This essay aimed to define, identify and clarify what Grief and Loss is; always with the role of the paramedic in mind. Grief is defined as a reaction to a serious loss. This loss could be a loss of a person close to another, significant belonging(s) or situation, generally summed up as “Change of Life’. Every human being is affected by grief, and every human being reacts differently to each situation. Paramedics need to be aware that grief is a natural response, and cannot be stopped from one to another. Grief is displayed differently in every culture. The griever must live through grief, in order to get through grief. Educating the griever, the supporting people (family and friends) as well as the broader community on how to deal with grief and grieving is an important part of harm minimisation

Most of the spinal cord injury causes permanent disability or loss of movement (paralysis) and sensation below the site of the injury. When a spinal cord injury affects only the lower body, the condition is called paraplegia. Paralysis that involves the majority of the body, including the arms and legs, is called quadriplegia or tetraplegia.

Every year, people overdose on the hallucinogenic plant, Jimson Weed.  The following is an article from the Maryland Poison Center's ToxTidbits email newsletter and is used by permission.  You can find out how to receive Toxtidbits in your own email box at the Maryland Poison Center's web site at www.mdpoison.com.

Lisa Booze, PharmD joins Jamie Davis, host of the MedicCast podcast once a month for a segment on the MedicCast EMS podcast for updates and information on toxicology, overdoses, and poisoning.