Click on this if you remember how...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21551513/

Let me know what you think

val.

Path/Pharm Endocrine

Woo Hoo! I am sooooooo glad we are studying the endocrine system this week! There is no end to my undiluted joy with just thinking about the system that gives us those oh so interesting hormones. I feel so sorry for those of you poor things that missed class this week. You'll never get that time back, I pity you.



Your assignment for this week:

You are to create a SOAP note for a diabetic patient. Make sure you address the effects of the diabetes mellitus and the medications/side effects and how you need to modify your basic massage to accomadate this patients' needs. As for medications, it's your choice as to what your patient is taking; oral antidiabetic meds or insulin (MDI, pump, inhaler).

Just for review:

S = subjective information, this is what the patient tells you

O = objective information, this is what you observe

A = this is what you have done based on the subjective and objective info; the massage provided and the results

P= this is the plan, how often are you to see this patient? what techniques will you use next time? etc.

Don't get to bogged down on this. Give me a call or mail if you start to pull out your hair.



The glands/hormones involved in this week's lesson:

posterior pituitary/ADH

anterior pituitary/ACTH

anterior pituitary/HGH

anterior pituitary/TSH

Pineal/Melatonin

Thyroid/T3 and T4

Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)/Glucagon

Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)/Insulin



Medication use in Diabetes Mellitus:

Insulin and/or oral medications

Glucophage
Glucotrol
Amiryl
DiaBeta
Byetta (all are po meds but this one)

Insulin
Multiple daily doses
pump
inhaler

And our pathologies for this week:
Acromegaly
Cushing's Disease
Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes Mellitus
Goiter
Graves' Disease
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoglycemia
Seasonal Affective Disorder

That's it. I am truly sorry and I crawl on my knees begging your forgiveness that this is all we need to know this week. With the Endocrine system being soooooooooooo interesting I know we will all be suffering a giant hole in our intellect because of this.

Next week, it's gonna be boring. Just the cardiovascular/immune system. Nothing of any consequence going on there, really.

cya,
val.

Nervous Pathologies

Okay gang. Sorry about the delay. Here's your essay assignment for the week:

A two page report regarding one of the pathologies addressed in "Additinal Resources" in the back of the chapter. Define the pathology and describe how massage would/would not be beneficial for those suffering from the pathology. Utilize the web sites listed as your main source of information.

Pathologies:
Alzheimer's Disease
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Conjunctivitis
Glaucoma
Concussion
Multiple Sclerosis
Nerve Compression
Nerve Entrapment
Neuropathy
Bell's Palsy
Cerebral Palsy
Paraplegia
Hemiplegia
Quadriplegia
Parkinson's Disease
Sciatica
Seizure Disorder (Epilepsy)
Stroke (CVA)
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Mental/Emotional disorders
Acute or generalized anxiety disorders
Dementia
Depression
Substance abuse
Neurological symptoms
Hyperesthesia
Insomnia
Vertigo

Give me a call if you need me.
val.

MSNBC article

Here's an article from MSNBC about how massage is used in the treatment of injuries. There is a good side show with the story, check it out.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19190927/

More on the MRSA situation

That which does not kill me, only serves to make me stronger.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/10/20/superbug.ART_ART_10-20-07_A1_MT881Q7.html?sid=101

National Institute of Health www.nih.gov
check it out

val

Which way is sideways?

Thank you so very much, Lorissa, for filling in for me at the last minute. You walked into what I'm sure was an unorganized mess (to you) and handled the situation with great ease. You're such a pro. Again, thank you.

As for my students, please monitor the blog for updates. As soon as I retrieve my notebook, I will post the essay and pathologies for ya. Of course you can call or email me as needed. It appears that I will be home for the weekend (doctor's orders) and I will be bored. Since I love to talk about gooey and gross things, calling and asking questions of me would lift my spirit and give me something to do.

Thank you for your good thoughts
val.

And, least we should forget...

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/oct0507avian.html

I'm still waiting for this one. In fact, I'm still waiting for Monkey Pox! They promised me I would come down with deadly Monkey Pox way back in 2001! Geesh, some people...
Again, let me know what you think.
val.

More on MRSA

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C303237%2C00.html

More info on MRSA. Please note, halfway down the page is a link to the CDC's MRSA page. There is some very interesting facts there. Check it out and let me know what you think.
val.

ps. Wash your hands!

MRSA on the rise

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21359317/from/RS.1

There's a fungus among us!

Check this out:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21312664/

Breathe deep!
val.

Musculoskeletal System Stuff

Excellent week in Path! The essays that were turned in regarding melanoma and other skin cancers were fantastic. I am proud of you. This week we had fun studying the musculoskeletal system. And, the books came in! Hooray!

The essay: Each student is to pick a medication from the list in Table 4-2. The student is to research and turn in a one and a half page report on which musculoskeletal diseases are treated using that medication. The paper should address the function of the particular medication and how that medication and/or disease might affect massage considerations. You may use any sources for your research but keep in mind:
1. cite your sources
2. you need at least one source that is not your text book

The pathologies: I'm including these this week because not everyone got the info from class. The path's we went over are:
Ankylosing spondylitis
Atrophy
Baker's cyst
Bunion
Bursitis
Contracture
Dislocation
Fibromyalgia
Fractures
Gout
Headaches
Herniated disk
Kyphosis
Lordosis
Muscle spasm
Muscular dystrophy
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Plantar fasciitis
Repetitive strain injury
Rheumatoid arthritis
Scoliosis
Separation
Shin splints
Spasticity
Spondylolisthesis
Sprain
Strain
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Tendonitis
Torticolis
Whiplash

Also included in this week's lesson were:
Pain medications (Aspirin, Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, Narcotic Analgesics, Muscle relaxants, Corticosteroids) - handout
Terms that are not in the path book but are addressed in Tortora (handout)

Give me a call if you need clarification on anything.
val.

The incredible appendix

I was having a conversation the other day with someone I work with and the topic of the "appy" came up. We couldn't decide what, exactly, was the function of this worm-like structure located in the LLQ. Since we couldn't come to an agreement we decided to move the convo onto more important things like split ends or something. Imagine my suprise when this morning I came across this story. You're right. I wasn't exactly suprised, but more amused. Read on:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21153898/

Let me know what you think.

val.

This week's essay...

I was so impressed by the critical question papers I have seen so far. Wow! It's amazing when you stop to think about what slobs we are. But, before you run out and buy bleach and antibacterial soap, just remember, your routines are just that... yours. You and your families have been doing these things for years and most of the time you have not been ill. I suggest just a little more hand washing but for the most part I wouldn't have any qualms accepting a dinner invitation from any of you.



This week I need you to this for part of your homework:

Short essay: Students search the American Cancer Society web site for information about skin cancer. Students should write a one page report on the differences between melanoma and non melanoma skin cancers, including their characteristics, methods of detection and risk factors.

http://www.cancer.org/



Have fun. Give me a call or shoot me a mail if you get freaked out or bogged down.



val.