Punch Techniques For Scar Removal

When choosing a treatment for scars, it is important to first determine the type of scar you have. Just as there are many different types of scars, there are also many different treatment options available. A treatment that is effective on one scar may not be appropriate for another. A good physician will evaluate your scar and make a determination on how to treat it based on several factors, including the type of scar, its age, severity, etc.

In this article we will discuss Punch Techniques for scar treatment. These techniques are usually reserved for the deep “pitted” type scars often associated with severe acne or chicken pox. The three main punch techniques, in no particular order, are the Punch Excision, Punch Replacement and Punch Elevation.

Punch Excision – This technique employs the use of a round, sharp, cookie cutter like biopsy tool. The tool comes in various sizes so the physician can match the tool to the size of the scar he or she is treating. Following local anesthesia, the scar is removed with the biopsy tool and the edges of the skin are pulled together and sutured. Over time the resulting new scar should fade and become less noticeable. If the new scar is still too noticeable, it can be treated via another method.

Punch Replacement – This technique involves removing the scar with a biopsy tool using the same process as described above for the Punch Excision Technique. The difference is, once the scar is removed, rather than simply pulling the edges of the skin together and suturing them, a skin graft is taken from elsewhere on the body (often from behind the ear) and used to fill the void left from the removed scar.
Punch Elevation – Just like the Punch Excision and Punch Replacement techniques described above, this technique involves removal of the scar utilizing a sharp biopsy tool. Once the scar is removed however, the scar is elevated prior to being sutured or grafted. This serves to reduce the pitted or pock appearance of the scar.

Which of the above described procedures a doctor uses will depend on the characteristics of the scar. For example, the punch replacement or punch elevation technique will most often be used for the very deep or wide scars. If the scar is less severe, the basic punch excision technique may be used. After any of these procedures, recovery time should be relatively short however it is not unsusual for there to be some bruising, swelling or redness in the treated areas. Some people choose to combine the punch techniques described above along with other procudures such as Dermabrasion, Chemical Peels or application of Topical Sheets, Gels, or Creams. For more information on topical treatments, visit www.scarfade.com

Natural Cures and Formal Medicine

From actual simple discomforts like insect bites to added austere diseases like diabetes, traveling for accustomed analysis is acceptable added and added accepted today. A Look at Natural Cure and Modern Medicine Formal anesthetic deals with the cure of diseases application avant-garde technology. Included in these technologies are the accepted radiation and laser therapies acclimated to amusement diseases like cancer, as able-bodied as surgical procedures involving altered machineries. It uses candy anesthetic in the anatomy of capsules, tablets, and abstract to cure illnesses like colds and flu. This analysis works based on the assumption that raw foods accommodate added nutrients and accustomed chemicals that are acceptable for the physique and benign for active disease-causing elements. Although it doesn’t absolutely avoid medicine, it advocates limitation in anesthetic use, abnormally in actual simple bloom altitude and pains that can still be convalescent with the accustomed method.

The capacity acclimated in accustomed cure are actual accessible. Whereas you can alone acquisition medicines in drugstores and in biologic clinics, accustomed healing foods are actual simple to acquisition because they are accessible about everywhere in your admired grocery store, in the market, and even in your home. Chances are, you can acquisition something in your kitchen that you can use to cure a accurate affliction or bloom problem. Accustomed cure covers simple herbs and beginning fruits and vegetables. Unlike medicines which are continuously acceptable added and added expensive, accustomed articles are added affordable.

EMR Adoption Survey (in the wake of stimulus funding)

Houston Neal over at Software Advice has asked that I share with you his survey, regarding what affect the Stimulus Bill has had on the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) by physicians.

“What effect has the Stimulus Bill had on EMR adoption rates?”

As a Canadian, I don’t have grounds to answer, but you might! The survey ends tomorrow night (Thursday) and takes about 4 seconds to do. The text refers to ‘tire kickers,’ and I’ll admit, I had to look this up on urban dictionary; basically, it refers to those ‘buyers’ who appraise their options but don’t commit to buy anything. They come and kick the tires of the car (or EMR!) that they are interested in, but never purchase.

Head to the SURVEY!

On Friday, the official first reports regarding Recovery Act funds will be released.

Medications in Our Water Supply!

In March of 2008, the Associated Press had released information showing that 28 out of 35 US watersheds tested had detectable levels of numerous drugs. Although the detectable levels tested were in parts per billion, the astonishing finding was that there were so many different compounds. In fact, in a preceeding study conducted by the United States Geological Service in 2002, it was shown that 80% of the samples obtained from 139 streams contained numerous widely used drugs! Here are just a few of them:

17-α Ethynyl Estradiol

This is a a synthetic estrogen present in oral contraceptives and is potentially responsible for the feminization of male fish. In fact, an article in Scientific American (June, 2009) stated that “estrogen exposure reduces a fish’s ability to produce proteins that help it ward off disease and pointed to a possible link between the occurrence of intersex fish…male fish carrying immature female egg cells in their testes.”

Acetaminophen

Also known to us as Tylenol, Acetaminophen has been widely used for pain relief among other things. Surprisingly, detectable levels of this drug have been found in 24% of tested waterways.

Other Steroids and Hormones

Other steriods as well has hormones and hormone-mimicking agents such as nonylphenol were found in 16% of tested waterways. Although the effects of these hormones and hormone-mimicking agents are still largely unstudied, one has to wonder if they are also having a negative impact on the fish populations in many of our waterways.

Diltiazem

Less known to the public, diltiazem is part of a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers used for the treatment of high blood pressure, angina, and some types of heart arrhythmias. Diltiazem works as a strong vasodilator–it increases blood flow and decreases the heart rate.

Codeine

Many people have at one time or another used codeine as part of a mixed preparation with acetaminophen or in cough syrup. It is a alkaloid found in opium and is a controlled substance due to its potential for being habit-forming. Codeine has several indications for use including  cough, diarrhea, pain, and IBS. Given its wide use, it is no surprise that it has been found in numerous waterways as well.

Antibiotics and Antimicrobials

This is perhaps another one of those categories of drugs that has received widespread media coverage given the increased occurence of antibiotic resistance. A variety of antibiotics including ampicillin, tetracycline, penicillin and erythromycin have been found in testable amounts in numerous waterways. Not surprisingly, wild Geese resistant to these antibiotics have been found.

