Foreign object swallowed

If you swallow a foreign object, it will usually pass through your digestive system uneventfully. But some objects can lodge in your esophagus, the tube that connects your throat and stomach. If an object is stuck in your esophagus, you may need to remove it, especially if it is:

• A pointed object, which should be removed as quickly as possible to avoid further injury to the esophageal lining
• A tiny watch- or calculator-type button battery, which can rapidly cause nearby tissue injury and should be removed from the esophagus without delay

If a swallowed object blocks the airway, the American Red Cross recommends the "five-and-five" approach to first aid:

• First, deliver five back blows between the victim's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
• Next, perform five abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver).
• Alternate between five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until the blockage is dislodged.

Call 911 or your local emergency number for help.

To perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) on someone else:

• Stand behind the person. Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the person forward slightly.
• Make a fist with one hand. Position it slightly above the person's navel.
• Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust — as if trying to lift the person up.
• Perform a total of five abdominal thrusts, if needed. If the blockage still isn't dislodged, repeat the five-and-five cycle.

You can't perform back blows on yourself. But you can perform abdominal thrusts.

To perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) on yourself:

• Place a fist slightly above your navel.
• Grasp your fist with the other hand and bend over a hard surface — a countertop or chair will do.
• Shove your fist inward and upward.

Slovenia map

Snackbites

Most North American snakes aren't poisonous. Some exceptions include the rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin and copperhead. Their bite can be life-threatening.
Of the poisonous snakes found in North America, all but the coral snake have slit-like eyes. Their heads are triangular, with a depression, or pit, midway between the eyes and nostrils.
Other characteristics are unique to certain poisonous snakes:

• Rattlesnakes rattle by shaking the rings at the end of their tails.
• Water moccasins' mouths have a white, cottony lining.
• Coral snakes have red, yellow and black rings along the length of their bodies.

To reduce your risk of snakebite, avoid touching any snake. Instead, back away slowly. Most snakes avoid people if possible and bite only when threatened or surprised.
If a snake bites you:

• Remain calm
• Immobilize the bitten arm or leg and stay as quiet as possible to keep the poison from spreading through your body
• Remove jewelry before you start to swell
• Position yourself, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart
• Cleanse the wound, but don't flush it with water, and cover it with a clean, dry dressing
• Apply a splint to reduce movement of the affected area, but keep it loose enough so as not to restrict blood flow
• Don't use a tourniquet or apply ice
• Don't cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom
• Don't drink caffeine or alcohol
• Don't try to capture the snake, but try to remember its color and shape so you can describe it, which will help in your treatment

Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention, especially if the area changes color, begins to swell or is painful.

SU excited about future with Mountain West Conference 

 

by Kelsey Jacobson

KTVB.COM

Posted on June 11, 2010 at 3:32 PM

Updated today at 3:56 PM

Related:

• BSU's Gene Bleymaier - "we're thrilled" to join MWC
• What's the future of Bronco football on local TV?
• MWC teleconference

BOISE -- A proud president stood at the podium at the Allen Noble Hall of Fame Friday, and kicked off a big acceptance speech with a memorable reference.

"Charlie Brown finally kicked the football.  It went straight to the uprights and Boise State scored big time.  We are now a member of the Mountain West Conference," said Boise State President Dr. Bob Kustra.

Kustra says he received the phone call at 7:40 Friday morning.  It's a phone call that will change Bronco Nation as we know it.

Kustra said during a news conference that the vote was a unanimous one by the presidents of the Mountain West Conference.

"This move is in the best interests of Boise State's future, and the university is excited to be part of one of the nation's most outstanding conferences." said Kustra in a written statement.

Boise State Director of Athletics Gene Bleymaier believes this invitation to the Mountain West Conference shows a belief not only in Boise State, but in the community as well.

"Our history has been one of growth and change throughout the years, and we have evolved as a university, as a community and as an athletic department," Bleymaier proudly said Friday afternoon.  "And again, here is another step forward in that evolution.  A great thanks to Bronco Nation, to the Bronco Athletic Association, to our season ticket holders, the community and all of our supporters, without whom none of this would have happened."

