Return In Glorious Triumph

Just testing out a new blogging program. I'm planning on using this particular blog a lot more, if just to get some frequent writing done. It'd also be interesting to research more often. Using the Internet to figure out a problem or just to learn more about something, and reporting on the results.

This, however, is just the test. We'll get an actual post out later. There is work to be done.

Yeah. There's only so many things you can do, but I'm willing to do them all for you.

Not quoting anything. Just trying out some functions.  One or two, anyway. How's the text wrapping, anyway? This'll allow me to figure that one out.

So, here we are. The text is working over to the right well enough, though it seems to be a bit tight to the picture.

Whatever. Somehow, we will survive.

Somehoooooooooooow.

Yeah, I'm not too concerned about that. This post doesn't exactly belong in this section of my blog network, but whatever, that doesn't really matter to me.

-I'm out

When she moves her lips, she drives me crazy.

May 22, 2008 - First Aid Techniques: Anaphylaxis

Well, seems like Than Shwe has been put off for the time being. In the meantime, I'm starting off with something a bit less contentious that also has the benefit of being rather helpful to whomever reads it. Although I'm sure this is nothing new to anyone who actually suffers from anaphylaxis, a lot of it was helpful to me, as I didn't know about it.

Anaphylaxis

What is it?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. It causes shock, life threatening respiratory distress, and circulatory collapse. Depending on the person, anaphylaxis can occur in a time frame of minutes to several hours after exposure to the allergic agent. A wide range of substances can cause the reaction, such as insect venom, or certain foods and drinks, but sometimes the cause can be unknown.

What reactions occur?

Depending on the sensitivity of the person, hives, and severe swelling of the lips and/or eyes can occur. The inside of the throat may swell as well, causing breathing difficulty and shock. The blood pressure drops, and internal organs may be damaged. Other symptoms include dizziness, mental confusion, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Treatment - If You Suffer From It Yourself

I expect anyone who suffers from anaphylaxis is well aware of this, but here it is anyway for the benefit of those who do not suffer from the affliction. If you've suffered an anaphylactic reaction in the past, carry medication with you. The most commonly used medication for severe allergic reactions is epinephrine, which can be self administered. Items like the EpiPen are used to self-administer epinephrine, but you must also carry an antihistimine pill as epinephrine only has temporary effects. After administering the medication, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Treatment - If Someone Around You Is Suffering An Attack

I'm not exactly that inclined to paraphrase this, as I might omit some crucial detail, so here's a somewhat more authoritative list of actions to take if someone around you is suffering an anaphylactic reaction. This list is courtesy of the source at the end of the post.

1. Call 911 or your local medical emergency number.
2. Check for special medications that the person might be carrying to treat an allergic attack, such as an auto-injector of epinephrine (for example, EpiPen). Administer the drug as directed — usually by pressing the auto-injector against the person's thigh and holding it in place for several seconds. Massage the injection site for 10 seconds to enhance absorption. After administering epinephrine, have the person take an antihistamine pill if he or she is able to do so without choking. Look for a medical emergency ID bracelet or necklace.
3. Have the person lie still on his or her back with feet higher than the head.
4. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don't give anything else to drink.
5. If there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking.
6. If there are no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement), begin CPR.

Sources

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-anaphylaxis/FA00003

Next Up

I've got a list of interesting options. I'm still deciding what exactly to do next. Likely it'll be some sort of "as inspiration strikes" sort of thing. So here's possibilities, and I'll decide on something.

1. First Aid Techniques: Animal Bites (this will be a continuing series. I'm educating myself on this stuff too.)
   
2. Dysentery
3. The Winter War (Russia vs. Finland)

No guarantees as to any of them. I might do something else entirely.

Introduction

Hey. Xeric here, the muttering author of the blog Encompass, and I've decided to create another blog for the purposes strictly of educating myself each day on a random topic of my choosing.

The current plan is to read the newspaper for a period of time each morning until I manage to find something that I find particularly intriguing. I then take that intriguing topic and head on over to my computer, where I will proceed to research the topic until I find a satisfactory amount of information.

The end result of this will be that I will learn something new, which is not only beneficial but in tune with my personal philosophy: A day where I do not learn something is a day wasted. Hey, and if anyone happens to read this, they get to be educated as well.

So why not? I've got the free time, and this satisfies both my urge to write and my urge to educate myself. Thus far, I don't see any downside. I'll do my best to keep my personal bias out of any post, barring the personal comment section that I'll probably end up appending to the end of each topic.

So. Away we go, neh?

I'm out.

Next Topic: Than Shwe, leader of Burma