How to make a doctor’s visit easier for kids

Doctor’s visit can be really scary for children. Many adults avoid the doctor’s office because of the fear that their kids have.

Here are some helpful tips for making a visit to the doctor’s office as comfortable for your child as possible:

Warn you child about the visit. Telling your little one beforehand will give them time to mentally prepare. It will also teach them to trust you. You don’t have to tell them a week before, the night or the morning before should be fine.

Explain the purpose of the visit. Let your child know that the doctor is looking to see how they are growing, or if they are sick. Tell them the doctor will try helping them to feel better.

Walk them through what will happen. Tell them the doctor will look in their eyes and ears and listen to their heart beat. If they need shots too, let them know that too.

Read some books about other children going to the doctor. Your child will benefit from books that put them at ease. Books help them to know that it’s a normal part of life, and every child goes through the same thing.

Make sure your child is well rested. Schedule the appointment for a time of day when your child is generally happy. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep.

Arrive early. Your children will feel more comfortable if they aren’t rushed and get comfortable with the doctor’s office. Many offices have toys, fish tanks and interesting things for your kids to look at.

Concentrate on the good. Explain to them that your doctor’s office gives stickers or a sweetie for good behaviour. You could also promise and outing afterwards, like to the library or the park.

Shots, nurses and exam rooms aren’t exactly a fun field trip for your kids, but these tips can make a visit to the doctor a lot less painful for you and your child.

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What equipment do you need for a veterinary clinic?

Did you know that a veterinary hospital is very similar to a human hospital? An animal hospital requires equipment used by radiologists, ultra-sonographers, dentists, orthodontists, pathologists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, surgeons including orthopaedic surgeons.

Here are some of the things you will find at a regular practice.

Autoclave
An autoclave is used to sterilise surgical instruments. These instruments are very similar to those used in human surgery.

Dental Base for Scale and Polishing
This is used to scale and polish your pet’s teeth just like the dentist would do for you.

Doppler Machine
A Doppler is a machine that can measure a patient’s blood pressure as well as being used to assist in monitoring a patient’s anaesthetic.

Endoscope
The endoscope enables vet’s to look down into the oesophagus and stomach as well as the trachea.

Fluid Pumps
Did you know that if your pet is put on intravenous fluids, it is the same kind of fluid used for humans.

Pathology Laboratory
Vets are able to perform various pathology tests, such as blood and urine tests using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.

Blood Pressure Meter
The measurement of an animal’s blood pressure (BP) has a wide range of applications in veterinary medicine.

Radiography Machine
Radiographs or x-rays are a non-invasive way to look at your pet’s tissues, bones and organs.

If you’re starting a new veterinary practice, expanding your clinic or just taking things to a new level, 

you need to know exactly what equipment you need and why you need it.

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Surgical Instrument Trays: Making an Informed Choice

When working with specific medical procedures it is convenient to have everything you need all in one easy to access tray. Surgical instrument trays are designed with just this in mind, easy access to the basic and advanced instruments and medical equipment supplies you need to treat the patient. There are several different styles and designs of surgical trays allowing you to choose the one that is right in the particular surgical theatre or treatment area.

One very popular style of surgical instrument tray is the stand type. The stand itself is adjustable so you can locate the tray right at the level you need it to be at for easy access to the materials. These instrument stands with the trays are typically made of stainless steel, which is very easy to clean and sterilize. The tray itself is fully removable from the stand allowing for easy tray preparation and cleaning as needed. The stand and tray are designed to be tip resistant with braces that prevent the stand from tipping forward with the weight of the tray or with pressure on the tray itself.

A perforated instrument tray is a must in the operating room, with the small holes along the bottom and sides allowing for immediate cleaning and drying of instruments and equipment. The trays typically have a slightly raised or rolled bead to prevent the supplies from sliding or being knocked off the edge of the tray. Easy to clean and sterilize these trays are durable and long lasting, resistant to any type of damage and most types of wear. Drying trays, which come in a wide variety of sizes, have a flat, solid bottom and sides and are very practical to store, clean and use in any type of operating or treatment room.

Surgical instrument trays may also be designed with a much taller and more pronounced side or edge. This type of tray can be covered to keep items sterile and clean prior to the procedure. The covered tray is also important for being able to stack and store surgical materials when not in use. The deeper design of the covered trays allows larger equipment and instruments to be secured and maintained than the shorter sided drying trays. Like the other types of trays there are different sizes in covered styles, each with a corresponding cover.