The Broncos will not join the Mountain West Conference until July 1, 2011.  That gives them one more year in the WAC, and one more year to prepare for the switch.

"We could not be happier, we are looking forward to 2011 when it gets here, in a big way," said Bleymaier.  "But we do have work to do prior to that and we've got another year in the WAC and it's been a great affiliation with the WAC."

So what does this conference shuffle mean for the big rivalry between the Idaho Vandals and the Broncos?

Idaho Vandal Coach Robb Akey says even though the two teams won't be in the same conference, it shouldn't change that rivalry.

"I think it is very important is that two of us will be in different conferences but we need to keep that rivalry game going.  I think it's good for our state," said Akey.

University of Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spears is disappointed the WAC is losing a member, but at the same time, he understands why the Broncos made the decision they did.

"It's the craziest time in college athletics and it's all about money so don't kid yourself.  It's all about where schools can position themselves and maximize their resources.  When you have the economic times that we have,  I can't blame anyone for looking to better themselves," said Spears.

When it comes to whether the jump to the Mountain West Conference will give Boise State a better chance at a BCS bowl game,  Kustra said the Broncos and their fans will just have to wait and see.

"I must say I am not an expert on tallying the wins and losses and figuring out what it is that's going to take the Mountain West over the line into an automatic qualifying conference," said Kustra.  "And I think there are some other uncertain aspects of this business right now which suggests that we need to sit back and wait to know whether that will ever happen."

Overall, Kustra is excited about the invitation and what playing in the Mountain West Conference will mean for the future of Boise State University.

"If you look at the academic caliber of the universities of the Mountain West, I think our student athletes will know they are competing alongside some fine student athletes from the Air Force Academy across the University of Utah to BYU," said Kustra.  "That not only works for the athletic program, and it not only works for the student athletes, it works for the overall image and reputation of the university as well."

Alcoholism

Alcoholism: The Basics

Alcoholism, a disease that makes one’s body dependent on alcohol, is a serious health concern in today’s society.  It is classified by the following four symptoms:

• Craving: the urge or need to drink
• Loss of control: inability to stop drinking once one has started
• Physical dependence: withdrawal symptoms
• Tolerance: a greater amount of alcohol must be consumed to get to the same state of “high” as before

Alcoholics may be unable to control their drinking habits even though these habits can have serious negative impacts on that person’s work, relationships, and health.  Alcoholism is a disease that gets worse with time and can be developed after a month or years of drinking.  It can not be cured, but there are many treatment options available for alcoholics.  These are just some general facts about alcoholism.

 Alcoholism: Genetics

Alcoholism may have strong links to a person’s genetics.  For instance, research has shown that the body’s enzyme that metabolize alcohol may be influenced by genetic factors.  Other research has shown that there are two type of genetic predisposition to alcoholism.  Type I is found mostly in males, that have a tendency to get in trouble, and fights.  Type II can be found in male or females and is triggered by stressful events.  All of these genetic factors do not guarantee that someone will become an alcoholic, they simple increase their risk factors.  Additionally, genetics can affect risk factors for alcoholism as shown by the CSF Family Alcoholism Study which states, “20-25% of sons and brothers of alcoholics become alcoholics” and “5% of daughters and sisters of alcoholics become alcoholics”.  Alcoholics are also six times more likely than nonalcoholics to report a positive family history of alcoholism.  These are the current arguments supporting the idea that genetic factors can influence the risk factors for developing alcoholism.

Alcoholism: Symptoms

The symptoms of alcoholism can vary from person to person.  A few or all of the symptoms of alcoholism listed below may be present in an alcoholic.
Early Stages:

• Activities are planned around drinking
• Sneaking drinks or hiding alcohol usage
• Drinking occurs to relieve stress
• Blackouts, the inability to recall or remember events or parts of time that happened while drinking
• More and more thoughts about alcohol
• More and more alcohol is required to feel drunk

Middle Stages:

• Lack of ability to keep promises
• Refusal to admit a drinking problem
• Drinking more than planned
• Drinking immediately after awakening from sleep
• Personality changes or mood swings
• Attempting to control drinking with mind games (ex. Telling one’s self not to drink prior to noon)

