ECG Rhythms

ECG Rhythms By Eric Morris

ECG is an abbreviation for an electrocardiograph. An ECG records the heart's electrical activity as a graph or a series of wavy lines on a moving strip of paper. It provides information on a patient's heart rate and rhythm and blood flow. It is used to diagnose medical problems such as a heart attack or irregular heartbeats.

Heart rhythm problems or arrhythmias can be diagnosed using a variety of methods. The method depends upon the specific heart rhythm problem suspected by a physician. An electro physiology is done when the arrhythmia is identified as a fast heart rhythm problem called tachyarrhythmia.

There are different types of ECG tests that help record the heart's rhythm of patients. The exercise ECG or stress test is a graphical recording of the heart's rhythm during exertion. The exertion is created using a treadmill machine. This test helps to evaluate whether exercise can create an arrhythmia or make it worse. It also helps diagnose a condition involving insufficient flow of blood to the heart called ischemia.

An ECG rhythm is recorded for long and short periods of time. A Holter monitor is a 24-72 hour ECG. It is a device that measures and records the heart rhythm over 1-3 days. This test may be done when an ECG does not clearly show the arrhythmia, though it is suspected to be the underlying cause of the symptoms. In a ECG Rhythm test, patches with wires are placed on the patient's chest. The wires are connected to a portable monitor that can be attached to a purse or belt.

An external loop recorder is a device that monitors the heart rhythm and rate for up to one month. During this test, the patient wears a device on the wrist or around the waist. When symptoms are experienced, the patient presses a button on the device to make a recording of the heart activity that just occurred.

An insertable loop recorder is a device that continuously monitors the heart rhythm for up to 14 months. This small device is placed under the skin during a twenty-minute procedure using a local anesthetic. When a symptom is experienced, the patient places a hand-held activator over the recorder. Later, a physician analyzes the stored information. ECG rhythms help diagnose problems that can be cured when detected. It is just one of many applications of an ECG that has a life saving impact.

ECG provides detailed information on ECG, ECG Course, ECG Cross Reference, ECG Semiconductors and more. ECG is affiliated with EKG Interpretation.

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The Meaning of Abnormal EKG Results

The Meaning of Abnormal EKG Results By Damian Sofsian

Many physicians recommend EKGs as a preventive-screening tool for those with a family history of heart disease. While a healthy person does not need an EKG as a part of an annual exam, many physicians will recommend an EKG if they have concerns. If a patient complains of chest pain, palpitations or other indicators of heart problems, the physician will likely recommend an immediate EKG test. Depending on the severity of the situation, your doctor may refer you to a local testing center immediately or ask you to schedule the next available appointment.

An abnormal EKG is determined by comparing the results of your EKG graph with a standard or normal heart graph. Spikes and dips within the graph are referred to as P, QR and PR and other similar acronyms. Normal EKG readings show a slight flat-dip in between contractions and relaxations. If these flat-dips are not present, it may be an indication of a more serious problem. Normal EKG readings will have spikes and dips too.

Myocardial defects, heart valve disease, enlargement of the heart, inflammation of the heart, coronary artery disease, and past, pending or impending heart attacks are only a few of the problems that EKG's can help to detect. The conditions in which the EKG is performed can also have an impact on the accuracy of the results. Some heart problems are not present all of the time and therefore may not appear in EKG results. In cases where heart problems are suspected but not detected on the EKG, a Holter monitor may be recommended. This monitor is worn, usually for a period of 24 to 48 hours and serves as a type of mini-EKG test. The patient wears the monitor at home and it continuously records heart activity. Doctors also recommend that the patient be relaxed during the exam because any muscle trembling or contractions can alter the results and produce an inaccurate reading.

Many people are surprised to learn that they have had an abnormal EKG reading. What is even more surprising is that when presented with abnormal EKG results, some doctors do not seem concerned. It doe not necessarily mean they are inadequate or uncaring physicians, it is more likely they believe something else has caused the abnormal reading. Most will want to pursue further testing or another EKG. Sometimes an event as simple as low blood sugar can have an altering affect and produce false EKG readings. Other times, abnormal EKGs require further testing to determine what, if any, problems actually exist.

EKG Info provides comprehensive information on EKG readings, interpretation, m machines, technicians, abnormal EKGs and more. EKG Info is the sister site of Stethoscopes Web.

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Electroencephalograms (EEGs)

Electroencephalograms (EEGs): Catching a Brain Wave By Gary Cordingley

In this era of rapidly developing technology for medical imaging, one test that might seem downright old-fashioned is an electroencephalogram (EEG) or brain-wave test. But by its very nature, the EEG test will continue to occupy a valuable niche in medical diagnosis that brain-imaging tests--like CT scans and MRI scans--will never fill.

