Tru Story - Adventures in the NICU.

Meningococcal meningitis - causes, features, symptoms and treatment

My Skin Could Kill Me

The window period is the time from infection until a test can detect any change. The average window period with HIV-1 antibody tests is 25 days for subtype B. Antigen testing cuts the window period to approximately 16 days and nucleic acid testing (NAT) further reduces this period to 12 days.[2] Performance of medical tests is often described in terms of: sensitivity: The percentage of the results that will be positive when HIV is present specificity: The percentage of the results that will be negative when HIV is not present. All diagnostic tests have limitations, and sometimes their use may produce erroneous or questionable results. False positive: The test incorrectly indicates that HIV is present in a non-infected person. False negative: The test incorrectly indicates that HIV is absent in an infected person.

NTIS refers to a syndrome found in seriously ill or starving patients with low fT3, usually elevated RT3, normal or low TSH, and if prolonged, low fT4. It is found in a high proportion of patients in the ICU setting, and correlates with a poor prognosis if TT4 is <4ug/dl. The patho-physiology includes suppression of TRH release, reducedT3 and T4 turnover, reduction in liver generation of T3, increased formation of RT3, and tissue specific down-regulation of deiodinases, transporters, and TH receptors. Although long debated, tissue TH levels are definitely reduced, and tissue hypothyroidism is presumably present. This is often not clinically evident because of the brief duration, and reduced but not absent tissue levels of TH. Although recognized for nearly 4 decades, interpretation of the syndrome is contested, because of lack of data. Some observes, totally without data, argue that it is a protective response and should not be treated. Other observers (as in this review) present available data suggesting, but not proving, that thyroid hormone replacement is appropriate, not harmful, and may be beneficial. The best form of treatment (TRH,TSH,or T3+T4) and possible accompanying treatments (GHRH, Cortisol, nutrition, insulin) lack consensus. In this review current data are laid out for reader’s review and judgment.

Dr. Ebraheim’s educational animated video describing the anatomy and associated injuries of the knee joint.
Disrupted quadriceps
•Patient is unable to actively extend the knee.
The most common cause of ACL ruptures:
•Traumatic force being applied during twisting motion.
•Side stepping or landing from a jump.
Patient complains of:
•Immediate pain
•Knee giving way
•Swelling
Aspiration of the knee
•If aspiration of the knee joint shows evidence of blood within the joint there is 75-80% chance of ACL and meniscal injury.
Lachamn’s test- ACL knee exam
•Knee is flexed at 30 degrees.
•ACL tear of the knee is identified by pulling on the tibia and examining the frontward motion of the lower leg in comparison to the upper leg.
Radiological exam – ACL
•MRI of the knee joint shows bone lesions or bruising associated with tears of the ACL. Injury is found in the typical location; middle of the femoral condyle and posterior part of the tibia laterally.
Posterior cruciate ligament tear (PCL)
•Common cause of injury is a bent knee hitting a dashboard in a car accident.
Tibial Sag Test –PCL knee exam
Quadriceps active test-PCL knee exam
•The examiner stabilizes the leg of the patient and then the patient is asked to actively contract the quadriceps muscle.
•The tibia is seen actively reduced from the posterior subluxed position.
Lachman’s test-PCL knee exam
•Knee is bent 20-30 degrees.
•The posterior drawer test is carried out while the patient is in a supine position and the knee is flexed to 90 degrees.
•The amount of translation of the tibia relative to the femur is observed.
The dial test is performed while the patient is in the supine or prone position and both knees are in 90 and 30 degrees of flexion. More than 10 degrees of external rotation indicates significant injury.
Common meniscal tears
Symptoms include
•Knee pain
•Pain with straightening the knee
•Swelling
•Locking
•Weakness

Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas — an organ in your abdomen that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of sugars. Pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early. Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until pancreatic cancer is quite advanced and complete surgical removal isn't possible.

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is the thin muscle wall that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen. The opening in the diaphragm is where the esophagus and stomach join.