Late Stages:

• Severe withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens

 Alcoholism: Risk Factors

There are many risk factors that can increase the likelihood that someone will become an alcoholic.  Steady drinking over time can increase the chance of physical dependence on alcohol.  Men that drink in excess of 15 drinks a week and women that drink 12 or more drinks a week are at risk for developing dependence.  Drinking is itself is only one of the many risk factors of alcoholism; some of the other risk factors are:
Age – Those who start drinking at an early age (16 or earlier) are at a higher risk of developing alcohol dependence or abuse.
Genetics / Family History – Your genetics / family history may increase or decrease the chance that you become an alcoholic.
Gender – Men are more likely to become alcohol dependent than women are.
Emotional State – Having severe depression or aniexty increases the chance of abusing alcohol; adults that are diagnoised with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also have a greater risk of developing alcoholism.
Alcoholism: Complications
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system; for some people this means that the initial reaction may be stimulation.  As you continue to drink, the effect becomes sedated.  Alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions and affects emotions, thoughts, and judgment.  Additionally, a heavy drinking binge can even cause a life threatening coma.  Over time, continuous alcohol use can cause fatigue and short term memory loss, as well as, weakness and paralysis of the eye muscle.  Other server effects of alcohol include:

• Liver disorders: Heavy drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis and inflamation of the liver.  Signs and symptoms can cinlude a loss of appatite, nausea, vomitting, fever, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), abdominal pain, and confusion.  If a person continues to drink for years, hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis, an irreversible and progressive disease that destroys and scars the liver tissue.
• Cardiovascular issues:  Drinking excessively may lead to high blood pressure and damage to the hear (cardiomypathy).  These conditions increase the risk of heart stroke of failure.
• Birth defects: Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome.  This condition causes birth defects, such as small head, heart defects, shortening of the eyelids, and an array of other abnormalities.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Alcohol can result in the inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) and an interference with the absorption of the B vitamins, especially with folic acid and thiamin.  Furthermore, drinking heavily can damage the pancreas, which is responsible for producing the hormones that regulate metabolism and the enzymes that digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
• Diabetes complications: Alcohol prevents the release of glucose from the liver; this can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).  If a person already has diabetes, this can be quite dangerous as that person is already taking insulin to lower their blood suagr level.
• Bone loss: Alcohol can interfere with the production of new bone; this can result in the thinning of bones and an increased risk of bone fracture.
• Increased risk of cancer: Continued alcohol abuse has been connected to a higher risk of various cancers, such as cancer of the pharynx, esophagus, larynx, mouth, rectum, colon, breast, and liver.
• Sexual function and menstruation: Alcohol abuse can result in erectile disfunction in men, and it can interrupt menstruation in women.
• Neurological issues: Heavy drinking affects the central nervous system; this can cause the numbing of the hands and / or feet, disorders thinking, and dementia.

Heroin: The Basics

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is from the opium poppy.  It is a depressant (also known as a “downer”) that influences the pleasure system of the brain and stops the perception of pain.  Heroin is a powder or tarish substance that can range in color from white to dark brown.  Heroin can be used in an array of ways that include injected intravenously or intramuscular, smoked, or snorted.  The short term effects of heroin occur soon after it is abused and then disappear after a few hours.  These effects include a rush of euphoria that comes with a warm flushing of the skin, heavy extremities, and dryness of the mouth.  After this initial burst of euphoria, the abuser goes through a series of alternating states of wakefulness and drowsiness.  Since the central nervous system is depressed, mental functioning is reduced.  Additionally, speech may become slowed or slurred, pupil dilation, droopy eyelids, vomiting, and constipation are common short term effects.  Heroin’s long term effects appear after repeated use; chronic abusers can develop infection of the heart lining and valves, collapsed veins, abscesses, and liver disease.  Pulmonary effects can result in poor health of the abuser due to heroins depressing effects on the respiratory system.  Due to additives in the drug, blogging of blood vessels can also occur.  This causes reduce blood flow and can cause infection or death of small areas of cells in vital organs.  These are the basic facts about heroin, and the effects that are commonly seen in abusers of this drug.