Rather than making pictures of the brain's anatomy, EEGs evaluate the brain's physiology. So while imaging tests won't replace electroencephalograms, EEGs won't replace imaging tests, either. The testing methods look at the brain from completely different points of view, each valuable in its own way.

Broken into its parts, the term electroencephalogram means "electrical brain recording."

Hans Berger, a German scientist, got the ball rolling in 1924 with the first recordings of human brain-waves. Since then, the basic principles of recording EEGs have remained the same, but the electronics have gotten better--and smaller. In an EEG recording, tiny voltage-fluctuations from the brain are picked up by a standard array of metal disks attached to the scalp and are then amplified electronically in order to create a permanent recording.

If you are old enough, you might remember the 1960s fascination with alpha waves which people tried to enhance via biofeedback devices. Alpha waves are rhythmic brain-signals oscillating between 8 and 13 times per second that can be measured from the back of the head during quiet wakefulness.

Additional voltage-rhythms encountered during clinical recordings include theta and delta waves that oscillate more slowly than alpha waves, and beta waves that oscillate more rapidly. All four rhythms can be seen in normal states of alertness, drowsiness or sleep, and should be the same on both sides of the brain.

The premier use of EEGs is to evaluate people with known or suspected epilepsy (seizure disorders). Seizures are highly electrical events in the brain that cause temporary alterations in the patient's consciousness, perceptions or behavior.

In healthy circumstances, the brain's approximately 20 billion brain cells perpetually signal each other via electrical impulses. Collectively, these impulses traveling among networks of brain-cells are the means by which the brain performs its functions--like perceiving, pondering, remembering, calculating and deciding. A poetic scientist described the brain and its normal functioning as "an enchanted loom where millions of flashing shuttles weave a dissolving pattern, always a meaningful pattern though never an abiding one; a shifting harmony of subpatterns."

But in epileptic attacks, salvo upon salvo of excessive discharges overwhelm the brain's circuits and disrupt their normal functions. Suddenly, the enchanted loom's patterns are no longer meaningful or harmonious.

A seizure-in-progress is readily detected by an EEG recording. However, most patients under evaluation for seizures don't oblige the doctor by having an attack during a typical 30-90 minute recording session. Fortunately, for purposes of diagnosis this is not usually necessary. Tell-tale changes in brain-waves are often present during the periods between attacks--while the patient feels normal--that can reveal a tendency to epilepsy and even identify specific sub-types.

Two other common uses for EEG testing are for assessment of confusional states and sleeping disorders.

In people with confusion or memory loss, an EEG can show different patterns depending on the cause. When confusion is caused by a depressed mood, the EEG remains normal. When confusion is caused by a degenerative dementia like Alzheimer's disease or by a metabolic condition like a drug-overdose, the brain's rhythms become slower.

For evaluation of sleeping problems, an EEG is just one component of a battery of recording systems. Through concurrent monitoring of other biological processes--like breathing, blood-oxygenation, heartbeat, muscle activity and eye movements--conditions such as narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea can be diagnosed.

So what can you expect if your doctor refers you for an EEG study? In many cases, you won't need to make any special preparations for the test, but in cases where epilepsy is under consideration, you might be asked to stay awake for much of the preceding night. Sleep-deprivation increases the likelihood of recording a seizure-related abnormality in patients who have them. You are usually allowed to eat before the test.

The testing-session lasts about two hours, though can be longer, especially if a sleeping problem is being evaluated. The EEG technologist uses much of the testing-session to attach about two dozen metal-disk electrodes to the scalp in standardized locations, and then to test the electrical characteristics of each electrode to ensure that good connections have been made.

Once the electrodes are in place the recording session can begin. For most of the recording you lie quietly with your eyes closed. The technologist measures the brain-waves during quiet wakefulness, and then if you fall asleep, that is recorded, too. In additional parts of the test, you might be asked to breathe rapidly and deeply for about three minutes (useful in detecting "absence" or "petit mal" epilepsy) or to watch flashing lights (useful in detecting certain other kinds of epilepsy). Then the electrodes are disconnected and you go home.

A physician subsequently reads the recording and makes a report. The report includes a description of the observed rhythms of brain-waves, details of any detected abnormalities and comments about their possible significance. Your own doctor uses this report along with what else is known about your condition to make a diagnosis.

If you need an EEG, the good news is that the test is not painful. No needles are involved. There is no need to shave or otherwise remove hair. The bad news is that the adhesive used to attach the electrodes to your scalp can take a day or two to scrub out, and might require mineral oil to remove. Beauty-shop treatments should be postponed until after the EEG appointment; the hair-dresser's efforts will be ruined if the EEG comes second.

