Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række
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Treatment of coccygodynia is primarily conservative and symptomatic. Operative treatment is controversial and the results are confusing. A thorough examination including X-rays is recommended in order to exclude other diseases. ⋯ Three had suffered aggravation of the symptoms. Patient opinion varied widely; 18 were satisfied with the long-term result, and five regretted the procedure. The importance of preoperative information and patient selection before surgery is emphasized.
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This article deals with the phenomenon of hope in seriously ill and dying patients. Uncertainty is seen as a prerequisite for hope, fear as the "negative" side of hope. A scheme involving three particular kinds of hope is introduced: Hope on a daily basis; hope concerning a possible eternity; and hope based upon unrealistic premises. ⋯ It should be directed against the physical aspects of the disease, as well as the psychological, social, spiritual and existential dimensions of life. There are two fundamental questions patients with terminal cancer disease almost always ask: "Will the disease eventually cause my death?"; and, "Am I going to experience great pain and suffering?" These questions are clearly marked by hope. The hope that there will be little pain, for example, may not only relate to physical pain but to psychological and social pain as well.
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Screening can be defined as the process of identifying preclinical disease in asymptomatic people. The main objective of screening is to reduce the incidence and the mortality from disease. There are several prerequisites for successful screening, and screening has both beneficial and adverse effects. ⋯ Screening for colorectal cancer is planned as a pilot project. Also a study on screening for prostate cancer is planned. Screening for other cancers is not recommended.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Mar 1999
Case Reports[Possibility of serious damage when handling air guns].
The possibilities of serious injury being caused by firearms are well known. Less known is the fact that air guns also have such potential. We present the case of a six year old boy shot in the back with an air gun at a distance of four meters. ⋯ An X-ray taken some days later showed no projectile; it seems to have migrated into the gastrointestinal tract and been shed along with faeces. The available literature suggests that air guns have considerable penetration abilities; this case underlines that. Articles on this subject are summarized and we discuss the options available in similar cases.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Feb 1999
Review Practice Guideline Guideline[Guidelines for advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation of adult patients. European Resuscitation Council].
In this paper 16 experts from ten different countries present an abridged version of the 1998 European Resuscitation Council guidelines for advanced adult life support. There are few changes from the 1992 version, and they are mainly made for educational reasons. There is thus no convincing new scientific evidence that warrants changes in the guidelines. ⋯ The ventilation volume has been reduced to 400-600 ml, and the chest compression frequency has been increased to 100 min-1. For other rhythms than ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia, ventilation and chest compressions should now be performed for three minute periods, not one minute as used to be the rule. One minute is still the correct period for ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia.