Dr. Alison, Author at Healthhype

Acetaminophen Toxicity (Paracetamol Poisoning) Information

Dr. Alison — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:51:07 +0000

What is acetaminophen or paracetamol? Acetaminophen or paracetamol is one of the most common agents used for intentional self-poisoning because of its easy availability. It is the active ingredient found in many over the counter (OTC) and prescription drugs used as an analgesic (pain reliever) or antipyretic (for reducing fever). Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is also found in combination with other drugs in various preparations. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a specific antidote for paracetamol poisoning and is most effective when given within 8 hours of ingestion. Acetaminophen Toxicity Dosage The maximum daily dose recommended in adults is 4 g, and 90 mg/kg in children. Although it is a very safe drug when used in the correct doses, high doses can lead to toxicity. The most dreaded complication is acute liver failure. In adults, 150 mg/kg or 12 g may be fatal if not treated promptly. Toxicity may occur at lower levels in those with malnutrition, prolonged fasting, eating disorders, and chronic alcoholism. Overdosing may occur when wrong preparations are given to infants. It should be remembered that infant paracetamol drops are more concentrated than the elixir form hence much smaller doses are required when using drops instead of elixirs. Acetaminophen Toxicity Mechanism The [...]

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Salicylate (Aspirin) Poisoning, Acute / Chronic Toxicity, Symptoms

Dr. Alison — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 12:30:51 +0000

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and other salicylates are present in many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs which are used as analgesics (pain relievers), antipyretics (for controlling fever), and anti-inflammatory medicines. Due to its antiplatelet effect, aspirin is prescribed in low doses for prevention of heart attack, stroke, and blood clot formation, and also after a heart attack to prevent future episodes of myocardial infarction. Gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the more serious side effects of aspirin use. What is salicylate poisoning? Salicylate poisoning is a potentially toxic level of salicylate in the blood which may be acute or chronic . It can occur in adults as well as children. The easy availability of the medicine is one of the reasons for aspirin being used for deliberate self-poisoning in adults. In young children, aspirin poisoning is usually accidental. Salicylate poisoning may also occur with ingestion of oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylate). Sometimes, extensive application of salicylic ointment to the skin (such as for wart removal) may cause salicylate poisoning. Read more on poisoning in general for information on other substances that may be responsible and mistaken for salicylate poisoning Acute and Chronic Salicylate Poisoning Acute salicylate or aspirin poisoning occurs with a large dose [...]

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Poisoning (Children, Adults) Substances, Symptoms, Management

Dr. Alison — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:51:55 +0000

Poisoning is a common medical emergency seen in both children and adults. Prompt treatment is often a matter of life or death and the measures that are first undertaken, even by a person that is not medically trained, can greatly alter the outlook. In most cases the poison is self-administered. Self-poisoning may be broadly categorized as suicide, accidental self-poisoning, and deliberate self-harm. In the majority of cases, poisoning in adults is intentional and self-inflicted, more often as a means of seeking attention or manipulating someone rather than for actual suicidal purposes. In young children, particularly below 5 years of age, most cases are accidental. The easy availability of drugs in the form of common medicines such as aspirin or paracetamol and toxic household products, including cleaning agents, pesticides, and weed-killers, is an important factor in cases of both accidental and deliberate self-poisoning. In comparison, criminal homicidal poisoning (intentional poisoning) is rather rare. More than one drug may be involved in many cases of self-poisoning in adults, and very often alcohol is taken with the drug. It is frequently found that the drug utilized in poisoning is one that was prescribed for the person or a close relative. The effects of [...]

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Down Syndrome Babies, Facts, Pictures, Features and Diagnosis

Dr. Alison — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:45:57 +0000

What is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder resulting from possession of an extra copy of chromosome 21. It is named after Dr Langdon Down who first recognized and described the condition in 1866. The genetic origin of Down syndrome was identified much later by scientists in 1959. Individuals with this disorder suffer from varying degrees of learning impairment as well as having typical physical features such as a flat facial profile with upward slanting eyes, short neck, a single palmar crease, and various other recognizable characteristics. The severity of symptoms in Down syndrome may vary from mild to severe. The condition is often associated with congenital heart disease, acute leukemia, and signs of premature aging. Down syndrome occurs in about 1 in 700 live births. The frequency of Down syndrome seems to rise with increasing maternal age. Screening for Down syndrome is now routinely offered in many developed countries. Genetic counseling is recommended for a person with a family history of Down syndrome who wishes to have a baby. Genetic Defects in Down Syndrome Within each nucleus of the human cell there are a set of 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs. [...]

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Viral, Bacterial, Fungal Meningitis Facts, CSF Results, Treatment

Dr. Alison — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:17:38 +0000

Meningitis or inflammation of the meninges is most often caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. It may occur as complication of skull or spinal injury, cancer, or connective tissue disorders. The meninges are membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningism or symptoms of meningeal irritation may be present in meningitis due to any cause. Newborns and younger children may not always have the typical symptoms of meningitis, which often makes diagnosis difficult. Antibiotics should be commenced if bacterial meningitis is suspected, even before investigations can be undertaken or without waiting for results of tests. Meningitis is contagious and may spread through coughing, sneezing, and any sort of close contact. Viral meningitis is the most common, especially in children and young adults, but it usually resolves on its own and does not cause serious side effects. Bacterial meningitis is the most severe form and unless it is treated promptly with appropriate antibiotics, it may lead to severe long term complications or even death. Fungal meningitis is usually caused by inhaling fungal spores from the environment. Unlike viral and bacterial meningitis, fungal meningitis is not contagious. Viral Meningitis Viral infection of the meninges is the most common [...]