(C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley

Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher who works in Athens, Ohio. For more health-related articles see his website at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com

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Hanako Showa dental simulator

Take Hanako for instance, this freaking dental practice bot isn’t the first of its kind out of the robotic warehouses in Japan, but is better than the others at mimicking a human patient’s response during dental sittings. A collaborative effort from Tmsuk and several other Japanese universities, Hanako embedded with touch sensors in the mouth feels pain, reacts to the doctors command to open and close the mouth or for other random actions in a sitting. This practice with the bot would train students and doctors to carry out their practice sessions and actual surgeries with more precision. Hit the jump to see the bot in action helping students. VDO:ref by...

BlackBerry Cell Phone Review

BlackBerry Cell Phone Review By Tsan Trinh

A permanent access to all your emails... You dream about it? Blackberry phone did it. The BlackBerry is a wireless handheld device introduced in 1999 which supports push email, mobile telephone, text messaging, internet faxing, web browsing and other wireless information services. Same size as a PDA, with a mini keyboard, BlackBerry device allows you to receive and reply to emails.

How does it work? Connected to a cell phone network (Cingular BlackBerry, T-Mobile BlackBerry, Sprint BlackBerry, Nextel BlackBerry and Verizon BlackBerry), terminal BlackBerry regularly query the email server of the user. When a new email arrives, the terminal signals it. The user can then read the message and reply. Innovation comes from the fact that synchronization of the emails with the messaging server is real time through the cell phone network it is connected and it supports both GSM, GPRS and UMTS.

Of course, BlackBerry service is more specifically dedicated to companies. The devices are very popular with some businesses, where they are primarily used to provide email delivery to roaming employees. To fully integrate the BlackBerry cell phone into a company, the installation of BlackBerry Enterprise Server is required.

But the popular device BlackBerry that allows reading emails using cell phone network is forbidden in some companies. Indeed, some security experts fear about communications being intercepted. However, Research In Motion (RIM), editor of BlackBerry, claims that all the traffic is encrypted from start to end by the Blackberry servers installed in companies. In fact it has the exact same security level as a traditional VPN if correctly configured.

A Blackberry handheld allows users to fulfill their need of communication but also give them the feeling of control that a phone conversation doesn't offer. More and more professionals often work in mobility situation and need to permanently be connected to computing system of the company.

According to a recent study, one third of business users show signs of BlackBerry addiction almost similar to those of alcoholism. Some people even use the ironical term "crackberries" to name the phenomenon. Also, most users are supposed to get BlackBerry devices to enhance their productivity but their constant attachment to email make it hard for them to concentrate on other things when they are out of office.

The professional Blackberry is a "all in one" terminal, phone/PDA/messaging, which design is optimized to allow users to manage emails on the go and to access various applications. The original BlackBerry device had a monochrome display, but all current handsets have color displays.

Most BlackBerry devices is equipped with a full QWERTY keyboard, The ease of keying in and sending not only emails, but also SMS, is particularly practical, even if they do not have a BlackBerry.

However, the BlackBerry has no memory extension, no 3G compatibility, no camera and not much style. What is more, multimedia functions still remain low compared to other Symbian or Windows mobile. That is until today with RIM unveiling its first and brand new multimedia phone dubbed the new BlackBerry Pearl. But still BlackBerry devices depend on mobile phone service coverage and are not WIFI compatible unlike similar handheld devices that are on the market now.

RIM BlackBerry is increasingly integrating instant messaging into their new devices and software. RIM offers its own proprietary BlackBerry Instant Messenger, but also offer a Yahoo Chat and Google Talk clients and probably an upcoming BlackBerry MSN Messenger client.

According to RIM, BlackBerry PDA is used by about 5.5 million users worldwide.

Blackberry is used by almost 3 million users in America. Some sources say about 1 million government employees are regular users. Canada is another one of the key market of the company.

While including the usual PDA applications such as address book, calendar, to-do lists, etc... you can always download more BlackBerry software like games, ringtones, themes, webclient and other applications.

Find more information about BlackBerry cell phone at Ringtone Jam Jam [http://www.ringtonejamjam.com/web-directory.html]. The website also provides BlackBerry ringtones [http://www.ringtonejamjam.com/blackberry-cell-phones.html] for download.

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Consider the Options You Have to Send Money to Thailand

Consider the Options You Have to Send Money to Thailand By Jason Karp

There are many instances in which you might need to send money to Thailand. Whether you need to help friends who are visiting the area, or family members who live there, you have a few options. The one you choose will likely depend on the speed, ease, and cost of getting the money to your recipients. Doing a little research before you send money to Thailand could save you a lot of time, trouble, and money.

