As if we need another reason not to drink milk
http://www.notmilk.com/ratpoison.html
MMMMMMMMMM..................................

This is an awesome article!
http://wcco.com/health/mayo.clinic.massage.2.606777.html\
The only problem is, they have nurses doing the massage. Trust me people, nurses don't have half the training needed to be able to give a massage.

Path/Pharm class

As everyone knows by now, class was cancelled today. I learned that I'm still not ready to drive in slippery weather. Apparently, the melted ice/snow from yesterday re-froze on the bridges of Rt. 30. I realize that my sense of danger is heightened (read the April 07 posts) and I may be a little paranoid. But.... well, let's just say that the phrase "scared the {urine} out of me" is a complete truism.

So....

Today's lesson actually wasn't a lesson at all. We were to review. We can do this online. For the final exam please know the following:
The anatomy of the
Integumentary System - the layers of the skin, the glands,
Musculoskeletal System - the three different types of muscle tissue, bone types, the parts of a long bone, the parts of a synovial joint
Nervous System- the parts of a nerve cell (Jamaica Man...), brain sections, CNS vs. PNS
Endocrine (yea!) System- pancreatic hormones
Cardiovascular/Lymph Systems - the three circulations of the body, the electrical system of the heart, lymph vessels functions
Respiratory System - lungs, alveoli, internal vs. external respiration
Gastrointestinal System - gi structures and accessory organs

Please review the general manifestations of disease:
Integumentary: any abnormals, redness, cyanosis, jaundice, cold, hot, bruising, moles
Musculoskeletal: pain with palpation, or with movement, inflammation, asymmetry
Nervous: dizziness, tremors, sensory impairment, numbness, tingling, pain
Endocrine: lumps, nodules or masses of the neck, neuropathy
Cardio: pacemakers, central venous catheters, difficulty breathing, skin color (red/white/blue), bruising, chest pain, calf pain,
Lymph: limbs unequal in temperature, chronic fatigue, weight loss
Respiratory: cough, chest pain, SOB, edema
Gastro: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain

Pathologies and other terms you'll want to review:
Please know the definition of the pathology and the massage considerations for that pathology.
Integumentary:hives, impetigo, lice, ringworm, shingles, moles (ABCDE - and F for "funky")
Musculoskeletal:atrophy, bursitis, contracture, fracture, kyphosis, lordosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatiod arthritis, sprain vs. strain, tendinitis, torticolis
Nervous: alzheimer's disease, conjuctivitis, CTS, concussion, nerve compression vs. nerve entrapment, para- hemi- quadriplegia, parkinson's disease, depression
Endocrine: IDDM, NIDDM
Cardio: anemia, congestive heart failure, embolism, endocarditis, hypertension, MI, pericarditis,
Lymph: AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, fever
Respiratory: COPD, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, influenza
Gastro: colostomy, appendicitis, cholecystitis, constipation, GERD, obesity, ulcers

Meds:
Please know the massage modifications, or general observations that are required for the following.
Antipyretics (fever reducers - Tylenol, Ibuprofen)
Skeletal muscle relaxants (Skelaxin, Baclofen)
NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Advil, Naproxen Sodium)
Antihypertensives (Lotensin, Tenormin, Cardizem, digoxin)
Anticoagulants/Antithrombolyitcs (Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix)
Analgesics (Narcotics - Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin, Morphine Non-Narcotics - Tylenol, NSAIDs)

SOAP notes
Please know what SOAP notes are, and what information goes where.
(I'm going to try to post what I use on the blog somehow.)

Remember, you already know this stuff. You've already studied it and have been tested on it. You don't need to LEARN it again, just REVIEW it. Don't waste your time on stuff you have a good handle on. Again, and say it with me, YOU ALREADY KNOW THIS STUFF. I am making myself pretty available this weekend for questions and comments (with the exception of Saturday 8a -12p). Feel free to call me or email me.

Hugs and kisses,
val.

New links I like

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/spider-guarding-eggs_pod_image.html

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2465453830272749902

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/health/research/05flu.html?ei=5065&en=21ab6eaa062ec6e9&ex=1197522000&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print

http://rense.com/general79/offer.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdFlu/wireStory?id=3952451

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/04/ncough104.xml

Comments are always welcomed.
val.

http://pos-psych.com/news/iris-marie-bloom/20071202510
This is a great post.

Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb....

This article is interesting on many levels. There is the "I told you so" factor. Plus, way at the end, note how many people have died of Avian Flu since 2003. Thousands, hundreds of thousands? Millions? Oh my....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071128/hl_nm/virus_prevention_washing_dc

FDA link

This is a link to the FDA's recalls page.

http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html