THE COMING OF A NEW MEDICINE
MEDICAL RESEARCH WRITING GROUP MRWG gives information about the pharmacology of medicines, their mechanism of action, indications and side effects. MRWG also is interested in the making of the pharmaceuticals. At its best MWRG informs about the chemistryof this process. MRWG reports in crystal clear language as to just how specific medicines and/or drugs interfere with the body’s own systems. Actually, MRWG eases any writing and research project. FRANTZ MARIA IZANNE BATAILLE, MD
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
CHRONICLES : BODY LANGUAGE & DIAGNOSTIC ( PART I)
WHAT OUR BODY IS TELLING US...
PART I
PART I
· Before any
examination, body language happens to help sometimes. Notice how shape, color,movement, size & expression or attitude refer to deep
health conditions.
Bell's Palsy |
H
|
uman
body never lies, according to a saying. In daily life as
well as when affected by disease. Let’s see how it express itself in ailments.
To people and clinicians acquainted
with healthcare conditions, there are some details that help map out the
beginning and the worsening of a pathology. The body has a story on its own;
and the following physical change gives very often some clues to pinpoint a lot
of diseases when it is not about all of them.
This
physical change comprises besides the BMI
1. Shape
2. Siᴢe
3. Position
4. Location
5. Colour
6. Sounds
The BMI, the Body Mass Index
refers to weight and height at once. Overweight
people tend to develop current conditions such as stroke, hypertension,
diabetes, colon cancer, lipidemia, coronary heart disease, sleep apnea and so
forth. So do underweight ones when suffering from a proteino-calories
deficiency like that happens in underdeveloped countries.
By the same token, any modification in size, shape are also
features of many underlying disorders.
At the level of face, to begin
with, the facial nerve, the WII, when affected, gives birth to some
modifications. Bell’s palsy is the best example of the
involvement of this nerve. Clinically Bell’s palsy reunites the following
signs: eyelid drop, incapacity to close one eye, congested nose, and drop
tear; Horner’s syndrome, with its cluster of clinical features and signs at the
face is another example of expressive body language related to cerebral and
nerve disorders.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
CHRONICLES:THE ATM BATTLE PART 1
ATM % ( AIDS-TUBERCULOSIS-MALARIA)
SEX, AIR & MOSQUITOES
Tuberculosis is back, a Bronx Lebanon Hospital surgeon had been noting a few years ago. But the worst of this returning is that this disease is now resistant to traditional drugs.
What
continues to matter about the ATM Battle is how these three
infectious disease are transmitted. It is helpful to emphasize from the
beginning that human being, protozoan and the breathing air have something to
do with the spreading of these three infections. The least we could
say is mother nature as a whole and living beings seem to play a key role in this
dreadful ballet.
AIDS
(acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a sexually transmitted condition and for so
falls into the category of STD ( Sexually Transmitted Disease).
Tuberculosis
involves person to person contact through a medium named air.
Malaria
refers to climate, water, marshes but transmission there involves a
protozoan through Anopheles mosquitoes bites.
If
we cannot eradicate these pandemics, we can at least put them under
control. A lot of preventive measures are still going on that
help limit their spreading.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
MONTEZUMA'S REVENGE-E.COLI -TRAVELER'S DIARRHEA
B
|
esides serious illness
linked to military forays into former colonies or due to climatic bad
adaptation, change or weather disaster, Montezuma’s revenge refers to a kind of
curse that European visitors, tourists from anywhere can go through.Natives and locals used
to call these ailments: Montezuma’s wrath or revenge because of this last Aztec
emperor enslaved and killed by Hernan
Cortes, an illiterate conquistador whose
name has survived his massive killing
among Aztec Indians.
Today, it is considered that any visitor
undergoing traveler’s diarrhea (TDs) is a sort of victim of the Montezuma’s
curse. Te same can be said about Gandhi’s revenge, the Egyptian Mummy’s Tummy
or the curse linked to the Slave route, or triangular Trade of the French in
the late 18th century.
Montezuma |
Whatever it might be, Traveler’s
diarrhea is the most striking aspect of this so-called revenge. A parasite
known as E. coli embodies this Inca revenge and seems to have something to do with
drinking water, half-cooked food and poor sanitation. Add other parasites
namely: Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia, campylobacter as well as protozoans
such as Giardia; all of them can cause TD too.
Montezuma and his fellow citizens can smile
from their graves when watching their victors or descendants’ pay any tribute to innocent and
however vital drinking water of Aztec plateaus. As if, finally in this world,
there exists neither victor nor defeated.
Sic Gloria transit mundi…
GEOGRAPHICAL MALARIA MAP
MALARIA....
