Posts by Sam Hall15

The symptoms are incredibly subtle and sparse 😁 as Lawrence Wells mentioned, just a quick photo session and some bloodwork for serology... don't wait if you suspect an infection; if the shell breaks, things won't go well...

It honestly surprises me that the ENT didn't catch a deviated septum, given it's such a textbook issue for them. If you're waking up with a stuffed nose, it means mucus is building up overnight and likely blocking the Eustachian tube, which creates that negative pressure and ear congestion. Rounds of antibiotics might offer temporary relief at first, but eventually, you just end up breeding resistant strains. That's how you end up with bacteria that won't respond when you actually need them. You shouldn't just keep taking antibiotics; you have to treat the underlying cause, which is probably the deviation, though I can't say for sure without an exam. It would be wise to get a second opinion from another ENT via rhinoscopy. If that deviation is confirmed (kudos to the microbiologist) on the

The muscle aches you mentioned could be part of the flu, especially if your whole body feels sore. You didn't specify the exact location of the pain, whether it's in the lower pelvic area or...

That strikes me as a textbook case of Alzheimer's, especially considering there's already a family history involved. He definitely needs to see a specialist... while there isn't a cure, a neurologist can provide practical management strategies, supplement options, and psychostimulant medications to help navigate the progression

Hmm... I have personally suggested ginkgo to patients before, and they were quite satisfied with the results.😁
Someone mentioned experiencing tinnitus and ear congestion during a cold; that is actually another relatively straightforward issue to resolve. In your case, what you are dealing with is pharyngeal inflammation spreading toward the Eustachian tube, which connects the throat to the middle ear. When there is an infection, the lining of that tube swells and becomes blocked, preventing air from reaching the middle ear as it should. This creates a vacuum within the middle ear, increasing pressure on the eardrum and preventing it from vibrating properly. Because that vibration is dampened, sound transmission is weakened, which is why your hearing feels muffled...

I believe the current law states that if a person is presumed deceased and hasn't explicitly opted out of organ donation, doctors can proceed without needing family consent. 😁
I'm personally in favor of donation, though I can't help but recall those two horror stories about people waking up in coffins... they weren't exactly saved, but they ended up clawing at their fingertips and lying face down. Aaaaaaa...

I agree with you that we need to focus more on public education. Many people hold terrible prejudices regarding organ donation because they simply don't know enough. It is truly a tragedy that so many premature deaths occur just due to this lack of awareness... especially concerning the liver, which has such an incredible capacity to regenerate. We really ought to prioritize educating the public about post-mortem consent, ensuring decisions are made while organs remain viable...

I’ll try to address the question from earlier. Familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal dominant condition involving five different subtypes. Depending on the specific type, the body either fails to produce enough receptors on the cells meant to absorb cholesterol, or those cells simply don't utilize it efficiently... Generally, you shouldn't expect a quick fix, though having an incurable condition doesn't necessarily mean you'll face constant issues. If you strictly follow the dietary and lifestyle protocols recommended by your doctor, you can manage it just like anyone else with a healthy metabolism.

Yes, and if you found that Ginkgo helped, it might suggest poor circulation in your inner ear. This could potentially stem from advanced atherosclerosis, which itself can be triggered by the endocrinopathies you mentioned. You’re welcome to continue with the Ginkgo, but I’d suggest taking breaks since it can be quite harsh on the stomach; try taking it after a full meal. Perhaps three months on followed by a three to four-month break, depending on how you feel... Definitely consult an audiologist and request a color Doppler ultrasound of your vertebral and carotid arteries.

It isn't a big deal; just mention they provide digital regional anesthesia. It manages pain much more effectively than local infiltration, so bring that up... if you feel like it...
Medical professionals rule!!!!!!!!!! fkn creeps.... 😁

I don't claim to be a moderator—those folks are the true forum elite😁 but I don't see much point in merging everything. While the topics overlap, they aren't identical... but that’s just my humble opinion

Well, congratulations on the recovery,
but regarding the explanation they gave you about the arrhythmia—did you undergo an electrophysiology study? Was there any angina present, or any issues with your coronary arteries? Also, what is your blood pressure reading now, and how are you managing it if necessary?

Forgive my ignorance, but would you happen to know—or perhaps be able to look into—the details regarding the specialization? I'm curious about the duration and what the multi-year plan looks like. If there happens to be a link where I could review the specifics... I would be incredibly grateful.

Hannah Hernandez9 said:My professor claims this only happens in Canada and Turkey.🙂

I've heard that Turkey isn't a bad choice. As for Canada, I recall there being some history there, though I'm not entirely certain if they were ever fully independent... Do you happen to know anything more about that option?

Well, there is medical and surgical critical care in the US... but those are strictly the domains of intensivists, who aren't anesthesiologists, let alone internists. In our system, anesthesiologists are truly masters of the ICU, though it isn't impossible for internists to be skilled too, especially if the two departments are physically far apart—say, in separate buildings.
I was a bit confused by that mention of Switzerland earlier... when I used the term "emergentology," I was referring to that funny new label Americans coined because laypeople kept asking them when they’d specialize, even though they've had an emergency medicine specialty for about 30 years now 😁. I meant that specific type of residency, not the one we have here. As a student, I'm actually enjoying my shifts in the ER—the way things work here—but once I graduate, it doesn't sound all that appealing...

My apologies, I had a momentary lapse in memory while typing, sorry, truly...

Raynaud's is essentially a functional disorder where the small arteries undergo spasms. It primarily affects the vessels in the extremities, such as the hands and feet... This manifests as skin color changes ranging from pale to bluish, and eventually to red... These episodes are typically triggered by exposure to cold or emotional stress. For most people, there aren't severe consequences, though in rare cases, the restricted blood flow—ischemia—can cause skin damage, leading to atrophy or even ulcers. It is important to distinguish between the condition itself and the phenomenon, which is often just a symptom of an underlying issue, frequently autoimmune in nature. The clinical presentation remains the same.

Hmm... based on what you’ve described, this might be more than just an allergy. It could be Raynaud's or even some kind of underlying condition... it would be wise to have a doctor look into it, if they haven't already...

I realize this might be a bit of a tangent from the usual forum topics, but I’m assuming the most knowledgeable people are gathered here...
So, does anyone know if there are specific residency programs for emergency medicine or intensive care located in Europe? I'm looking into whether subspecialization is even an option there...
To be clear, I don't mean anesthesia with an intensive care focus or a potential sub-specialty under that umbrella.
Last year, there was some talk back home about specialized emergency training, but it felt more like pre-hospital training—almost at a paramedic level of knowledge and skill, with a heavy emphasis on 👎
It's a tricky subject to navigate, but I would be incredibly grateful if anyone could share some coherent information. Even if it's just a rough idea, I'd appreciate it. 😁

But if you’re interested, we can certainly discuss it; there’s no need to be suffering from aplastic anemia to have a conversation about it