Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Medicine & Health

Cardiovascular Diseases

These conditions primarily affect the heart and blood vessels. They are a leading cause of death in developed countries. Risk factors can be categorized as modifiable (e.g., lifestyle) and non-modifiable (e.g., genetics).

Cerebrovascular Accidents (Stroke)

A stroke occurs when the brain suddenly stops receiving blood. These events can sometimes be fatal, while other times, the resulting injuries may be reversible, leading to partial or total recovery requiring rehabilitation.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

This occurs when there is an obstruction of the coronary arteries, causing the heart muscle to stop receiving oxygen and subsequently die. The consequences of a heart attack can vary significantly.

Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis... Continue reading "Understanding Major Health Conditions: Causes & Treatments" »

Vitamins and Minerals

Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin C: Protects, regulates, and facilitates chemical processes of other enzymes. Its main function is the formation of collagen, facilitates the absorption of iron, protects vitamin A and E from oxidation, and regulates cholesterol metabolism. Sources: green vegetables, citrus fruits, tomatoes. Deficiency: scurvy, irritability, bone pain, easy bleeding, poor healing. Toxicity: gastric irritation, kidney stones, false positive tests for fecal occult blood or glucosuria.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Important coenzyme in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Sources: meat, grains, legumes. Deficiency causes: alcoholism, dialysis, diet high in carbohydrates. Beriberi, Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Insulin Action Times

Understanding the action times of different insulin types is crucial for effective diabetes management. Here's a breakdown:

• Rapid-Acting:
  • Examples: Actrapid or Humulin Regular
  • Onset: 20-30 minutes
  • Peak: 2-4 hours
  • Duration: 6-8 hours
  • Note: Crystalline insulin
• Intermediate-Acting:
  • Examples: Insulatard or Humulin NPH
  • Onset: 45-60 minutes
  • Peak: 6 hours
  • Duration: 12-14 hours
  • Note: Protamine insulin
• Long-Acting:
  • Examples: Monotard or Slow
  • Onset: 60-90 minutes
  • Peak: 8-12 hours
  • Duration: 24 hours
  • Note: 70% zinc

When insulin is administered twice daily, typically 60% is given in the morning and 40% at night.

Managing Nocturnal Hypoglycemia

Nocturnal hypoglycemia with rebound hyperglycemia before breakfast (Somogyi effect) can be managed by checking capillary... Continue reading "Insulin Types, Administration, and Oral Hypoglycemic Agents in Diabetes" »

Health and Quality of Life

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This concept also includes the idea of well-being or quality of life.

Factors Determining Health

Several factors influence our health:

• Lifestyle: This includes behaviors such as nutrition and physical activity levels.
• Environmental Factors: Social conditions, healthcare access, climate, and environmental pollution play a role.
• Genetics: Hereditary information contained in our genes influences our predisposition to certain conditions.

Healthy Eating Principles

A Balanced Diet

A balanced diet incorporates all the essential elements that constitute our daily nutritional needs.

Understanding Fats

The energy from... Continue reading "Foundations of Personal Health: Nutrition, Exercise, and Well-being" »

Hyperaldosteronism

Concept:

A disorder of the adrenal gland that releases large amounts of aldosterone into the bloodstream.

Types:

• Primary Hyperaldosteronism: Overproduction of aldosterone by a disorder of the adrenal gland.
• Secondary Hyperaldosteronism: An increase in aldosterone and renin due to activation of the renin-angiotensin system.

Etiology:

Primary Hyperaldosteronism:

• Adrenal adenoma (Conn's Syndrome)
• Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
• Unilateral adrenal hyperplasia
• Adrenal carcinoma

Secondary Hyperaldosteronism:

• Increased production of renin by the kidney
• Hypersecretion of renin (e.g., Bartter's Syndrome)

Epidemiology:

Primarily affects women between 30-50 years of age.

Clinical Manifestations:

• Hypertension
• Hypernatremia (increased sodium)
• Hypokalemia (

**Chemical Risk Assessment in the Workplace**

Hygienic Evaluation

Methodology for detection and quantification of industrial pollutants and assessment of the risk for workers exposed to them.

• Environmental: Compare the actual exposure levels to theoretical allowable values.
• Biological: Determine the amount of pollutant or its metabolites in exposed workers.

Assessment Criteria

• Reference values
  • United States (ACGIH)
    • TLV (Threshold Limit Value)
    • BEI (Biological Exposure Indices)
  • Spain (INSHT)
    • VLA (Environmental Limit Values)
    • VLB (Biological Limit Values)
• Maximum values allowed
  • USA (OSHA)
    • PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit)
  • Spain (Current Legislation)
    • Regulation of Troublesome, Unhealthy, Harmful, and Dangerous Activities
    • Specific regulations (benzene, asbestos, lead,

Understanding the Basics

When converting direct speech to indirect speech (also known as reported speech), several changes typically occur in verb tenses, pronouns, and time expressions. The following tables provide a comprehensive look at these transformations.

Tense Changes

Pronoun and Adverb Changes

Active to Passive Voice Examples

Here are some examples illustrating the transformation from active to passive voice:

• Police use trained dogs to find drugs. (Active)

  Trained dogs are used by the police to find drugs. (Passive)

• Nurses give the patients their medicine every morning. (Active)

  The patients are given their medicine every morning. (Passive)

• A lifeguard rescued the drowning boy. (Active)

  The drowning boy was rescued by a lifeguard. (Passive)

• An electrician is repairing our water heater. (Active)

  Our water heater is being repaired. (Passive)

• A defense lawyer will represent you. (Active)

  You will be represented by a defense lawyer. (Passive)

• They clean the rooms daily. (Active)

  The rooms are cleaned daily. (Passive)

• Customs officers searched her

Food Contamination Risks

A food item is potentially at risk of contamination from the time of harvest until it is consumed. The risks related to food safety can be classified into:

• Microbiological contamination: Bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. Often causes severe symptoms.
• Chemical contaminants: Natural substances, residues of veterinary drugs, heavy metals, etc., unintentionally introduced into the food supply during cultivation, breeding, processing, transportation, or packaging.

Common Food Contaminants

• Heavy metals
• Shellfish toxins
• Mycotoxins
• Pesticide Residues
• Environmental organic chemicals

Factors Influencing Contaminant Risk

The health risk posed by a contaminant depends on several factors:

• Absorption and toxicity of the substance
• Amount

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Scanning and Recording (Tests Diagnosed Tics)

Clinical History is the initial interview with the doctor, where a thorough and systematic interrogation is conducted about the patient's history, current state, and finally completed with a physical exam and follow-up on their evolution.

All information is documented to form the clinical history, including surgical operations and procedures performed.

The clinical history comprises the following parts:

1. Interrogation or Amnesis
2. Physical Examination
3. Tracking the Evolution of the Patient

1. Interrogation (Amnesis)

Personal History (of the patient): Name, age, marital status, address, etc.

Family History (Clinical): Information about relatives, including their health status, diseases,... Continue reading "Diagnostic Tests and Procedures in Medical Examinations" »