Proper positioning of the head and neck, manual opening of the airway, placement of a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal airway device, and achievement of a tight face mask seal are essential to successful face-mask ventilation [1].