Clinics in occupational and environmental medicine
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The human hand is one of the most amazing instruments we possess. Ligament injuries to the hand and wrist are common occupational injuries. ⋯ When these injuries are discovered late, not only does treatment become more difficult but also traumatic arthritis frequently develops. A brief anatomic description follows each of the most common ligament sprains and strains of the hand and wrist and their evaluation and treatment.
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Clin Occup Environ Med · Jan 2006
ReviewUse of medications in the treatment of acute low back pain.
The prescription of medications continues to be one of the mainstays of treatment of acute low back pain episodes. The goals of the pharmacologic treatment for acute low back are reduction of pain and return of normal function. Often, nociception is a result of secondary inflammation and muscle spasm after acute injury of a structure of the spine, which may include muscle, tendon, ligament, disc, or bone. An understanding of the appropriate use of medications to address the underlying pain generator and the current evidence for using these medications is essential for any physician who sees and treats patients with acute low back pain.
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Work-related upper extremity burns often occur. The cause directs the course of action. Thermal burns should be assessed for system alterations, and depth of burn should be determined. ⋯ Some chemical burns, such as those that involve phenols and metal fragments, require specific topical applications before water lavage. Hydrofluoric acid burns can cause life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities with a small, highly concentrated acid burn. The goal with any extremity burn is to provide the patient with a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve a functional, usable extremity.
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The use of tobacco can be traced back to ancient times. Its popularity grew exponentially during the twentieth century, surging during wartime and with the advent of mass media. The tobacco industry in the United States has been under constant legal pressure during the past 40 years. Despite the well-known and continually increasing morbidity and mortality related to smoking, it continues to be a prominent feature in worldwide culture and health.
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Clin Occup Environ Med · Jan 2006
ReviewExposure to airborne particulate matter in the ambient, indoor, and occupational environments.
Exposure to airborne particulate matter results in various adverse health effects. Unlike other pollutants, such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen, for which there is significant exposure, particulate matter exposure is much more complex because it is not a single chemical species or even a limited number of chemical species. ⋯ People are exposed to particles in the ambient environment, in indoor spaces, and in the occupational environment. This article reviews the information available on the concentrations of particulate matter and its composition in these general environmental categories.