A pneumothorax is usually caused by an injury to the chest, such as a broken rib or puncture wound. It may also occur suddenly without an injury. A pneumothorax can result from damage to the lungs caused by conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia.

Most people start smoking when they are in their teens and are addicted by the time they reach adulthood. Some have tried to quit but have returned to cigarettes because smoking is such a strong addiction. It is a habit that is very difficult to break. There are many different reasons why people smoke.

Here are seven ways to start reining in your risks today, before a stroke has the chance to strike. Lower blood pressure. ... Lose weight. ... Exercise more. ... Drink — in moderation. ... Treat atrial fibrillation. ... Treat diabetes. ... Quit smoking.

Hypothyroidism during pregnancy is treated with synthetic thyroid hormone, thyroxine (T4). Postpartum thyroiditis—inflammation of the thyroid gland—causes a brief period of hyperthyroidism, often followed by hypothyroidism that usually goes away within a year. Sometimes the hypothyroidism is permanent.

One of the most common parasites to infect human beings is the yeast-like Blastocystis hominis, a single-celled parasitic organism that causes abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, and sometimes anal itching. Other common parasites are: Tapeworms, which can grow as long as 60 feet while living in the human intestines.

Are you getting enough vitamin B12? Many people don’t, and that deficiency can cause some serious problems. Vitamin B12 does a lot of things for your body. It helps make your DNA and your red blood cells, for examples. Since your body doesn't make vitamin B12, you'll need to get it from animal-based foods or from supplements, and it needs to be consumed on a regular basis. Exactly how much you need and where you should get it from depends on things like your age, the diet you follow, your medical conditions, and in some cases what medications you take.

Inner Workings tells the story of the ceaseless pull of the human heart — even as it works against the very stoic realism of the brain.

The shoulder joint is formed where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the scapula (shoulder blade), like a ball and socket. Other important bones in the shoulder include: The acromion is a bony projection off the scapula. The clavicle (collarbone) meets the acromion in the acromioclavicular joint.

Take your left leg and place your ankle against the knee. Hold the position for a moment before changing legs. This helps stretch the tiny piriformis muscle, which sometimes becomes inflamed and presses against the sciatic nerve causing pain. Repeat by switching sides and doing the same exercise with the other leg.

Examination of the eye,vision,retina and field of vision

With the help of vitamin K, the liver produces proteins that are important in blood clotting. It is also one of the organs that break down old or damaged blood cells. The liver plays a central role in all metabolic processes in the body. In fat metabolism the liver cells break down fats and produce energy.

Ischemic colitis occurs when blood flow to part of the large intestine (colon) is reduced, usually due to narrowed or blocked blood vessels (arteries). The diminished blood flow doesn't provide enough oxygen for the cells in your digestive system. Ischemic colitis can cause pain and may damage your colon. Any part of the colon can be affected, but ischemic colitis usually causes pain on the left side of the belly area (abdomen). The condition can be misdiagnosed because it can easily be confused with other digestive problems. Ischemic colitis may heal on its own. But you may need medication to treat ischemic colitis or prevent infection, or you may need surgery if your colon has been damaged. Symptoms ShareTweet Oct. 13, 2015 References Products and Services Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter See also Abdominal pain Colonoscopy Color Blue Detects Colon Cancer CT scan CT scans: Are they safe? Diarrhea Ultrasound Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship PolicyOpportunitiesAd Choices Mayo Clinic Store Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. NEW! – The Mayo Clinic Diet, Second Edition Treatment Strategies for Arthritis Mayo Clinic on Better Hearing and Balance Keeping your bones healthy and strong The Mayo Clinic Diet Online Ads by Swoop Psoriasis Treatment www.informationaboutpsoriasis.com Explore a Treatment Option for Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis Immune Biomarker PD-L1 - Discover the Science iobiomarkers.bmsinformation.com Understanding Assay Results for PD-L1 is Crucial for Treatment Decisions. Biomarker PD-L1 Information - Easy to Download Resources iobiomarkers.bmsinformation.com Explore the Role of PD-L1 in Immuno-Oncology & the Evolving Biomarker Landscape.