Cyclonic Storms
Thyroid Crisis
Disasters
New Orleans
Louisiana
Floods
Relief Work
Ventricular Fibrillation
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Preparing for disaster: response matrices in the USA and UK. (1/195)
(+info)Access to care among displaced Mississippi residents in FEMA travel trailer parks two years after Katrina. (2/195)
(+info)Internet-based morbidity and mortality surveillance among Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Georgia. (3/195)
INTRODUCTION: The Internet has revolutionized the way public health surveillance is conducted. Georgia has used it for notifiable disease reporting, electronic outbreak management, and early event detection. We used it in our public health response to the 125,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees who came to Georgia. METHODS: We developed Internet-based surveillance forms for evacuation shelters and an Internet-based death registry. District epidemiologists, hospital-based physicians, and medical examiners/coroners electronically completed the forms. We analyzed these data and data from emergency departments used by the evacuees. RESULTS: Shelter residents and patients who visited emergency departments reported primarily chronic diseases. Among 33 evacuee deaths, only 2 were from infectious diseases, and 1 was indirectly related to the hurricane. CONCLUSION: The Internet was essential to collect health data from multiple locations, by many different people, and for multiple types of health encounters during Georgia's Hurricane Katrina public health response. (+info)RGS2 and generalized anxiety disorder in an epidemiologic sample of hurricane-exposed adults. (4/195)
(+info)Hurricane Katrina: impact on cardiac surgery case volume and outcomes. (5/195)
Hurricane Katrina produced a surge of patient referrals to our facility for cardiac surgery. We sought to determine the impact of this abrupt volume change on operative outcomes. Using our cardiac surgery database, which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Continuous Improvement in Cardiac Surgery Program, we compared procedural outcomes for all cardiac operations that were performed in the year before the hurricane (Year A, 29 August 2004-28 August 2005) and the year after (Year B, 30 August 2005-29 August 2006). Mortality was examined as unadjusted rates and as risk-adjusted observed-to-expected ratios. We identified 433 cardiac surgery cases: 143 (33%) from Year A and 290 (67%) from Year B. The operative mortality rate was 2.8% during Year A (observed-to-expected ratio, 0.4) and 2.8% during Year B (observed-to-expected ratio, 0.6) (P = 0.9). We identified several factors that enabled our institution to accommodate the increase in surgical volume during the study period. We conclude that, although Hurricane Katrina caused a sudden, dramatic increase in the number of cardiac operations that were performed at our facility, good surgical outcomes were maintained. (+info)Spatial patterns of natural hazards mortality in the United States. (6/195)
(+info)Health of Medicare Advantage plan enrollees at 1 year after Hurricane Katrina. (7/195)
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of Hurricane Katrina on mortality, morbidity, disease prevalence, and service utilization during 1 year in a cohort of 20,612 older adults who were living in New Orleans, Louisiana, before the disaster and who were enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO). STUDY DESIGN: Observational study comparing mortality, morbidity, and service use for 1 year before and after Hurricane Katrina, augmented by a stratified random sample of 303 enrollees who participated in a telephone survey after Hurricane Katrina. METHODS: Sources of data for health and service use were MCO claims. Mortality was based on reports to the MCO from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; morbidity was measured using adjusted clinical groups case-mix methods derived from diagnoses in ambulatory and hospital claims data. RESULTS: Mortality in the year following Hurricane Katrina was not significantly elevated (4.3% before vs 4.9% after the hurricane). However, overall morbidity increased by 12.6% (P <.001) compared with a 3.4% increase among a national sample of Medicare managed care enrollees. Nonwhite subjects from Orleans Parish experienced a morbidity increase of 15.9% (P <.001). The prevalence of numerous treated medical conditions increased, and emergency department visits and hospitalizations remained significantly elevated during the year. CONCLUSIONS: The enormous health burden experienced by older individuals and the disruptions in service utilization reveal the long-term effects of Hurricane Katrina on this vulnerable population. Although quick rebuilding of the provider network may have attenuated more severe health outcomes for this managed care population, new policies must be introduced to deal with the health consequences of a major disaster. (+info)Katrina and the Thai Tsunami - water quality and public health aspects mitigation and research needs. (8/195)
The South East Asian Tsunami in Thailand and Hurricane Katrina in the United States were natural disasters of different origin but of similar destruction and response. Both disasters exhibited synonymous health outcomes and similar structural damage from large surges of water, waves, and flooding. A systematic discussion and comparison of the disasters in Thailand and the Gulf Coast considers both calamities to be similar types of disaster in different coastal locations. Thus valuable comparisons can be made for improvements in response, preparedness and mitigation. Research needs are discussed and recommendations made regarding potential methologies. Recommendations are made to: (1) improve disaster response time in terms of needs assessments for public health and environmental data collection; (2) develop an access-oriented data sharing policy; and (3) prioritize natural geomorphic structures such as barrier islands, mangroves, and wetlands to help reduce the scale of future natural disasters. Based on the experiences gained opportunities to enhance disaster preparedness through research are presented. (+info)A Cyclonic Storm is a large scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure. In the context of meteorology, cyclonic storms are characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate about a calm center known as the "eye." These storms can bring significant rainfall, high winds, and severe weather conditions. They are often referred to as tropical cyclones, hurricanes, or typhoons depending on their location and strength.
In the Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, a cyclonic storm is defined as a tropical cyclone with sustained wind speeds of 34-61 knots (39-70 mph) near its center. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and other regional meteorological organizations are responsible for tracking and issuing warnings for these storms to help minimize potential impacts on human life and property.
