Page 25 - Flying Physician Magazine Issue 1-2018

measure, implants such as the defibril-
a lator/pacemaker, and the Watchman
tend to be major reversing agents. The
w Watchman, an occlusion device im-
planted in the heart, reduces the risk of

a stroke by 90% and permits patients to
discontinue blood thinners.
Frank m. ralls,
r md, outlined the

basics of sleep apnea
d identification and
discussed its det-
s rimental effects on
health, particularly
in pilots with un-
treated sleep apnea. In children, sleep

n apnea is a contributor to bed wetting,
growth stunting, hyper-activity, and
i depression. Increased blood pressure,
higher glucose and pulse rate levels,
and a correlation with atrial fibrillation
g are seen in adult victims. Ralls noted
that most deaths in sleep apnea patients
H occur between midnight and 6 a.m.
James van Hook,
t md, pointed out that
in America, there is a
tendency to over-di-
agnose pre-term la-
bor. Full term preg-
r nancy is defined as
39-40 weeks. Early is
e 37-38 weeks. Discussing the differenc-
es in treatment of trauma, diabetes, and
C other conditions in pregnancy, he not-
ed that 6-9% of pre-term labor patients
e have diabetes, and Type II diabetes is a
“growth industry” in US. Type I diabetics
p are very challenging pregnancy patients.
george L. Cowan,
t md, ms, reported
that anxiety is a $43

i billion annual cost
in the US and does
not present in the
o same way in each
patient. Preliminary
n diagnosis include dizziness, emotional
reaction to perceived threat, phobias,
feeling of loss of control, and effect of
medications. More medications are be-
ing used to treat anxiety. Management
recommendations are now tailored to
the individual patient.

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The Flying Physician vol. 61 - Issue 1 2018 25