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a commonly used drug for the treatment of pain. It has been found in 10% of sampled waterways.

Detectable levels? So what?

Although many can argue that there is a difference between detectable and therapeutic or toxic levels, the fact remains that our waterways are being contaminated by “foreign” agents. We would be remiss to simply push this alarming fact aside and ignore the potential for slow accumulation in aquatic life. To be so bold as to say that since there have been no described human effects, there should be nothing to fear is short-sighted and foolish. Additive effects of pollutants, and the concept of increased bioconcentration as we move up the food chain have already been seen in other toxic compounds such as mercury. For example, mercury poisoning from fish is a well-described phenomenon. In fact, famous actor Jeremy Piven (Old School and Entourage) suffered from mercury poisoning following a high-fish diet that forced him to cancel working on the Broadway revival, ”Speed-the-Plow.”

Ok, so we have contaminated waters. How did it happen?

As with any problem, the important question to address is how did it start in the first place. There are three main routes by which these contaminants enter our environment.

1. Excretion

As the name implies, drugs are excreted by the body in two main forms: urine and feces. Excretion of most drugs is primarily through urination, and comprises a continual low-level addition to the environment by many people.

2. Bathing

Many drugs are applied directly to the skin. These drugs are not completely absorbed, and are simply washed off during the process of bathing. Additionally, some drugs can be excreted in sweat and are also washed off during bathing. Again, this represents a continuous low-level contribution to environmental contamination.

3. Disposal

The final method of contamination is the direct disposal of drugs via toilets and trash. Although disposal is not a continuous source of contamination, it is episodic, and can be a significant source if disposed in large volumes by many people.

Now that we understand how we contaminate our waters, we should go back to the reason why this happens in the first place: mass prescriptions and improper consumption of medications. As a rising physician, I have seen countless examples of patients receiving medications such as antibiotics or pain relievers for conditions that cannot be appropriately treated through such means. Additionally, I have noticed a sense of undue dependence on the part of patients to medications that is simply astonishing. People expect medications to heal when in fact, many times they are better off without them. I am not saying in any way that people should not have access to medications, however, I do believe that the justified use of medications should be advised.

Another reason is that many people do not finish their prescriptions, or choose to buy them in large quantities. I have been guitly of this myself. A simple trip to a nearby wholesale retailer will prove my point–Tylenol is sold in large bottles in quantities exceeding 300 pills. The same goes for a variety of different drugs.  If we are to minimize our waste, then we must be more responsible about consuming what we need and not running after the cheapest deal. Large drug companies should also be more aware of this phenomenon and certain actions should be taken to minimize the sale of wholesale drugs. 

  So what can we do to minimize the problem?

I will discuss ways to reduce our environmental impact in my next blog. Stay tuned!

Terminology, healthcare and discrimination

There was discussion today in DPaC about terminology – “chronic disease” vs “long term conditions”. I think that the problem is that descriptively accurate terminology is necessary for clarity in medical records and teaching etc., but some misunderstand them, or are offended. Political correctness is not a reason to change terminology – we need to be clear and truthful! Care, of course, is needed in describing things to patients.

The BMJ today gives an article on “age discrimination“. I’ve not read it properly yet, but my position is that there are wrong forms of discrimination, but on the other hand, medical care needs to be based on evidence and limitations of resources. So, if very few people benefit from a particular treatment in a certain age group, I can see why it’s not offered (routinely). Of course we have to treat each patient as individuals, but, even in the NHS, there are limits to resources. There must be ‘discrimination’ when allocating resources. A lot of big questions as to how to do things!

Just on the radio now, a Jewish school (I think it’s a school) is being accused of breaking race relations acts – and that God’s a racist! (Programme on radio 4 this evening, 8pm.) What a ridiculous country we live in!

YAY!

Today, we went to the clinic to have my Mom’s leg looked at (infection is less and the doctor said it is looking good!). She had fallen when getting down from a chair that she had climbed on to close the curtains and scraped the front of her leg so badly I had to take her to the hospital…

While AT the clinic, we were on our way out when she said that she was “feeling a bit dizzy”. She was very pale, so I sat her down and went back into the office and alerted Dr. J and nurse/receptionist. We whisked her back into the examining room and got her lying down and Dr. J (who I DO like this doctor!) was able to test her BP, blood sugar, and listen to her heart WHILE she was actually having one of her turns. This is the first time in 4 years (at least) of these events that a medical professional has been able to see exactly what is happening AT the time she is having one of her “turns”.

Her blood pressure was 84/45 (up very minimally from 80/45 on Wednesday) just before her “turn” and up a few points again, after.

His opinion is what I have felt for a long time, that it is her blood pressure being way too low. Earlier in the week, her family doctor and the cardiologist removed 2 of 4 blood pressure medications. This doctor has told her to stop ALL her bp meds for the next few days.

She sees Dr. S tomorrow for her flu shot, so we may have a bit if a chat about this, at the same time.

Hopefully, THIS will give us a better idea about what is going on.

—

On another note, a friend informed me this evening my cousin in Iowa has a recurrence of his Protstate cancer and that it has spread to the bone in his leg (I didn’t know he had had a first bout of it). He was on the way to the clinic for a treatment when his leg simply “broke”. He now has pins in it and is walking with a cane.

However, I am thinking of my neighbour who died a few weeks ago. She had bone cancer and she fell and broke her leg, and cancer cells were released into her body.

My cousin is a lovely person and one of the few cousins of his generation left.  My cousin, Ina and her brother, Allen, died a year apart from each other, both suddenly. She died of a congenital heart defect that runs in our family and he died of complications from diabetes.

This cousin has been so wonderful about sharing our family history with me. He is handsome (I call him a “gentleman cowboy”, of sorts). He’s handsome and charming and one of the nicest people I know. He is also yet another person with cancer that I know and/or is related to me.

He and I have been emailing back and forth recently about some family history and he said nothing.

Nano Technologies: Homo-Sapiens 2.0; Tell me more

 Nano Technologies: Homo-Sapiens 2.0; Tell me more; (October 22, 2009)

 

            First, a few applications such as unpolluting earth soil, cleaning underground water sources, flat screens, light weight batteries with high energy density, observation of each cell and molecule in the body, miniature medical instruments, prosthetics controlled by the brain, butterfly controlled by remote control and used as a living drone, powerful portables computer, photovoltaic paints that can be applied on roads and buildings, solar generators that may produce one thousand gigawatts (terawatt). 

