Coup and coup-contrecoup brain injuries
Emergency rooms in New Jersey and around the country treat several different types of serious brain injury. Coup injuries affect the part of the brain that was exposed to trauma while contrecoup injures are found opposite to the point of contact. The most serious brain injuries are what are known as coup-contrecoup injuries that affect both sides of the brain. Coup injuries are usually caused...
Scientists discover form of dementia that mimics Alzheimer’s
Scientists have discovered a form of dementia that mimics the symptoms of Alzheimer’s but is in fact distinct from it. It is now clear that patients in New Jersey and across the U.S. may have been misdiagnosed as having Alzheimer’s. The discovery also shows that many factors can contribute to dementia.
The newly defined dementia has been labeled as limbic-predominant age-related...
Long hours increase risk of miner injuries
Miners in New Jersey and elsewhere are more likely to suffer workplace injuries if they work long hours, according to a new study. The study, which was published in the journal BMJ Occupational and Environmental Medicine in April, was conducted by researchers from the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Researchers examined over 545,000 injury reports filed with the Mine Safety and Health...
Study reveals that opioids are a growing threat to road safety
Drivers in New Jersey and around the country who get behind the wheel after taking opioid medications are twice as likely to die in a crash, according to a study published recently in JAMA Network Open. A research team from Columbia University came to this conclusion after scrutinizing 18,321 accident reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The researchers discovered...
An OSHA standard that could improve workplace electrical safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration presents a series of regulations and standards to help keep workers in New Jersey and throughout the U.S. safe while on the job. OSHA’s NFPA 70E standard is meant to help both employers and workers ensure and improve workplace electrical safety. While some people do attempt to sidestep rules like this, it’s generally agreed that...
Improper medical garment removal can spread bacteria
New Jersey patients know that the medical staff members who treat them are only human and can make mistakes. Many mistakes are minor or caught very quickly before they can do any harm, but some medical errors can be serious and cause harm to patients or to others. Mistakes involving contaminated materials can spread disease throughout a medical setting. A recent study indicates that mistakes...
Mistaken diagnosis common cause of malpractice claims
When people in New Jersey feel ill, they often go to the doctor to receive a clear diagnosis. Unfortunately, on far too many occasions, they may instead be given incorrect answers and improper or ineffective treatment. According to two studies, misdiagnosis is the most common reason why patients file medical malpractice claims. According to one insurer, 46 percent of closed claims filed...
How daylight saving time can heighten car crash risk
Residents of New Jersey who feel drowsy after daylight saving time should know that this can increase their risk of a car crash. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety upholds the opinion that everyone should sleep at least seven hours each night. The organization found that those who miss one to two hours of sleep in a 24-hour period nearly double their risk for an auto accident.
Even more...
Diagnosing rare diseases
The citizens of New Jersey may be surprised to learn that rare diseases affect around 400 million people globally. Nevertheless, given the relatively low number of people affected by these ailments, rare diseases are rarely researched or talked about in the public sphere, making them a mystery to today’s doctors. According to some estimates, out of 7,000 diseases classified as rare, only...
Best practices for safety at a construction site
Accidents at construction sites can be a major problem for both employees and companies. Incidents can lead to serious injury and even death at all types of locations. Throughout the history of construction, many best practices for safety have been developed. It’s important for both workers and their employers to consider all the ways they can mitigate risks on the job site. When...