Okay so the story about the healing power of the polo may have been a wee lie but this one seems to be genuine, honest!
According to scientists at Keele University, first aiders now have a new weapon to add to their armoury of pain relief. We can offer the patient entonox. We can offer them paracetamol. If all that fails though, we can now offer them a damn good swearing session.
The study was carried out by testing the reactions of people who had their hand submerged in freezing water. The results showed that people who cursed could cope with the pain for 50% longer than those who thought of fluffy things, presumably things like kittens and clouds.
So the next time you have a patient who is in pain, forget the fluffy bunny approach; there's no need for a good bedside manner; just ask them to do their best Gordon Ramsay impression and say the f-word very fast ten times*.
As is always the case, it is vital to get a good patient history as the research also suggested that the pain relief is better for those who swear infrequently**. Asking a persistent swearer to swear lots may have little effect on the pain and only result in more swearing, this time aimed at the first aider for not having proper drugs.
Having said that, the patient believing the first aider to be a complete muppet may distract them from their pain and ultimately achieve the same effect, but that's for another research project to discover.
* This may not actually work.
** Not even worth trying at Point to Point, perhaps stick to the traditional methods of pain relief.
Monday, 18 April 2011
Friday, 1 April 2011
Polos on prescription
First aiders have been subjected to a fair bit of mockery in the media lately, especially when television programmes like Little Britain suggest the only treatment a first aider can provide is a Polo mint.
It appears that the first aiders may be having the last laugh though, as scientists at the Wells Research Centre have made the startling discovery that Polos do have medicinal qualities that can aid the healing process in certain conditions.
In the research, carried out during March 2011, 50 patients with fractures to their tibias were assessed to find out what effect eating Polos would have on the injury. 25 patients were given a Polo to chew on every two hours while the remaining 25 were given a placebo. In only two of the patients taking the placebo was there any reported improvement. 18 of the patients taking the Polo showed signs of recovery within 48 hours.
The findings of the study suggest it is the high oxygen content contained in the Polo’s hole that helps the body repair itself. “The hole of each Polo contains about 21% oxygen, significantly more than your average mint. When this is absorbed into the bloodstream, the chemical properties help bone tissues fuse together much more easily,” explained Dr Trebor who conducted the trials.
“This is an incredible discovery for the Centre and could lead to a number of future developments, one of which is the analgesic qualities of wine gums” said Prof. Murray, Director of Science at the Wells Research Centre.
The study has not been without its controversy however. It was revealed earlier last month that seven of the patients in the trial had fractures to the right tibia and had to have the left tibia forcibly broken by researchers to ensure all the patients matched. “For the greater good” was the only comment made by the Centre’s spokesperson at the time, a view fully endorsed by Royal Institute for Good Practice in Medicine.
It appears that the first aiders may be having the last laugh though, as scientists at the Wells Research Centre have made the startling discovery that Polos do have medicinal qualities that can aid the healing process in certain conditions.
In the research, carried out during March 2011, 50 patients with fractures to their tibias were assessed to find out what effect eating Polos would have on the injury. 25 patients were given a Polo to chew on every two hours while the remaining 25 were given a placebo. In only two of the patients taking the placebo was there any reported improvement. 18 of the patients taking the Polo showed signs of recovery within 48 hours.
The findings of the study suggest it is the high oxygen content contained in the Polo’s hole that helps the body repair itself. “The hole of each Polo contains about 21% oxygen, significantly more than your average mint. When this is absorbed into the bloodstream, the chemical properties help bone tissues fuse together much more easily,” explained Dr Trebor who conducted the trials.
“This is an incredible discovery for the Centre and could lead to a number of future developments, one of which is the analgesic qualities of wine gums” said Prof. Murray, Director of Science at the Wells Research Centre.
The study has not been without its controversy however. It was revealed earlier last month that seven of the patients in the trial had fractures to the right tibia and had to have the left tibia forcibly broken by researchers to ensure all the patients matched. “For the greater good” was the only comment made by the Centre’s spokesperson at the time, a view fully endorsed by Royal Institute for Good Practice in Medicine.
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