Okay, so I have high blood pressure and am well aware that I should call it that or hypertension but I seriously had a doctor tell me once that I had blood pressure. I was like... "um... you mean high blood pressure?" Him "Yes, blood pressure, so you need to followup with your regular physician." Me: "Uh, okay... whatever!"
I have a country bumpkin red neckish great aunt... who doesn't like to wear her teeth often... is obsessed with Glamour Shots... and says "Peachy Caramel Buckaroo" and "Derr-Derr" when someone like myself would say, "Holy crap" or "WTH?"
Soooo... one day she called me in a panic... cuz she just came from the doctor and he told her she got "the sugar". (pronounced sher-ger).
I am a nurse and didn't know what the H she was talking about...
I hear that all the time! My favorites are I have a little pressure and a little sugar. I always thought it was a southern/country thing to say. The other thing I hear is sugar diabetes.
I'm still just a med student, but I find it's much easier to talk to patients in very simple (almost MR) terms. Of course, and I hate to say it, my school is in a very blue-collar, non-educated, working class town. Words like "the sugar", "just blood pressure", "water pills", and "throw a fit" (generalized tonic-clonic seizure) are thrown around like nobody's business. I actually had to explain the meaning of "baby-daddy" to a friend from a small town. On one hand I feel bad encouraging it because I'm contributing to the dumbing-down of society; on the other hand, I'd rather people remember their disorders in simple words than not at all. Plus it's always good for a laugh. :)
Oh no! I've got breathing.... and a pulse :(
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief! I was thinking h e might be solid striaght through, like a potato!
ReplyDelete>:p
Cogitator, you're doomed.
ReplyDeleteOMG!! I totally have blood pressure too! What are the odds?
ReplyDeleteFortunately, there's a cure.
ReplyDeleteI'm seldom rendered speechless, yet, your blog does it to me every time I read it.
ReplyDeleteGood job, Dr. G.
Okay, so I have high blood pressure and am well aware that I should call it that or hypertension but I seriously had a doctor tell me once that I had blood pressure. I was like... "um... you mean high blood pressure?" Him "Yes, blood pressure, so you need to followup with your regular physician." Me: "Uh, okay... whatever!"
ReplyDeletePattie RN again...and I have not but TWO deltoids. Please call National Geographic and Science Mag NOW!! Don't foget the photographers...
ReplyDeleteI don't imagine that many cadavers walk into your office. "Reanimator" not withstanding.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are when my patients have "thyroid" or " sinuses"
ReplyDeleteI have a country bumpkin red neckish great aunt... who doesn't like to wear her teeth often... is obsessed with Glamour Shots... and says "Peachy Caramel Buckaroo" and "Derr-Derr" when someone like myself would say, "Holy crap" or "WTH?"
ReplyDeleteSoooo... one day she called me in a panic... cuz she just came from the doctor and he told her she got "the sugar". (pronounced sher-ger).
I am a nurse and didn't know what the H she was talking about...
...but after investigation it was diabetes.
Wow. I should have blogged about that. he he.
It beats the alternative ;)
ReplyDeleteI had a bad day today, but reading this cheered me up. Thanks 4 sharing.
ReplyDeleteDid this guy recently have a hospice eval? Only context where I've ever heard blood pressure discussed as a binary sign.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone tells you something like this, you know the H and P are going to be long and painful.
ReplyDeleteIt is bad when people have such a poor understanding of their own medical issues ....
ReplyDeleteI hear that all the time! My favorites are I have a little pressure and a little sugar. I always thought it was a southern/country thing to say. The other thing I hear is sugar diabetes.
ReplyDeleteMaybe by "blood pressure" he means that a bunch of crimson-clad thugs are trying to get him to join their gang.
ReplyDeleteAs in, Cool Mo J and FoSnappy are gonna bus' a cap in my ass if I don't join up with da Bloodz.
Some folks have sugar diabetes (diabetes mellitus) while others have water diabetes (diabetes insipidus).
ReplyDeleteRSDS
I'm still just a med student, but I find it's much easier to talk to patients in very simple (almost MR) terms. Of course, and I hate to say it, my school is in a very blue-collar, non-educated, working class town. Words like "the sugar", "just blood pressure", "water pills", and "throw a fit" (generalized tonic-clonic seizure) are thrown around like nobody's business. I actually had to explain the meaning of "baby-daddy" to a friend from a small town.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand I feel bad encouraging it because I'm contributing to the dumbing-down of society; on the other hand, I'd rather people remember their disorders in simple words than not at all. Plus it's always good for a laugh. :)