Search

The article discusses a study published in the "American Journal of Audiology," which measured acoustic transparency across four hearing aid types and four different pilot caps using the Verifit 2 Hearing Aid Analyzer and the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII). Topics include daycare regulations related to choking hazards, possible retention options, and a popular retention option that produced a significantly different SII.

Why you should read this article: • To understand the traumatic effects of suicide on families, friends and healthcare professionals • To enhance your awareness of the factors that affect suicide risk • To support you to risk assess and manage patients who present with self-harm Suicide is a tragic event that has traumatic and far-reaching effects on families, friends and healthcare professionals, for whom feelings of guilt, blame and regret are common. Although there have been reductions in suicide rates globally and in the UK over past decades, it remains one of the leading causes of death. Assessing and supporting people who present with self-harm and risk of suicide are essential aspects of all nurses' clinical practice. This article explains the relationship between suicide, self-harm and other risk factors. It also provides guidance for general nurses on evidence-based approaches to managing self-harm and assessing suicide risk collaboratively with service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To refresh your knowledge of the risk factors for stroke • To recognise the signs and symptoms of a stroke and the importance of early treatment • To learn about the various treatment options available for a person who has experienced a stroke Stroke is a medical emergency, resulting in a significant number of annual deaths in the UK and representing a major cause of disability. Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of stroke is vital to ensure effective and potentially lifesaving treatment. It is important that nurses are able to recognise the risk factors for stroke, as well as being aware of the potential treatment modalities. This article details the signs and symptoms, and risk factors for stroke, as well as outlining the treatment options. The author also explains the important role of nurses in stroke prevention and the long-term care of people who have experienced a stroke and their family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which aimed to determine the association of brain anomalies associated with movement with developmental language disorder (DLD) in children, referencing a study by Michael T. Ullman et al, published in "Nature Human Behaviour."

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of anal incontinence and its prevalence, symptoms and risk factors • To increase your awareness of the need for early routine screening in groups at high risk of anal incontinence • To access information about current bowel screening tools and how these could be improved Anal incontinence is an unpredictable and debilitating condition that can significantly reduce quality of life. Symptoms include the involuntary loss of solid and/or liquid stool, flatus incontinence and rectal urgency. Pregnancy and childbirth are two major factors that increase the risk of anal incontinence in women of reproductive age. Women at high risk of anal incontinence include those with a known history of the condition and those who have experienced severe perineal trauma, particularly after injury to the anal sphincters (third-degree and fourth-degree tears). Routine screening for anal incontinence of women in high-risk groups during pregnancy and after childbirth appears to be limited in clinical practice. This article discusses the potential benefits of screening for anal incontinence, outlines the factors that inhibit and enable screening, describes current bowel screening tools and their limitations, and explores how the identification of anal incontinence in women of reproductive age could be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers screening insights before prescribing presbyopia-correcting drops. Topics discussed include case instances of retinal detachment (RD), retinal tears, or vitreomacular traction among patients, and safety measures like performing a thorough eye examination before a topical prescription, and examining possible histories of retinal problems and risk factors for dissatisfaction. Also noted is the recommended one week drops trial for patients before deciding if it is beneficial.

Many people will have symptoms of bladder or bowel incontinence when they are in the final few weeks or days of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bowel care is of great importance for a patient's quality of life, yet many people are too embarrassed to discuss the subject. It's a conversation that arguably needs to be had whatever the clinical setting: £168 million was spent by NHS England on treating constipation in 2018-19, the equivalent of funding 7,304 newly qualified nurses for a year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses two cases of myopia management in children shared by pediatric ophthalmologist Noha Ekdawi and highlights her treatment approach to prevent myopia progression from a case-based roundtable discussion. The first patient is an 8-year-old girl with a family history of myopia while the second case is a 7-year-old boy with a history of Kawasaki disease. Also mentioned are Ekdawi's first step in myopia management and positive outcomes with MiSight lenses.