A thyroid crisis, also known as thyrotoxic crisis or storm, is a rare but life-threatening condition characterized by an exaggerated response to the excess production of thyroid hormones (thyrotoxicosis). This condition can lead to severe hypermetabolic state, multi-organ dysfunction, and cardiovascular collapse if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
Thyroid crisis is often triggered by a stressful event, infection, or surgery in individuals with uncontrolled or poorly managed hyperthyroidism, particularly those with Graves' disease. The symptoms of thyroid crisis include high fever, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), hypertension (high blood pressure), agitation, confusion, delirium, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes coma.
The diagnosis of thyroid crisis is based on the clinical presentation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Treatment typically involves hospitalization in an intensive care unit, administration of medications to block the production and release of thyroid hormones, control heart rate and rhythm, correct electrolyte imbalances, and provide supportive care until the patient's condition stabilizes.
A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Disasters can be natural, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, or they can be caused by human activities, such as technological accidents, intentional acts of violence, and complex emergencies.
The medical definition of a disaster focuses on the health impacts and consequences of the event, which can include injury, illness, disability, and death, as well as psychological distress and social disruption. The response to a disaster typically involves a coordinated effort by multiple agencies and organizations, including healthcare providers, emergency responders, public health officials, and government authorities, to address the immediate needs of affected individuals and communities and to restore basic services and infrastructure.
Disasters can have long-term effects on the health and well-being of individuals and populations, including increased vulnerability to future disasters, chronic illness and disability, and mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts are critical components of disaster management, with the goal of reducing the risks and impacts of disasters and improving the resilience of communities and societies to withstand and recover from them.
In medical terms, "wind" is not a widely used or recognized term. It might be used informally to describe symptoms such as abdominal bloating, rumbling, or the sensation of gas moving within the intestines. However, these sensations are more accurately described as related to bowel function and gas in the digestive tract. If you're experiencing persistent or severe symptoms that you're describing as "wind," it would be best to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "New Orleans" is not a medical term. It is a place name, referring to the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States, and known for its distinctive French Creole and Spanish architecture, as well as its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage.
If you have any questions about medical terminology or concepts, I would be happy to help with those!
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Louisiana" is not a medical term or condition. It is a state located in the southern United States, known for its diverse culture, music, food, and history. If you have any questions about medical conditions or terms, I would be happy to help clarify those for you.
I believe there may be some confusion in your question. "Floods" is not a medical term, but rather a natural disaster or hydrological phenomenon that occurs when a body of water overflows its banks or normal confines, causing damage to surrounding areas. If you are looking for a medical definition, perhaps you meant to ask about a different term? I would be happy to help if you could clarify your question further.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "weather" is not a medical term. Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, including factors such as temperature, humidity, cloudiness, precipitation, and wind. If you have any questions about medical terms or concepts, I would be happy to try to help answer those for you!
"Relief work" is not a term that has a specific medical definition. However, in a broader context, relief work often refers to the provision of assistance and support to communities or individuals affected by various forms of distress such as natural disasters, conflicts, poverty, or epidemics. This assistance can include providing basic needs like food, water, shelter, healthcare services, and psychological support to help alleviate suffering and promote recovery.
In the medical field, healthcare professionals may engage in relief work during humanitarian crises or emergencies by providing essential health services, treating injuries and illnesses, and helping to prevent the spread of diseases. Relief work can also involve collaborating with other organizations and government agencies to coordinate a comprehensive response to the crisis and ensure that those affected receive the necessary support.
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) is a type of cardiac arrhythmia, which is an abnormal heart rhythm. In VF, the ventricles, which are the lower chambers of the heart, beat in a rapid and unorganized manner. This results in the heart being unable to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body, leading to immediate circulatory collapse and cardiac arrest if not treated promptly. It is often caused by underlying heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, structural heart problems, or electrolyte imbalances. VF is a medical emergency that requires immediate defibrillation to restore a normal heart rhythm.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "rain" is not a medical term. In general, rain refers to water droplets that fall from the sky as part of the Earth's weather cycle. These drops form when moisture in the air condenses and cools, creating clouds which eventually become heavy enough to release the collected water.
If you have any medical concerns or questions, I'd be happy to try and help answer those for you!
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heart rhythm that originates from the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. It is defined as three or more consecutive ventricular beats at a rate of 120 beats per minute or greater in a resting adult. This abnormal heart rhythm can cause the heart to pump less effectively, leading to inadequate blood flow to the body and potentially life-threatening conditions such as hypotension, shock, or cardiac arrest.
VT can be classified into three types based on its duration, hemodynamic stability, and response to treatment:
1. Non-sustained VT (NSVT): It lasts for less than 30 seconds and is usually well tolerated without causing significant symptoms or hemodynamic instability.
2. Sustained VT (SVT): It lasts for more than 30 seconds, causes symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain, and may lead to hemodynamic instability.
3. Pulseless VT: It is a type of sustained VT that does not produce a pulse, blood pressure, or adequate cardiac output, requiring immediate electrical cardioversion or defibrillation to restore a normal heart rhythm.
VT can occur in people with various underlying heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, congenital heart defects, and electrolyte imbalances. It can also be triggered by certain medications, substance abuse, or electrical abnormalities in the heart. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of VT are crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "solar activity" is not a term typically used in medical definitions. Solar activity refers to the various phenomena that occur on the Sun, including solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and solar wind. These events involve the release of energy and charged particles from the Sun's atmosphere and can have effects on space weather and technological systems in near-Earth space. If you have any questions related to medical terminology or health-related topics, I would be happy to help with those!