            For example, nanoparticles of gold combined by strings of AND are fixated on a tumor; with low level of infrared light we got very clear and precise picture of the organ; then with an appropriate higher level doze of infrared light nanoparticles of gold fry the tumor. Silver has properties of killing 150 kinds of viruses and bacteria; nanoparticles of silver applied on patches can disinfect surgical instruments, hospital bed sheets, drapes, and clothes; cold water is then enough for thorough disinfection and thus saving energy. Nanotechnology permits the control of auto-replication in living systems in order to execute precise and fixed tasks.

            There is one drawback: health consequences are not known.  For example, seven Chinese female workers died within 5 months when the nanoparticles of (oxides of zinc, copper, and titanium) were used in the paint for added properties.  Each one of the patients had just about 20 nanoparticles due to lack of appropriate ventilation; that number of nanoparticles was enough to destroy the lungs and spread rash to the face, and arms.

            The military is very hot on nanotechnology and invests heavily.  For example, a single microgram of nano-antimatter has the power of 44 kilos of TNT, miniature thermonuclear bombs (almost impossible to detect and easy to manufacture), nano-robotics that can travel in the body and be used for many tasks such as imagery, diagnostic, and targeted treatment; there is this nano pathogen “grey goo” that can infect planet earth within 24 hours. Russia and India are actively developing the nano technology toward military applications since 2007.

            The USA created the National Nanotechnology Initiative in 2001 during Clinton; the budget of this research institute is 1.5 billion in 2009. Europe created its own nanotechnology research centers in 2002; the budget of 3.5 billion Euros is earmarked for the years (2007-2013); priority is given to nano-sciences, nano-materials, nano-medicine, and nano-metrology, and studies of the impact of these new technologies on society.

            A nano particle is smaller than one thousandth the width of paper cigarette or 10 at the power of (-9) of a meter. It is not that small: just bigger than atoms and much smaller than molecules.

            The rational for quantum mechanics or physics is understandable; the manipulation and interpretation of the corresponding set of equations are not.  It requires warpy minds, slightly worse than computer programmers. The fundamental idea of quantum physics is that we cannot measure accurately both time and location of a nano-particle. That is how physicists interpreted the consequences of the fundamentals of Heisenberg; a new theoretical science that generated newer philosophies.

            A UN report warned that soon we might end up with two kinds of homo-sapiens; the normal kinds (mostly the poor and the non-elite) and a variation of homo-sapiens 2.0 endowed with aptitudes and capabilities not enjoyed by the normal kind. The nano-medicine is mobilizing funds from the rich and leaders of multinational institutions to extending life expectancy to 150 years. The power of nano-sciences resides in the convergence of many disciplines such as biology, computation, genetics, cognitive, electronics, and robotic sciences. Nanotechnology is integrating all these sciences.

Changing Its Name Won’t Fix Obamacare

The latest ploy to promote Obamacare is to rename it after something popular. Giving it the title of “Medicare Part E” is the newest tactic.

The package might look different, but inside is the same old stuff: Government-run health care that is so expensive that it threatens our economy today and our future tomorrow.

Although popular, Medicare already is sinking under $38-trillion in unfunded future liabilities. Adding trillions in new spending will make Medicare sink even faster.

Adding Obamacare to Medicare threatens the program that seniors rely upon and lessens the chances of ever fixing Medicare’s financial problems.

Because Medicare lowballs its payments to health providers, it causes them to charge more to other patients to make up the difference. Already, according to the Milliman Group, non-Medicare families already pay an extra $1,800 a year in higher health bills. Shifting millions more people into Medicare would worsen this cost-shifting onto everyone else. It especially hurts health care in rural areas, where Medicare reimbursement rates are the lowest.

Heritage Foundation

Depression: Zyban, Wellbutrin

Both Wellbutrin and Zyban are the brand of drugs containing the same active ingredient, which is Bupropion. Bupropion can be used as an antidepressant
and as an aid to quit smoking.

As an antidepressant, it is sold under the brand name Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL. It is used to treat major depression and seasonal affective disorder or SAD, as well as certain other conditions. No one really understands how it works, but its beneficial effects are due to its ability to inhibit the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and to a much lesser extent, serotonin, which causes an increase of these chemicals in the brain. These chemicals have an impact on our moods and increased levels of these neurotransmitters, it is possible to relieve the symptoms of depression.

As smoking cessation aid under the name Zyban, it appears to work by reducing nicotine cravings and symptoms of nicotine. It also helps to prevent weight gain unwanted, that often accompanies quitting. One thing to remember when taking Zyban is that it is important to take it earlier in the day to help prevent insomnia at night and both doses are taken, we must take eight hours after the first for the first should be taken in the morning.

As with all medicines, there are some factors to consider before taking Bupropion, including possible side effects and against indications, which may have an impact if it is an appropriate treatment for you or not.

Bupropion

If you are prescribed Zyban or Wellbutrin, it is essential that you inform your doctor of any medication you take as there are a number of other drugs and substances that may interact with bupropion, and that includes prescription drugs , herbal remedies, vitamins and over against cough preparations such as medicines etc.

You must also inform your doctor if you drink much alcohol, coffee or other drinks containing caffeine if you smoke or use illicit drugs, if you are taking sedatives or MAOIs (monoamine inhibitors oxidase), or any other medicines containing bupropion, and if you have a medical complaint. In particular, the physician should be fully aware, if you suffer or have suffered from one of the following conditions that Bupropion May not be appropriate or May only be appropriate at a reduced dose:

• Epilepsy
• Eating disorders
• Brain Tumor
• Kidney failure
• hepatic
• alcoholism
• A head injury or trauma
• Insomnia
• An allergic reaction to Bupropion
• Diabetes
• suicidal thoughts
• Tourettes Syndrome
• Heart disease

You must also inform your doctor if you are pregnant or currently trying to conceive or if you are breast-feeding or if you are due to undergo surgery or other treatment in the near future.

Side effects

Some side effects are more frequent than others and there are some that are more serious than others. Side effects associated with Bupropion may include:

• Dry mouth
• Changes in taste
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Tremor
• Agitation
• Dizziness
• Increased perspiration
• Weight loss
• Mania, hallucinations
• Seizures
• Irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety
• irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Rash and eczema, urticaria
• increased blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Loss of interest in sex
• swelling of the face, tongue and throat

You should inform your doctor immediately if you have big changes in mood or behavior, especially if you feel depressed or have suicidal thoughts, and if you feel too agitated, hostile, anxious or hyperactive, and if you having trouble sleeping.

