Tag Archives: Steve Farzam

The Difference Between a Panic Attack and an Anxiety Attack

An anxiety attack and panic attack tend to be used interchangeably, however, they are not entirely the same. While they are similar in that they both increase your heart rate and cause a shortness of breath and dizziness, that is all they have in common. While the symptoms of both may be similar, each has their own subtle differences.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Health professionals use what is called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to clinically define and diagnose health conditions. Per the DSM-5, a panic attack can be categorized as an expected or unexpected attack. Much like its namesake, an unexpected panic attack is not expected and occurs without an obvious cause. These typically will occur due to a phobia or other external stressors.

An anxiety attack, on the other hand, is not recognized by the DSM-5. Instead, it defines anxiety as a core component of several illnesses that are identified as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and trauma-related disorders.

Panic Attack: A panic attack usually occurs out of nowhere, and causes an intense, sudden feeling of fear, terror, apprehension, or nervousness. They are sometimes an “expected” panic attack because it is brought on by a known stressor, like a phobia. The symptoms tend to peak in a 10-minute time frame, however, some can last much longer and occur in succession. Sometimes, the symptoms are so severe that it can disrupt the entire day, and it is not uncommon for those that experience a panic attack to continue to feel stressed, worried, and out-of-sorts for the remainder of the day following an attack.

A combination of four or more of the following symptoms characterizes a panic attack:

Accelerated heart rate
Excessive sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Feeling of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea or abdominal distress
Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or faint
Derealization or depersonalization
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Fear of dying
Numbness or tingling sensations
Chills or hot flashes

Anxiety: An anxiety attack does not have a clinical recognition, therefore, the symptoms can be similar to those of a panic attack, but are more open to interpretation. Anxiety tends to intensify over a period of time, unlike a panic attack. Anxiety is also correlated with excessive worry and, if the worry or anticipation of something increases to a stress level that is overwhelming, it can feel like an attack. The symptoms tend not to be as severe as a panic attack, however, they can be long-lasting, stretching over days, weeks, and sometimes, months. These symptoms include:

Muscle tension
Trouble sleeping and concentrating
Fatigue
Restlessness and irritability
Increased heart rate and startle response
Shortness of breath
Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or faint

Panic and anxiety attacks can happen to anyone and easily disrupt daily life. If you or someone you know is experiencing these attacks, talking to your doctor will be the first step in seeking treatment.

Beware of These Common Household Items That Could Poison Your Child

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In the United States, there are two children that die and more than 300 children under the age of 19 that are treated in emergency rooms everyday due to unintentional poisoning. While many of the chemicals used in the home are labeled with clear warning labels, there are everyday household items without labels that can pose a serious hazard to children as well. Beware of these common household items and ensure they are secure in your home.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

According to a 2016 report from the National Capital Poison Center, cosmetics and personal care products are the number one culprits of unintentional poisoning of children. Keep your makeup, skin-care and hair-care products, nail polish remover, and other toiletries in a cabinet or drawer where your child can’t reach them. Take extra precaution and add child locks to any cabinets they may be able to access.

Medication

All medication and pharmaceuticals, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements should be stored in their original container, out of reach of your child. Again, take extra precaution and add child locks to any cabinets they may be able to access. There is no such thing as a 100% child-proof lock or container, so be sure to keep these out of reach and dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired medication safely. You can do this by mixing them with coffee ground or kitty litter or turn them in at a local take-back program.

Household Cleaners

Bleach and drain cleaner are two of the most common household cleaners that can be fatal to children should they gain access to them. All household cleaners, including laundry and dishwasher detergent, should be stored in a cabinet with a lock or on a high shelf. While it might be more convenient to keep these close to or under the sink, these products contain an abundance of chemicals that can easily poison your child should they come across it. Also, keep them in their original containers, which often contain a childproof closure.

Topical Preparations

Items such as diaper rash creams, lotions, acne medications, camphor-based ointments like calamine – all of these products are poisonous if they are ingested. After every use of these items, ensure you are storing them where they cannot be reached by your child. Additionally, after every diaper change, put your diaper changing products out of your child’s reach.

Toys and Small Items

Toys with batteries, silica gel packets found inside shoe boxes, holiday decorations, coins, bubbles, and arts and crafts are just a selection of items that can be poisonous to your child. Supervise them when they are using arts and craft supplies and keep away batteries and small magnets.

