Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM
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The elderly are more susceptible to feeling pain than young people. Pain is described as a complex, subjective feeling causing significant limitation of physical, psychical and social functioning. In the literature, there are many classifications of pain. ⋯ In the pharmacological treatment of old people there are also non-opioid pain relieving medicine, opioids and supportive medicine. Among non-pharmacological treatments are rehabilitation and psychological therapy. In pain treatment, awareness among the elderly, their families and carers, and medical staff that the pain is not an attribute of old age; thus, it can be correctly diagnosed and treated.
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Ann Agric Environ Med · Jan 2013
Professional communication competences of paramedics--practical and educational perspectives.
Dissonance between the high 'technical' competences of medical professionals, including paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMT), and the relatively low level of patient satisfaction with care received, is a phenomenon observed in many countries. Many studies show that it occurs in the case of an inadequate interpersonal communication between medical professionals and patients. The primary goal of the presented research was evaluation of the level (study of the state) of communication competences of paramedics, and determination of the factors on which this level depends. An additional goal was analysis of the needs and educational possibilities within the existing models of education in the area of interpersonal communication provided by higher medical education institutions. ⋯ Methods of evaluating communication competences are useful in constructing group and individual programmes focused on specific communication competences, rather than on general communication skills.
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Ann Agric Environ Med · Jan 2013
ReviewChemical exposure early in life and the neurodevelopment of children--an overview of current epidemiological evidence.
A number of chemicals have been shown to demonstrate neurotoxic effects either in human or laboratory animal studies. This article aims at evaluating the impact of exposure to several chemicals including: organophosphate, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury and lead on the neurodevelopment of children by reviewing the most recent published literature, and answer the question whether any progress has been made in the epidemiology of the neurodevelopment of children induced by exposure to those chemicals. The result of the presented studies show that exposure to the above-mentioned chemicals may impair the neurodevelopment of children. ⋯ Concerning the covariates and confounders affecting the endpoints in most of the presented studies, confounders were included in data analysis. In order to recognize the early cognitive, motor and language outcomes of chemical exposures, well standardized tools were used for evaluating the neurodevelopmental effects and offer an early and fairly comprehensive measure of child development. Because the neurotoxicants may cross the placenta and the fetal brain, exposure consideration regarding the reduction of exposure to those chemicals should be implemented.
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Ann Agric Environ Med · Jan 2013
Case ReportsAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the course of influenza A/H1N1v infection--genetic aspects.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by viruses belonging to the family Ortomyxoviridae. Among the influenza viruses type A, B and C, the A type virus shows the most pathogenic potential. ⋯ The case is described of a male patient with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in the course of influenza A/N1H1v infection, confirmed by virological molecular analysis. During diagnostic procedures based on the MSSCP genotyping it was observed that the WHO recommended RT-PCR kits and/or procedure of sample collection from patients for molecular investigation could lead to false positive A/H1N1 pandemic strain detection because of the co-amplification during the RT-PCR fragments of the human genome.
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Ann Agric Environ Med · Jan 2013
Do inflammatory factors play a significant role in etiopathogenesis of endometrial cysts? Part 1.
Endometriosis is an estrogen-related chronic condition which consists in the implantation and growth of endometrial cells outside the uterine cavity. It has an immune and inflammatory background, and to-date the precise etiopathogenesis of endometrial cysts has not been unequivocally defined. The objective of the study was evaluation of the indicators of the inflammatory state, including RANTES and the levels of C-reactive protein, leukocytes, fibrinogen and iron in the blood serum of patients with endometrial cysts (n=48) and benign ovarian tumours of mature teratoma type (n=38). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test. The p values p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. ⋯ Statistically significant differences were observed in the levels of WBC, fibrynogen and CA-125 in blood serum. Therefore, the role of the inflammatory factor in the etiopathogenesis of endometrial cysts still remains unexplained, and the presented study may emerge as pioneer investigations in the area of etiology of endometriosis.