A
|
n endemic disease in
more than 100 countries in the world, malaria is hold responsible of
millions deaths every year. Scattered in Sub
Saharian Africa, malaria is also present in Central America, Latin America, and
mostly in Southwestern and Eastern Asia. Caused by bites of a female
mosquito named Anopheles mosquito, that grow in mares and stagnant waters,
malaria is transmitted from person to person through several types of
plasmodium that enters the blood before reproducing itself in the liver. Doctors
acquainted with tropical diseases affirm that malaria can mimic a lot of
diseases, which makes prevention the best way to fight this still deadly
ailment.
Traditional antimalarial drugs are
part of the so called “ shot gun” cocktail that general practitioners used in
the endemic areas.
Unfortunately, during these last
decades, this endemic pathology has become unresponsive to traditional
drugs. Epidemiologists and WHO policy recommend the use
of a combined therapy including artemisin to other antimalarial
drugs.
Artemisin is a sesquiterpene lactone containing an
unusual peroxide bridge.
This peroxide is believed to be responsible for the drug's mechanism of
action.
Friday, March 14, 2014
PAIN & ASPIRINE
Aspirin, acetyl salicylic acid, known also as salicin, is
considered wonderful and labeled “the wonder drug” according
to many writers. Among the four signs of inflammation described in
Roman times by Celsius, 30 AD, namely: redness, heat, swelling and pain, in
Latin: rubor, calor, tumor and dolor ,aspirin continue to address
the most important one which is dolor.
Dolor, in English pain, tells us about “any physical feeling
caused by disease, injury or something unpleasant. As usual, pain is
transmitted to the brain as an information or a signal that something is wrong
in human homeostasis. The messengers aware of this imbalance are the
ending nerve about which Wikipedia writes : Free nerve ending (
FRE) is an “unspecialized afferent nerve ending meaning it brings
information from the body’s periphery toward the brain. Any FRE
functions as cutaneous receptors and are essentially used by
vertebrates to detect pain.
Acetyl Salicylic Acid act at this level. How so?
By reducing the productions of prostaglandins and thromboxanes and
binding to an enzyme named cyclooxygenase,( COX), required for prostaglandin
and thromboxane synthesis, aspirin plays a key role. Prostaglandins are
local hormones (paracrine) produced in the body
and have diverse effects in the body, including but not limited to transmission
of pain information to the brain, modulation of the hypothalamic thermostat, and inflammation As an acetylating agent “where an
acetyl group is covalently attached to a serine residue in the active site of
the COX enzyme, aspirin stops and reverses the pain process. Put shortly,
a former Nobel Price Sir John Robert Vane summarizes these steps
in a few words: aspirin achieves its goal by blocking the production of
prostaglandins.
Next time you get some pain, think about aspirin as your
angel guardian. Thromboxanes are synthetized in endothelial cells lining
our vessels and end up sometimes building up dreadful clots. Thromboxanes are responsible for
the aggregation of platelets that
form blood clots. There
also, aspirin doesn’t give up. A blood thinner, aspirin fights on as
well. As so, it becomes over the years the main drug to prevent heart attack
and stroke.
Never had preventive medicine relied on such a weapon.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
CHEST PAINS THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO THE HEART
Not
all chest pains are heart related. An acronym NCCP (Non Cardiac Chest Pain) refers
to this condition.
Needless to say how much deceptive it might be by missing a MI or an ACS while discharging as a result from the Emergency Department a patient complaining
of chest pain with the so-called GI
cocktail. Even though every year a good
percentage of Americans go to see their doctors or rush into the emergency
service with a disastrous chest pain, there still are chest pain that are not heart related . Here
are some :
- · GI Disorders such as : Esophagitis, gastro-duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis,
- · GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease) gallbladder inflammation,
- · Lungs Diseases: pleuritis, pneumothorax
- · Aorta Dissection
- · Chest wall inflammation
Saturday, February 15, 2014
HEALTH CARE CHRONICLES: THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF HAPPINESS
HEALTH CARE CHRONICLES: THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF HAPPINESS
THE 3As and THE
3 Ls
Western societies tend to
refer to income when it happens to
consider the level of happiness among
individuals. However, despite healthcare
improvement and early detection of deadly ailments along with modern lifestyle, materialistic items are far from measuring well being and happiness. There is a lot to emphasize when evaluating how much people really enjoy life.
Here is in a nutshell what
authors and researchers think to be able
to benefit human beings with regards to their behavior and
daily life aspect.
First the 3 As.
THEY ARE
APPLE, ASA, ASPIRATIONS
·
An apple a day
keeps the doctor away, according to a saying.
·
ASA, aspirin
today regarded as the wonder drug, even able to fight cancer and infertility
·
Aspirations
finally. Aspirations embrace our dreams, projects and a busy life.