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Ultrasounds Explained

Do you know what an ultrasound is, and what it is used for? Well, it is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images from inside your body.

An ultrasound scan will allow your doctor to see problems with organs, vessels and tissues – without needing to make an incision.

Why is an ultrasound performed? No, it’s not just for pregnant women, the test has many other uses.

Your doctor may suggest an ultrasound if you are experiencing pain, swelling, or other symptoms that require an internal view of your organs.

An ultrasounds can provide a view of your:

- Bladder
- Brain
- Eyes
- Gallbladder
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Ovaries
- Uterus
- Blood vessels

An ultrasound is also a useful way to guide surgeon’s movements during certain medical procedures, such as a biopsy.

There will be some steps to take in order to prepare for an ultrasound, but it all depends on the area or organ that is being examined.

Your doctor may tell you not to eat for eight to 12 hours before your ultrasound. For an examination of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas or spleen, you may be told to eat a fat-free meal the night before your test.

Always be sure to tell your doctor about any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements that you have taken before the ultrasound.

Luckily, an ultrasound carries no risks at all. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, they use no radiation, that’s why they are the best method for examining a fetus during pregnancy.

After the ultrasound scan, your doctor will review the images and check for any abnormalities. If your doctor is able to diagnose your condition based on your ultrasound, you can then begin treatment immediately!

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19 Strange Ancient Medical Treatments You Won't Believe Existed

Historical documents show us that our ancestors had fairly good knowledge about injuries and illnesses. However, some of the treatment methods that they used were questionable to say the least. Take a look at a few strange, unbelievable, and unconventional medical treatments used by people of yore, some of which you won't believe are followed even today.

Bloodletting
According to ancient medical practitioners, the body was made of four primary substances―yellow bile, black bile, phlegm, and blood―and maintaining a balance between the four was the key to the body's health. Therefore, people suffering from all sorts of ailments were often diagnosed as having too much blood. To cure the problem, the doctor would simply cut a vein and drain some blood out into a bowl. Although such a treatment could easily lead to death with a little carelessness, the practice of bloodletting continued well into the 19th century, with even barbers offering such services along with shaves and haircuts. The treatment was stopped when it was finally proved that it was doing more harm than good. However, in rare cases, controlled bloodletting is still practiced today through the use of leeches.

Mercury
Today, most of us know that mercury is highly toxic for our body. However, this element was once considered one of the most effective medications for a wide range of health issues. Mercury was given to patients to drink or to apply on their bodies as an ointment, by the ancient Persians and Greeks. The Chinese used mercury compounds in the belief that it would provide increased vitality and a long life. Till the end of the 19th century, the metal was also used to cure STDs. Unsurprisingly, many patients died from kidney and liver damage caused by mercury poisoning.

Cannibalistic Medication
In ancient times, consumption of the remains of a dead person was thought to increase vitality. People suffering from headaches, boils, cramps, etc., were often prescribed potions containing human blood, bones, or flesh. The ancient Romans would grind up mummies that they had looted from Egypt, and add their powder to various medications. This gruesome practice continued well into the 17th century, where the British King Charles II was rumored to drink a brew made of alcohol and powdered human skulls.

Bee Venom Treatment
A practice that continues till today, bee venom has been used for hundreds of years to cure issues such as herpes, arthritis, and rheumatism. Doctors would deliberately get honey bees to sting the patient near the nose and mouth, to cure them of many diseases. However, there has been no scientific evidence so far to support this cure.

Maggot Therapy
Usually used for surgical wounds which would not heal, maggot therapy has been used almost throughout human history. The method of treatment involved placing live maggots onto open wounds, which would go on to eat the dead tissue, facilitating healing. The surprising thing is that this treatment is gradually regaining popularity amongst modern doctors.

Lobotomies
One of the most controversial medical practices in human history, this treatment method even won its inventor a Nobel Prize. Used for curing problems such as schizophrenia or even anxiety and depression, this treatment was very popular until the 1930s. The treatment method consisted of pushing a needle or a pick through the back of the eye socket, and moving it around to get to the right part of the brain, occasionally resulting in brain damage. By the time the cure was phased out in the 1950s, over 70,000 people had undergone the procedure. A similar procedure called lobectomy is practiced nowadays to treat cases of epilepsy.

