1/5. The clinical presentation of environmental health problems and the role of the pediatric provider. What do I do when I see children who might have an environmentally related illness? The practice of environmental health is concerned with the protection of the community. There are a number of tools used for assessment of environmental hazards, but environmental health is most reliant on the use of risk assessment. risk assessment is a set of tools used to assess hazards on a community level, based on human studies, ecological studies, or toxicity testing of animals. ( info) |
2/5. Primary acquired cold urticaria. Primary acquired cold urticaria (ACU) is the most common type of cold urticaria characterized by rapid onset of pruritic hives, swelling, and possible severe systemic reactions including hypotension and shock after cold exposure. Primary ACU is diagnosed by history of such symptoms, a positive immediate cold-contact stimulation test, and negative laboratory evaluation for underlying systemic disorders. Clinicians should be aware that patients with ACU may be susceptible to life-threatening systemic reactions especially during aquatic activities and that proper patient education is extremely important. This article reviews the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of primary ACU. ( info) |
| We used a case study approach to explore the experiences of 4 women who live with environmental illness (EI). From the unstructured interviews we found a variety of themes that pointed to the complexity of EI and its severe impact on the lives of these women, their families, and their significant others. The methodology was guided by an ecofeminist approach, which enabled a critical analysis of the data to move beyond the personal to the broader sociopolitical forces shaping society. We identified the following themes from the women's stories: indirect exposure to incitants through people with whom these women come in close physical contact; the phenomenon of burden of proof, meaning that these women are forced to explain and legitimize their illness on a continuous basis; taking refuge from a hostile environment in social isolation to a more controlled environment, not as a matter of choice, but because of the severity of the illness; and, finally, a change in value system was integral to the entire process of living with EI. ( info) |
4/5. Environmental factors as delusional contents in patients with schizophrenia. In a series of 50 consecutive cases in the outpatients' unit of environmental medicine (UEM) at the University Hospital of Aachen, germany, five patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia presented delusions of being poisoned by environmental factors. This case report illustrates the clinical features of the paranoid type of schizophrenic psychoses. schizophrenia represents an important differential diagnosis in the interdisciplinary diagnosis and management of health problems attributed to environmental factors. ( info) |
5/5. angioedema and swellings of the orofacial region. OBJECTIVE: Patients may have various forms of angioedema and require dental treatment which can cause or contribute to the onset of an episode of angioedema. This paper seeks to highlight the causes and the management of this serious condition. DESIGN: An outline of the different types of angioedema is given here, along with three case reports which illustrate treatment and management. SUBJECTS AND methods: Three patients who presented to an oral medicine clinic with angioedema are presented to illustrate various types of angioedema and the different contributing factors that precipitated episodes of the condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The three patients were all investigated for biochemical and allergic factors which may have caused their disease. RESULTS: Both drugs and dental materials were shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of angioedema in this short series of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dental treatment or the use of some materials may promote or contribute to the disorder. Referral to hospital for specialist care is indicated for certain groups of patients who require invasive dental treatment. The multi-disciplinary team approach in the investigation and management of patients with angioedema is emphasised. ( info) |