The American journal of emergency medicine
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The COVID pandemic, which has caused high mortality rates worldwide, has mainly affected the working environment of healthcare workers. Metabolic and respiratory changes occur in healthcare workers working with surgical masks. ⋯ Regular and long-term use of surgical masks does not harm the body metabolically and respiratorily.
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Case Reports
Recurrent abdominal pain visits to the emergency department: A case report using the Central Sensitization Inventory.
Chronic pain conditions are among the most common complaints seen in the emergency department (ED). Exacerbations of these conditions are often approached as one would an acute painful condition, with liberal use of imaging, labs, and analgesics. This patient population is often prescribed short courses of opioids without a definite explanation for their painful episodes and often leave the ED dissatisfied with their experience. ⋯ Upon further review of his previous records, we noted that this patient experienced many similar events, resulting in 46 imaging studies over the past year. At this point, the patient was given the Central Sensitization Inventory, and his score demonstrated severe underlying central sensitization. The patient was counseled about his condition and provided with appropriate follow-up care.
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Observational Study
The incidence of self-harm ingestions in adolescents and young adults at a tertiary care center between January 2019-March 2022.
There has been an increasing incidence of self-harm attempts in recent years in the United States. Particularly concerning, there has been a growing trend of self-harm in the adolescent and young adult population. In order to inform initiatives to address this trend, risk factors and substances used for self-harm need to be clarified. ⋯ There was a persistent increase in self-harm attempts via poisoning throughout the study period with a particularly vulnerable period in the adolescent age group.
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Spontaneous bladder rupture, while rare, carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Here, we describe a case report of spontaneous bladder rupture in a patient initially presenting with foley malfunction. Despite foley replacement, the patient continued to endorse abdominal pain and clinically deteriorate, thus raising our suspicion for possible bladder rupture. Recognizing and understanding the different variations of spontaneous bladder rupture is paramount for timely appropriate intervention.