A pulmonary embolism (P.E) is a condition where a pulmonary vessel in the either or both lungs becomes blocked. The blockage is usually caused by one or more blood clots which have travelled through the venous system from another part of the body. Commonly pulmonary embolisms are caused by a clot being transferred from smaller vessels in the leg, arm or heart (Fell, 2005). The blood clot travels around the venous system until it reaches a point where it can no longer travel freely. As a result of this, blood flow is reduced to the affected area of ...

The only definitive treatment for preeclampsia is delivery of the unborn child and placenta. This intervention, even in the case of premature delivery, is the safest option for both mother and child. In cases where preeclampsia symptoms appear mild (traces of protein in the urine, with minimal elevation of the blood pressure), anti-hypertensive therapy is recommended to regain control of the blood pressure. In some cases this treatment is sufficient to allow a pregnant woman to progress to a more viable stage of pregnancy for delivery in the event that the preeclampsia worsens. In the event that blood pressure ...

Because one of the primary symptoms of preeclampsia is high blood pressure, this in turn makes the pregnant woman at an increased risk of stroke or altered kidney and/or liver function, blood clotting abnormalities, seizures and pulmonary edema as a result of excessive fluid build up in severe cases. In serious cases of preeclampsia which may be subject to delayed or inappropriate treatment, both the mother and the unborn child are at risk of death. Preeclampsia directly affects the blood supply to the fetus, therefore the condition often produces low birth weight, or in many ...

Although eclampsia is a rare complication of pregnancy, approximately 50,000 women worldwide are estimated to die annually because of eclampsia. The reported maternal mortality rate ranges from 1-20% while perinatal mortality rate of neonates born to eclamptic mothers ranges from 1.3-3%. Preeclampsia/eclampsia syndrome is more common in blacks than in Hispanics. Hispanic women are more likely to be affected by this syndrome than white women. Higher incidences of the syndrome in the developing world may be related to racial differences, but effects of other environmental and social factors cannot be underestimated. Preeclampsia/eclampsia ...

In a basic life support class, students are instructed to call 911 or the workplace emergency number in the event of an emergency. It is the job of the 911 dispatcher to evaluate and prioritize the call based on the information received. When talking to an emergency dispatcher it is not always easy to remain calm depending on the circumstances. However, it is important to try and be as clear as possible with regards to the emergency that you have so that the dispatcher can send the most appropriate resources. In many U.S. regions, 911 is a ...

People, who catch cold, can recover quicker, and in some cases even prevent catching cold in the first place, as long as they help their bodies to improve it's immune system. There are some well-known ways to improve your self-defense system and there are some surprising ways that are less obvious to us. For example, when you inhale a cold virus, it inflames your nasal passages. The inflammation process causes the body to release chemicals, which include histamine. When you have a weak immune system, you are at a higher risk of catching a cold or a virus. Your immune ...

Nutrient deficiencies appear to increase with age. Some colleagues at the University of Iowa looked at over 400 Iowans 79 and older living independently in rural areas and found that 80 percent reported consuming inadequate amounts of four or more nutrients. When declining energy requirements are not matched by decreased caloric intake then total body fat increases. The Atkins diet leaves your body shy on some important nutrients, such as vitamin B, and also is negative for vitamins A, C and D, anti-oxidants that slow the effects of aging and calcium. Once again the lack of exercise has to enter ...