Articles by Barbara Fisher on ArticleSnatch.com

I Get A Fluttering Sensation In My Chest

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:06:55 -0400

Fluttering in the chest is usually caused by an irregularity in the heartbeat. The feeling is called palpitations in medical jargon. This irregularity occurs most often when a beat occurs earlier than it should. You actually feel the next beat, which is stronger than the rest because it had extra time to fill. This beat with an extra full heart is felt in the chest as a strong thump often interpreted as a fluttering feeling. If you have a couple in a row, it really feels like fluttering. The extra beats can originate in the top part of the heart (in either the right or left atrium) or in the bottom part of the heart (in either the right or left ventricle). Because they come early in the cycle, we call them premature beats. As you can imagine, these would then be called premature atrial contractions and premature ventricular contractions. PACs and PVCs, while considered irregular beats, usually come in a very regular pattern unless they are so infrequent that no pattern can be discerned. When the premature beat comes every third heartbeat, we call it Trigeminy. **End Summary** Topics: urgent care]]> fluttering]]> palpitations]]> heart]]> cardiologist]]> event monitor]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Urgent Care Centers of Arizona make quality, convenient, affordable care available to the community. For more information, please visit http://www.urgentcarecentersaz.com

What Can I Do For a Pulled Muscle in the Back of My Leg?

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:03:55 -0400

The large muscle on the back of the upper leg is generally referred to as the hamstring. Usually, a pulled muscle responds best to ice. We advise you to apply an ice pack that has a thin cloth covering so you do not damage the skin with too much cold. Apply it to the sore muscle area 20 minutes on, followed by 20 minutes off, while awake, for at least 2 days. Also, if you have no allergies to aspirin or related medications called NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn), then you will probably benefit from taking one of these according to their package instructions for 5 to 7 days. Take them with food to help avoid stomach irritation. As the pulled muscle improves, you may need to do gentle stretching exercises. Pain will be your guide. If it hurts, stop. Re-attempt a few days later and remember, be gentle. Let it heal. In addition to the above, after your initial 2 to 3 days of ice applications, it may respond to moist heat. **End Summary** Topics: urgent care]]> hamstring]]> pulled muscle]]> ice pack]]> sciatica]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Urgent Care Centers of Arizona. Quality, convenient, affordable care available to the community. For more information, please visit http://www.urgentcarecentersaz.com

What is the Best Way to Treat Food Poisoning?

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Food poisoning usually results in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It may present just like what we all consider the "stomach flu". It can be caused by bacteria or viruses contaminating the food we eat. Because of this, others that ate the same food as you will probably be sick just like you are. This part of the medical history investigation is important to know and will help you and your doctor figure out the cause of your illness. The symptoms can begin quickly or take as long as 12 or 24 hours to appear. In most cases, the illness is self-limited and will resolve in 24 to 48 hours, sometimes as long as 72 hours. Dehydration is a concern due to diarrhea and vomiting, which can be severe at times. Rarely, food poisoning can be dangerous and even fatal due to toxins released by the contaminating bacteria. An example of this would be botulism, which occurs in canned foods. It begins with a progression of profound weakness and blurred or double vision. Luckily, botulism is easily prevented by cooking the food that was in the can or jar. **End Summary** Topics: urgent care]]> food poisoning]]> gastroenteritis]]> flu]]> stomach ache]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Urgent Care Centers of Arizona. Quality, convenient, affordable care available to the community. For more information, please visit http://www.urgentcarecentersaz.com

Do Not Write, Edit, or Proofread... It Could Wreck Your Professional Image!

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

I recently attended a meeting of a new business organization, where several fledgling entrepreneurs had been invited to share their business ideas, hoping to garner support from the audience. Members of the group were known to have resources such as financing, networking, and services that could help a startup business. The presenters' jobs were to sell their business ideas as well as their personal competencies to develop and manage their projects. While the first idea (for a healthy fast food venue catering to teens) was intriguing, the snappy visual presentation was liberally peppered with misspellings and bad grammar. Here is some important information: When business individuals or groups seek patronage or support from an educated target audience, they must present themselves as being competent, thorough, and serious about their goods and/or services. In this instance, a professional proofreader or editor would have been able to review and polish the presentation quickly and at very little cost. When someone is asking for support - especially money - it behooves the presenter to demonstrate professionalism and attention to detail. The presenter's carelessness cost him. On another occasion, I attended a networking event at my local small business association. **End Summary** Topics: writing]]> editing]]> proofreading]]> entrepreneurs]]> professional writers]]> small business services]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Barb Fisher advocates the use of professional writers by those who should demonstrate high standards of professionalism. Arizona Wordsmiths - http://www.azwordsmiths.com - provides fast, low-cost writing and editing services to small businesses.

Business Writing is Not for the Grammatically Impaired

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Count the years since you attended the fourth grade. This is not about age; it is about the ability to remember details you learned a long time ago, perhaps 20, 30, 40 years or more. Here is the point. Essential rules of grammar are taught in the third and fourth grades. Are all of those rules still fresh in your mind? Are you certain your grammar skills are strong enough to present clear, intelligent information to your potential customers? Written work often provides a customer's first impression of your business. Good writing is clear to the reader and is a powerful expression of your commitment to excellence and detail. In your business, you write letters, brochures, advertisements, web pages, and other communications designed to deliver messages to your associates and customers. It would seem simple enough to write what you want to say, but a comma or semicolon in the wrong place can dramatically change the meaning of your message. Homonyms, words that sound alike but have different spellings, are liberally misused. I recently received a written comment from a friend about the turtles that live in my pond. The writer inquired, "You mean their pets? **End Summary** Topics: writing]]> grammar]]> editing]]> first impression]]> professional]]> grants]]> articles]]> web content]]> E-books]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Barbara Fisher crusades against substandard use of grammar, spelling, and basic writing. Barb (barb@azwordsmiths.com) founded Arizona Wordsmiths to help businesses avoid mistakes that compromise the integrity of their written messages. For information go to http://www.azwordsmiths.com.