The British drink approximately 100 million cups of tea every day, according to the UK Tea and Infusions Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of speech-language pathologists (SLP) in lowering the risk for choking. Topics covered include factors affecting a person's risk of choking, characteristics of food that pose the higher risk of choking, and role of SLPs in the assessment and treatment of choking. Suggested choking-prevention strategies for parents are also offered.

There has been an increase in the number of patients requiring surgery who also have complex medical needs. Factors such as being overweight, the presence of significant comorbidities and an ageing population increase the risks associated with surgical procedures for these individuals. As a result, nurses involved in assessing patients and providing preoperative care require knowledge and understanding of the latest evidence in this area to optimise patient care and outcomes following surgery. This article suggests that optimal outcomes can be achieved by preparing patients for surgery in a holistic manner. It also discusses the role of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faecal incontinence is a condition that can develop as a result of age, injury or long-term conditions, and may be associated with significant stigma for those affected. Symptoms of faecal incontinence include leakage of flatus and faeces, and the condition can affect people of any age, although it is most prevalent in older people. Faecal incontinence is a subject that might not be openly discussed by patients and healthcare professionals; therefore, it is important for nurses to be aware of its signs, symptoms, causes and risk factors, so that they can identify patients at high risk. This article provides an overview of faecal incontinence, exploring its causes, psychological effects for patients, and conservative and specialised management measures, as well as the nurse's role in providing treatment and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of pediatric ophthalmology in the detection and treatment of dyslexia, a language-based learning disability. Topics discussed include the consequences of untreated dyslexia among children, the difficulties found in dyslexia caused by a phonological deficit, physical basis for dyslexia in language-related areas of the brain and some myths and misperceptions in dyslexia and its causes.

The article discusses the origin of Retinal Detachment (RD) from retinal defects and highlights the techniques involved to manage RD including surgical intervention, pathophysiology, and symptomatology. Topics include risk factors of RD, use of laser treatments, and treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Concerns about inadequate patient hydration and suboptimal monitoring of fluid balance have been documented in recent reports. The Fluid Balance Improvement Project at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was undertaken to identify risk factors influencing hydration and to implement a revised process to manage these risks, resulting in the development of a hydration pathway. This new approach to monitoring patient hydration, together with staff education and support, has resulted in improved compliance with fluid balance monitoring standards, as well as significant improvements in identifying patients at risk of dehydration, and an increase in patients with acute kidney injury commencing appropriate fluid balance monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses how microinstrumentation provides surgeons increased control when managing challenges of pediatric congenital cataract. Topics covered include the challenge of pediatric cataract surgery for surgeons, popularity of acrylic intraocular lens (IOLs) over polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) IOLs, and a decrease in postoperative inflammation in children with uveitic cataracts with the use of heparin-surface-coated PMMA IOLs.

The article discusses the ban on the use of asbestos. Topics covered include the story of Serafina Salucci who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after using a wall sheeting material that contained carcinogenic asbestos fibers, the calls from trade unions and patient advocacy groups to cut off any further use of the material and the fibrous silicate materials found in asbestos. Also mentioned is the pressure facing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban all uses of asbestos.

Aim To demonstrate the benefits of collecting family history systematically to enhance the care provided to families living with dementia. In addition, to identify the contribution nurses can make in responding to relatives' concerns about dementia and its risk factors. Method An individual case study was derived from a larger observational study of the psycho-educational needs of families affected by dementia. This case study presents extracts from one anonymised interview with an adult son whose father has dementia. Findings The family of the patient with dementia did not feel they had a positive experience of care delivery. Although they had a high level of knowledge and personal experience of dementia, their beliefs and concerns appear to have been overlooked by healthcare staff. This may have led to a delay in the diagnosis of dementia and missed opportunities for earlier treatment. Conclusion Healthcare staff should consider the concerns expressed by people with dementia and their families. Knowledge of the risk factors for dementia and risk-reduction strategies can improve the care nurses provide. This should include an increased awareness of the complex interaction between genes, environment and lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses misinformation about unapproved stem cell therapies and study by Marissa Patel and colleagues to determine patients' level of understanding of stem cell treatments. Topics discussed include main outcome of the study, and importance for education to be provided to patients about the status of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved trials of stem cell therapies.