Second the
3 Ls.
THEY ARE LOVE, LIGHT, AND
LAUGHTER
- Love is a powerful energy. It makes us live in a kind of enduring expectation. It was said that love cleans up the heart, triggering better beeping and as a result better circulation.
- Light is well known for its influence on the pituitary gland and the release of hormones everywhere in the body. Lights boosts the immune system and treats a lot of diseases.
- Laughter acts on our lung, “ releases the endorphins, protects the heart and relaxes the whole body”. The book: The Secret emphasizes laughter as the best medicine. “ it is a strong medicine for mind and body".
Saturday, February 8, 2014
FIGHTING WINTER BLUES
WINTER BLUES
DONT BE TOO SAD
That winter, as birds migrate for the South, the way do sun seekers, in search of vibrant and incandescent latitudes, we challenge
the so-called SAD. The best way to handle
the Seasonal Affective Disorder is to have a good exposure to sun and synthesize
as a result more vitamin D. Even by the cold, we ‘re delighted to envision a world filled with
people jumping and laughing, thanks to " a bonanza of light falling out from sky". Too often alas,we tend to take for
granted this sky generated vitamin D that
seems to be at the core of life and its
celebrations.
In the meantime, take the time to consider seriously the lack of sun light that is held for responsible of the winter blue,named also winter depression, summer depression. To feel less depressed, turn to light therapy. We are at the beginning of light utilization in medicine. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of the SAD will help handle our starving of light in these short days of winter.
Wikipedia wrote:
In the meantime, take the time to consider seriously the lack of sun light that is held for responsible of the winter blue,named also winter depression, summer depression. To feel less depressed, turn to light therapy. We are at the beginning of light utilization in medicine. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of the SAD will help handle our starving of light in these short days of winter.
Wikipedia wrote:
The symptoms of SAD mimic those of dysthymia or
even major depressive disorder. There is also
potential risk of suicide in some patients experiencing SAD. One study reports
6–35% of sufferers required hospitalization during one period of illness.[17] At
times, patients may not feel depressed, but rather lack energy to perform
everyday activities.[15]
Various proximate causes have been proposed.
One possibility is that SAD is related to a lack of serotonin,
and serotonin polymorphisms could
play a role in SAD,[19] although
this has been disputed.[20] Mice
incapable of turning serotonin into N-acetylserotonin (by serotonin N-acetyltransferase) appear
to express "depression-like" behavior, and antidepressants such
as fluoxetineincrease
the amount of the enzyme serotonin N-acetyltransferase, resulting in an
antidepressant-like effect.[21] Another
theory is that the cause may be related to melatonin which
is produced in dim light and darkness by the pineal
gland,[18] since
there are direct connections, via the retinohypothalamic tract and
the suprachiasmatic nucleus, between the retina
and the pineal gland.[citation needed] Melatonin secretion
is controlled by the endogenous circadian clock, but can also be suppressed by
bright light.[18]"
Whatever the cause and symptoms, early
exposure to sunlight is a major step in fighting SAD
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
BAYER ASA IS ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD
3D chemical ASA structure |
BAYER ASPIRIN IS N ONE HUNDRED
YEARS OL
WORDS OF WISDOM
WORDS OF WISDOM
"Take two aspirin and
call me in the morning." - Anonymous
A HAWARD paper wrote:
Aspirin makes blood platelets less "sticky," and so less like to clump in the bloodstream, an early stage of blood clot formation. Most heart attacks happen when a clot blocks blood flow in a vessel that feeds the heart. Dampening the clot-forming process lowers the odds of a blockage
Aspirin makes blood platelets less "sticky," and so less like to clump in the bloodstream, an early stage of blood clot formation. Most heart attacks happen when a clot blocks blood flow in a vessel that feeds the heart. Dampening the clot-forming process lowers the odds of a blockage
THREE As OF SURVIVAL: ASA,
APPLE, ASPIRATIONS …
HOW IT WORKS:
" Aspirin reduces the production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which are produced in tissues throughout the body. Prostaglandins have many functions. They are part of the chemical messenger systems involved in feeling pain, fever, the redness and swelling that can accompany injuries, and even in contracting certain muscles, for example, the uterus. Since aspirin lowers the amount of prostaglandins, it can help alleviate conditions like pain, fever and the discomfort of menstrual cramps. Aspirin also reduces production of substances involved in the early stages of our body's blood clotting mechanism. This is why doctors may prescribe aspirin, as part of a regimen including diet and exercise, for appropriate individuals with cardiovascular disease.'
Source:Medical Writing
" Aspirin reduces the production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which are produced in tissues throughout the body. Prostaglandins have many functions. They are part of the chemical messenger systems involved in feeling pain, fever, the redness and swelling that can accompany injuries, and even in contracting certain muscles, for example, the uterus. Since aspirin lowers the amount of prostaglandins, it can help alleviate conditions like pain, fever and the discomfort of menstrual cramps. Aspirin also reduces production of substances involved in the early stages of our body's blood clotting mechanism. This is why doctors may prescribe aspirin, as part of a regimen including diet and exercise, for appropriate individuals with cardiovascular disease.'
