Ringing bells

'Tis the season for bells ringing on television and out at your favorite stores by the Salvation Army.
 
And even a rehab nurse can find a topic of interest in the non-medical press. TBI is common among topics in rehab, mainly due to issues in young men and veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In this week's NY Times, there's a series on hockey enforcer, Derek Boogaard, who often 'got his bell rung' in many, many hockey fights. Repetitive traumatic brain injury can cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

After reading this story, this is one bell I wish would not get rung.

More later...

Nuggets for January 29: Occupation-specific issues

There are a lot of occupation-specific conditions that have been cropping up in the news and elsewhere. Here are some of interesting ones I've encountered recently.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has an interesting general article about occupational injuries for nurses. They also have a great IIF (Illnesses, Injuries and Fatalities) section.

The NY Times recently ran an article about degenerative brain disease among former NFL players. For more on chronic traumatic encephalopathy, check it out at eMedicine.com.

You'd never think that they'd have this kind of information, but Apple, yes, the computer, iPod and iPhone people have a great section on ergonomics and reducing eye strain.

And in the "No, I didn't make this up" category, it's been outed as a hoax disorder--the infamous cello scrotum. Alas, gentlemen, the symphony can go on!