The article discusses the possibility for people with dementia to safely eat their favorite foods. Topics covered include symptoms that increase risk of aspiration for people with dementia, predictors of aspiration pneumonia and the suggested changes in the auditory, visual ad cognitive aspects of the dining environment to help people with memory loss eat independently and safely. INSETS: Small Changes, Big Differences;‘Eat Slowly': A Look at Spaced Retrieval;When Patient and Clinician Disagree.

A cerebral aneurysm is a weak or thin spot on a blood vessel in the brain that swells and fills with blood. Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm, known as aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, is a medical emergency and is associated with increased mortality. This article explores the anatomy and physiology of the brain and blood vessels. Current research and guidelines are used to highlight risk factors for cerebral aneurysms and their rupture and to discuss best practice for treating both. The article provides information on the management and complications of the condition, alongside nursing considerations, long-term care, discharge and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining optimum body temperature is essential to life, and taking and recording a patient's temperature is a fundamental nursing skill. Deviation from the normal range of body temperature can be an important clinical indicator of altered physiological status requiring further investigation. Correct technique and careful recording are important for accuracy because clinicians rely on clinical observations to make diagnoses and decide on treatment. Nurses need to be able to interpret single stand-alone temperature recordings as well as sequential pattern recordings in the context of safe and acceptable physiological boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on side effects, including dysphagia, which are often seen in patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer as a result of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A discussion of the role that a collaboration between nursing and speech-language professionals and an oncology nurse coordinator plays in the management of side effects linked to cancer treatment and in the prevention of chronic dysphagia is presented.

This article considers the nature of ovarian cancer, the effect this diagnosis may have on patients, their families and carers, and the treatment options available. The importance of the role of the nurse in providing support and information for women undergoing treatment is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis is common, increasing in prevalence, and often associated with painful, disabling and costly fractures. Fracture rates may be reduced in the community by population-based interventions, and at the individual level by selective case finding and appropriate management. Correctly taken drugs reduce fracture risk by about one-half. NICE guidelines addressing primary and secondary fracture have recently been published, but these are difficult to follow and do not cover a significant proportion of the population at risk. The recent on-line publication of the World Health Organization (WHO) FRAX® algorithm allows GPs to simply estimate an individual's 10-year fracture risk. The FRAX® tool was developed from large, worldwide population cohorts. This article will help GPs to identify which patients should undergo dual energy absorptiometry (DXA) scanning, who might benefit from particular treatments and the pitfalls to avoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco-related diseases are a major threat to public health in the UK. High levels of morbidity and mortality for users of tobacco and those exposed to tobacco smoke are associated with such diseases. This article outlines a socioeconomic overview of tobacco use in the UK and the associated risk factors. A summary of brief interventions is presented, which has the potential to form the core elements of a community-based smoking cessation initiative and reduce the threat of tobacco-related diseases to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores treatment options for infectious retinitis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis can occur in AIDS patients, neonates and those in whom immunosuppression was induced. According to ophthalmology professor J. Fernando Arevalo, CMV retinitis can be treated with intravenous ganciclovir or oral valganciclovir, intravitreal antiviral drug implants or surgery. Choosing the best surgical option depends on the mechanical factors of the retinal detachment as well as patient factors.

The article reports on some important issues to consider when it comes to detection and management of an intraorbital foreign body in patients who have sustained orbital trauma. Topics mentioned include a BB gun pellet as the most common type of metallic intraorbital foreign body seen in the U.S., the impact of the location of the metallic foreign body on management, and decision of surgeons against removing a posteriorly located foreign body in a patient whose potential vision is poor.

The article discusses the concept of triage and some important issues to put in mind when it comes to recognizing potential visual disturbance emergencies. Topics mentioned include proper documentation of telephone conversation with a patient, the impact of acute angle-closure glaucoma on vision, and the phenomena of flashes of light and floaters as a sign of retinal detachment.