Eating Live Fish
In India, a family has been administering live fish to patients suffering from asthma, for more than 150 years. The treatment involves, slipping a small, live fish along with a ball of secret medication down the patient's throat. This has to be followed by a strict diet for the following 45 days. Despite there being no scientific credibility to this treatment, more than half a million people opt for this cure each year.

Cures for Disobedient Children
During the 19th century, people were probably too tired of handling bratty disobedient children. Which is why a number of 'soothing syrups and lozenges' were created to calm the troublesome children. The only problem with the products, however, was that they contained a large amount of narcotics including morphine, chloroform, codeine, heroin, opium, and cannabis. With all these ingredients, the medicine was sure to work, as long as one didn't mind their children being completely doped, or dead from an overdose.

As we can see, doctors of the past prescribed their patients some very dubious treatments, which we now know to be completely ineffective and in some cases fatally dangerous. Let us hope and pray that none of us have to face any of the above treatments as long as we live!

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What is a centrifuge and how does it work?

If you need to wash and dry your jeans in a hurry, you’ll be glad you have a centrifuge! Yes that’s what your clothes washer becomes when it spins at high speed to remove any water.

Small centrifuges are used in labs to separate blood products; you can find much bigger ones in aerospace-labs.

What exactly is a centrifuge?

Hold something heavy in one hand and whirl your arm around your head. Feel a force that seems to be pulling your shoulder out of its socket? That's the principle of the centrifuge at work—and you can look at it from two different angles.

In popular books and magazines, people talk about something called centrifugal force: the force that seems to make things shoot outward when they go round in a circle. So, when a bus goes around a bend at high speed, you'll read that it's centrifugal force trying to tip the thing over. 

When your clothes are spinning in a clothes washer drum, it’s centrifugal force that throws the water out through the little holes so your washing ends up much drier.

How exactly does it work?

1. Make a counterbalance for the centrifuge tube you want to put in the centrifuge. The masses, not volumes, of the tubes should be as close as possible! Unbalanced tubes may permanently damage the centrifuge.

2. Put the tubes opposite each other in the centrifuge. If you have more than two tubes, only the ones opposite each other have to be equal in mass.

3. Enter your settings such as rotations per minute.

4. Remove the tubes carefully after the centrifuge has completely stopped spinning. This is so that the different suspensions do not mix again.

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Do you know how to set up an operating room?

Operating rooms are an important part of a hospital and allow surgeons and other operating room staff members to provide life-saving treatments to patients. Setting up an operating room properly can help assist health care providers by allowing them to work in an efficient and timely manner, which is critical when performing life-saving procedures.

Organized operating rooms give health care providers the opportunity to focus on procedures and treatments and offer a safe and friendly environment for them to work in.

Preparing an Operating Room for Surgery

  §  Designate an area outside of each operating room for health care providers to prepare for surgery. Make sinks with foot pedal controls, scrub kits (which contain an antiseptic soap and brush), sterile towels, gowns, and goggles, shoe covers, masks and head covers available in this area. Ensure there is enough space for multiple health care providers to scrub up simultaneously prior to each procedure.

  §  Make several tables available in each operating room. One long table will be needed for the patient to lie on while undergoing surgery. Use small tables to hold equipment needed for each procedure. Prior to the patient’s arrival, make sure the tables are cleaned and ready. Lay out all of the equipment needed for the procedure (scalpels, clamps, scissors, etc.) on the smaller tables in an area where they can be easily reached. Cover the equipment with sterile sheets until surgery begins.

  §  At the head of the patient table, make an area for the equipment needed for anesthesia and respiratory needs. Place ventilators, intubation equipment, oxygen tanks, oxygen-monitoring devices and IV pumps in the area designated for anesthesia. Make sure the ventilator has the proper tubing connected and is in working order. Position the ventilator and oxygen-monitoring devices in a place where they can be easily seen and monitored during each procedure.

  §  Place a heart monitor, blood pressure measuring device, pulse and respiration monitors, thermometers and other devices that monitor vital signs near the patient where they can be seen and monitored easily without interfering with the surgery. Make sure the monitor screens can be seen and heard by health care providers during the procedure.

  §  Set up an area to store equipment. Place extra equipment and equipment not in use in a secure place which is easily accessible. Keep equipment organized by grouping all equipment needed for certain procedures together when possible. Label containers, drawers and cabinets according to their contents.

