Fan Art: The Hospital

How did you do on the test?

The original story can be found here

For more Fan Art click here or select the "Fan Art" button on the left side of your screen. 

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Cold versus Flu?

How can you tell if you have a cold or the flu? Well, Dr. Carm is going to help you find out!

The cold and flu have many similar symptoms and can be confusing to tell which one is which. Let’s see how much you know already.  Below are some symptoms relating to the common cold and influenza.  Some symptoms overlap both, but try to match up the symptom most commonly associated with the illness.

 

Congestion                         Cough  

Fever                                    Headache
Low-grade Fever              Muscle-aches
Runny Nose                       Sore Throat

 

Cold	Flu

 

All set? Double check your answers…. *waits patiently*

Is this your final answer? Okay…

Let’s see how you did….

 

Cold

Most common symptoms of the cold include: Sore throats, runny noses, low-grade fevers, and congestions

Flu

Most common symptoms of the flu include:  coughs, fevers, muscle-aches, and headaches

With both of these illnesses, you usually do not need to see the doctor.  Rest, liquids, and some over the counter drugs can help—as well as some “homemade” treatments.  If your symptoms do not go away (or improve) within about a week, you might have a bacterial infection.  In which case, you will need an antibiotic prescribed by your physician.

You ask: Dr. Carm can you write me a prescription?

Well, Dr. Carm can write you one, but it might not be accepted when you take it to the pharmacist (or chemist).

 

Some tips:

Remember to read the ingredients (and instructions) if you are taking over the counter drugs.  For instance, some medication includes a pain reliever in addition to congestion relief.

If you are taking prescription medication, ask your doctor about any drug interactions before taking any over the counter medications.

For people who have heart disease, Dr. Carm suggests that you stay away from decongestants (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).  Decongestants can increase your blood pressure.  You can try taking an antihistamine instead.

Remember to wash your hands and practice other sanity methods when you are sick.

Rest as you are able, and try to stay away from young children and the elderly.

And finally….Don’t be a baby! We all get sick.  Yes, you are miserable, but it does go away.

 

Related Posts:

I’m Sick: To Go or Not to Go to the Doctors 
Calling Off of Work (short story)  
Sneeze Record  

Additional Readings:

Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center  

Cold Versus Flu  

Is It a Cold or the Flu?  

 

Fan Art: Patient #3 Lyra

See the following Fan Art for Patient #3: Lyra
Original posting can be found here

For more Fan Art click here or select the "Fan Art" button on the left side of your screen.

Do You Have AMD?

Do you have AMD? Let’s find out, shall we? Just answer the following questions:

1. Do you like the water? (this means you like to swim, bathe in water, drink water….)

2. Do you love it when it rains? (the wet drops falling from the sky, the smell after a rainstorm,….)
3. Do you love to eat seafood? (fish, crab, lobster, shrimp,….)
4. As a child did your parents have a hard time getting you out of the bathtub or pool?
5. Do you consider at least one if not all of these movies great: The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Free Willy, Shark Tale, Dolphin Tale, Deep Blue Sea, Jaws, Pirates of the Caribbean, Titanic, The Poseidon Adventure, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, or Moby Dick?
6. Is your dream vacation/holiday somewhere near water? (such as a beach, a cruise, or on an island)
7. Did you know that up to 60% of the human body is water? (brains have 70% and lungs have 90%)

 

If you answered yes to at least 6 of the 7 questions, you more than likely have AMD. What is AMD you ask? Well, it stands for Aquatic Mammal Disorder. This is a brain disorder in which the brain slowly believes that you are becoming an aquatic being. Before you start flittering around with Flipper, you should know the following:

 

Although scientists are unsure of the direct cause of AMD, recent studies have pointed to a chemical imbalance in the brain tissue. It is believed that those who have less than 68% of water in the brain tissue (due to the chemical imbalance) suffer from AMD symptoms. More research is needed to verify this. So far, AMD is not life threatening – until the person believe that he or she is an aquatic mammal, in which case he/she tries to live in the ocean or other water source and drowns. Do not worry. This only happens in 4 out of 5 cases.

 

If you feel that you or someone you know has AMD, please alert your physician for possible treatments – even though there are none available at this time.

 

Related Postings:

Patient #4: Desiree  
Patient #8: Pirate   
Sneeze Record  

 

Fan Art: Baby in Cab Story

The story about the baby in the cab can be found here

For more Fan Art click here or select the "Fan Art" button on the left side of your screen.