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Meningitis in Children, Adults – Symptoms, Treatment, Vaccine

Dr. Alison — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The meninges are membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. There are 3 layers known as the dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater. Dura mater is the tough outer membrane. It consists of 2 layers, the periosteal layer lying just beneath the skull and vertebra, and the inner meningeal layer lying towards the brain and spinal cord. The dura is normally attached to the skull or the bones of the vertebral canal. Arachnoid mater is the thin, delicate, web-like membrane lying between the dura mater and pia mater. It is normally attached to the dura mater. Pia mater is the innermost membrane. It is firmly attached to the surface of the brain and spinal cord. All the 3 layers are composed of fibrous tissue and a sheet of flat cells which seem to be impermeable to fluid. The arachnoid and pia mater are together known as the leptomeninges. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fills the ventricles of the brain and the space between the arachnoid and pia mater, known as the subarachnoid space. The potential cavity between the dura mater and arachnoid is known as the subdural space. What is Meningitis? Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, [...]

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Early, Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment (Surgery, Chemotherapy)

Dr. Alison — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:30:23 +0000

The mass of abnormal cells with an abnormal growth pattern seen in breast cancer needs to be removed in order to prevent it from invading surrounding tissue. It will also help to prevent these cancer cells from spreading to other sites in the body (metastasis). The form of treatment for breast cancer depends on the clinical stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. The approach to treatment can classified as either local or systemic. Local therapy helps to remove or destroy cancer in the breast by means of surgery or radiotherapy. In systemic therapy, cancer cells may be controlled or destroyed by means of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy. Treatment of Early Breast Cancer – Stages 1 and 2 Once diagnosed, the aim of treatment is to remove the abnormal mass, prevent spread and limit recurrence. The success in this regard may determine the survival rate of breast cancer patients. However, it is dependent on whether therapeutic measures are undertaken at early stages or in advanced breast cancer. This in turn is dependent on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed. Read more on staging of breast cancer. Surgery For breast cancer, surgery is the most [...]

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Diagnosis, Staging and Survival Rate of Breast Cancer Patients

Dr. Alison — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:31:33 +0000

Breast cancer is the abnormal growth of breast cells which invades and destroys surrounding tissue and may spread to other parts of the body. It is also referred to as a malignancy or malignant breast tumor and must be differentiated from a benign tumor which is abnormal mass of normal cells that is less serious in nature. Breast cancer remains one of the most common malignancies in women, particularly those residing in Western countries, and may very rarely occur in men. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment and screening programs are now in place in most developed and many developing nations. Self-examination of the breast is of utmost importance in early diagnosis. Women are therefore encouraged to learn basic techniques for effective self-examination, identify any abnormal breast lumps and report it to a medical professional as soon as possible. However, many tumors are missed in the early stages, even during a physical examination by a doctor. Other diagnostic investigations are essential both as a routine screening practice and as a more definitive assessment of a malignancy. Diagnosis of Breast Cancer History and Physical Examination As with most other medical conditions, a through case history is important to identify [...]

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Emergency Care and Hospital Treatment for a Heart Attack

Dr. Alison — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:15:42 +0000

The signs and symptoms of a heart attack (myocardial infarction) often leads to panic, both on the part of the person having the heart attack and those around them. However, early intervention, even by a person with basic emergency care knowledge, can save the life of the heart attack patient. Recognizing the early features of a heart attack and immediately calling for emergency medical services can ensure that that early treatment will reduce or even prevent the damage to the heart muscle. Emergency Care (Pre-Hospital Care) Chest pain should never be ignored since it might herald a heart attack. If attended to at the earliest possible stage, it can save the person’s life and prevent extensive damage to the heart muscle. A person who suspects that he/she is having a heart attack or any individual witnessing such an event should immediately call 911 or the local emergency number. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be started immediately after calling 911 in case the person is unconscious and unresponsive. The patient should be transported to the hospital in an ambulance. A type of arrhythmia known as ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the most common cause of death in the initial stages of myocardial infarction. [...]

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Breast Tumors (Benign and Malignant) Different Types, Diagnosis

Dr. Alison — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:10:17 +0000

A swelling or lump produced in any part of the body due to abnormal growth of tissue is known as a tumor. A growth that is found within the breast tissue is known as a breast tumor. It may be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Although the detection of a breast tumor may be alarming for a woman because of the fear of breast cancer, most tumors of the breast are found to be non-cancerous. Nevertheless a thorough investigation is necessary to rule out malignancy. Regular self breast examination is encouraged from the age of 20 in order for women to become accompanied to the feel and appearance of a healthy breast. This will help to bring to her notice any changes in the breasts that do not seem normal. Subsequent medical evaluation may help to detect breast cancer at an early stage, which can give positive results with treatment. Breast tumors are more common in women and are very rarely be found in men. Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast Each breast contains 15 to 20 lobes, which are further divided into lobules. The breast is made up mainly of fatty tissue and milk glands. The lactiferous ducts or [...]

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