Medical science, drawn into focus.

Percarditis

Overview Pericarditis is the most common form of pericardial disease and a relatively common cause of chest pain. The etiology of pericarditis may be infectious (eg, viral and bacterial) or noninfectious (eg, systemic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and post-cardiac injury syndromes). Tuberculosis is a major cause of pericarditis in developing countries but accounts for less than 5%…

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…

Mitral Stenosis

Overview Mitral stenosis causes an obstruction to blood flow from the left atrium to left ventricle usually as a result of rheumatic heart disease. The stenosis results in increased pressure in the left atrium, pulmonary vasculature and right side of heart. Mitral valve disease is a frequent cause of heart failure and death. Mitral valve area:…

Pulmonary Embolism

Overview Pulmonary embolism occurs most often from a dislodged thrombus from the lower limb (DVT). The embolus travels towards the lung and becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery resulting in infarction of the lung tissue. Pulmonary Embolism: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Blood clot in the deep venous system that usually affects the lower extremities or…

Somatoform Disorders

Overview Doctors and patients often experience frustration and helplessness in consultations around medically unexplained symptoms. Up to 50 percent of primary care patients present with physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a general medical condition. Although most do not meet the strict psychiatric diagnostic criteria for one of the somatoform disorders, they can be referred to…

Neonatal Conditions

Vitals For more information:   Parturition and Routine Care  NORMAL EXPECTED PHYSIOLOGICAL VALUES AT DIFFERENT AGES Age (years) Respiratory Rate Heart rate Systolic Blood Pressure  <1 30-40 110-160 70-90 1-2 25-35 100-150 80-95 2-5 25-30 95-140 80-100 5-12 20-25 80-120 90-110 >12 15-20 60-100 100-120 Oxygen saturation return to 100% after 10 minutes post partum.…

Paget’s Disease of Bone

Overview Paget’s disease of bone (PDB) is a chronic skeletal disorder characterised by focal areas of accelerated and disorganised bone remodelling. The disease begins with excessive osteoclastic bone resorption followed by a compensatory increase in osteoblastic bone formation. The result is structurally weak, enlarged, and deformed bone that is prone to fracture and complications such…

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