Medical science, drawn into focus.

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…

Diverticular Disease

Overview Diverticula of the colon consist of outpouchings of mucous membrane through the muscle wall of the bowel. In the colon, diverticula are found most commonly in the sigmoid and descending colon, and become increasingly rare in passing from the left to the right side of the colon. They are unusual before the age of 40…

Pertussis

Author Megan Miner Armando Faigl Overview Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough”, is a contagious, acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In babies, the infection can sometimes lead to pneumonia and occasionally brain damage and can even be life threatening. Older children and adults can get whooping cough and can spread it…

Bronchiolitis

Overview Bronchiolitis is often a viral cause mainly Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Bronchiolitis is the most common respiratory tract infection of neonates and is usually self-limiting. A major source of confusion of treatment is differentiating a viral bronchiolitis to asthma. In summary bronchiolitis is usually seen in infants <2yo. Asthma is seen in older children. Bronchiolitis…

Behçet’s Disease

Overview Behçet’s syndrome is a chronic, relapsing, multisystem inflammatory disorder and variable-vessel vasculitis characterized classically by recurrent oral ulcers, genital ulcers, ocular inflammation, and skin lesions. It can also involve the joints, vessels, nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract.  The disease is most prevalent along the historic “Silk Road” region, including Turkey, the Middle East, and…

Birth Defects

Overview Birth defects are the leading cause of perinatal and post- neonatal deaths, and result in substantial morbidity and disability in developed countries. There is a wide variety of mechanisms including genetic, environmental and multifactorial. Major birth defects affect 2–3% of live-borns, and minor birth defects affect 15%. Preventative strategies remain limited, but include maternal folic acid supplementation,…

Prostatitis

Overview Prostatitis refers to a spectrum of conditions involving inflammation of the prostate gland, ranging from acute bacterial infection to chronic pelvic pain syndromes. It is a common urological condition affecting men of all ages, particularly those aged 30–50 years. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) classifies prostatitis into four categories: acute bacterial, chronic bacterial, chronic…

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