24
Feb/11

Dr.Josyann Abisaab:Allergic Reactions are Sometimes Emergencies

by admin under Allergies, Dr. Josyann Abisaab, health issues

The body’s immune system is a marvelous apparatus which protects us from an incredible number of substances in the environment that could harm us. When the immune system breaks down, or is in a weakened state, the body is subject to great harm from common and usually relatively harmless illnesses. The common cold or the flu can be lethal to someone with a non-functional immune system.

Allergic reactions however, are the immune system ‘over functioning.’ Substances which are harmless to most people, like pollen, animal hairs, or bee stings, cause the immune system to react in such a way which can create a physiological response which can be anything from discomfort like a runny nose to a life threatening situation like anaphylaxis.

As an emergency room physician Dr. Josyann Abisaab believes people should be aware of the signs of anaphylaxis so that if they should ever be confronted with such a reaction, either in a child or adult, they will know how to respond.

Shock is one of the signs of anaphylaxis. Shock is when there is a sudden and large fall in the body’s blood pressure creating a situation where the organs do not receive the blood supply they need to function properly. Considering the serious danger this can put someone in, the best response is to immediately call an ambulance so the person having the reaction can get the care he needs as soon as possible.

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10
Feb/11

Josyann Abisaab: What is COPD?

by admin under COPD, Dr. Josyann Abisaab, Josyann Abisaab, health issues

Dr. Josyann Abisaab COPDCOPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This illness is composed mainly of three separate chronic illnesses; chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma and emphysema. The main cause of COPD in the United States today is smoking, which accounts for about 90% of the cases. And although not every smoker will get COPD, it is estimated that about 15% of smokers will. It is not completely understood yet if passive smoking (inhaling cigarette smoke from a nearby smoker) can contribute to the development of COPD; it is known that children living with people that smoke are more likely to develop respiratory infections and the symptoms of asthma.

Emergency room physicians such as Dr. Josyann Abisaab urge smokers to try and reduce the amount they smoke, or even better, quit smoking altogether. Evidence shows that if a patient with COPD stops smoking, their decline in respiratory function slows down to the same level as a non-smoker, showing that it is “never too late to quit.”

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3
Feb/11

Dr. Josyann Abisaab:Illness in Children:When is it an Emergency?

by admin under Josyann Abisaab, emergency room prevention tips

Emergency room doctor Josyann Abisaab MD, frequently sees parents bring their children to the emergency room for what seems like a serious illness, but in reality it is just a cold or flu and the visit was unnecessary.

Here is a video to help parents decide whether their child is ill enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room, or if you can treat your child’s illness and symptoms at home, knowing that they will pass and your child will get better with help from you and your family doctor.

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20
Jan/11

Symptoms of Heart Attack Require Emergency Room Visit: Dr. Josyann Abisaab

by admin under Dr. Josyann Abisaab, ER, Josyann Abisaab, heart health

The question of when to go to the emergency room hopefully does not come up too often, but when it does its good to know how to proceed.

Symptoms of heart attack and stroke certainly require immediate attention in the emergency room. Those symptoms include chest pain and/or shoulder pain which goes down the arm. Heartburn can also be a symptom. Other cardiac symptoms of hearth attack are shortness of breath, quick pulse, and palpitations.

Dr. Josyann Abisaab is an emergency room physician who frequently cares for patients in the emergency room experiencing heart attacks . Early intervention under such circumstances can often save a person’s life.

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6
Jan/11

Josyann Abisaab, MD: Who Should Get the Flu Shot?

by admin under Flu Vaccine, Josyann Abisaab, Uncategorized, health issues

The Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that every person over 6 months old should be vaccinated against the influenza virus. They voted for this policy last winter, on February 24, 2010. Their recommendation was that there should be “universal” flu vaccination in the United States and that the  program at that time should be expanded to meet this goal, which was done.

The groups most ‘at risk’ should be especially careful to get their flu shots early in the season which begins in September, but it is not too late even now, in January. If you fall into any of the following groups and are still not vaccinated, it is wise to heed the advice of the CDC and do so at once. As of January 1st, 2011 those with Medicare coverage are entitled to free flu vaccines, so now there is no reason to delay taking this important step to protecting your health.

  1. Pregnant women
  2. Anyone over 50 years old
  3. Children who are younger than 5 years old, but there is a special urgency for those between 6 months and 2 years old
  4. Anyone of any age with some chronic medical conditions. Check with your doctor.
  5. Those who live in nursing homes or other care facilities long-term.
  6. People who come into frequent contact or live with others who are at high risk for the complications of the flu, which includes but is not limited to:

a.    Those who work or live with young children, especially if the children are less than 6 months old and are too young to be vaccinated themselves.
b.    Those who come in contact with persons at high risk for the complications the flu can cause.
c.    Any health care workers.

