Health

The moral destruction of ICU nurses

Maybe we can take a deep breath — and breathe out slowly. Perhaps we can check our pulse. Go on that vacation far away or visit a beach and watch the crashing waves. Listen to the seagulls, the breeze, the blue skies. And turn our cell phones off. But as an ICU nurse who loved Read more… The moral destruction of ICU nurses originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, Conditions, COVID-19 Coronavirus

CDC updates indoor mask guidance

Due to emerging science about transmission in vaccinated people, the CDC now recommends all teachers and students wear masks in school, and that people living in COVID-19 hotspots, or areas of the country with large outbreaks, wear masks indoors, CDC officials said on Tuesday. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, attributed this updated guidance to new science Read more… CDC updates indoor mask guidance originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Cdc, Infectious Disease, Conditions, COVID-19 Coronavirus, Rochelle Walensky MD

Health care workers betrayed: Mask mandates were lifted too early

A year ago, I started writing.  I wrote to process what I had seen and done and to prepare for what I knew was to come.  It was inevitable.  Humans would return to their normal activities, and despite mine and so many others’ advice, would do so without utilizing mitigating behaviors or respect for others.  Read more… Health care workers betrayed: Mask mandates were lifted too early originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, Conditions, COVID-19 Coronavirus

A new vaccine emoji to get more COVID-19 shots into arms

A public health expert and a web developer have created a new digital communication tool to get more COVID-19 shots into arms — a vaccine emoji. Social media users have been using the syringe, microbe, or mask emoji in their posts to talk about the pandemic. The new vaccine emoji, however, will display a flexing Read more… A new vaccine emoji to get more COVID-19 shots into arms originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, Conditions, COVID-19 Coronavirus

Education is the key to moving past the pandemic

Our country is seventeen months into a pandemic that we have an effective vaccine for, and yet, COVID-19 cases are still rising at an alarming rate.  Currently, this dramatic acceleration in cases is evident in several states. Furthermore, these areas with high numbers of COVID-19 case rates are associated with low vaccination rates. These unfortunate Read more… Education is the key to moving past the pandemic originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, Conditions, COVID-19 Coronavirus

The horror of keeping a loved one alive at all costs

He was in his ICU bed without movement or brain stem involvement. His weight was down to 90 pounds. His six-foot frame and skeletal body made me gasp. After countless sessions with the patient’s daughter to make her 92-year-old dad “comfort care,” the intensivist sadly hung his head down low. The daughter insisted on doing Read more… The horror of keeping a loved one alive at all costs originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Conditions, Critical Care

Menopause changes women’s singing voices

Singing during the years around menopause can bring unforeseen challenges for some women. To Elaine, a 56-year-old professional singer and voice teacher, her voice has felt like a mystery for the last few years. Her vibrato was wider than it used to be, her usual songs didn’t feel good anymore, and her flexibility and agility Read more… Menopause changes women’s singing voices originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Elaine, Conditions, Otolaryngology

Teens need later school start times

Daily cries from parents, pediatricians, the press, and the public to reopen schools in the fall are certainly well-intentioned, but they are overlooking a critical opportunity to advance adolescent physical and mental health long after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Delaying school start times for teens by an hour, or even two, could optimize a Read more… Teens need later school start times originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Pediatrics, Conditions

JAMA retracts controversial masks study

A controversial study suggesting that masks may harm children by exposing them to high carbon dioxide levels was retracted on Friday. The research letter released in JAMA Pediatrics on June 30 had reported unacceptably high levels of carbon dioxide by German standards in air inside masks worn by children in a laboratory environment. In the retraction notice, the journal editors Read more… JAMA retracts controversial masks study originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, JAMA, Conditions, COVID-19 Coronavirus

During COVID, older patients stopped going to the doctor. Here’s how to change that.

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out last year, Helen (not her real name) took all the right steps to protect herself. The 74-year-old self-isolated, wore a face mask, and practiced social distancing. Helen stayed safe from the virus during this time, but she put her health at risk in another way: for nearly two years, Read more… During COVID, older patients stopped going to the doctor. Here’s how to change that. originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, Helen, Conditions, Geriatrics, COVID-19 Coronavirus

The memories of a nurse’s old car

Today. Finally, a day off. I could oversleep, roll out of bed, then make a pot of coffee — and prepare for a “do nothing” day. But today is the day. After dealing with more electrical problems on this 160,000-mile-plus car, I will say goodbye, turn in the keys, and walk away. This car holds Read more… The memories of a nurse’s old car originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Conditions, Cardiology

When air hurts and becomes the harshest invader

Wood art When Air Hurts When the Lung Repulses Air When Air Becomes the Harshest Invader When Air Is Heavier Than Mountains This work was inspired by my father and many other patients who were struggling to breathe. The soft, unnoticeable air suddenly becomes a palpable matter wildly invading the walls of the respiratory system, Read more… When air hurts and becomes the harshest invader originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Conditions, Pulmonology

A case for changing the way we talk about obesity

You are finger. No, I have fingers. You are leg. No, I have legs. You are pancreas. No, I have a pancreas. You are fat. Hmm … Now let’s try this with disease processes: You are diabetes. No, I have diabetes. You are cancer. No, I have cancer. You are anorexia. No, I have anorexia. Read more… A case for changing the way we talk about obesity originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Obesity, Conditions

Tips to help you overcome your pandemic bad habits

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S., and states issued stay-at-home orders, many people vowed to use their time at home positively, learning new skills, virtually volunteering, and getting into shape. Now, more than a year into the pandemic, many of those plans to better ourselves have fallen by the wayside, and people have Read more… Tips to help you overcome your pandemic bad habits originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, Conditions, COVID-19 Coronavirus

A resignation letter to my patients: How do I leave you well?

