Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række
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Delirium, «acute confusional state», is a frequent and serious complication of acute illness, particularly in the elderly. The strain on the patient, the next of kin and the health service is considerable. The purpose of the article is to provide healthcare personnel who deal with delirium with updated information about the condition. ⋯ Detection and treatment of triggering causes must have high priority in case of delirium. Non-drug interventions are most important to prevent and treat the condition.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Feb 2013
ReviewCardiopulmonary resuscitation in palliative care cancer patients.
The criteria for refraining from cardiopulmonary resuscitation in palliative care cancer patients are based on patients' right to refuse treatment and the duty of the treating personnel not to exacerbate their suffering and not to administer futile treatment. When is cardiopulmonary resuscitation futile in these patients? ⋯ Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is futile for in-hospital cancer patients with widespread incurable disease and poor performance status.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Feb 2013
Review[Microneurography and research on peripheral neuropathic pain].
Microneurography is a neurophysiological technique which enables recording from single peripheral nerve fibres in persons who are awake. The method is only used in research. We discuss how microneurography has been used to map nerve-fibre functions under normal circumstances and in chronic pain conditions. ⋯ In the longer term we hope that research using microneurography will help to reveal mechanisms of direct importance for the development of targeted treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring has become increasingly important in interventions involving risk of damage to the nervous system. We aim to provide an overview of possibilities and limitations on the use of intraoperative neurophysiological methods. ⋯ Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is dependent on good cooperation between neurophysiologists, surgeons, anaesthetists and the other specialities involved.
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Perinatal asphyxia can cause serious illness or death. By taking steps in the «latent phase», which occurs 6-24 hours after the hypoxic event, the neurological damage caused by perinatal asphyxia can be limited. We wish to present a selection of such measures that are either established treatment today or that appear promising. ⋯ The efficacy of xenon gas, erythropoeitin and allopurinol in combination with the established treatment form of hypothermia must be studied more closely. Antioxidants, stem cell treatment and DNA repair mechanisms can pave the way for new opportunities in the future.