September/October 2008 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 21 Number 5
Corneal Abrasion
Unlike an impaled object in the eye, as discussed in You’re in Good Hands, a corneal abrasion is a common expedition problem because the mechanism of injury is quite simple.
For example, you are walking along a trail enjoying a hike with some friends. The person in front of you encounters a branch across the trail. They bend the branch back out of their way and then release it as they pass by. The now spring-loaded-branch snaps back into place, and in the process, whacks you in the face. Every outdoor enthusiast, at some point during their hiking adventures, has either been whacked in the face by a branch, or was responsible for whacking someone else.
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Giardiasis and Diarrhea
/in Diarrhea, Infection/by WMN EditorsSeptember/October 2008 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 21 Number 5
Giardia lamblia (Giardia lamblia) is a flagellated protozoan parasite that infects the small intestine causing diarrhea, bloating, and bad gas. People contract giardia when they consume contaminated food or water.
Giardia has a very simple life cycle. The dormant giardia cyst, ingested along with contaminated food or water,
makes its home in the small intestine where the cyst hatches and changes into a trophozoite. (The trophozoites cause the illness—the un-hatched cysts do not.) The trophozoites then reproduce by binary fission (cell division) and the population grows.
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Corneal Abrasion
/in Eye injuries/by WMN EditorsSeptember/October 2008 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 21 Number 5
Corneal Abrasion
Unlike an impaled object in the eye, as discussed in You’re in Good Hands, a corneal abrasion is a common expedition problem because the mechanism of injury is quite simple.
For example, you are walking along a trail enjoying a hike with some friends. The person in front of you encounters a branch across the trail. They bend the branch back out of their way and then release it as they pass by. The now spring-loaded-branch snaps back into place, and in the process, whacks you in the face. Every outdoor enthusiast, at some point during their hiking adventures, has either been whacked in the face by a branch, or was responsible for whacking someone else.
Read more
Asthma and Rescue Inhalers
/in Allergies, Asthma, Shortness of breath/by WMN EditorsSeptember/October 2008 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 21 Number 5
By Frank Hubbell, DO
Illustrations by T.B.R. Walsh
As described in the feature article, asthma is recurrent (not progressive) and reversible. An asthma attack is caused by allergens that have been inhaled into the airway causing swelling, bronchospasm, and increased mucous production by the bronchioles. This will cause the bronchioles to narrow, producing expiratory wheezing (wheezing on exhalation), which will then cause air to become trapped in the alveoli. Due to the decrease in air movement, and air trapping, asthma patients will complain of a worsening sensation of shortness of breath (SOB)—dyspnea.
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Ocular Impalements
/in Bandaging, Eye injuries/by WMN EditorsSeptember/October 2008 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 21 Number 5
By Frank Hubbell, DO
Illustrations by T.B.R. Walsh
Bleeding is usually minimal Read more