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26
Dec/10

Third Degree Burns Require Immediate Emergency Care

by admin under Burns, Dr. Josyann Abisaab, ER, Josyann Abisaab

Third degree burns are the most severe. These burns involve all the skin’s layers and cause permanent damage to the tissues. Sometimes fat, muscle and even bone can be involved. If the burn is bad enough it could appear black and charred or look dry and white. There can be other toxic effects if smoke inhalation accompanied the burn and the patient might have trouble inhaling or exhaling.

Third degree burns are serious emergencies and require expert emergency care from emergency room doctors such as Josyann Abisaab. Call 911 as soon as possible, and while waiting for the ambulance be sure to:

1.    Not remove clothing, but make sure there is nothing smoldering or still burning touching the victim.

2.    Not immerse large and severe burns in cold water. Immersion in cool water could case the body temperature to drop, causing hypothermia, lowering of blood pressure, and poor circulation (shock.)

3.    Check for breathing and other signs of life such as coughing and movement. Start CPR if circulation seems to be curtailed.

4.    Try and keep the burned parts of the body elevated to a level above the heart, if possible.

5.    Cover the area where the burn is with a cool, moist and sterile bandage; clean moist cloth; or moist towels.

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18
Dec/10

Second Degree Burns: Dr. Josyann Abisaab

by admin under Burns, Dr. Josyann Abisaab, Josyann Abisaab

Second degree burns are more serious than first degree burns, but still do not always require emergency room visits. The classification of second degree burn applies when the skin has been burned through to the second layer of skin. This layer is known as the dermis, and when it is damaged blisters rise up and the skin becomes intensely reddened, with an accompanying splotchy appearance. Sever pain as well as swelling is also present.

As long as this second degree burn only takes up an area of the skin no larger than 3 inches in diameter, this can be treated as a minor burn like a first degree burn. If the burn is on the hands, feet, groin, buttocks or on a major joint or is larger than 3 inches in diameter, emergency medical care is advised.

To treat a minor burn, first cool the burn by running cool (not cold) water over the burned area for 10-15 minutes or until the pain is alleviated. Immersion is also an option, and so is the use of cool compresses. Cooling the burn reduces the swelling by taking the extreme heat away from the skin. Do not use ice.

Bandage the burn with a clean gauze loosely applied so there is no pressure which can cause pain. The gauze prevents air from getting on the burn, reduces the pain, and protects the damaged, blistered skin.

Take a pain killer to relieve the discomfort, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and other over-the-counter medications. Take care when giving pain-killers to children. Call a doctor for advice.

Do not use ice to cool the burn. Further damage to the skin might ensue. Do not apply ointments or butter to the burn. This can cause an infection in the wounded area.

Do not break blisters. Broken blisters can get infected more easily.

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11
Dec/10

Emergency Room Advice:Burns Part I: Josyann Abisaab

by admin under Burns, Dr. Josyann Abisaab, Josyann Abisaab

One reason why a person might decide to go to the emergency room is if he believed either he or someone he knows has suffered a severe burn. Burns can be caused in many ways; some of the more common sources of burns are hot substances such as boiling water, or from fire. Certain chemicals which are caustic can also cause serious burns.

How can a person decide whether a trip to the emergency room is really needed? The following guidelines in three parts should be helpful.

First-degree burns are the least serious. These types of burns only affect the outermost layer of skin, and do not penetrate further. The skin usually appears red with some swelling, and sometimes pain as well. You can treat a first degree burn as a minor burn unless there are major portions of skin involved at the hands, feet, face, groin, or buttocks. Also, if a major joint is affected emergency medical attention is in order.

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4
Dec/10

Understanding Triage: Dr. Josyann Abisaab

by admin under Dr. Josyann Abisaab, ER

ER physicians like Dr. Josyann Abisaab know that a new visitor to the emergency room is sometimes confused as to why the department sometimes treats patients who arrived after him instead of providing treatment in the precise order in which patients arrived. That’s why it is important to learn the concept of triage. Triage is generally a patient’s first stop in the emergency department. It is the site where a member of the ER team, usually a nurse, evaluates the patient’s condition and assigns him to one of three categories:

1.       Imminently life threatening

2.       Urgent, but not imminently life threatening

3.       Less urgent

As a result of triage, someone who arrives with a life threatening condition can be seen immediately, even if he or she was not the first to arrive. Conversely, this means that patients with less time-oriented problems may need to wait a bit longer, while still being of receiving the correct level of treatment.

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26
Nov/10

Asthma and Emergency Care

by admin under Dr. Josyann Abisaab, ER, Josyann Abisaab, health issues

Having a child with asthma can be very stressful. It is hard to know when an ER visit is necessary. Emergency care doctors such as Dr. Josyann Abisaab recommend you prepare for such a visit in advance, and become familiar with the symptoms that need emergency care. Some of them are:

  • If your child’s coloring changes; blue or gray lips and/or fingernails
  • If your child has difficulty talking
  • If your child’s peak flow reading drops below 50% and does not improve with medication
  • If your child repeatedly uses rescue medications for severe flare-up symptoms which do not go away after five or ten minutes, or return quickly.
  • If the areas between the ribs, below the ribs and in the neck pull in dramatically while your child inhales
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