Medical science, drawn into focus.

Gestational Diabetes

Overview Diabetes:  A group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period.   Two types Diabetes Mellitus Type I (autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the pancreas) and Type II (insulin resistance followed by beta cell atrohpy) Gestational Diabetes:  diabetes diagnosed during the second half of pregnancy with…

Nephrotic Syndrome

Overview Nephrotic syndrome is a relatively rare but important manifestation of kidney disease.Nephrotic syndrome classically presents with heavy proteinuria , minimal hematuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, edema , and hypertension. In general, all patients with hypercholesterolemia secondary to nephrotic syndrome should be treated with lipid-lowering agents because they are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Nephrotic syndrome…

Parturition and Routine Care

Overview Parturition Physiology Preterm:  defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. Term:  defined as babies born alive after 37 weeks and before 42 weeks Postterm (induced for labour):  defined as babies born alive after 42 weeks. Birthweight Low birth weight: <2500g regardless of age Very low birth weight: <1500g regardless of…

Hydatidiform Mole (Molar Pregnancy)

Overview Hydatidiform moles are part of a group of diseases falling under gestational trophoblastic disease. A hydatidiform mole refers to the abnormal growth of trophoblastic cells in the placenta, resulting in edematous placental villi that form hydatidiform structures. It is classified as either partial or complete, causing either abnormal foetal development (resulting in foetal demise)…

Cardiac Arrest (including post-arrest care)

Overview Cardiac arrest is a state of circulatory failure due to a loss of cardiac systolic function. It is the result of 4 specific cardiac rhythm disturbances: Ventricular fibrillation Pulseless ventricular tachycardia Pulseless Electrical activity Asystole Epidemiology Survival is estimated at <20% for patients presenting out-of-hospital with VF, and <10% overall for patients presenting with…

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%…

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Overview Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common, lifelong condition that appears to be increasing in prevalence with increasing obesity, and is more common in Indigenous and southeast Asian women. PCOS is the presence of multiple follicular cysts in the ovaries (>12 cysts). PCOS results in hormonal imbalance resulting in the associated signs and symptoms (ie.…

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