Tooth Problems

Believe it or not, Dr. Carm has had trouble with bad teeth (despite brushing). I know what you’re thinking. Dr. Carm is perfect? How is this possible? Do not fret my dear patients! Dr. Carm is perfect.

Having tooth pain, cavities, root canals, teeth pulled, etc. is not fun. I’m sure most people have had an encounter with at least one of these toothy problems in their lifetime. Bad habits, diet, and even dentists can be the cause of tooth troubles.

Not long ago, Dr. Carm came across a blog written by Dr. Ellie. In this blog, she discussed the ins and outs of teeth and tooth decay. Some interesting facts focused on learning how the pH balance in your mouth affects the health of your teeth. Dr. Carm won’t go over everything in her writings; you can read that on your own here. 

Essentially, she came up with this system for keeping your teeth healthy and clean. She even said that this system can help reverse cavities. Sounds nice, huh?

The system is basically this:

Once in the morning and once at night, you....

1. Rinse with Closys

2. Brush with Crest Original Regular Cavity Protection toothpaste

3. Rinse with Listerine (original/regular)

4. Rinse with ACT original

Products outside the US can be found here on her site.

During the day you take xylitol (as a mint or gum; or mixed in water or food.) 

 [Again I direct you to her website for more information on the steps and why she suggested those particular products in that order.]

If you floss, Dr. Ellie suggested to floss before rinsing. She also said that complete results can take up to two years, but you should start seeing results before then. There were claims from people who have tried this system saying their small cavities have disappeared in six months.

 Does it really work? Well, Dr. Carm tried the system for about 3 months before she went to the dentist to get some teeth fixed. It didn’t get rid of the cavities, but the dentist commented that Dr. Carm’s mouth was very clean and helped to keep the one cavity from spreading farther down under the gum. Once everything was fixed, Dr. Carm went back six months later for a cleaning. No cavities! In summary, it seems to work well with prevention rather than fixing problems.

Key Points on Dr. Ellie's system experienced by Dr. Carm:

1. The system is affordable. For example, at Walgreens, total for all system products is around $20.  (This should last you a while.)

2. The system did not actually “fix” any cavities or showed signs of fixing--although Dr. Carm's cavities were not small.

3. The system provides a clean mouth.

4. It is good prevention for those who have higher risk for cavities when brushing alone is not working.

Related Posts:

Sweets and Sugars

I Ate Too much Candy

Further Reading Outside Dr. Carm's Blog:

Truth About Health Teeth

Interesting Facts About Dentists and Dentistry

Fan Art: Patient #2

Ever wonder what symptoms of VES might look like?
See the following Fan Art for Patient #2: Sam
Original posting can be found here

For more Fan Art click here or select the "Fan Art" button on the left side of your screen.

Fun Diagnosis: Do you have VSD?

Before discussing VSD, please take the following self-quiz below. This will determine if you might possibly have VSD.

Quiz: 

Do you find it easier to stay up at night than to get up early in the mornings?
Do you consume more liquids than solid foods daily?
Do you like cloudy days?
Are at least two of your teeth pointy?
Are you always cold?

Do you hiss when you are angry or threatened?

If you have at least 5 out of the 6 symptoms above, you may have VSD and should be checked by your physician.

VSD is the abbreviation for Vampiric Symptom Disorder. No, this does not mean you are actually a vampire. This means you exhibit vampire-like behaviors routinely. It is usually not life-threatening, but it can progress into VBD – Vampiric Behavior Disorder. (VBD is very dangerous and should be treated right away.)

VSD affects about 1 in 486 people. Most sufferers can go through life with VSD and never realize they have it. Symptoms of VSD are often treated with medication associated with other diseases or disorders, while pointy teeth can be filed down at a dentist office.  

When VSD is progressing to VBD, the patient could suffer from additional symptoms. These include: avoiding sunlight at all costs, developing a fetish for blood, flinching at crosses, avoiding garlic in any sustenance, and preferring to sleep in a tight (closed in) space.

If you have any questions on your symptoms, you should speak to a medical professional as soon as possible. Don’t let VSD suck the life out of you!

 

 

 Related Postings:

Patient #2: Sam
Patient #4: Desiree
Patient #5 Heather
Patient #8: Pirate