Health Risks: Fisting and other Homosexual Practices

Health Risks: Fisting and other Homosexual Practices

Michelle A. Cretella, MD
American College of Pediatricians

Philip M. Sutton, PhD, LMFT, LP
Editor, Journal of Human Sexuality

In recent weeks, concern has been expressed nationally about workshops (Staver, 2010), often offered in schools, which have taught "fisting" along with a variety of other methods of homosexual sexual gratification to teens and young adults (including those not necessarily identifying as homosexual) between the ages of 14 and 25. Fisting is the sexual practice of inserting a large object or one's fist into the anus of one's sexual partner, in some cases up to one's forearm. Are such workshops a benefit or a threat to teen health? This question is best answered by examination of the practice of fisting itself, and likewise the broader health risks of teaching methods of homosexual gratification to adolescents and young adults.

From a medical standpoint anal intercourse, in contrast to vaginal intercourse, poses serious risk to its participants. The rectum differs from the vagina with respect to suitability for penetration by a penis, limb or inanimate object (Agnew, 1985; Diggs, 2002; Koop, 1990). The vagina is designed to expand, is supported by a network of muscles and produces natural lubricants. It is composed of a mucus membrane with a multi-stratified squamous epithelium that allows it to endure friction without damage. The anus, in contrast, is designed to allow passage of fecal material out of the body. It is composed of small muscles and significantly more delicate tissues. Consequently, anal intercourse often results in anorectal trauma, hemorrhoids and anal fissures. With repeated trauma, friction and stretching, the anal sphincter loses its tone. Chronic leakage of fecal material has been known to develop from penile/anal intercourse alone; for those engaging in fisting this is a more common problem (Agnew, 1985; Diggs, 2002; Wolfe, 2000). In addition, fisting places the recipient at risk for a variety of anorectal traumas.

Since fisting may result in anorectal trauma and exposure to blood, there is risk of acquiring HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C particularly if the insertive partner has cuts or abrasions on his hands (Sowadsky, 1996). The insertive partner is also exposed to fecal matter. Consequently, fisting has been associated with increased incidence of shigellosis (Aragon, 2007) and Hepatitis A (Sowadsky, 1996), two illnesses transmitted by the fecal-oral route. The greatest medical danger of anal fisting, however, involves the susceptibility to injury of the inner walls of the lower colon. This tissue is very easily torn, but may not be recognized by the individuals involved. Such an injury can lead to an overwhelming infection of the abdominal cavity called peritonitis which may result in death (Diggs, 2002; Wolfe, 2000).

Fisting is unfortunately only one of a number of practices of homosexual gratification taught at workshops such as those sponsored by GLSEN (MassResistance, n.d.; Staver, 2010; Whiteman, 2000). It is important also to review the general health risks of teaching adolescents and young adults that such behaviors are "natural and normal." Clinical experience and scientific research show that regardless of age, homosexual forms of sexual gratification place individuals at significantly greater risk for experiencing a number of physical and psychological health problems - some of which are life-threatening - as compared with individuals who engage in typical heterosexual behaviors.