You must also obtain emergency medical care if you have trouble breathing, if your face, tongue and throat began to swell, if you have a convulsion if you experience rapid heartbeat or irregular or if you develop hives or severe skin eruptions.

Other important points

Wellbutrin and Zyban Both should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This means that you should not increase or decrease the dose unless your doctor tells you to do so, especially, do not suddenly stop taking the drug because it can have serious side effects. If you forget to take an hour, take it as soon as you remember again, unless it is almost time for you to take the next dose, if so, just take the next dose as usual and not taking the penalty that you forgot.

It is important to note that drinking lots of alcohol and other drugs take once you begin taking bupropion may increase the risk of seizures and other side effects, such as the launch or the sudden alcohol and other drugs, including Bupropion stop it, it is not advisable to make any changes whatsoever, without first seeking medical advice.

An example of an article about FSD

There’s an article about female sexual dysfunction posted at The Nation. Found via Our Bodies Our Blog.

I read it. Both of the linked articles.

I don’t get it.

Unfortunately reading the OBOS entry and the article in question has rendered me completely incoherent with rage so I will not be able to do an in-depth competent analysis at this moment in time.

Why am I enraged? I’ll have to use a short list of points list since that’s all I can handle right now. I don’t have the patience to go into great detail tonight. Let’s just briefly touch upon what’s running through my mind right now:

Well, for one thing, I see that dyspareunia, sexual pain, is not mentioned in either article at all. The Nation article places a very strong focus on orgasm in particular, to the exclusion of female pelvic pain. So sexual pain is ignored and erased. Where did it go? Why is it not there? Instead, we have a focus on questions such as,

How else to explain that a reality as old as god–that the vast majority of women do not climax simply through intercourse–has re-emerged as dysfunction? Or that another grab bag of indicators of dissatisfaction and low desire are renamed as symptoms of hypoactive sexual desire disorder, for which a female Viagra or a testosterone patch or cream or nasal spray must be developed?

But I’m not fully comfortable with minimizing a woman’s desire for higher libido and/or climax through intercourse either. I’d like to explore intercourse in general, whether or not my partner or I climax, so I don’t think it would be fair of me to to say that exploring orgasm through intercourse is unimportant to someone who feels it is. I think it’s great to expand the definition of sex and to improve sexual satisfaction & explore other types of sex besides just intercourse. But I want to leave it on the table too. Keep it as one of many options.

One of the first lines over at The Nation article says, “Sex has been missing from the healthcare debate.”

I wrote an article about Healthcare and Vulvodynia last week.
But then, this blog is micro-small, so it’s not likely that many people noticed.

The lines go on,

“A shame, because sexual health, and disputes over its meaning, reveals most nakedly the problem at the core of a medical system that requires profit, huge profit, hence sickness, or people who can come to believe they are sick or deformed or lacking and therefore in need of a pill, a procedure or device. Case in point: female sexual dysfunction (FSD), said to afflict great numbers of women–43 percent according to some, 70 percent according to others, an “epidemic” in the heterosexual bedroom according to Oprah. Ka-ching!”

I’m still not fully understanding the claim that FSD is profitable. If that’s the case, why is it so difficult for me, someone who falls into the pain category, to find a doctor who is equipped to handle me? My experience is that often, my first line of defense doctors get tired of seeing me after I don’t respond to conventional treatments. I think right now my local gyno probably never wants to see me again.

The article goes on to talk about hysteria. For the most part I don’t find this section of the article to be inherently problematic. Except for the part about “pelvic congestion,” being in quotes, since it is mentioned as a real thing in Heal Pelvic Pain (p. 16)

The article goes on,

How to explain that middle-aged women go under the knife for vaginal rejuvenation, basically pussy tightening, and that young women go under the knife for laser labiaplasty, basically genital mutilation, saying they only want to feel pretty, normal, and raise their chances of orgasm through intercourse?

I had vulvovaginal surgery. It was to address the vulvar vestibulitis pain, and not for cosmetic reasons or to tighten things up (Actually, tightness is a real problem for me – I have too much tension in the pelvic floor.) But there was a minor cosmetic change, an incidental one. So, does that count as FGM too? I asked a women’s health class professor, who is also a practicing nurse, if it counted as FGM before scheduling the surgery. And she said “No.” Does surgery for medial reasons also count as condemnable? Or does it get a free pass for some reason?

Things continue forward.

How to explain that a doctor like Stuart Meloy of North Carolina, a throwback to charlatans who tried to shock hysterics into health with electric charges, has even one patient to test his Orgasmatron, an electrode threaded up a woman’s spinal cord and controlled by a hand-held button that the patient can push (assuming the procedure doesn’t paralyze her) to make her clit throb with excitement during intercourse and reach the grail of mutually assured orgasm?

I said to myself when I read those lines, “Huh, that kind of sounds like the TENS therapy I had tonight at my chiropractic & acupuncture appointment.” So I looked into it, and, sure enough, the diabolical device referred to here was originally designed to treat chronic pain. Reading that ABC article though, I’m not sure where the Nation author is getting the sufficiently scandalous softcore erotica quality lines of “Make her clit throb with excitement during intercourse” from, since the ABC article doesn’t actually say that part. I wonder if that line is in the actual study in question. Is that really how it works?

It just keeps on going.

A terrific new documentary, Orgasm Inc., by Liz Canner, addresses those questions in terms of corporate medicine and the creation of need via pseudofeminist incitements to full sexual mastery by Dr. Laura Berman and other shills for the drug industry.

I can’t speak for Dr. Berman, but I suppose now would be a good time to state for the record that I personally have never once received any compensation for writing this blog. If I get something later, I’ll disclose that if/when the time comes.
I did not think that sexual health & FSD was a “Pseudofeminist” concern. Is that to say that I, too, am a false feminist then, for talking openly about it?

And it doesn’t stop.

Female sexual dysfunction, it turns out, was wholly created by drug companies hoping to make even bigger money off women than they have off men with the comparatively smaller market for erectile dysfunction drugs.

