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
Clinical approach to visceral pain in irritable bowel syndrome - pathophysiology, symptoms, and treatment.
Visceral pain has been defined as a pain resulting from activation of pain receptors localized in mucous membrane, serous membrane, and smooth muscles of hollow organs. The great majority of these organs are innervated by parasympathetic and sympathetic outflows. Afferent nerve fibres are involved in conduction of both acute and persistent pain and hyperalgesia. ⋯ For example, the complex therapy of pain and other manifestations associated with irritable bowel syndrome include psychotherapy/behavioural therapy, bulk-forming agents, probiotics, laxatives, antidiarrheals, antibacterial agents, antispasmodics, and antidepressants. The current knowledge about the pathogenesis of visceral pain gives a rationale for the development of new, more efficacious drugs with a positive benefit/risk ratio. Unfortunately, experience gained so far with the use of some agents affecting serotoninergic transmission in the gastrointestinal tract have shown a serious danger associated with their administration for patients with irritable bowel syndrome.