Medical science, drawn into focus.

Anal Fissure

Overview Anal fissure is a split in the skin of the distal anal canal. It presents with severe pain on defecation, like passing “glass shards”, and rectal bleeding. It is more frequently diagnosed in younger and middle-aged individuals. Anal fissures are mostly caused by passage of hard stool but can also be a result of…

Paracetamol Overdose

Overview Paracetamol overdose is a common cause of hospital presentation. Paracetamol is an analgesic and antipyretic drug used in both children and adults. Its mechanism of action is yet to be fully determined, and is likely to involve a number of pain pathways. When taken in excess it can cause signs such as vomiting, right…

Carotid Artery Disease

Overview Carotid artery disease refers to atherosclerotic narrowing of the carotid artery lumen. It is associated with approximately 10-15% of all ischaemic strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a principal cause of long-term disability in much of the industrialised world. The degree of internal carotid artery stenosis is the most important…

Schizophrenia

Overview Schizophrenia is a complex syndrome often presenting in late teens/early 20s with positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms include behaviours and thoughts that are not normally present (psychosis). Negative symptoms include social withdrawal and affective flattening. Finally, cognitive symptoms are expressed as a broad set of cognitive dysfunction. The average lifetime prevalence of…

Urinary Incontinence

Overview Urinary incontinence is an important condition because it causes significant distress. Approximately 15% of the general female adult population have a significant problem with urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence: Defined as the condition in which there is invontary loss of urine, which can be objectively demonstrated and which is a social or hygienic problem. Stress…

Pregnancy (not a disease)

Overview Pregnancy – Overview Physiological Changes in Pregnancy Uterus, Vagina and Breast Physiology changes Uterus (Cervix + Isthmus + Body of uterus) Muscle hypertrophy til 20weeks then stretching till term. Uterine and ovarian arteries undergo hypertrophy Cervix Reduced collagen → allows dilatation Hypertrophy of cervical glands → thick mucus plug Uterine body ↑size, shape, shape and consitency Increases…

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Overview Sleep apnea syndrome is an extremely common medical disorder associated with important morbidity. Sleep Apnea and can be classified as: Obstructive Sleep Apnea – is the most common, characterized by repetitive, intermittent collapse of the upper (pharyngeal) airway during sleep, which causes apnoeic episodes terminated by partial arousal Central Sleep Apnea - characterised by repetitive absent or diminished…

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