I Got The Flu...Am I Dying? #fluseason #coldandflu

Ummmmm No, you are not dying !
Do you need to go to the Emergency room now! No!
Only unless you are so sick that you can not keep down liquids, you are not going to the bathroom anymore ( peeing at least once in 8+ hours, your pee is dark, you are dehydrated now possibly) By liquids I don't mean alcoholic kind...yes some have to ask.
Your fever will not go away even after taking Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or Ibuprofen (Motrin) and waiting at least an hour for it to work. It's ok to run a fever... It's your body's way of trying to fix itself.
Please at least try to help yourself, you don't have to prove a fever to the ER nurse, she will just roll her eyes at you if you did not take anything at all. That goes for those little kiddos too. Nothing makes me want to roll my eyes at you if you did not try and medicate your child.... They feel like poop, give them something to make them feel better.... Be a parent please ( off my soapbox..sorry about that)

The flu is a virus... True influenza is a respiratory kind of viral bug... Nothing we can give you will make it go away ...once you have influenza of any type.. You are gonna feel like crap for about 1-2 weeks......yes I said weeks.... See why prevention of the flu is everything ! It is spread by droplets..floating around in the air once someone infected with flu coughs,sneezes and spreads those droplets to you, a doorknob,shopping cart or anywhere those nasty drops land.
Antiviral meds are not that effective...have yucky side effects (like vomiting...fun) and cost more $$. Would I take them...NO ... Would my medical coworkers take them...usually they say no way too....that's gotta tell you something...and never would I give to my kids or grand-kids.

What are the symptoms of the Flu (influenza) ?

• Fever-- we have been seeing very high fevers lately...like 103-106 high
• Comes on suddenly
• Chills - shaking feelings like you are "freezing to death"
• Headaches
• Muscle and body aches
• Dizziness
• Runny nose,coughing,respiratory symptoms ..worse than a common cold
• Extreme fatigue ,tiredness
• Lack of appetite
• Most people have all or a few of these symptom, but they all will have a fever.

What do I do to prevent or keep from getting the flu?

• WASH YOUR HANDS!!! Wash your hands, wash your hands! #1 thing proven to help prevent!
• Stay home during higher flu season times... The ER and Dr offices are full of flu patients right now.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing! Don't spray your droplet mess to everyone.
• Don't share eating utensils or cups with others, even your family.
• Get a flu vaccine early in the fall,when the are first available.
• Eat a healthy diet ... This goes a long way to preventing illness's
• Take a good probiotic daily! Keep you gut healthy...80% of you immune system lives in your tummy!
• Preventative essential oils have been proven to help with seasonal threats and support of your immune health, educate yourself on these.

What can I do at home to feel better? Or help my family to feel better?

• Rest-- sleep it off, your body needs to repair itself while you sleep.
• Drink lots and lots of fluids...juices,waters,pedialyte type liquids,Popsicle's ,frozen fruits or ices soothe.
• Wash those hands...don't spread it
• Medicate to help the symptoms- Acetaminophen or Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Motrin for fevers and discomfort. Over the counter flu type meds (Theraflu) can help, you can ask the pharmacist for suggestions.
• Hot tea with lemon and honey does help.
• Chicken soup ( yes it does help to soothe the savage beast)

When do you call the doctor or go to the ER?

• High fever with a rash all over
• Trouble breathing
• Skin or lips have bluish appearance
• Not drinking enough or peeing any for >8 + hours
• Lethargic or very sleepy, can't wake person
• Confused

Do you have a cold or the flu?? Her is how to tell.....

Stay well! and Wash those Hands Please!

Thinking About Quitting? Thousands Of People Do Everyday...

Smoking is an epidemic all over the world, if you smoke, have you ever thought about or tried to quit? Here is what actually happens to your body after you put down that last cigarette?

The goal is to make the healthy choice and stop for 5- 10 years , this cuts your risks in half of stroke and cancer. If you notice in the info-graphic below, even 1 month-9 months after quitting, your lungs are better and your overall energy begins to improve.