Before I walk into clinic, I already know their response if I submitted my resignation letter today. I hear it monthly from multiple patients who have no reason to believe I’m leaving: “You aren’t going to leave too, are you?” “It took us years to get here after the last doctor left.” “Please promise me Read more… A resignation letter to my patients: How do I leave you well? originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Primary Care, Conditions

Pay attention to the mental health of medical trainees during COVID-19

In recent years, the medical community has recognized that burnout — a sense of exhaustion, loss of motivation, and growing cynicism — is prevalent among physicians and other medical providers. We’ve also learned that stress and burnout are experienced by medical trainees: the students, residents, and fellows who are learning the ropes of medicine and Read more… Pay attention to the mental health of medical trainees during COVID-19 originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Psychiatry, Conditions

Stop the spread of vaccine disinformation: a story in pictures

Emily Watters is a physician who explains vaccine disinformation and how it spreads (click to enlarge): Emily Watters is a psychiatrist and can be reached at The Cartoon Shrink. Image credits: Emily Watters Stop the spread of vaccine disinformation: a story in pictures originally appeared in KevinMD.com.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, Conditions, COVID-19 Coronavirus, Emily Watters

After COVID, now my soul can rest a little easier

I had been searching for a year. Because of the pandemic, despite the pandemic and to heal from the pandemic. Finally in May this year, I was gifted what seemed to have become an impossible task. I messaged the hospital manager: “The trees have arrived. I’ll come by later in the week to chat about Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Infectious Disease, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA, COVID-19 Coronavirus

We need to do better: Caring for patients after cancer treatment

The number of cancer survivors currently in the U.S. is around 15 million. With the rapid advancement of improved treatments and early detection, this number is expected to increase to over 20 million by 2026. I am lucky enough to be one of the survivors, now fourteen years out from my diagnosis of cervical cancer. Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Conditions, PA NP, Oncology/Hematology, CRNA

Nothing prepared me for telehealth’s nightmare

The orders from the state seemed to come suddenly, although we all knew we would have to adjust our methods of treating our clients, the news wasn’t good, and seeing anyone in person was treacherous since many still thought it was a hoax and they didn’t believe they needed to be cautious.  Some would wear Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Psychiatry, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA

How I accepted hair loss at 19

I will never forget the first time my thinning hairline hit me in the face with an openhanded, five-finger slap. It was in February of 2014, the spring semester of my freshman year in (undergraduate) college. I was only 19 at the time. A then-football teammate of mine and I had placed a bet on Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Dermatology, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA

The angel of Angelman syndrome

If they had asked me to make a wish before I met him, it might have very possibly been for eternal happiness. I’d wish for happiness that floods the air with endless melodies and makes the soul sing, just like how a Disney princess. But I had met him first, and he redefined some of Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Disney, Genetics, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA

Medical gaslighting due to weight stigma and bias is harmful: a viral TikTok study

“We need to stop weight shaming people & not make them fearful of seeing a Dr., but we also need to find a supportive way to talk about obesity.” – TikTok commenter “You’ve got to get on TikTok,” everyone kept saying. Launching a web-based life and weight coaching platform for teens, I begrudgingly decided it Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Obesity, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA

Being the angel of death during a pandemic

I was looking forward to March 2020. My boyfriend and I had a long-awaited vacation to Aruba we were looking forward to. Everything is packed, plans are finalized, and the world shuts down three days before our trip. Frustrated, we refuse to believe that a “virus” is worthy of shutting the world down. “What’s the Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Aruba, Conditions, PA NP, Critical Care, CRNA, COVID-19 Coronavirus

The emotional impact of menopause on women

You’ve heard of the emotional impact of menopause on women, but did you know that it can also cause anxiety and depression? Mental health is a topic that many people don’t want to discuss due to concerns of stigma, fear, and perceived repercussions of the diagnosis. However, if this topic is raised with compassion and Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Conditions, OB/GYN, PA NP, CRNA

The connection between mental health and what we eat

There is a connection between mental health and what we eat. Food can be a surrogate for our emotional needs. We could say that you are what you eat, but the truth is more complicated than that. Our food habits often mirror how we’re doing emotionally-whether it’s as simple as eating when we’re hungry or Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Psychiatry, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA

Can personality tests make you a better doctor?

Back in medical school, during a first-year retreat, our whole class did the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) psychometric test, supposedly to help us learn what field of medicine might be the best fit for our unique combination of characteristics. It was the first time I’d done a formalized personality assessment, and it felt like something Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Psychiatry, Conditions, PA NP, Myers Briggs Type Indicator MBTI, CRNA

Language is a barrier for many patients. Let’s change that.

My role as a care coordinator for a local mobile health clinic — the mobile outreach clinic (MOC) — comes with responsibilities seldomly awarded to an undergraduate, 20-year old, volunteer student. MOC is unique in that it not only provides free, low-barrier, patient-centered primary care, but it also assigns patients to volunteer care coordinators. Care Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Primary Care, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA

I bought into the stigmas about the mentally ill, until I became one of them

The first thing someone says when I tell them I have bipolar, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is, “I’m sorry.” For a long time, I was sorry too. Bipolar runs in my family, so I knew the harsh realities of this untreated illness. A family member faked his own death after a counterfeiting spending spree. My Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Psychiatry, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA

Today is the day you’ll have to die

She was listless in bed with agonal breathing — only 63 years old. Before stage 4 colon cancer claimed my mother, she chose to come home to her house … her bedroom, where she’d stare out her window at the dogwood trees that symbolized the blood of Jesus. A once-vibrant Italian Catholic and mother of Read more… Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Learn more.
Tags: Health, Jesus, Palliative Care, Conditions, PA NP, CRNA