EasyMedic.net...Medicine Made Ridiculously Simple.

Chest Pain: Differential Diagnosis

24 February 2012

Be sure to exclude life-threatening causes by paying attention to the history, examination and limited investigations Life threatening Acute myocardial infarction Angina/acute coronary syndrome Aortic dissection Tension pneumothorax Pulmonary embolism Oesophageal rupture Other causes Pneumonia Chest wall pain Muscular Rib fractures Bony metastases Costochondritis Gastro-oesophageal reflux Pleurisy Empyema Pericarditis Oesophageal spasm Herpes zoster Cervical spondylosis [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Cardiorespiratory, OSCE/Clinical SkillsComments (0)

OSCE Clinical Skills: Central Nervous System

27 August 2011

Clinical Skills – CNS Introduction (Name, Role, May I examine your head and neck?) May reveal a dysphasia or dysphonia (tone of voice) May reveal a decreased conscious level Inspection May reveal a facial palsy Ptosis Ophthalmoplegia (eye patch) Craniotomy scars (not usually obvious as under hair) PEG (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) provide a means of [...]

Read the full story

Posted in General Resources, Neurology, OSCE/Clinical SkillsComments (0)

Homeobox genes: Anatomical Architects

27 August 2011

THE discovery of the homeobox gene superfamily can be considered as one of the most significant developments in modern science. It has an important role in embryonic development and determining the morphological features of animals. However, when things go wrong with homeobox genes dramatic abnormalities can occur. The genomic mapping of these homeobox genes, which [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Anatomy & Physiology, Cancer, General Resources, Human Development, NeurologyComments (0)

Cannabis: wonder drug?

27 August 2011

Cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana, has been used medicinally for many thousands of years. It is known to have mind altering euphoric and relaxing effects and is a popular recreational drug. Cannabis contains a variety of different chemicals that have different pharmacological effects on the body. When taken in excess, symptoms include depression, hallucinations [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Anatomy & Physiology, General Resources, Immunology, Musculoskeletal, Neurology, PharmacologyComments (0)

Wound Healing

23 August 2011

Wound healing Definitions Regeneration – following injury, tissues grow back to look the same as they did before the injury Repair – does not generally preserve the original tissue architecture Abililty to regenerate Depends on tissues and degree of injury Eg skin. Wound healing and repair Organisation of blood clot to form (pink) granulation [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Anatomy & Physiology, Haematology, Immunology, MusculoskeletalComments (0)

Sickle Cell Disease

23 August 2011

A common diagnosis Meningitis and pneumonia overlaid on Sickle Cell anaemia (SCA) chronic condition SCA Enhances susceptibility to infections particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae Afrocarribean ethnic group is most commonly associated with SCA Inherited autosomal recessive Anemia – Hb well below normal (male – 14-16g/dL) Abnormal erythrocytes consistent with sickle shape attained under low oxygen concn Bacterial [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Cardiorespiratory, Ethics/Social Science, HaematologyComments (0)

Pregnancy

23 August 2011

GENETIC PROCESSES OF FETAL DEVELOPMENT & GENETIC CONTROL Fertilised ovum is a unique cell which generates all body organs from 30,000 genes on 23 pairs of chromosomes. Early stages – rapid cell division and extensive migration of cells 3 primordial layers ectoderm mesoderm endoderm Later stages characterised by cell differentiation – cell selectively expresses certain [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Ethics/Social Science, General Resources, Human DevelopmentComments (1)

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

23 August 2011

Brittle bone disease Genetic disorder associated with defective collagen Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 1 is most common Autosomal dominant (1 normal gene from mother and 1 defective gene from father) Family history Frequent fractures suggest weak bones Collagen is a CT protein required for proper mineralisation of developing bones, defects impair bone formation Genetic component implied [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Ethics/Social Science, Human Development, Immunology, MusculoskeletalComments (0)

Adaptation to Long Duration Exercise

23 August 2011

Metabolic fuels Phosphocreatine (creatine phosphate) Used in all forms of exercise initially and extreme exercise thereafter Carbohydrate (anaerobic) High intensity exercise Especially lasting 30sec-2mins Carbohydrate (aerobic) Exercise lasting 2min – 4-5hours Higher the intensity, the greater the use Lipid (fat) Used in exercise lasting more than a few minutes Greater amounts used at lower exercise [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Anatomy & Physiology, Gastrointestinal, Metabolism, MusculoskeletalComments (0)

Body’s Respose to Fasting

23 August 2011

Body Mass Index Measure of body size. Weight (in kg) divided by height (in m squared) 20-25 normal. 25-30 oveweight. 30+ obese waist to hips measurement ratio may be of more value than BMI Maintenance of blood glucose concentration blood glucose levels maintained within narrow range (3-5mmol/L) nervous tissue and RBC depend solely on glucose [...]

Read the full story

Posted in Anatomy & Physiology, Gastrointestinal, Metabolism, MusculoskeletalComments (0)