With 4 confirmed cases of the novel virus at present in Australia, measures are being taken to help stop the propagation of the virus.
In today’s episode of Dr Nora I talk to you about my battle of finding protective measures to protect myself and my patients.
It is thought that the virus may be transmitted through airborne droplets from sneezing or coughing and it is felt that the P2/N95 mask may offer some protection. As a health care practitioner seeing around 50 patients a day it is my utmost priority to look after my patients and ensure that they are safe. After work I rushed over to my local hardware store and enquired about the mask. Unfortunately, they and all of their other franchises had run out and the only ones left were darth-Vader-esq masks.
After much deliberation I got over the aesthetics and remembered the purpose and brought one. As I drove away I thought I would call local pharmacies to check their stocks. After calling 20 different pharmacies over a span of 60km I was met with the same response ‘sorry we’re out of stock’.
Rather fortunately I drove past the hospital and thought perhaps I could ask my colleagues there and explain the situation. After speaking with the staff in ED they kindly gave me a mask for myself and my staff.
WHAT IS WUHAN CORONAVIRUS?
Wuhan is a city in China where the virus originated from. It is not fully understood how the virus is transmitted but it is believe that it originated in a live seafood market and has so far affected over 1000 people in China with around 40 people dying. It is believed that this who have died from the virus have had underlying medical conditions.
Australia has received its first confirmed case this weekend and to date there are 4 cases in two states, NSW and QLD.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The virus causes symptoms pneumonia, including, fever, cough, shortness of breath and feeling unwell and tired. It is believed that there is an incubation period of around 14 days which means that someone may not know they have the virus immediately.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Those who have travelled to Wuhan or those who have close contacts with someone who has recently travelled or has a confirmed case.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF?
Usual hygiene measures are crucial such as regular hand washing. It has currently not been recommended for the general public to use a mask outside of the health care setting.
If you have a suspicion you may be affected as perhaps you’ve recently travelled from there or know a close contact. You should maintain isolation and seek medical help. It is imperative that before you go to a doctor or the ED you must call ahead so that protective measures may be taken. You will need to be in isolation to protect others around you and hence stop the propagation of this virus.
Tests can be performed to confirm the virus and treatment may be initiated. The virus is new and not much information has been released. Scientists are working on a vaccination though this can take time.
Together with your help we can stop the propagation of the virus.
In this video we listen to the heart of a patient who has a diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction and a heart murmur.
WHAT IS DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION?
Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the left ventricle gets stiffer and is not able to accept blood return in a normal fashion. It can lead to high blood pressure and even heart failure thus requiring regular monitoring and management.
This lovely patient also has a heart murmur that you can clearly hear with the stethoscope. We take a listen to her heart at rest and during exercise.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave me a comment in the comments section below or pop by and see me in clinic.
One in every ten women are affected, no amount of dieting can help and most don’t know it exists… In this episode we talk to a patient diagnosed with Lipoedema and take a listen to her fascinating heart murmur at both rest and during exercise.
LIPOEDEMA
Lipoedema is a condition that mainly affects women and is characterised by symmetrical swelling in the legs, thighs, buttocks and sometimes arms. It is due to the way fat is deposited under the skin in an uneven manner instead of in a regular pattern. It can be extremely painful and the areas that are affected have a tendency to bruise easily. Lipoedema can result in fluid retention in the affected areas leading to a condition known as lymphoedema. It is thought to have a genetic basis, however, the cause of the condition is not yet fully understood.
As we hear in this interview, lipoedema can have a number of effects on the body from having a limited ability to do physical exercise to other medical conditions. As you’ll hear, our patient was incidentally found to have a murmur caused by diastolic dysfunction which is where the heart has trouble relaxing between beats. This means that with each contraction, less blood is pumped from the left ventricle and so the heart has to work harder to make up for this shortfall. This, if not monitored regularly, can lead to conditions such as high blood pressure and even heart failure. We take a listen to the murmur over both the aortic and pulmonary valve during rest and exercise and it’s truly amazing.
Treatment of lipoedema is multi-dimensional and involves psychological support, healthy eating and exercise, skin care, compression therapy and management of pain amongst others. It is often managed through a multidisciplinary team of doctors and therapists.
If you or someone is affected with lipoedema please see your General Practitioner for further assessment and management. There are also a number of useful support groups available.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave me a comment in the comments section below or pop by and see me in clinic.
In today’s episode of Dr Nora, I take a close look at the 3200 Littmann Bluetooth Electronic Stethoscope and see whether it’s worth the hefty price tag of $700AUD.
My primary reason for adding this to my stethoscope collection is to record heart sounds directly and share them with my YouTube followers. Prior to this, I had been recording heart sounds through my manual stethoscope by placing a microphone lapel into the ear piece, a very cumbersome experience. With this stethoscope giving the ability to record twelve 30 second tracks, I thought it would be ideal. Watch on to see what’s included in the box, what it sounds like and how to transfer the tracks onto your computer.
PROS
- 12x 30 second clips can be recorded
- Can toggle between diaphragm/ bell or both
- Comfortable ear piece - 2 sizes in the box
- Reduction in ambient noise
- On screen display on heart rate
- Battery powered x1 AA (included)
- 2 year manufacturers warranty
- Easy transfer of files to computer
CONS
- Pricey
- Limited colours available - black, burgundy, navy blue.
- Heavier
- Can’t transfer files onto a mobile device.
- Doesn’t work as well on damp skin
CONCLUSION
This is a great tool if you’re interested in learning more about particular heart, lung or bowel sounds. It would be a useful aid for exam preparation and it looks futuristic. I’ll certainly be keeping mine to film more beautiful sounds of the body.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave me a comment in the comments section below or pop by and see me in clinic.
If you are on prescribed medication long term, it is important that these are checked regularly by your doctor to make sure you are on the correct dose and they are still working for you.
Some medications require regular blood test monitoring to ensure that there have been no unwanted effects on the body.
If you are unsure about your last medication review or have any questions please pop by and see me in clinic.
