Top 10 common causes of cough
Common coldInfluenzaPneumoniaAllergiesAsthmaBronchitisGastroesophageal reflux diseasePostnasal dripWhooping coughIrritant inhalation Reference: Cough. Mayo clinic. (Assessed 4 Mar 2019)
Continue readingCauda Equina Syndrome; a Medical Emergency
It is a medical emergency, that entails compression of lumbar and sacral nerve fibers. RISK FACTORS- Cancers- IV drug use- Immunocompromised state- Trauma CLINICAL PRESENTATION- Low back pain- Sciatica / radicular pain- Lower extremity weakness or numbness- Bladder / Rectal dysfunction- On exam - lumbosacral weakness, decreased dorsiflexion, quad strength, decreased deep tendon reflexes, saddles anesthesia, decreased anal sphincter tone DIAGNOSIS- MRI is the definitive imaging study- CT myelogram ...
Continue readingHarmful side effects of too much Screen time
In today's day and age all of us use devices that have screens on it. In most cases, we are dependent on these devices, but how are they affecting our lives? In a large 10 year study done of about 4,500 kids, demonstrated that >2 hrs of screen time led to decreased ability of thinking and reasoningAnother study done by UCLA showed that excessive screen exposure in schools led to decreased social skills and ...
Continue readingDiabetic Ketoacidosis
DKA is a life threatening metabolic complication seen in diabetics with features of - hyperglycemia, hyperketonemia and metabolic acidosis. Use this chart to brush up your knowledge and to make it easier to save lives during this emergency crisis
Continue readingHow to Avoid the Flu
As clear as it can get, GET THE FLU SHOT! Everyone asks, does it really work? When well matched with the strain, it reduces the risk by upto 60%. It reduces the elderly and children from being severely ill.Adapt GOOD HABITS - wash your hands every chance you get. Before meals, at work, leaving work, as soon as you get home, while leaving home. Maintain healthy habits, and keep your IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTED QUIT SMOKINGIf you know someone is sick, AVOID CONTACT ...
Continue readingGLASGOW coma scale
The Glascow coma scale is commonly used to measure the level of consciousness in case of a neurological insult
Continue readingAPGAR score
APGAR scoring was intended as an evaluative measure of a newborn's condition at birth and of the need for immediate resuscitative or support care.The total score determines the status of the newborn7 - 10 ; Normal 4 - 6 ; Moderately depressed 0 - 3 ; Severely depressed
Continue readingChills & Rigors
The common causes of chills and rigors are:1. Pyelonephritis2. Abscess3. Cholangitis4. Malaria A good mnemonic to remember;
Continue readingWhich contraceptive is more effective?
Effectiveness of contraceptives depends on type of contraceptive used, from the famous TV show FRIENDS, we find that they tried to educate people that condoms are not effective 3% of the time, however it is actually not effective 18% of the time. Ranging from tacking periods to Reversible and Permanent contraception, here is a break down of which is effective and by how much!
Continue readingMEASLES: BACK FROM THE DEAD
As most of you might be unaware, a state of emergency has been declared in certain counties in the US after more than 30 cases of measles have been reported in the state of Washington. Lets take this opportunity to learn more about measles, how to identify them, when to seek medical attention and how to prevent it from spreading. DEFINITIONMeasles is a highly communicable viral illness, characterized by a redish ...
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