Doctors reveal how a stethoscope actually works

Stethoscopes still play an important role in diagnosing heart, lung and vascular conditions. But how exactly do they work? Dr. Bhavani Balaravi of Raleigh Cardiology explained:

A stethoscope enhances body sounds and transmits those sounds to our ears. A typical model has a flat, round chest piece covered by a thin, tightly stretched skin of plastic called a diaphragm. The diaphragm vibrates when sound occurs. These high-frequency sounds travel up the hollow plastic tubing into hollow metal earpieces and into the doctor’s ears.

What sounds does the doctor hear when using a stethoscope? A healthy adults heart makes tow sounds called a “lub” and a “dub”. The lub sound is created by near simultaneous closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves located between the atria and ventricle of the heart. When the blood leaves the heart via the aorta and pulmonary arteries, the near simultaneous closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves create the dub sound.

When the valves do not close completely, a raspy or blowing noise can occur. This is a heart murmur, an extra sound produced as a result of turbulent blood flow during heart beats, which can mean a valve disorder is present.

Stethoscopes can be used for a number of different health problems, including determining blood pressure. Overall they are an incredibly important tool that doctors have been using for decades.

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One size doesn't fit all: How to find the perfect doctor for you

While it may not seem that important, a doctor-patient relationship is actually one of the most intimate and important relationships there are. Doctors are among the few professionals we interact with in an open, exposed and completely vulnerable way, plus they also have a tremendous influence on your health and well-being.

That is why finding the perfect doctor should be your number one priority. If you are in the market for a new doctor, use these steps.

Step One: Gather names of potential doctors
Nothing can compare to the real life opinions and insight of people you trust, so start by getting doctor recommendations from friends and family. Once you’ve gotten a few names, take to the internet.

There are numerous sites to help find and grade physicians. The best option is to simply search for “primary care physician” or “general practitioner” on Google. A great consumer-friendly site which allows you to search by city and specialty is recomed.co.za.

Step Two: Vet each potential doctor
Now that you have a list of doctors who might fit your criteria, it is time to do some deeper sleuthing. Here are six primary considerations you should have when you are researching a new doctor.

1. Cost (My bill is how much???)

2. Doctor expertise (Do I need a specialist?)

3. Board certification (Prove it!)

4. Location and availability (Are you there for me?)

5. Doctor style (Dr. Right?)

6. Office amenities and overall experience (All the little things)

The Takeaway
Finding the perfect doctor for yourself does take some time and homework, but it is worth the investment. By asking for recommendations, using the internet and call around, you can narrow down the options and find Dr. Right.

How did you find your doctor? 

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4 unbelievably bizarre medical practices from the past

From the ancient Greeks to the time of Abraham Lincoln, medical practices from the past probably did more harm than good. Real physicians practicing real medicine, as well as scientists and dreamers often had twisted thinking and performed gut-wrenching procedures; here are some crazy historical medical practices you were never taught about in school:

Benjamin Rush – Benjamin Rush was America’s best known and most trusted doctor. However, in his practice Dr. Rush doused his patients with cold water in the winter, gave them “artificial diarrhea” and even twirled patients from ropes suspended from the ceiling. He also invented the “tranquilizer chair”, which was later used all over the world. This invention restrained a patient’s hands and feet and covered their head with a wooden box. He believed that pain and suffering was able to cure illnesses and disease. So, he starved, beat and poured acid on his patients.

John Hunter – England’s greatest surgeon never have up his career as a grave robber, and he demanded he have 7’8” giant, Charles O’Brien’s bones when he died. Unfortunately Charles refused and made plans to be buried at sea in a lead basket. When Charles finally dropped dead, Hunter’s henchmen bribed the undertaker, grabbed the body and threw It into a big pot. Today, Charles O’Brien’s bones are displayed proudly at the Hunterian Museum.

King Charles II – When King Charles woke up feeling sick on 2 February 1685, a number of bizarre and downright crazy medical practices were performed. His physician immediately withdrew sixteen ounces of blood and Charles was then made to swallow a toxic metal and given a series of enemas. To drive the bad humours downward his head was shaven and blistering agents were applied to his scalp. For days Charles was tormented by physicians until finally he lapsed into a coma and died on February 6, 1685.

Dr. Walter Freeman – In the 1950’s Dr. Walter Freeman became the world’s best known brain surgeon. Freeman was not trained in surgery and didn’t believe in wearing gloves and working in a germ-free environment. He practiced at home with an ice pick and a grapefruit and soon unveiled the trans-orbital lobotomy. Three of Freeman’s patients died, although he still did lobotomies at nearby hospitals and send his patients postcards.

These real medical practices through the ages are just a brief history of what your teacher never taught you at school!

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