Medical science, drawn into focus.

COPD

Overview The diagnosis of COPD is usually limited to individuals who have chronic airflow obstruction associated with tobacco smoke or some other noxious inhalant, and it is usually not difficult to distinguish it from other causes of chronic airflow obstruction. The most commonly associated clinical disorders associated with COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Chronic…

Anal Abscess

Overview Anorectal abscess is an infection of soft tissue around the anus. It causes severe perianal pain and swelling. 30% to 70% of anorectal abscesses are associated with an anorectal fistula. It is two times more likely to present in males. 1 2 Anal Abscess Anorectal abscess: collection of pus in anorectal spaces resulting from…

Asthma in Emergency

Introduction Most asthma deaths occur outside hospital and are: In patients with chronic severe disease In those receiving inadequate medical treatment In those who have been symptomatically deteriorating, and may have already sought medical help Associated with adverse behavioural and psychological factors Asthma Assessment Assess severity and start bronchodilators! Mild-Moderate (maybe admitted to hospital or…

Marfans Syndrome

Overview Marfan's Syndrome is one of the most common inherited disorders of connective tissue. Marfan syndrome is a hereditary disease affecting connective tissues in the body, resulting in symptoms such as aortic dissection and musculoskeletal deformities. However, no family history of Marfan's does not exclude the diagnosis as 30% can occur through gene mutation. Marfan syndrome:…

Anorexia Nervosa

“ To lose confidence in one’s body is to lose confidence in oneself .” ― Simone de Beauvoir " Every woman knows that, regardless of all her other achievements, she is a failure if she is not beautiful ." – Germaine Greer Overview Eating disorders have traditionally been classified into two well-established categories. They are…

Diabetes Mellitus type I

Overview Type 1 diabetes is B-cell destruction leading to absolute insulin deficiency. It accounts for 5-10% of all diabetes. Type I diabetes is divided into two types: Immune mediated and idiopathic. The traditional paradigm is of childhood onset with acute symptoms of DKA. Diabetes:  A group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood…

Osteomalacia / Rickets

Overview Osteomalacia (adults) and rickets (children) are disorders of impaired bone mineralisation leading to soft, poorly mineralised bone. It arises when there is insufficient calcium–phosphate supply to the mineralising matrix due to vitamin D deficiency, calcium deficiency, phosphate deficiency (often FGF23-mediated). Nutritional rickets still occurs worldwide, while hypophosphataemic forms (e.g., XLH, tumour-induced osteomalacia) are rarer…

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