Heart Attacks: Risk Factors, Warning Signs, and How to React

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Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. That’s more than 2,000 heart attacks per day. Also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood is prevented from reaching the heart. This is the result of plaque buildup in the arteries from fats, cholesterol, and other harmful substances. As blood flow is inhibited, the heart can become damaged, or portions of it may be destroyed.

Controlling Risk Factors

There are many risk factors that can contribute to the likelihood of having a heart attack, some of which are beyond anyone’s control. For example, men over 45 and women who are 55 or older are far more likely to experience a heart attack. Additionally, family history and genetics can play a part.

Yet there are many factors that you can control and, through lifestyle changes, you can reduce the danger to your heart and your life. As high cholesterol contributes to the risk of heart attacks, eating a healthier diet can help. You may also need medication from a doctor to get your cholesterol under control. Quitting smoking and stopping recreational drug use can also have a big impact on your risks of having a heart attack.

Furthermore, talk to your doctor about starting a new exercise program. Regular physical activity can promote better heart health.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

While the signs and symptoms of a heart attack vary, these are the most common indications that you’re experiencing a heart attack:

Ache, pressure, tightness, or squeezing sensation in the chest or arms, which may spread to the jaw, neck, or back
Nausea
Heartburn or indigestion
Abdominal pain
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Cold sweats
Dizziness

What to Do in the Event of a Heart Attack

If you recognize these symptoms, act quickly and call 9-1-1 for medical assistance. Many heart attacks prove fatal simply because people ignore these early warning signs. By the time they do seek help, it’s too late. If you’re unable to call for help for any reason, ask someone else to call for emergency services.

When you do see a doctor, they may prescribe nitroglycerin, either temporarily or as a long-term treatment. Similarly, your doctor may advise you to take chewable aspirin to help reduce the symptoms of a heart attack. In any case, you should avoid taking any medication, unless instructed to do so by your doctor.

A heart attack is a serious condition, even though the symptoms may not seem alarming at first. By changing your lifestyle and following your doctor’s instructions, you can reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack. Follow healthy heart advice, especially if you’ve already had one heart attack.

First Aid Tips for Parents

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One of the most stressful parts about being a parent is dealing with a child’s injuries. While your children may get banged up pretty often, knowing just a few first aid tips can help.

Treating an Open Cut or Scrape

A bleeding wound can be among the most alarming, but cleaning the area with soap and warm water often reveals that the wound isn’t as bad as it first seemed. After it has been cleaned, dab the area with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops. In some cases, treat the injury with an antibiotic ointment or spray and dress it in a clean bandage. If the wound doesn’t stop bleeding after a few minutes, you should take your child to an emergency room.

In either case, clean the wound every day and apply a new sampling of antibiotics. Dress it in a fresh bandage. If the wound was serious, your child may be hospitalized and caregivers will take care of redressing the wound.

Treating Burns Quickly is Vital

As soon as your child comes to you with a burn, stop the burn, rinse the affected area under cool running water. Otherwise, you can wet a washcloth with cold water and apply that to the burn. Either way, continue to cool the area until the pain subsides. Dress in a clean, loosely wrapped bandage. In cases where the burn covers more than one-quarter of an inch or is more severe, presenting with white or brown skin, take your child to the emergency room for treatment.

Similarly, if the burns are on the face, genitals, or hands, your child needs to see a doctor immediately. While waiting for an ambulance, covering your child with a clean sheet or sterile gauze can help reduce the risk of infection.

After the initial treatment, monitor your child for infection. If blisters pop of their own accord or the skin breaks, treat with an antibiotic solution and cover with a clean, loosely fitted bandage. Swelling, redness, discharge, or tenderness are signs of infection and require immediate treatment from a doctor.

The key to treating any injury to your child is to clean the affected area and keep it covered to prevent infection. In cases of insect stings and small splinters, remove the foreign object, before cleaning the wound. Where the debris is larger and deeper, such as a shard of glass, clean around the wound and leave intact, until a trained caregiver can determine the best course of action. While some injuries may be minor and can be treated at home, more severe injuries require immediate and professional medical attention.

Your Guide to Becoming an EMT

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While technology is eliminating the need for some jobs, we will always need paramedics: In fact, EMT job growth is expected to explode by up to 33% within the next two years. So, how can you enter this career, which is both financially and emotionally rewarding? Here are three simple steps to pursue your future as an EMT!

Do You Have What it Takes?

Becoming an EMT requires more than just a desire to help people. To begin, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with a clean criminal record. If this describes you, you may be qualified to pursue this type of career, provided that you have also reached your eighteenth birthday.