Smoking is just not smart, we all know the risks, just do it! Quit today! I lost my mother to lung cancer, she smoked for over 50 years, she was also one of thousands of smokers that die everyday from smoking...do you want to be one of the thousands? 

Credit to CVS Health and DailyInfographic.com 

Stay safe

Vaccines Save Lives #education #health #wellness

Yes vaccines are arguably the greatest technological development of the 20th century. Immunizations have been so effective at eradicating diseases such as measles, mumps, small pox, polio and chicken pox that many Americans have never seen a case of these diseases. I myself can remember having the mumps along with my 2 brothers then we all 3 got the chicken pox, then our poor daddy got the mumps ( as an adult having the mumps was not fun and he was very sick for a long time) My poor mom was worn out by the time our household finally got well, she was a superstar (God rest her soul) I can't believe she took care of all of us without complaining one bit.
This day and time you just don't see these types of diseases anymore due to our great jobs getting immunized so far. I am afraid this might just change soon due to parents who have chosen not to vaccinate their children for whatever reason they might choose.

Think about what you are doing before you choose not to vaccinate, educate yourself with the right information (not off You-tube videos) and think about the many life's of others that might be affected if your child comes down with one of these diseases and spreads it. These diseases can kill, that is why we vaccinate....to save lives.

see the pdf of this infographic HERE :   http://www.wellnessctr.org/wellness-corner/upload/immunization_web.pdf

This Thanksgiving What I am UnThankful For....ER Nurse Version

Working in the ER changes you as a nurse, sadly the chaos, tragedy, stress and constant living on the edge carves away at your inner being. Many nurses working in this environment for many years become cynical, hardened, and pretty much burnt to a crisp. These nurses begin to think about other fields of work to try, but learn that they are used to a certain lifestyle and pay. Without going back to school or changing professions completely they feel stuck in a dead end job.
They also make their co-workers around them miserable, the team player is no more. Vocal and verbally negative, they complain constantly about everything from their own health to their patients (the very patients that they are there to care for).
Working with a "negative Nancy or Ned" is one of my most "unthankful" things, it drains me and makes me sad.
If you are that unhappy with your job, you need to find a new one ...fast.
I come to work in a great mood, happy to have a job and after many years still love my job. Yes some days are more stressful than others, but all in all the patient is why we are there to work. Whether it is a negative nurse, doctor, or even part of the ancillary staff, that person can pull everyone down and make the work environment unhealthy emotionally for everybody, then the patients ultimately suffer.

Here is a list of Un-Thankful things:

• Negative Nellies (or Neds) - get your head out of your butt
• Uncooperative staff (that complain about every new change- even if it is good)
• Co-workers that consistently call in sick (and you know your health is worse than theirs)
• Constant complainers- something is always wrong with them- always sick or have a problem
• Nurse Bullies (Horizontal Violence) - nobody has time for that 
• Gossipers (mind your own business and let me do my job)
• Nosey Nosela's -- we all seem to have one or two that need to know it all (and tell it all)
• Superheros that know it all (but really don't) these nurses scare me- nobody knows it all
• Loners-- those that will not ask for help ( it is ok now to ask for help!)

I will stop there, I think you get the drift......lol , you all know what I am talking about if you are a nurse. 

Working in an environment such as the ER does not have to change you into such a cynical burnt out cinder. You are the key to your own happiness, accept gratitude for your career as a caregiver in such a fast paced role. Embrace your own wellness and take care of you, that is the most important thing you can do for your patients and coworkers. 

New nurses and nursing students, the time is now for you to be the change. One nurse at a time, one day at a time we can change the face of negative nursing environments and un-thankful lists. Happy, healthy nurses create a patient that is on the road to wellness. 

Stay tuned for my Most Thankful ER Nurse list ,coming up tomorrow.......... 

Emergency Room or Urgent Care, Where Do I Go? #supportthescrubs #nurseup

Just when do you come to the Emergency Department(Room) to be seen and worked up for a problem? Of course Ebola is first on the list these days of problems people are scared to death of, but things like chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke like symptoms, severe abdominal pain, bleeding uncontrollably, sudden thunderclap type headaches (totally different from your regular headache), your newborn infant has a high fever etc. (see the infographic below for a good list of things to go to the ED or Urgent Care for) Are complaints that you seek emergency care for...