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For a long, healthy life – Walk for 2minutes every hour!

Getting up from your desk, or wherever you have been sitting, and walking for two minutes every hour can help reduce the negative health effects from prolonged sitting!

Most people spend their whole day sitting, working at a computer or watching TV. Studies have shown that sitting for extended periods of time is associated with higher risk or heart diseases, diabetes, premature death and other chronic health problems. Standing for some hours can be an obvious remedy to the issues caused by sitting. But, standing for longer periods of time at your work place may not be healthy or practical.

Results from a new study show that taking a break for just two minutes and doing some light exercise like walking results in a 33% lower risk of chronic health problems.

A professor of medicine at the University of Utah said that the study results are significant as current exercise recommendations also advise people to get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week.

Moderate exercise strengthens the heart, muscles and bones. The recommended thing to do would be to add two minutes of walking each hour in combination with your normal activities, which should include 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week.

While suggesting two minutes’ walk per hour for a healthy and long life, the study found no benefit from two minutes of standing per hour. However, scientists said that a larger study could prove if replacing some sitting time with light activity such as standing can provide people with better health.

Walking more than 100 steps per minute would be necessary to the intensity level of moderate exercise. As health benefits can be achieved with even 10-minute exercise, a useful starting point is to attain 1000 steps in 10 minutes, before going after 3000 steps in 30 minutes.

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Medical terms your doctor uses that you may not know

Have you ever been in the situation where your doctor explains a test result to you, and as you listen closely to his words, you realize you have no clue what he is saying.

It may be intimidating for many to ask a physician to explain some medical jargon that they don’t understand, but you should ask them! That’s what a doctor’s job is all about – helping others.

Here are some of the most common medical terms that doctors need to explain to their patient…

ACUTE: An acute illness refers to one that hits you suddenly but only lasts a short time. This is as opposed to “chronic,” which refers to something you’ll have for a long time.

HYPERLIPIDEMIA: This is basically just a fancy word for too many lipids (fat) in your blood.

ANGINA: Chest pain or discomfort you get when your heart muscle does not get enough blood. It is a symptom of coronary artery disease, the most common heart disease.

HYPERGLYCEMIA and HYPOGLYCEMIA: When you are hyperglycemic your blood glucose (sugar) level is too high. When you’re hypoglycemic, your blood sugar level is too low.

DYSURIA: If you have this, you’ll know what it is. It refers to painful or difficult urination.

MORBIDITY vs. MORTALITY: Patients can easily confuse these words. Morbidity refers to the incidence or prevalence of a disease. Mortality refers to the death rate.

GERD: Simple translation – heartburn!

NEUTROPHILS: It is the most common type of white blood cell which protects the body against disease and fights infections.

CELLULITIS: This is when the tissue beneath your skin becomes infected and inflamed.

IN REMISSION: This means that a disease is not worsening or progressing. It is not the same thing as a cure.

Sometimes understanding medical terms can be like trying to read a terms and conditions agreement, but you can’t make sense of it so you just click the “I accept” button. Hopefully these explanations will help you out in the future! 

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Industries that use Autoclaves

An autoclave is a device used to sterilize items by subjecting them to high temperatures in a pressurized environment.  Autoclaves are used in diverse fields from medicine and mushrooms to rocket science! They make procedures safer and products better.

Here are a few industries that put this sterilizing method to good use.

1. Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Offices

Autoclaves kill germs, bacteria, and viruses. So, they are ideal for cleaning medical equipment that is reused on other patients. Items that are typically autoclaved are surgical or dental instruments and glassware for lab specimens, but what makes an autoclave more useful than a standard hot-air oven is that it can disinfect not only metal instruments but also more fragile substances that could not withstand high temperatures in hot air ovens. These include rubber and fabric (for scrubs, exam gowns, and human and animal bedding).

2. Body Modification Studios

For all the same reasons that autoclaves contribute to safety in medical environments, they are useful for tattooing and piercing applications. Needles and clamps can be sterilized and used again without concern for disease transmission. Piercing jewellery is sterilized for safety (even new jewellery can pick up bacteria that may be dangerous in a fresh piercing) before insertion.