Source:Medical Writing
Saturday, January 25, 2014
DIZZINESS WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN GENERAL PRACTICE AND MORE..?
A common and painless discomfort localized in the head and due to a lot of diseases and physiologic conditions, dizziness is described as a sensation of moving and spinning, lightheadness, vertigo and unsteadiness. Usually, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms manifest such as nausea or vomit, sweating but, however common these symptoms might be, they relate sometimes to more serious disorders.
Let's consider the main causes of this condition
- LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
- HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- DEHYDRATATION
- MEDICATIONS
- POSTURAL HYPOTHENSION
- DIABETES
- ENDOCRINE DISOIRDERS
- HYPERVENTILATION
- HEART CONDITIONS
- VAGO-VAGAL SYNCOPE
American authors are aware of a lot of differences that the word dizziness doesn't emphasize enough and that spans every sensation of moving and spinning felt by patients visiting doctors. Lightheadness comprises a huge range of spinning sensations due to many causes and referring to a lot of diseases. Meniere's disease causes as well vertigo and lightheadness, but it is a more serous condition than short lived fainting spells. As a result, when talking dizziness, it pays off to consider the physiological and pathological conditions this term can refer to, without saying noting about motion sickness whether at the sea or high level..
A HUGE RANGE OF SYMPTOMS.
MAYO CLINIC staff note in a crystal clear language such details by observing::
.Dizziness is a term used to describe
everything from feeling faint or lightheaded to feeling weak or unsteady.
Dizziness that creates the sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or
moving is called vertigo.
Dizziness is one of the most common
reasons adults visit their doctors — right up there with chest pain and
fatigue. Although frequent dizzy spells or constant dizziness can keep you from
doing much of anything, dizziness rarely signals a serious, life-threatening
condition. Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause and your
symptoms, but is usually effective.
Friday, January 17, 2014
HIDDEN SIGNS OF HEART FAILURE
In daily medical practice,
it is not uncommon to hear some words or sentences trying to explain feelings
and symptoms described by our patients. Whatever their approach, they help us figure out what goes underneath with respects to the basic
ailments.
Besides the classical SOB
shortness of breath, chest pain or squeezing, we very often watch our patients mentioning some rapid weight gain, due most of the time to
fluid retention related to some impaired renal function. Mental confusion,
impaired thinking, disorientation ensue as blood flow is reducing at the brain level. There also exists some incapacity for the feet to
fit the shoes because of ankle and feet
swelling. French authors note the current spoon shaped nails
of people with heart failure condition while noticing “crackles sounds”
at the base of the lungs heard at the stethoscope. Coughing is common as well
as blood tainted sputum. Some people
wake up at night all of a sudden gasping for air. This is the classical PND. They
happen to need more pillows to rest upon
and breathe better. Sometimes, they have to sit down to at the edge of their beds. This position is
called orthopnea. Many doctors used to diagnose at distance this heart condition nothing but by watching the way these patients try to cope with their
air hunger.
More, we learn from these
patients how cold they feel. Even though at rest, they keep sweating, are
unable to exercise even by holding a piece of paper between their fingers. They
feel
exhausted even on walking by their bed.
Put shortly, hidden signs of
heart failure imply gastro intestinal symptoms such as abdominal discomfort,
loss of appetite and nausea, simulate urinary disorders because people with
this condition urinate a lot at night, have also pulmonary symptoms caused by
the blood backing up into the lungs, hence the pinkish sputum. Some patients
may have heart attacks without any symptom. This is the silent myocardial
infarction, the silent killer associated
sometimes with diabetes, let alone chest pain
spreading at the shoulder, jaws, neck, elbows and the back
Friday, January 10, 2014
EARLY SIGNS OF HEART FAILURE
How does our heart work ?
This
is still an interesting topic upon which researchers, doctors continue to ask
more and more questions. Thanks to the video of McGraw Hill, we can
understand what systole and diastole are. They are instrumental in the good
function of our heart. If they fail to meet the needs of our body in blood
volume and oxygen, we are at risk of developing heart failure a condition
better known under the name of congestive heart failure (CHF).
Many
signs can herald this impending condition such as: anxiety, weight gain,
dyspnea or a sensation of quick filling after eating a little bit and
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Respiratory discomfort is mostly present, because
the mismatching of the couple diastole systole (blood ejection due to
ventricular contraction and ventricular relaxation)reduces the movement
of the fluids, first at all in the respiratory system before going further to
the liver, the upper part of the body and the limbs, to mention a few
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