• Josyann Abisaab: What is COPD?

    COPD 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. 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.…

  • Symptoms of Heart Attacks that Require an Emergency Room Visit: Dr. Josyann Abisaab

    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 heart 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.

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

    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. 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,…

  • Third Degree Burns Require Immediate Emergency Care

    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…

  • Second Degree Burns: Dr. 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…