3. Industrial Manufacturing

Very large and highly specialized autoclaves, many more than four feet wide, have been designed for industrial use. The autoclave is a critical element in vulcanizing rubber; high heat and pressure realign the polymer chains in the material to make it elastic and durable. This is known as a thermoplastic process, or making something moldable by applying heat. Using extremely high temperatures and pressures high enough to keep water in its liquid state (at this extreme, the autoclave is referred to as a hydroclave).

4. Mycology

Autoclaves are used in the study and growth of fungi. Strains of mushrooms, both edible and toxic, are carefully prepared in sterile dishes and then autoclaved to remove any undesirable bacteria. The steam heat and pressure do not affect the mushroom spores, which then can be fruited without fear of contamination from other sources.

5. Pre-treatment of Hazardous Medical Waste

Finally, an autoclave is an elegant solution to the problem of medical waste that carries dangerous pathogens. Bedding, wound dressings, gloves, and any material that has come into contact with a diseased person or animal can be sterilized and then disposed of like any other waste. This can include cages and bedding from laboratory test animals as well as human medical waste. Unlike other methods, it poses no risk of vaporizing pathogens into the air, which makes the sterilizing process much safer and less work for workers.

In its simplest expression, an autoclave is just an industrial dishwasher, but one that is capable of washing some dishes that are quite literally out of this world. So the next time you see a body piercing or a NASA rocket launch, just remember: it was the use of an autoclave that helped make it happen.

The Different Types of Health Clinics

Before heading to the doctor, make sure you know the type of clinic you need. Clinics are commonly small public or privately held health facilities that are often located in a rural area. They mainly focus on community outpatient care. Payment provisions are frequently different for clinics, making some of them more costly than a regular doctor's visit. Health clinics are popular due to their range of outpatient services and their easily accessible rural locations.

There are many different types of health care clinics that may benefit you depending on your needs…

Free Clinic

If you're in need of free or low cost health care, a free clinic may be the best option for you. Free clinics are often volunteer-based and provide medical, dental and other health services to the public. They are organizations that offer services regardless of payment.

Most free clinics offer acute, primary and chronic care, but do not offer services for developing conditions. Selected clinics also offer dental care. On-site pharmacies are accessible at some.

General Outpatient Clinic

An outpatient health clinic is a general practice facility run by specialists focused in several different areas of practice. These are generally found in communities and cater to those located in the rural area. Outpatient health clinics specialize in general diagnosis and treatment.

Primary, acute and ongoing care is typically offered. Payment options for general outpatient clinics are different at each facility, but most take larger health insurance plans.

Convenient Care Clinic

Convenient care clinics, or retail based clinics, are often located in pharmacies, supermarkets and other merchandising outlets. They are frequently staffed with nurse practitioners that offer a narrow range of treatments. Common colds and infections are generally treated at convenient care clinics. Some also provide preventative care, vaccinations and physical exams. Convenient care clinics tend to cost less than a doctor's office, an emergency room or a general outpatient clinic.

Specialist Clinic

If you're looking for a specific type of treatment, visit a specialist clinic. Specialist clinics focus on a main part of the body and are more beneficial for specific care than a general outpatient clinic. Some specialist clinics focus on fertility and genitourinary medicine. They deal both in diagnosis and treatment. Payment options differ according to each individual clinic, but most take larger insurance plans.

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How to treat a minor burn

Burns are common, but an extremely painful injury. While minor burns will heal without much medical attention, severe burns require care to prevent infection and reduce scarring. Here’s how you can treat a burn…

     ®     Run cool water over the burn. As soon as you can, run cool water over the burn. This will prevent further damage to your skin. Stick the burned area under cool running water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. Avoid using cold water, since this can damage the skin around the burn.
- The sudden shock of extreme heat to extreme cold will only slow the healing process.

     ®     Remove tight clothing or jewelry quickly. As soon as you can, or while rinsing the burn, remove anything that might constrict your skin as the wound swells. When in doubt – take it off. This lets blood flow to the wound and starts healing it. Remove tight clothing or jewelry can also prevent further damage.

     ®     Apple a cold compress. If cold water isn’t an option, use a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Place it over your burn. Apply the compress for 10 – 15 minutes, wait for 30 minutes and then reapply it again for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Never apply ice or a compress directly to the burn, since this will damage the skin. Keep a towel between you and the ice instead.

     ®     Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, if the pain and swelling does not lessen after several hours; take another does of the medication. Avoid giving aspirin to young children.
- Follow the specific package instructions. They’ll be different depending on what medication you choose.