The article deals with the concern on unintended weight loss in older people during their hospitalization in Great Britain. It explores the role of nurses in helping older patients address the risks of malnourishment and dehydration. The Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) identifies three risk factors of weight loss in older patients, including physical factors such as arthritis and disabilities and social factors such as low income and lack of understanding of weight-loss and nutrition messages.

Essential information: Human and animal bites are an infection risk and are seen relatively frequently in emergency departments (EDs) and primary care. Dog and human bites are the bites most commonly seen in EDs and can cause significant tissue damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article features signs and symptoms of chronic stress in students and resources for support. Topics discussed include the common physical reactions of chronic fatigue and difficulty in paying attention, the emotional signs of excessive worry and disconnection, and social behaviors like relationship difficulties and irritability. Also noted are such resources as the National Association of School Psychologists, and Resources for Discussing Current Events With Teens.

The article mentions a 2019 study which shows that a mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss (MMHL) in childhood may affect neural processing in adolescence.

The article discusses various clinical studies. Topics include a retrospective and noncomparative case series examining the effectiveness and advantages of tube-in-tube glaucoma drainage-device, a retrospective institutional cohort analysis of tthe risks factors for postoperative graft detachment following Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty, and a comparison of Medicare payments for female and male ophthalmologists.

A bar-tailed godwit, I thought, feeling rather smug. I was photographing wading birds at the nearby salt marshes, and was very pleased with myself, not only for recognising the creature, but for getting some reasonable pictures. I also saw a flock of migrant geese and some lapwings, so altogether it was a satisfying trip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a survey of audiologists and speech-language pathologists on their concerns regarding the effect of screen time and use of popular technology on children's communication development.

The article discusses the alternative consideration of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treatment of early diabetic macular edema (DME). Topics covered include the standard use of the expensive anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for DME treatment, and the safe, effective, and affordable use of PPV for reducing PPV in most countries of the world. Also noted is PPV's acceptable risk profile compared with anti-VEGF therapy.

The article discusses the availability of many refractive options for cataract surgery patients in April 2018. Topics covered include the need for surgeons to match patients' goals and visual status to achieve great outcomes, and the likely deciding factor of the motivation for spectacle independence. Also noted are such options as monovision, clear lens extraction, corneal refractive surgery, and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery for patients.

The article discusses a study, published in "Obesity Reviews," which investigated the effect of obesity in pregnancy on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children.

More research is needed to assess long-term damage caused by dehydration, say experts in the wake of a study involving nurses and doctors that show almost half of them were dehydrated at the end of a shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the ruling for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington for the application of manure from livestock facilities and rulings for dairy farms that create a public health risk by contaminating water supplies, subjecting the residents to nitrate pollution.

The article offers information on finalizing the revised law for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Topics discussed include impact of new regulations on the financial interests of companies; risks associated with of toxic chemicals including Asbestos, Carbon tetrachloride and Methylene chloride; and role of Nancy Beck, an official at American Chemistry Council, in the implementation and completion of the rules in TSCA.

The article discusses the various addictions in the life of people in the legal sector. Particular focus is given to the causes of addictive behaviour, the difference between passion and addiction, and the various disadvantages of the legal profession. Other topics addressed include details of a study conducted by the American Bar Association.

The article discusses the health risks associated in tattooing, as well as how to protect one's self against such risks. It defines tattooing as a form of body art that is created through the injection of ink into the skin. Among the health risks associated with tattooing are infection, HIV and hepatitis, and scar tissue. It presents two methods of tattoo removal, namely,through the use of a laser machine and dermabrasion.

The article offers information on several studies related gynecology. It mentions that a placebo-controlled trial to 242 women with fibroids, excessive uterine bleeding and anaemia investigates the efficacy of ulipristal acetate for fibroids treatment. It states that a total of 153 studies have been included in a systematic review regarding impact o childhood intrauterine or neonatal insult to child neurodevelopment which reveals 19% of risk of impairment.