One of the first methods many people consider is the bank. You might look to your bank for options, or you could compare several banks to see which one is best for you. Be sure to consider the fees and the number of days it takes to send the money. Bank of America costs about $35 to send money, and the funds can be available anywhere from one to three days later. This price applies if you send money to Thailand in the country's currency, which is Thai baht. If you want to send US dollars, it will cost $45. You can expect that it will cost $25 to $50 to send money from most other U.S. banks, such as Citibank, Chase, and HSBC. You just need to specify which Thai bank to transfer it to, whether it is Bangkok Bank, Krungthai Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, or any other commercial banks in the area.

You can also send money to Thailand through an agent. In this case, you would select a company to work with, go to the nearest location, and give the officials there your recipient's name. You could specify that your friend or family member pick up the money, or you could have it sent to their account. Depending on the company you choose, the cost will likely be about $15 to send $100 USD. Since the exchange rate with Thailand is that one dollar equals about 33.65 baht, your recipient would get 3365 baht for every $100 USD that you send. Be sure to subtract the fee from the amount you send first so that your friend or family member gets the right amount.

If you do not want to continually pay high fees to send money, you can take another route. You could instead send a prepaid debit card. Once you send the card to your recipients, they could then use it to purchase items at stores, or even withdraw cash in baht. It will cost you just $5 each time you send money, and it will cost them less than 33 baht each time they use it as a debit card at stores. If they want to withdraw cash from an ATM, it may cost about 100 baht, or about $3 USD. To ensure that they can use it often, make sure their city has plenty of ATMs and stores that accept cards. If they live in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Thon Buri, Hat Yai, or other larger cities, they are sure to be able to find ATMs and retailers accepting debit cards.

Clearly you have plenty of options when it comes time to send money to Thailand. The best choice for you involves the least amount of money and time. You should also consider convenience for your recipients. For example, think about whether there are banks, agent locations, and ATMs near their home before you make a choice.

For more information visit sending money to Thailand or visit the https://www.atmcash.com/ home page for information on sending money almost anywhere in the world.

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Nokia 5530 XpressMusic

Nokia 5530 XpressMusic - An Outstanding Music Phone Embellished With a Number of the Useful Features By Alden Jerry

Nokia mobile phones have never disappointed the users in any sense, be it the designs, features or the sophistication. These devices have always dwelt the bedrooms of the users' thoughts. The saga of this success continues even with the Xpress Music series of the phones. When it comes to the music series of the phones, the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic comes out to the fore. This gracefully designed handset is embellished with the modern functionalities of the day, it comes in various colour casings combining jelly red, fresh blue and black. The 240 x 320 pixels TFT display dominates the front of this slider phone. The key strokes for the text inputs can be made with the help of its slide out keypad. Noticeably, the display of this device supports up 65K of different colours, which enables it to show everything beautifully.

The device comes embedded with all the regular features of mobile phone viz. Alert types with vibration, downloadable polyphonic tones, and MP3 ring tones, and the messaging supports like SMS, MMS and Emails. Moving on the other aspect, the built in music player of the device does justice to the name given to this phone. It truly lets one rejoice the outstanding sort of music. One can listen to music using the audio jack and it can be played through the speakers also, which allow one to share the experience with friend or loved ones. In addition, it comes with the on board FM radio too, which ensures that one gets the uninterrupted flow of music through the favorite radio stations. It is further enhanced with the facility of the live broadcast recording, which does not let anyone miss the favorite radio programme any more. The multimedia aspects of the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic cannot be complete without the mentions of imaging capabilities of the device. This gadget comes featured with a 1.3 mega pixels of camera. It goes without saying that the definition the camera is not at par with the presently available camera supports. But surprisingly, this camera snaps amazingly beautiful and natural pictures. The pictures clicked through this handset promise a quality with every picture. Happily, all the snapped images remain well lit and clear.

Then comes the turn of data and connectivity supports of the device. The data and connectivity competencies of the phone is able to deliver the quality with speed with the help of the technologies like a class 10 GPRS and EDGE. The browser the handset loads the pages at a comparatively faster pace. It can show the pages like WAP 2.0 and xHTML with edge and sophistication. There's one more good news about the phone and that is, the handset is Java MIDP 2.0 enabled which enables the users to download the favorite games and applications. There are a lot of websites online which are dedicated to serve the needs of downloading applications and games, and more importantly they're free to download. The Nokia 5530 XpressMusic is embellished with some other useful applications like T9 and voice memo too. In curt, it an outstanding device deserving to the every penny of money spent on it.

Alden Jerry is an author of various electronics and mobile phones products, gadgets and Mobile Phone Deals like Nokia 5530 XpressMusic

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