     ®     Clean the burn. After washing your hands, use soap and water to clean the burn and prevent infection, apple an anti-biotic to keep the burn clean or Aloe Vera to soothe your skin.
- Do not pop blisters while you clean your burn as it can cause nasty infections. But, if they have popped or if your wound is exposed, use an antibiotic to prevent infection.

     ®     Lightly cover the burn with gauze. You may not need to apply a bandage to first degree burns, blisters that haven’t popped, or sin that isn’t exposed. But small second degree burns will need a wrap to keep out any infection. Cover the burn lightly with gauze and secure it softly with medical tape. Make sure to change the gauze daily.
- Remove gauze in the direction of hair growth. If the gauze is sticking to the wound, use lukewarm water or a saline solution applied to the stuck gauze for easier removal.

     ®     Watch the burn for infection. Keep an eye on the wound for changes in colour. Seek medical attention if a burn does not heal over several weeks. A b urn that doesn’t heal can be a sign of complications, infection or a more serious burn. Let your doctor know if you experience any of these signs:
- Warmth
- Tenderness
- Hardening of the wound area

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Latex, Nitrile or Vinyl Gloves… Which to Choose?

When deciding between latex, nitrile and vinyl gloves… it can be a little confusing trying to determine which type of glove is the ideal choice. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and features of each type of glove.

Latex Gloves – Latex gloves are natural material, made out of rubber.  They are a popular choice of protective glove for medical or industrial use.  The primary reason people would choose an alternative to latex is because many people suffer from latex allergies.  When allergy is not a concern, latex does have a slight advantage with comfort and dexterity over nitrile gloves.

- Fits like a second skin
- Has a high level of touch sensitivity
- Good for wearing for an extended amount of time
- Works well for high-risk situations involving infectious material
- Cost-effective
- Lightly powered, making them easier to put on
- Very elastic and strong
- Biodegradable

Nitrile Gloves – Nitrile gloves are made out of synthetic rubber, and are an ideal alternative when latex allergens are a concern. Nitrile gloves are the superior glove when it comes to puncture resistance and they are often referred to as “medical grade.” Before gloves can be marketed to hospitals and medical institutions, they must undergo  a series of test to ensure their durability.

- Latex-free
- Puncture Resistant
- Have a high level of sensitivity
- Mold your hand for a great fit
- Good for wearing for an extended amount of time
- Works well for high risk situations involving infectious material
- Resistant to many chemicals
- Has a long shelf life
- Available in blue or black to help identify if the glove has been punctured

Vinyl Gloves – Vinyl Gloves are a popular choice for the food industry and situations where high levels of durability and protection are less of a priority.  While they may be less durable, they are the less expensive option.

- Latex-free
- Has a looser fit
- Good for short-term, low-risk tasks
- Are the most economic option
- Have anti-static properties
- Are best for use with non-hazardous materials
- Lightly powered to make it easier to put on

So, when it comes time to decide which type of protective glove is the right choice for you, the most important thing to consider is….how much protection do you need?

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What do the results of an ECG test really reveal?

Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests are there to assist doctors identify and treat any problems or abnormalities with the heart.

If you have had some previous history or heart disease or it runs in your family and you are over the age of 40 years, then an ECG test should be a part of your next doctor's visit.

Electrodes are attached on the body to measure the hearts electrical impulses. These results are displayed on the monitor and printed for the doctor to study.

Once the doctors have studied the data results, they can identify any issues and prevent heart disease.

The patient’s ECG reading is compared to that of a normal heart. Differences in heart rate and the rhythm of contractions between the two readings highlight potential or past heart attacks, coronary artery diseases or heart disease. If these symptoms are detected, further testing is done to investigate.

ECG recordings can help doctors diagnose heart attacks that are in progress or have happened in the past. This is especially true if doctors can compare a current ECG recording to an older one.

An ECG also can show:

- Lack of blood flow to the heart muscle (coronary heart disease)

- A heartbeat that's too fast, too slow, or irregular (arrhythmia)

- A heart that doesn't pump forcefully enough (heart failure)

- Heart muscle that's too thick or parts of the heart that are too big (cardiomyopathy)

- Birth defects in the heart (congenital heart defects)

- Problems with the heart valves (heart valve disease)

- Inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart (pericarditis)

An ECG can reveal whether the heartbeat starts in the correct place in the heart. The test also shows how long it takes for electrical signals to travel through the heart. Delays in signal travel time may suggest heart block or long QT syndrome.

