His life-line is too short…
This video is going to spread like medical blog wild-fire, having already been posted on Better Health and DC's Improbable Science. But it's just too good not to post on 'Life in the Fast Lane' too. Ever wondered what the ED would be like if it was run by 'alternative medicine' practitioners? Well, wonder no more - thanks to this skit from 'That Mitchell and Webb Look'. Who needs an epipen when you can just use a Biro, eh? [youtube HMGIbOGu8q0] Also check out: Quackery Without Scruples
The Environmental Working Group’s campaign for safer, more effective sunscreen seems to be having an impact on the industry.
The 2009 investigation of 1,571 products shows that 70 percent of sunscreens now contain strong UVA filters, which is up 41 percent from last year’s dismall 29 percent outcome. (Most sunscreens protect from the sun’s UVB rays. An ideal sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays and doesn’t break down in the sun).
There is some bad news, however, in that much UVA protection is still too thin to save your skin.
Here are some of the highlights from the third annual report. You 
35 year old Aboriginal female presents with a 2/52 Hx of weakness, thirst and nausea. Presents to ED unable to lift her hands. Admitted 3/12 ago with something similar but doesn't know what it was and her medical notes are not immediately available. No other past medical history of note. Examination reveals a quiet, dehydrated lady with generalised non-lateralising weakness in all 4 limbs.
HR
75
/min
BP
90/50
mmHg supine
Temp
37.1
oCelsius
Bedside venous blood gas results included:
Reference Range
FIO2
0.21
pH
7.25
7.35-7.45
pCO2
35
mmHg
35-45
pO2
234
mmHg
80-95
HCO3
15.0
mmol/L
22-28
Base Excess
-11
-3 to +3
Na+
141
mmol/L
134-146
K+
1.1
mmol/L
3.4-5.0
Cl-
116
mmol/L
98-106
Glucose
5.4
mmol/L
3.5-4.5
Questions:
a.
What is her primary acid/base disorder? What is her anion Gap?
(40%)
b.
Describe the features of the ECG
(40%)
c.
List your differential diagnoses
(30%)
What is her primary acid/base disorder?
Metabolic acidosis: low 