Medically, men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV (Diggs, 2002). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention estimates that gay and bisexual men (men who have sex with men or MSM) in the United States are 50 times more likely to contract HIV than are heterosexual men (Lansky, 2009). This is largely due to having multiple sexual partners and engaging in risky sexual practices, including a high incidence of anal intercourse within this population (Diggs, 2002).  For example, the estimated HIV risk with a single sexual exposure through receptive anal intercourse (2%) is 20 times greater than for receptive vaginal intercourse (0.1%), (Pinkerton, Martin, Roland, Katz, Coates, & Kahn, 2004).
Semen has immune-suppressant activity that increases the chance of sperm fertilizing a woman's egg during vaginal intercourse.  If released in the rectum, however, semen makes this already vulnerable tissue more prone to both infection and the development of cancer - rectal carcinoma in MSM results from infection with a highly carcinogenic strain of HPV (Diggs, 2002). Of greater concern is that despite knowing the high risk of contracting HIV, many MSM repeatedly indulge in unsafe sex practices such as "bare-backing," i.e, deliberate, "unprotected" anal intercourse (Parsons & Bimbi, 2007; Parsons, Kelly, Bimbi, Muench, & Morgenstern, 2007; van Kesteren, Hospers, & Kok, 2007.) Homosexual women are also at higher risk for STI and other health problems than are heterosexual women (Evans, Scally, Wellard, & Wilson, 2007.)
The negative consequences of homosexual behaviors are not limited to the physical harms noted above. Compared to their heterosexual peers, homosexual high school students and young adults (fourteen to twenty-one years old) in New Zealand, which has a culture highly tolerant of homosexuality, had significantly higher rates of major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, nicotine dependence, other substance abuse and/or dependence, multiple disorders, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts (Fergusson, Horwood, & Beautrais, 1999).
In general, compared to heterosexually behaving adolescents and adults, having same-sex sexual partners is associated with substantially greater risk for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychological distress, substance use disorders, for suicidal thoughts and suicidal plans, suicide attempts, unstable relationships and lower levels of quality of life (Andersson, Noack, Seierstad, & Weedon-Fekjaer, 2006; Balsam, Beauchaine, Rothblum, & Solomon, 2008; Cochran, Keenan, Schober, & Mays, 2000; Cochran, Sullivan, & Mays, 2003; Cochran, Ackerman, Mays, & Ross, 2004; de Graaf, Sandfort, & ten Have, 2006; Drabble & Trocki, 2005; Gilman, Cochran, Mays, Hughes, Ostrow, & Kessler, 2001; Herrell, Goldberg, True, Ramakrishnan, Lyons, Eisen, & Tsuang, 1999; Jorm, Korten, Rodgers, Jacomb, & Christensen, 2002; King, Semlyen, Tai, Killaspy, Osborn, Popelyuk, & Nazareth, 2008; Mathy, Cochran, Olsen, & Mays, 2009; Russell & Joyner, 2001; Sandfort, de Graff, Bijl, & Schnabel, 2001; Sandfort, de Graaf, & Bijl, 2003; Sandfort, T. G. M., Bakker, Schelievis, & Vanwesenbeeck, 2006.) The findings are consistent both for countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden where homosexuality is more socially accepted, and for the U.S. where it is less accepted.
While the seriousness of such health risks may not be minimized, neither may the vulnerability of teenagers and young adults to being taught ways of behaving that put them at significant risk. NIMH scientist Dr. Jay Giedd, M.D. has reported that as humans develop, their brains' "frontal cortex area — which governs judgment, decision-making and impulse control — doesn't fully mature until around age 25" (Voit, 2005). In other words, "the frontal lobes, the very area that helps make teenagers do the right thing, are one of the last areas of the brain to reach a stable grown-up state" (Strauch, 2003, p.16.) As a result, while physically, "the teen years and early 20s represent an incredibly healthy time of life, ....the top 10 bad things that happen to teens involve emotion and behavior." Because "the brain is pretty adept at learning by example," something "that parents" can and do do to influence "their children's brain development" is "modeling." The teenage "brain is pretty adept at learning by example," so parents- and the other adults involved in the lives of teenagers- teach healthy ways of behaving by showing and giving good examples of how to live (Voit, 2005), and unhealthy behaviors by showing or giving poor examples.
Conclusion: An adolescent's desire to prevent or cease experiencing serious medical, psychological, and relational health risks is sufficient reason for him or her to seek and receive competent psychological care to minimize or resolve the desires, behaviors and lifestyles associated with such increased risks. The concerns of parents, family members and friends of persons whose sexual behaviors and/or attractions leave them at risk for such harms are understandable and scientifically and clinically justified. Regardless of venue, the health and well-being of young persons is best served by sex education that is consistent with established clinical experience and scientific research.
Note: NARTH has released a more extensive review of the health risks associated with the behaviors of homosexual gratification in Volume I of the Journal of Human Sexuality (NARTH, 2009; cf. http://www.narth.com/docs/journalsummary.html for a summary or to obtain a complete copy of this document.) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides updated information on specific health risks related to homosexual behaviors, cf. http://www.cdc.gov/std/hiv/default.htm.