There are many people that seriously just don't understand the process of who needs to be in the Emergency Department and who does not! ER nurses and providers are totally frustrated with the minor complaints that show up on our door steps that could have easily waited until their primary care doctor, clinic or the urgent care was open. Even trying some home care measures before you run to the ER is OK, giving your child some Tylenol or children's Motrin and actually waiting to see if it works is A OK you know (or do you know?). Have you called your own doctor, pediatrician or dentist? most of them have an on call service? Or did you just panic and freak out?
Coming to the ER for something stupid and uncalled for just exposes you to more germs, adds to the wait times in all the ER's, takes a bed away from someone that actually may need it (yes really) and adds to the stress of the already overburdened system. (Yes I am on my soapbox today)

Coming to the ER with complaints like these drive me nuts: (yes these are actual complaints that I have heard as an ER nurse over the last 25+ years) --no names of course to protect privacy, some things have been changed. Picture the look on my face when I heard these complaints.....lol

• A cough for 3 years  ( today was the day to get checked out)
• My toothpaste made my gums hurt (she really wanted a work note and narcotics)
• My big toe is sore (pt had new shoes and wanted a work note)
• My toe nail polish made my toes red (rash) - noted pt had on red nail polish
• My partner cheated on me and I want to be "checked" (she actually cheated and had 3 std's)
• I have something stuck in my teeth ( omg you don't want to know what it was)
• I have had a condom stuck in my vagina for 3 months (it was a French tickler- smelled so good)
• My period is way to heavy... ( she was crazy actually )
• I have had chest pain for 3 years (and I needed a ride in the ambulance closer to my house)
• My vibrator is stuck and I need the batteries changed soon ( you can only imagine)
• I have money stuck up in my vagina and I need change for the laundry mat (a frequent flyer)
• I need you to give my child Tylenol here in the ER so I will have money for the laundry mat.
• I have a rash on my hand (no rash to be seen anywhere)
• My child has a fever of 99.1 (child running all over the room eating chips and drinking Pepsi)
• I flushed my pain medication down the toilet by accident and need refills (oh by the way I am from out of state) -- wanted drugs, was lying of course
• I fell off the roof in 1986 and my back still hurts, I want my back surgery now!! (it is 2006 now)
• My baby needs to be checked (had not been to well child checkups since mom had been busy she said)  (I want a check mark stamp)
• My child needs his football physical (mom was told that the ER does not do physicals, she wanted to check in and wait anyhow) (the doctor told her no after she waited 3 hours)

I could go on and on with these ridiculous type of complaints that are all actually real, these patients also think they should be seen first, even before your chest pain or stroke symptoms, they can make the most noise in the lobby. One lady told me once "I don't care if that baby is not breathing, I am going to be late getting home and my probation officer will find out I am not at home, so I need you to write me a note NOW!!!" I just smiled at her and walked away..................

Next time you are in the ER or even a Urgent Care facility, tell the nurses and providers thank you for all the hard work they do, putting up with bull-crap and just smiling-- then saving your loved one's life.

#supportthescrubs 

On a serious note, if you are truly sick or just don't know, then by all means come in to the ED. I would much rather help you make that decision than you stay home having chest pain, shortness of breath, an allergic reaction to something or stroke like symptoms. Trust your gut, especially if you are a parent, you know your child, if they are just not acting right.... seek treatment... call your peds doctor first and then come to the ER. Most pediatricians want to talk to you first before you head to the ER. Unless your child is an infant under 90 days old with a fever over 100.5 rectally, that is a real emergency and needs to be seen, unless you have made other arrangements with your pediatrician already. 

Call 911 if you need to, they can treat most emergent problems in the field before you even get to the ED. They are highly trained in their profession and can make the choices you might not be able to in an emergency. 

It is really easy to send you home, when we have ruled out all the bad things that can "kill you dead today" . It is much harder to tell your family that you are gone :( 

Weeeeeeeeeee! little piggie

Sleep an essential element {infographic}

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