Emphasis mine.
I would disagree with that statement. After all, we have evidence that vulvodynia, which falls into the often-overlooked pain category of FSD, existed as far back as about 2,000 years ago. There’s no way for me to know this 100% for certain, but, I have a feeling that I probably would have developed vulvodynia & vaginismus even if Big Pharma did not exist. There’s a lot of variables going on in the history of my pelvis, but a few warning signs stand out to me now. Hindsight still isn’t 20/20 though…
But looking at what’s been written about vulvodynia for years, and seeing women disclose online that they’ve had it for decades, I feel confident saying that Vulvodynia existed long before Viagra. I’m still waiting on the magic pink pill that will take away my sexual pain & get me in the mood. Right now my main pill options are tricyclic antidepressants and anti-seizure medication, to be used off label. There’s also conventional painkillers like Vicodin. I don’t take those kinds of pills though. Actually scratch that, I have an expired prescription for Valium that I’ve taken maybe 10 or 20 of in the last year when my general anxiety got too strong to manage.

Finally, Rachel at Our Bodies Our Blog put the words female sexual dysfunction in quotes, which is another thing I don’t understand. Is that to mean that FSD is not real? I identify as having FSD. It’s very real to me. I do not identify as being distressed by my levels of libido, arousal or orgasm. For me, those three features are a function of the pain, and sexual pain is my main concern. When I’m having a bad pain day, the triad of libido, arousal and orgsam decrease. Sometimes they can hurt too.

So yeah, I’m not in the best mood and mental state right now. That’s all I have to offer right now, as I wasn’t even planning to do anymore vagina blogging at all this week.

On a new blog

Hello world, and everyone reading this.

First and foremost this blog is about my true feelings on just about everything.  I am opinionated, but open to new ideas; this will show through on my posts.  I have a wide diversity of interests ranging from cars and medicine to music and fine arts.  However, I’m a senior computer programmer by trade and computing will be a primary subject on this blog.

Let me start a bit about myself.  I’m a male, though not a stereotypical one.  I don’t have an overinflated ego nor sex drive and I don’t find “the chase” of a woman to be “fun”, whatever that may mean.  I believe in morals, in honesty, in dignity, in respect, and in values.  I treat others with all of these qualities and expect to be treated with them as well, and as you may expect I’ve found myself disappointed with most of the modern world because of this fact.

I was convinced to get this blog by a very close friend who told me that I should share my opinions and reviews with the world.  I have reviewed a lot of software, and I’ve written a lot of essays on a great many things.  Since I have them privately stored somewhere, I will post the more “exciting” ones as I find them.

But enough about me.  On with the blogging…

You and your friends v.s. me and the revolution

Okay, so it took a long while to get back here.  Since my leaving for boot camp 4 months ago (wow!), I’ve come back.  I don’t feel any different, I didn’t feel any different when I commissioned back in April, I didn’t feel any different Jul 31 as I tossed my flight cap up in the air to mark my “graduation” from COT.  It’s not really a big deal, there’s not much to talk about it.  I took a lot of pictures from COT, and I met a lot of cool people.  I admired my flight commander a good amount.  He was a man of integrity, and as my flight rallied through the weeks we spent at COT,  we found ourselves pushing ourselves to make him proud, or at least I found myself doing that.  They call it indoctrination, but as skeptical or reserved as I was prior to my experience with the men and women that serve the country, I found myself buying in and honestly and wholeheartedly believing that I had made the right decision.   I do not know where this path will take me, and as uneasy as that made me feel prior to my commissioning or commitment, I feel that I would have it no other way right now.  I’m comfortable with the fact that I don’t know where I’ll end up, and I like it that way for now.  It’s exciting knowing that I could be anywhere around the world for an undetermined amount of time, doing something that matters (at least to me.)  It’s exciting knowing that I could be doing ANYTHING around the world depending on the demands of the modern day military.  I really don’t know what type of specialty I’d like to go into, and I think it is because of that that makes it easier for me to be comfortable with the military.

I’m randomly listening to a song my friend Angela (Kim) sent me like a year ago.  I’ve been in an emo mood (as in, listening to emo music, Elliott Smith for example.  Not necessarily feeling emo,) and I don’t know, I guess I just found this song catchy, and as a creature of habit with an addictive personality, this song’s been playing on repeat for the day.  Hopefully this phase passes and I latch onto something more cheerful in a couple days.

No Hero

I’ve been watching the fascinating clips by Dr. Sanjay Gupta this past week on his “Cheating Death” series that he’s using to promote his book, “Cheating Death: The Doctors and Medical Miracles that Are Saving Lives Against All Odds.”

The clip from last night showed how a woman trapped in cold water without air for over two hours was brought back to life (she is currently a radiologist in a hospital in Norway, so brain function must be pretty good). Her core body temp was 56 degree F when she was rescued, so that makes her the coldest person on record to survive. You can find that article :::here::: on CNN.

It made me think for just a moment, wow, people who’ve lost loved ones in cold drowning accidents must be having some serious “what if” moments right now.

Then it hit me. My niece, Candace was a cold water drowning (December ‘06). In fact, it was so cold, I wondered if that was why the policeman who came upon the accident just minutes after she crashed didn’t go in to save her.

Here’s what happened to her.

Candace was driving home on a mostly empty road. A policeman on patrol who knew her passed her going the opposite direction. He went a mile further and did a u-turn to go back in Candace’s direction. Routine patrol. When he got to a bridge, he noticed her car was upside-down and underwater. He had just seen her about 5 minutes previously.

The back window was blown out and the officer could see part of a baby seat in the back. He assumed Candace got out of the car and took her baby with her. He did not go into the water to check and make sure. He called for backup and then called her grandparents to ask if she had walked home. All this time Candace was drowning right there in the car, she tried desperately to kick in the front windshield, her legs were found up on the dashboard and there was a spot where she had managed to crack the window with her feet.

Let me back up to the part just before the cop got there. A farmer who lived near the bridge heard the accident and went to see what all the noise was. At this time, he saw the car upside-down, but on the side of the ditch. It had not gone in the water yet. He went back home to call the police and get his tractor to pull the car out.

While he was gone, the car slid into the water.

So by the time the backup came and the place was swarming with police, not a single person thought to check the car. They were stunned when they pulled the car out and found her seat-belted in it. That was about an hour after the accident and there were no efforts to resuscitate her.