ECG tests can help doctors prevent and foresee heart problems, like heart attacks – this is why ECG’s are considered very important and should be part of any average doctor’s check-up.

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6 Medical Devices Used by Surgeons

The following six devices are critical tools that today’s surgeons use in their efforts to save people’s lives. Looking for a reliable medical equipment supplier? Supply Doctor is an online medical supply store with a wide variety of products to choose from. 

While some of these devices use the latest, state of the art technology, some are still fairly basic. All of them, however, play a very important role in the operating room.

LCD Monitor – The LCD monitor has become one of the standard pieces of medical equipment in many of today’s best hospitals. LCD screens allow surgeons to view high resolution images of the surgical procedures as they happen. Images can also be moved around the screen for the doctor’s convenience. The versatility of LCD displays also makes it easier to review the surgery.

Surgical Shadow-less Lamp – Visibility is one of the most important things a surgeon needs to have in the operating room. He or she must be able to see exactly what is going on, because even small mistakes could result in serious problems. The shadow-less surgical lamp is one of the medical devices that help with this problem. It essentially provides a homogenous source of light that shines from above the operating table while at the same time producing no shadows that might mess with the surgeon’s vision.

Low Temperature Plasma Sterilizer – Although it might resemble a high-tech fridge the low temperature plasma sterilizer is much more advanced than that! It is used in the operating room to sterilizer the doctor’s equipment, which is an incredibly important job. The device uses gas plasma in order to rid the medical instruments from dangerous bacteria and germs. The gases released by the low temperature plasma sterilizer are safe for humans.

Electrical Sputum Suction Device – The electrical sputum suction device is one of the oldest medical devices used by surgeons, but even though it has a basic design, it still has a very important job. The suction device allows nurses and doctors to remove sputum and other bodily secretions that would obstruct a surgical procedure.

Vital Signs Monitor – The vital signs monitor, or patient monitor is a highly complex medical device that uses multiple systems and pieces of medical equipment. If you’ve seen any medical drama series, you’ve probably seen one of these. It is a multi-screen, multi-cabled contraption to which the patient is hooked up during surgery via a set of electrodes that monitor vital signs. The device lets doctors keep track of a patient’s state during and after surgery.

The Scalpel – We have all heard of this instrument, the scalpel. It is one of the oldest surgical devices; even the Ancient Egyptians used it. Today, it is used in the operating room, especially in those instances where steel blades are not an option. Despite the fact that is a very simple tool it has undergone some development, most of them are made of tempered steel and the laser scalpel is one of the latest developments. The scalpel allows for incredible precision and can cauterize blood cells immediately.

Medical technology has advanced so much in the past several decades. With the introduction of computerization, many of the tools that surgeons used in the operating room have now been given a whole new layer of efficiency, accuracy and safety.

How do fetal monitors work?

Using an electronic fetal monitor is the best method of monitoring your baby during labour. It is the one piece of equipment that is routinely used in all labours, both normal and abnormal.

The fetal monitor may look quite impressive, but it is just a more sophisticated version of the monitor that your doctor used to check your baby’s heart rate at each prenatal visit. It works on the same principle, using ultrasound waves to detect the movement of the fetal heart, and translating the changes in the waves to sound.

The monitor can create a visual record of the heart rate because it contains a computer that instantaneously calculates the heart rate and displays the number. A pen then continuously records the changing heart rate, producing a permanent graphic record. A second pen then records the contraction pattern below the heart rate on the monitor paper.

Monitoring contractions is very important because the heart rate pattern is almost impossible to interpret, unless you know when the contractions are occurring.

So, what do we learn from fetal monitoring? Monitoring the fetal heart rate can give valuable information about the baby’s well-being, and its health in the last trimester of pregnancy. Also, fetal monitoring can be used to assess how well the fetus is tolerating the stresses of labour.

Electronic fetal monitoring itself is not painful at all. That said, some mons-to-be find it quite uncomfortable to have the transducers strapped to their belly during labour. Being tethered to a monitor can limit your movement and make it harder to cope with contractions too.

Looking for an affordable, quality fetal monitor? Or maybe you need other medical equipment and supplies? Place your order on Supply Doctor today!