Essential Medical Conditions and Treatment Protocols

Understanding Depression

Causes:

• Stress and emotional problems: Family issues, job pressure, failure, or loneliness can cause depression.
• Chemical imbalance in the brain: Low levels of serotonin and other brain chemicals may lead to depression.
• Genetic factors: Depression may occur in people with a family history of mental illness.
• Chronic diseases: Diseases like cancer, diabetes, or heart disease may increase depression.

Symptoms:

• Persistent sadness and crying
• Loss of interest in work and hobbies
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue and weakness
• Poor concentration
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling hopeless or guilty

The Four Phases of Migraine

1. Prodrome phase: Occurs before the headache. Symptoms include mood changes, tiredness, food cravings, and irritability.
2. Aura phase: Some patients experience aura before the headache. Symptoms include flashing lights, blurred vision, tingling sensations, and difficulty speaking.
3. Headache phase: The main phase of the migraine. Symptoms include severe throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
4. Postdrome phase: Occurs after the headache ends. Symptoms include weakness, tiredness, and difficulty concentrating.

Types of Anaemia

• Megaloblastic: Caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12.
• Iron deficiency: Occurs due to a lack of iron in the body.
• Nutritional anaemia: Caused by a deficiency of nutrients like iron, B12, and folic acid.
• Hypochromic: A type of anaemia in which red blood cells have less haemoglobin and become pale in colour.
• Sickle cell: A hereditary disease in which RBCs become sickle-shaped.
• Aplastic: Bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells.
• Haemolytic: RBCs are destroyed faster than they are produced.

Antiepileptic Drugs

Definition: Medicines used to prevent and control seizures in epilepsy.

Common drugs: Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Sodium valproate, Diazepam.

Mechanism: These drugs reduce abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Uses: Epilepsy, seizures, status epilepticus.

Side effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and gum hypertrophy (phenytoin).

Nursing management: Take medicines regularly, avoid alcohol, and do not stop medicine suddenly.

Malaria Overview

Malaria is a life-threatening, mosquito-borne disease caused by a malarial parasite. It occurs when a mosquito carrying the Plasmodium parasite bites a human. Humans can be infected by four types of malaria parasites: P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. malariae, and P. ovale. It spreads through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, which injects the parasite into the person's blood through its saliva. The parasites reach the liver where they mature and reproduce.

Types of Pneumonia

• Bacterial: Caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae.
• Viral: Caused by viruses like the influenza virus.
• Fungal: Caused by fungi and commonly seen in immunocompromised patients.
• Aspiration: Occurs when food, liquid, or vomit enters the lungs.
• Community-acquired: Develops outside hospitals or health care settings.
• Hospital-acquired: Occurs during a hospital stay due to hospital infections.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive brain disorder that causes memory loss and confusion.

Causes: Aging, genetic factors, degeneration of brain cells, low levels of acetylcholine in the brain, head injury, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, forgetfulness, difficulty in speaking and understanding, mood and behaviour changes, difficulty in performing daily activities, and poor judgment.

Treatment: Pharmacological (Donepezil, Memantine) and Non-pharmacological (mental exercise, memory training, regular physical exercise, and a safe, calm environment).

Parkinson's Disease

Causes: Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, deficiency of dopamine, increased acetylcholine at the synapse, and genetic factors.

Symptoms: Tremors, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, excessive salivation, and mood changes.

Management: Includes psychological support, lifestyle modifications, counselling, balanced diet, physical therapy, and medications (dopamine precursors, amantadine, COMT inhibitors, and anticholinergics).

Pathophysiology and Management of Peptic Ulcer

Pathophysiology: Stomach mucus protection fails, excess hydrochloric acid and pepsin damage the lining, H. pylori weakens the barrier, and external factors (NSAIDs, smoking, alcohol) erode the mucosa.

Management: Antacids, proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor blockers, antibiotics, and mucosal protective agents. Lifestyle changes include avoiding spicy food, smoking, and alcohol.

Tuberculosis: Causes and Treatment

Causes: Infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spread via air droplets, weak immune system, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and overcrowding.

Symptoms: Persistent cough (2+ weeks), fever, night sweats, weight loss, chest pain, and blood in sputum.

Treatment: Pharmacological (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol) and Non-pharmacological (balanced diet, hygiene, and completing the full course of treatment).

Pathophysiology of AIDS

1. HIV enters the body via infected blood, sexual contact, or needles.
2. The virus attacks CD4 T-helper lymphocyte cells.
3. HIV multiplies and destroys these immune cells.
4. The immune system weakens as CD4 counts drop.
5. The body cannot fight opportunistic infections like tuberculosis or pneumonia.
6. Advanced stages lead to severe infections, weight loss, and cancers.