I’m not angry about this anymore, she’s gone and isn’t coming back. I’ve accepted this. Two chances for rescue were missed, farmers and cops are human, not superheroes. They have moments of stupidity just like the rest of us. (I understand the cop suffered greatly over this matter)

For some good news, over the summer, Candace’s brother and his wife had a baby girl and named her Candace.

You can read about my niece, Candace :::here:::

Microsoft Hosted Online Service to Help Flu (H1N1) Sufferers Seek the Right Medical Help

Online H1N1 Response Center helps users quickly assess their symptoms so they can decide whether to get medical attention or recover at home. REDMOND, Wash. – Oct. 15, 2009 – To help flu sufferers get the help they need without overcrowding waiting rooms, Microsoft has begun hosting the H1N1 Response Center (www.h1n1responsecenter.com), a free online service that assesses the symptoms users report and offers guidance for those considering whether to visit a healthcare provider.

The service has two goals: provide quick and easy information to help people who are severely ill or at increased risk make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones; and encourage those who have mild illness to consider staying home. Crowded doctors’ offices and emergency rooms can make it harder for sick patients to get timely care, plus they increase the risk of spreading germs from one person to another. Health officials estimate that between 20 percent and 40 percent of the U.S. population — or 60 million to 120 million people — may get H1N1 or seasonal influenza during the 2009 flu season. A small proportion of those will become seriously ill.

The assessment provided by the online service is based on an algorithm developed by doctors at Emory University with input from medical and public health experts nationwide. Microsoft licensed the assessment from the Emory University School of Medicine. It asks users about their symptoms and other risk factors, such as age, underlying health issues or pregnancy. The assessment dynamically responds to users’ answers that indicate a person is seriously ill or at risk. For example, someone who reports high fever or trouble breathing may be advised to visit a doctor or ER within just a few questions.

Dr. Arthur Kellermann, professor and associate dean for health policy at the Emory University School of Medicine Click for larger version.

Dr. Arthur Kellermann, professor and associate dean for health policy at the Emory University School of Medicine, says that during the spring outbreak of H1N1, many people went to an emergency room “just to be safe.” But doctors have found that making a needless trip to the emergency room is not a wise choice. “First of all, you don’t need to be there,” Kellermann says. “And second, you will probably spend a lengthy period of time waiting to be seen among others who are sicker than you. If you didn’t have the flu when you got there, you may well have it by the time you return home.”

The tool also has the potential to gather information that can help public health officials respond more effectively to the pandemic. Users can choose to make their answers from the assessment available for analysis. Those include demographic information such as gender, ZIP code and health information, but do not include name or contact information. This information can be analyzed to help public health researchers track disease patterns, such as specific regions where symptoms are increasing or clusters of sick patients in particular age groups. Providing this information is completely optional. It is used only for public health, education and research activities.

The tool is quick to use and easy to understand. That’s no accident. Kellermann and his colleagues worked with the Emory@Grady Health Literacy Team, a group of public health and internal medicine specialists who are experts at translating complex medical information into plain language. Working with test users representing a range of backgrounds and reading levels, the team refined the questions to ensure they will be clearly understood, even by users with limited reading skills or who lack sophisticated medical knowledge. “It really doesn’t take long at all to do this [work through the assessment],” says Kellermann. “And the sicker you are, the shorter it is. If you are severely ill, it tells you right away.”

David Cerino, general manager, Health Solutions Group, Microsoft Click for larger version.

When Kellermann and his medical colleagues first met in December 2008 to develop a decision-support tool to respond to a hypothetical pandemic, everyone was worried that avian flu would be the dominant disease, with deadly consequences. To help healthcare systems avoid being overwhelmed with patients, they developed the “Strategy for Off-site Rapid Triage,” or SORT, protocol. When the current outbreak of H1N1 started and quickly spread into the United States, Kellermann’s group adapted their model to reflect the characteristics of the emerging H1N1 pandemic: For example, pregnant women have a higher risk of complications than in previous influenza outbreaks. To ensure that SORT reflects the latest public health science, the Emory team engaged a national network of experts from public health, clinical medicine, health education and infectious disease disciplines. In September, the American College of Emergency Physicians — the leading organization for emergency medicine in the U.S. — officially endorsed SORT. Emory’s work was subsequently adopted and further refined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is offered to healthcare professionals nationwide for use in patient care.

At the same time that Emory was refining SORT, Microsoft’s Health Solutions Group was looking for ways to provide technological resources to help public health authorities deal with the H1N1 pandemic.

Says David Cerino, general manager in Microsoft’s Health Solutions Group, “When the data started coming out suggesting that there might not be enough vaccine to meet the demand, we started looking at what might happen if the health system became overwhelmed, and at what we could do about it.”

“What drove us to this tool was Microsoft’s ability to step up and play a part in public health, to use our technical prowess coupled with Emory’s clinical prowess to show people that these types of partnerships can really make a huge difference.” David Cerino
general manager,
Microsoft Health Solutions Group

Cerino and his team quickly identified Emory’s SORT protocol as a tool that Microsoft could help implement and deploy widely, and collaborated with the clinical experts to license the tool and get the H1N1 Response Center online in time for the fall flu season. “What drove us to this tool was Microsoft’s ability to step up and play a part in public health, to use our technical prowess coupled with Emory’s clinical prowess to show people that these types of partnerships can really make a huge difference,” Cerino says.

The H1N1 Response Center includes a prepare-for-visit tool that allows users to compile an organized health history that they can give to their healthcare providers. It does so by combining the assessment answers with health information stored in the user’s account in Microsoft HealthVault (http://www.healthvault.com/), a free personal health application platform designed to put consumers in control of their health information. Users who do not yet have a HealthVault account will be invited to sign up for one.

As the pandemic progresses, Microsoft plans to include any updates Emory provides to help H1N1 Response Center reflect new developments, such as vaccine availability, changes in symptom patterns or updated recommendations for particular risk groups. With its adaptability and flexibility, the technological model is expected to be a foundation for solutions that can be created to address future public health crises.

Kellermann notes that the ability to gather and analyze outbreak patterns gives the tool tremendous potential to empower public health officials to more effectively fight the pandemic.

“And it’s free,” Kellermann says. “Microsoft is offering it to the country, at no charge. Everyone who has participated in this project has done so on a volunteer basis. Never in my career have I seen so many accomplished people from so many different fields put their self-interest aside and come together to create this kind of resource.”

