Areti Tsaloglidou

Muscle Atrophy in Intensive Care Unit Patients

Introduction: The muscle atrophy is one of the most important and frequent problems observed in patients in Intensive Care Units. The term describes the disorder in the structure and in the function of the muscle while incidence rates range from 25-90 % in patients with prolonged hospitalization. Purpose: This is a review containing all data related to the issue of muscle atrophy and is especially referred to its causes and risk factors. The importance of early diagnosis and early mobilization are also highlighted in the study. Material and methods: a literature review was performed on valid databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Cinhal for the period 2000-2013 in English language. The following keywords were used: loss of muscle mass, ICU patients, immobilization, bed rest. Results: From the review is concluded that bed rest and immobilization in order to reduce total energy costs, are the main causes for the appearance of the problem. The results of the reduction of the muscle mass mainly affect the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory system. The administration of the cortisone, the immobility, the sepsis and hyperglycemia are included in the risk factors. The prevention is the primary therapeutic agent and this is achieved due to the early mobilization of the patients, the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the avoidance of exposure to risk factors. Conclusions: The prevention of muscle atrophy is a primary goal of treatment for the patients in the ICU, because it reduces the incidence of the disease, reduces the time spent in ICU and finally improves the quality of patients’ life.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY DURING HOSPITALIZATION OF CHILDREN

Introduction: Play constitutes an essential parameter of the normal psychosomatic development of children, as well as their statutory right. It is also an important means of communication in childhood. Objective: To review, detect and highlight all data cited regarding the role of play during the hospitalization of children. Methodology: Literature review was achieved by searching the databases Scopus, PubMed, Cinhal in English, using the following key words: therapeutic play, play therapy, hospitalized child, therapist. Results: During hospitalization, play either in the form of therapeutic play, or as in the form of play therapy, is proven to be of high therapeutic value for ill children, thus contributing to both their physical and emotional well-being and to their recovery. It helps to investigate issues related to the child’s experiences in the hospital and reduce the intensity of negative feelings accompanying a child’s admission to hospital and hospitalization. Play is widely used in pre-operative preparation and invasive procedures, while its use among children hospitalized for cancer is beneficial. Conclusion: The use of play in hospital may become a tool in the hands of healthcare professionals, in order to provide substantial assistance to hospitalized children, as long as they have appropriate training, patience, and will to apply it during hospitalization.

The Effects of Exposure of Health Care Professionals to Volatile Anesthetic Gases

Waste anesthetic gases are small amounts of volatile anesthetic gases that leak from the patient’s anesthetic breathing circuit into the air of operating rooms during delivery of anesthesia.

Poisoning by Dangerous Gases

The problem of poisoning is intense. It is also applied worldwide with particular exacerbation in developed countries. It is a very complex and multi-faceted issue. This phenomenon appeared in the 1940s and since then, it has been blown out of proportion.

The Effects of Global Warming on Cardio-Respiratory System

The earth’s climate change, due to the increasing atmospheric concentrations of energy-trapping gases (greenhouse gases), is having considerable impact on various biological systems, including the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Extreme high air temperatures contribute directly to deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, particularly among the elderly.

Pain and Care: Interventions in Daily Nursing Practice

Pain is a common symptom in humans, which differs significantly depending on their status of health. This review lists the specific features of pain that are necessary for its evaluation and treatment by the health professionals. Extensive review of the recent literature was conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, Medline and Iatrotek) and scientific journals in Greek and English. Pain is perceived as any uncomfortable feeling, and emotional experience that occurs anywhere in the body when there is some kind of injury. The assessment of pain in humans is a complex and demanding process. Pain should be treated early with appropriate pharmaceutical or other treatment. Each pain has a different cause and treatment. The objective of health professionals’ interventions is to cure or at least reduce pain and to relieve those who are in pain.