It’s also important that you possess certain skills, such as the compassion to relate to your patients on a personal level and the ability to get along well with diverse co-workers. Listening and communication skills are also important because you’ll need to explain situations to your patients and follow the instructions other caregivers relate to you. Finally, physical strength is important, because there is much lifting and bending involved in the day to day activities of an EMT.

Get Your Training and Certification

This is a multi-step process that begins with obtaining basic CPR certification, but it also involves several other training and certification courses. Once you have CPR training, you’ll need to pursue your EMT-B certification, which is the basic certification for most EMT personnel. The courses for certification can take anywhere from three to six months to complete with a tuition of $500 to $900.

Once you have your EMT-B training completed, it will be time for you to take the National Registry EMT-Basic exam. This is a computer test that adapts to your level of knowledge. The more you know, the more difficult future questions will become. The test is intended to establish the full range of your knowledge.

Advancing Your Career

From here, you have a few choices. You can either begin working as a paramedic immediately, or you can pursue additional training to get your EMT-I (EMT Intermediate) certification. In either case, you’ll eventually have to enroll in paramedic school, which requires 1,300 hours of training and will earn you an associate degree. Tuition costs vary, depending on the community college or technical school in which you enroll. If you obtain employment as a EMT-B/firefighter, your fire department may pay a portion of the tuition.

Paramedic school will teach you more advanced procedures, such as administering an IV and learning how to interpret echocardiogram (EKG) readings. You’ll also learn advanced human anatomy and biology, and college level math and English. Next, you’ll get certified as an ambulance driver, as well. Once you’ve fully completed this training and earned your degree, it will be time to take the National Registry exam for paramedic.

The process for becoming a paramedic is long and challenging, but it can lead to a rewarding career. If you’re interested in helping others and changing lives, this may be the right career path for you. Taking on the title and responsibilities of paramedic can lead you into a worthwhile career and one that will always be in demand.

How To Make Emergency Preparedness Kits For Your Home

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Disasters are unfortunately more common than many of us may realize. In fact, as of October 2017, America witnessed at least 15 natural disasters that include two floods, seven severe storms, three tropical cyclones, one drought, an unprecedented streak of wildfires, and other calamities. Altogether, the weather and climate have claimed 323 lives, and each disaster has cost nearly $1 billion each, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Although towns, states, and the national government have plans in place to respond to crises when they arise, in many cases, individuals must rely on their own initiative in order to remain safe when disaster strikes. With that in mind, individuals and families alike should create emergency preparedness kits stocked with essential items so that they can be prepared when Mother Nature comes knocking.

The Essentials: Food, Water, and Medicine

Be sure to pack at least three-days’ worth of non-perishable food, like canned goods, in your emergency preparedness kit. You’ll also want to stock at least one gallon of water, per day, for days for each person in your household; for example, a family of four would need 12 gallons of water to last them three days. This water will be used for both drinking, cooking, and bathing or sanitation.

Furthermore, to treat any injuries or ailments that may arise after a disaster, you’ll want to have a first aid kit handy. This should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, prescription medications, and more.

Basic Supplies

Key utilities in a disaster scenario include a NOAA weather radio to receive updates from the outside world, a flashlight and LED headlamp, extra batteries, cell phone charger and backup battery, pliers and tools, a whistle, and flares. Round out your emergency preparedness kit with dust masks to filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting and duct tape to create shelters-in-place, a heat reflective emergency blanket, garbage bags, moist towelettes, feminine products, plastic ties, a manual can opener, and local maps.

Additional Items

To be as prepared as possible for any situation, you’ll need more than a standard emergency kit, so consider adding supplies like non-prescription medications—like pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, and so on—glasses and contact solution, matches, candles, a fire extinguisher, warm blankets or sleeping bags, and changes of clothing. It’s also a good idea to pack some family documents, like personal identification and insurance policies, as well as cash or checks in a waterproof container.

Maintenance

Your kit isn’t finished once you stock it with all of the items on the list. Instead, you’ll need to continue to check it regularly. Inspect the kit twice a year to see if any items have expired or become damaged, and if so, discard and replace them. You’ll also want to update your kit as your family needs change; for example, if you welcome a baby home, you’ll want to include diapers and formula in your kit as well.

The Basics of CPR

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One of the most popular—and one of the most essential—techniques in emergency medicine is cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR. First developed in 1960, CPR involves a series of chest compressions and recovery breaths to patients suffering from cardiac arrest. Its primary function is to restore the flow of oxygenated blood to an individual’s brain and heart in order to delay tissue death and brain damage in the event of an effective resuscitation.

Contrary to popular belief, CPR alone is unlikely to restart a patient’s heart, but patients who do receive CPR are significantly more likely to be successfully resuscitated. Because of its potential to save lives, everyone should have at least a basic understanding of CPR.

Identifying Cardiac Arrest

Time is muscle during heart attacks or episodes of cardiac arrest, and therefore, it’s critical to be able to identify the signs so you can react as quickly as possible. Typical signs of a heart attack or cardiac arrest include sudden collapse or loss of consciousness; discomfort in the chest or in other areas of the upper body, including the jaw, neck, back, or stomach; shortness of breath or cessation of breath altogether; nausea; lightheadedness; cold sweat; and other symptoms.

Alternatively, if you encounter an unconscious person, try to shake them and ask, “Are you OK?” You may also want to check their pulse or breathing. If they remain unconscious, if they aren’t breathing, or if they don’t have a pulse, then you should begin CPR.

Get Help and Check the Scene (Assuming the Scene is Safe)

In any situation where you need to provide emergency medicine, your first move should always be to call 9-1-1 so that paramedics will head to the scene. Additionally, before you begin CPR or other emergency care, make sure that the scene is safe. You don’t want to risk further harm to the patient or to yourself by remaining in a dangerous area such as a busy road or underneath a structure that could collapse on you, for example.

Begin Compressions

Once you’ve assessed the patient and checked to see that the scene is safe, then it’s time to begin administering CPR. Have the patient lie flat on their back and lift their chin in the air so that their airway remains open. Then, place your hands on top of each other in the center of their chest and press down by about two inches at a rate of 100 compressions per minute (to the tune of the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive”). You can use your bodyweight to help you deliver these compressions.

Give Rescue Breaths

After the first set of 100 compressions, give the patient rescue breaths. Their head should be tilted slightly to open the airway, and following that, you should pinch their nose shut and place your mouth over theirs to form a complete seal. Then, blow into their mouth twice, and continue compressions.

Continue compressions and breaths until paramedics arrive, until you are no longer able to do so without hurting yourself, or unless the scene becomes unsafe. Additionally, if an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, then you can follow the instructions provided and use it to help resuscitate the patient.

Common Driving Injuries and How to Treat Them

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Americans spend an average of 290 hours per year driving on the more than four million miles of roads across the country. And although automakers continue to introduce new features that make cars an increasingly safe form of transportation, over two million people are still injured in car accidents annually. Nobody plans to be involved in a collision—that’s why we refer to them by the euphemism of “accidents”—but when it inevitably happens, preparation is critical in order to minimize damage and protect the safety of both passengers and drivers. Take a look at some of the most common injuries related to car accidents and how you can treat them.

Scrapes and Cuts

During a car crash or accident, projectiles can fly around the interior as if the vehicle were a snow globe: think cell phones, broken glass, coffee mugs, books, laptops, and more. These objects pose a threat to anyone inside the car and often cause scrapes, cuts, and even serious lacerations. If they should occur, apply pressure to stop the bleeding, and clean the wound with soap and warm water. Lacerations may require stitches, which should be administered by a trained medical professional, but you can use standard bandages to cover less severe cuts.

Chest Injuries

Drivers are often knocked forward into the steering wheel during collisions, and this can cause chest trauma. The effects of such injuries can be as little as bruising on or around the chest, but they can also lead to difficulty breathing, broken ribs, and potentially even death. When treating collision victims for chest trauma, be careful with them and take care to immobilize their neck and back in order to prevent spinal injuries, and ensure they are in a safe location until professional help arrives. Monitor their breathing and perform CPR if they stop breathing. And whatever you do, do not remove any objects puncturing the chest, such as knives or needles.

Back and Spinal Injuries

These are some of the most dangerous injuries related to car accidents because they can lead to severe lasting damage like paralysis. As with chest injuries, immediately immobilize the neck and back so that the spine remains still and you do not bring about any further damage. Do not move the victim unless they remain in imminent danger where they are, and even then, do your best to keep the neck and back immobilized.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, and there are other injuries that can arise as the result of car accidents. In these and in other injury scenarios, however, the first step should always be to call 9-1-1 so that medical professionals can provide care to the victims. A key rule should always be that the scene is safe before getting involved.