Pillow Relief

Last night was a busy night. Along with the usual changing and replacing gurneys, I do my best to make the workload easier for the nurses and other staff. Sometimes, it seems like a battle to relieve boredom between the volunteers: me, and the technicians. They are allowed to do more with patients than I am as a volunteer. They also have more training than I do, but even if I were a physician, if I were taking on this volunteer role theoretically, I couldn’t use my stethoscope, or even wheel a patient in a wheelchair without supervision. Because of the limited medical duties that volunteers and technicians are allowed, changing gurneys can be a panacea against boredom. I met one of the techs at the linen bin, and she got two sheets and handed me one, I got two pillow cases and handed her one. Then, I got two gowns which I shared and she shared two blankets. “I sure hope we aren’t going to the same bed.” We weren’t.

The high point last night was taking care of an older patient. I’ll call him Ted. He was well over 80 but frankly looked 10 years younger. He was in continuous pain. His kidney had shut down five months earlier and been on dialysis since. He had lost one kidney 60 years earlier, so I suppose the one that had recently stopped functioning didn’t really owe him anything. Apparently, they won’t perform transplants when you are in your 80s. I imagine the body just won’t respond well to such invasive surgery. I also imagine that the expected lifetime for the patient is somewhat limited. Ted was dying for some water. The nurse agreed he could have two glasses. I don’t know that a man coming out of a week in a desert could appreciate water as much as Ted enjoyed his two glasses. Apparently, his kidney is not completely shut down, yet because he is still able to pee a little. Once there is complete renal failure, one would not be able to urinate. This means that the bodies ability to regulate BP and blood volume would be severely limited, not to mention the obvious removal of urea from the body.

Ted seemed to enjoy our conversation, but every 5 or 10 minutes, he would say how difficult it was to talk. First, we’d sit in silence, or I’d leave for a half an hour or so to check on other duties, but eventually, I realized that he mainly seemed to have to say he couldn’t talk, because within a minute, he’d start up again regardless of the pain. Poor man was lonely. His back bothered him the most, and I was able to help him with that. We positioned the bed so that it bent in the natural bend at his waist, and I propped a pillow under his knees to relieve the pressure. After that, he stopped complaining about his back hurting. It is amazing to me how a little common sense can make the difference in the comfort of patients.

A joy in volunteering in the ER is that I have the time for patients that nurses and physicians may not have to converse and provide the comfort of human to human contact and conversation.

Is there a doctor or writer in the house?

Stephanie wrote this…

It’s not all that uncommon for a person change professions mid career.  In fact, with this economy, many are having to reinvent themselves.

However, changing from one noble profession to another, makes me raise an eyebrow.  And that’s what happened when I heard about Terrence Holt.  No, not THE Terrance Holt, American football safety who was signed and (quickly) released from the Carolina Panthers.  But Terrence Holt, M.D., Assistant Professor in the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine’s Department of Social Medicine and Division of Geriatrics.  Is it clicking yet?  It wasn’t for me either, until I read about THE Terrance Holt, Ph.D. and literary professor extraordinaire.  See, Dr. Holt went from shaping and influencing student minds about the great American writers of our time, to shaping the way we manage healthcare for our aging and ailing family members.

It was in Holt’s 40’s that he made the switch from Ph.D. to M.D.  And while he has no regrets, he has managed to meld his passions by recently having a collection of short stories published; In the Valley of the Kings.  The New York Times, NPR, and Wall Street Journal have taken notice.

Even today, Dr. Holt still shapes minds.  These minds are of medical students; those who look to him for guidance as they step into what could be one of many noble professions in their lifetime.

Obamacare: A Preview

Here’s a preview of what will happen if Obamacare gets enacted: Fines (or jail) for having “inadequate” medical insurance.

What’s next? Obamacare SWAT teams, probably. After all, even the Fish and Wildlife Service has a SWAT team.

The Volokh Conspiracy » Blog Archive » Fined for Inadequate Insurance.

Wendy Williams and her husband liked their health insurance plan. The premium and annual deductibles made sense for them, and a more “gold-plated” plan was not worth the money. Yet Massachusetts’ health care regulators disagreed, and forced the Williams to pay a $1,000 fine if they wished to keep their insurance plan — a plan they prefer to a comparable state-approved alternative.

It wasn’t always this way. When the Massachusetts mandate was first adopted, their plan was just fine. But then the rules changed. The state no longer accepts their insurance plan, even though they are fully insured and are not imposing their health care costs on other taxpayers.

Woman suing over vaccine has 60 days to find attorney

MILTON (October 2)— Carmen Reynolds has 60 days to find a civil rights attorney to handle her lawsuit against the state of Florida.

Santa Rosa County Circuit Judge Ron Swanson on Thursday granted the continuance and denied the state’s motion to dismiss the case.

Reynolds has named Gov. Charlie Crist, Attorney General Bill McCollum and Florida Surgeon General Ana Viamonte as defendants in her complaint that challenges a section in a new statute that allows law enforcement officers to vaccinate a resident in an emergency situation.

The statute says a resident can be forced to be vaccinated, treated or examined if they signify mortality and present a severe danger to the public.

Reynolds, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who has health issues herself, said the statute infringes on her constitutional rights.

“I have health issues, and with this statute in place, that is not a good thing. This goes against our rights at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Reynolds said.

nwfDailyNews

Canada Free Press

Tips and methods to quit smoking

There are different methods to quit smoking.

If you choose a treatment substitus nicotine, you should follow the treatment during the whole period advised, and not stop once you find that you are more dependent on cigarettes. Interest is not only to quit, but quit smoking permanently.

You will also work your daily habits associated with smoking, like go walking in the morning instead of taking a cigarette, read a book after eating instead of smoking, etc..

Here below different treatment methods nicotine substitus to end your smoking:

Patches: The treatment lasts for 3 months on average. These patches are to stick to the skin to give you a variable dose of nicotine. a daily dose that reduces of course to help you gradually free yourself from the nicotine addiction.

Chewing gum Nicotine: The treatment principle is the same patches, except that the doses of nicotine are taken orally.

The sublingual tablets: These tablets are put under the tongue. You can use if for example you want to be a little quieter (compared to the use of gums).

The inhaler: This is a piece of nicotine that is shaped like a cigarette smoker. Its advantage is that it can work also gestures dependency (the fact of holding a cigarette in hand).

Zyban: It’s a medication you can get on prescription. It reduces cravings and relieves symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. However, like any medicine has side effects, as insmonie if you take the medicine at night.

Among these methods, it is up to you to choose which is most appropriate with respect to your daily habits.

No Vaccination for the Flu!

This is what I’ve been telling my family, friends and employer!  (I work @ a medical lab).  I will not vaccinate myself or my daughter with flu vaccines (and have been debating the other vaccines for a long while).  Especially now that the vaccines Jordan would receive have the live disease in them (ie – chicken pox).  The chicken pox vaccine has also been proven not to work “for life”.

I do not believe in the scare tactics of the US government (and the medical association) about wild breakouts of infectious disease if you’re not vaccinated.  I believe that if we are dilligent in cleaning our environment, washing our hands, coughing into the crook of our arm (not into our hands), taking herbs and other home remedies, and if we strive to eat a well-balanced, organic diet we can survive just about all illnesses.  I know there are exceptions and certainly things such as major accidents, etc that do, in fact, require medical intervention.

Watch the video and visit Dr. Mercola’s site for more information regarding the latest on H1N1, aka Swine Flu.

 

Quick Bathroom Remodeling - Replace the Vanity and Medicine Cabinet

It is a known fact that selling a house purchase in view of new dwellings, the rooms, which help a house, most are well renovated and updated kitchen and bathroom. Perhaps this is because people spend a lot of time in both places every day and wish that their experience here as pleasant as possible.

Unfortunately, it can do is sometimes quite expensive, a complete transformation of the scale, either room. This article will help you to give your bathroom a quick faceliftwithout weeks of back breaking labor and without breaking the bank. The keys are to keep it simple: try just updating the vanity and the medicine cabinet.

The Vanity
The vanity includes the bathroom sink, the accompanying faucet and the base cabinet or pedestal. This is where many people spend time each morning getting ready for the day, putting on makeup, sculpting their hair, shaving, and brushing their teeth. And more than that, it is often the centerpiece the entire bathroom.

Because of this reason it is important to search the overall style of the room and maybe even the whole house would see in what style of vanity, most have to be complementary. There are all kinds of styles to consider. Most of the traditional look is a wooden cabinet base with a cut-sink, but of course there are all sorts of variations in the type of wood you can choose both the style of the individual.

They are certainly not limited tothe common wooden cabinet base (although this is usually the least expensive option!) It also covered vanity cabinets made of stone or tiles. And do not forget the very chic pedestal style vanities or even very modern-looking wall-mounted sink basins, which give the appearance of almost floating in the air.

What really counts when you have some rebuilding, that you select one that matches the vanity of both the functional and stylistic requirements. The bathroom cabinetsusually offer much more space for the room. This will certainly affect your decision.

If your remodeling project is located on a small bathroom or even a half bath, you may be able to be able to install a tall column of vanity, as the added space is not required, but a larger room, and certainly a master Bath will dictate that normally lead to the need for something more substantial. You should also consider how much work will be necessary to maintainLook of the vanity that you choose. Some materials need a lot of scrubbing and polishing, to obtain their brilliance, others may just need a quick wipe-down every day fresh and clean.

The Medicine Cabinet
Another quick solution for the remodeling job is to replace or install a medicine cabinet. These offer not only very convenient, extra storage space, but also add beauty and decor to the toilet. Medicine cabinets come in sizes from large to small, but only theagain choose should be based on your needs and your style preferences.

If you opt for large memory, select a large closet that your hair dryer, shaving can be hidden, toiletries and other accessories that you use daily, but did not really want to see during the rest of the day. But if you already have a large mirror over the vanity and ample storage space, the best choice for you may be a small medicine cabinet on the wall next to the fixedVanity, that can house smaller items like toothbrushes and, well, medicine.

If you are on a budget, you can benefit from your bathroom remodeling project most from a new vanity and a chic new medicine cabinet.

Secrets of the Dead: The Evolution of a Virus

illustration of the influenza virus from the outside (top), and cut away to reveal the RNA (bottom). Hemagglutinin and neuraminidase are the spikes on the outside of the virus.

–

This is an incredible programme about the 1918 Influenza pandemic.

Definitely have a look! It explains the origins and virologic connection between the 1918 virus and our modern H5N1 (avian influenza) H1N1 (swine influenza).

This ought to be required viewing as we face the modern pandemic of Influenza A H1N1.

Follow the link below to watch this very stimulating 50 minute PBS programme.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1240086878

H1N1 Vaccine On Schedule

The rollout of vaccine intended to protect against the global pandemic of H1N1 influenza is continuing on or ahead of schedule, a federal health official told reporters Thursday.

The H1N1 vaccine has begun shipping to 21 states and major cities.

Vaccine makers began shipping H1N1 nasal spray this week, earlier than health officials had predicted, to 21 states and the cities of Washington; New York; Chicago, Illinois; and Los Angeles, California, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some 600,000 doses are expected to arrive at those locations by Tuesday, she said.

The first round of deliveries will be the nasal spray, which contains live virus, and is recommended for people ages 2 to 49 with no existing health conditions. In many states, the initial doses of nasal spray will be directed first to health care workers.

The spray is not recommended for pregnant women, children younger than age 2 or people with health problems.

Some 300,000 liquid doses of the antiviral agent Tamiflu for children were ordered by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and are to be delivered over the coming week, Schuchat said. Texas and Colorado received shipments Thursday, she said.

Schuchat urged the public not to be alarmed if expiration dates for some of the liquid Tamiflu have passed, because the Food and Drug Administration extended them “after careful testing” to ensure they are safe and effective.

Schuchat asked for patience as the distribution process begins. “We are expecting a slow start,” she said.

She called the flu’s impact on pregnant women “striking,” and said obstetricians nationwide have told the agency they “have never seen this kind of thing before.”

From the time the disease was discovered in April until the end of August, the pandemic, sometimes referred to as swine flu, has killed 28 pregnant women in the United States, she said. Another 100 or so have required hospitalization in intensive-care units, she said.

But Schuchat said it is not clear how the impact of H1N1 on pregnant women differs from that of seasonal flu, because the H1N1 outbreak is being more closely monitored than seasonal flu has been in the past.

Still, public health officials are certain that flu activity in the United States is more prevalent now than it was at this time of year during previous flu seasons, with “substantial flu illness … in virtually all states

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