Medical Concepts

MEDICAL EMERGENCY- POISONING Management of the poisoned patient involves procedures designed to prevent the absorption, minimize the toxicity, and hasten the elimination to the suspected toxin. The prompt employment of appropriate emergency management procedures often can prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality. A Regional Poison Center is a practitioner's best source of definitive treatment information and should be consulted in all poisonings, regardless of the apparent simplicity of the case. In all cases, every attempt should be made to accurately identify the toxin, estimate the quantity involved, and determine the time that has passed since the exposure. These data, plus patient-specific parameters such as age, weight, sex, and underlying medical condition or drug-use will assist the person and the Regional Poison Center in designing an appropriate therapeutic plan for the patient. POISONING BY TOPICAL EXPOSURES: Immediately irrigate affected areas with a copious amount

  MEDICAL EMERGENCY- CARDIAC ARREST AND BASIC LIFE SUPPORT Definition: " Cardiac Arrest is a medical emergency requiring a systematic approach". Early recognition must be followed by prompt, effective application of Basic Life Support (BLS) techniques to sustain the patient until Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities are available. Management: The management of Cardiac Arrest is a 4-step approach: Recognition and Assessment BLS Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Post-resuscitation Care 1. RECOGNITION AND ASSESMENT Verify that the respiration and circulation have ceased: Loss of consciousness Loss of functional ventilation (respiratory arrest or inadequate respiratory effort) Loss of functional perfusion (No pulse). 2. BASIC LIFE SUUPORT (BLS) The goal in cardiac arrest is the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The first step towards achieving this ROSC goal is prompt initiation of BLS, where the goal is to rapidly and effectively perfuse the tissues wi

  CHRONIC ABSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) Definition: COPD is defined as "a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible and this airflow limitation is progressive associated with abnormal inflammatory response to the noxious or gaseous particles. According to Davidson , COPD is defined as " COPD is preventable and treatable disease characterized by airflow limitation that is usually progressive and is associated with enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and lungs to the noxious particles. According to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) , COPD is defined as "Airflow obstruction with reduced FEV1/FEVc is less than 0.7, if FEV1 is greater than or equal to80%; so, diagnosis of COPD should be made on the presence of symptoms". Signs and Symptoms: Shortness of breathing Cough Pink puffers and Blue Blotters or Smokers Cough (classical signs of COPD). *Pink puffer is the major sign of emphyse

  ASTHMA Definition: According to WHO: "It is a disease characterized by recurring attacks of breathlessness and wheezing which vary in frequency according to the nature of allergen and these symptoms vary from hour to hour or day to day". According to Principle & Practice of Medicines by Davidson: "It is chronic inflammatory disorder of airways associated with airway hyper-responsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness or coughing particularly at night or early in the morning". Etiology: Hyperresponsiveness -exaggerated response of airway to any non-specific stimulus which results in airway obstruction. Broncho-constriction- Breathlessness or spasm due to construction of bronchioles in airway stimulus. Allergens: Industrial chemicals such as paints, hairsprays or resins Drugs such as NSAIDs, Beta-blockers Food products such as dairy products, fish, etc. Environmental pollutants such as cigarette, smoke Industrial triggers such as w

SITUATIONS REQUIRING HOSPITALIZED CARE The NICE-SUGAR (Intensive versus conventional glucose in critically ill patients) trial compared intensive (81-108 mg/dL) with conventional glucose control using IV Insulin in 6104 intensive care unit patients. At 90 days, intensively controlled patients had an increased absolute risk of death of 2.6%. Significantly, more hypoglycemia was observed in intensively controlled group. Recommendations: Current recommendations call for critically ill patients to be started on IV Insulin therapy at a threshold of 180mg/dL. A goal range of 140-180mg/dL is recommended for majority of patients. More stringent goals may be considered for selected critically ill patients, but only if hypoglycemia can be avoided. Scheduled SC insulin regimens with basal, nutritional and correction components are recommended for patients who are not critically ill. Goals of less than 140mg/dL for fasting glucose and less than 180mg/dL for random glucose are recommended for non-

  TREATMENT OF CONCOMINANT CONDITIONS RELATED TO DIABETES MELLITUS Coronary Heart Disease Dyslipidemia Hypertension HIV and AIDS Antipsychotic Therapy Hypoglycemia Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic state Retinopathy Neuropathy Foot Ulcers  TREATMENT OF LONG-TERM COMPLICATIONS 1. Retinopathy 2. Neuropathy 3.Microablumiuria 4. Foot Ulcers 9.RETINOPATHY Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age in the United States. Pathophysiology: Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the microvasculature that supplies blood to the retina becomes damaged. This damage permits leakage of blood components through the vessel walls. Etiology: The risk of retinopathy is increased in patients with longstanding DM, chronic hyperglycemia, hypertension and nephropathy. Glaucoma, cataracts and eye disorders are more frequent in pt. with DM. Treatment: The AD recommends that patients with DM receive a dilated eye examination annually by an ophthalmologist or

  TREATMENT OF CONCOMINANT CONDITIONS RELATED TO DIABETES MELLITUS Coronary Heart Disease Dyslipidemia Hypertension HIV and AIDS Antipsychotic Therapy Hypoglycemia Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic state Retinopathy Neuropathy Foot Ulcers  The Acute Complications Include: Hypoglycemia DKA Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic state 6. HYPOGLYCEMIA  "Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can be defined clinically as a blood glucose level of less than 50mg/dL". Signs: Individuals with DM can experience symptoms of hypoglycemia at varying blood glucose levels. Patients who have regular blood glucose levels as high as 300-400mg/dL may experience symptoms of hypoglycemia when blood glucose levels are lowered to the middle to upper mg/dL range. Most people whose blood glucose levels are controlled adequately may experience symptoms when levels fall below 70mg/dL. Symptoms: Shakiness Sweating Fatigue Hunger Headaches Confusion *Patients experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia shou

  TREATMENT OF CONCOMINANT CONDITIONS RELATED TO DIABETES MELLITUS Coronary Heart Disease Dyslipidemia Hypertension HIV and AIDS Antipsychotic Therapy Hypoglycemia Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic state Retinopathy Neuropathy Foot Ulcers  3.HYPERTENSION Uncontrolled blood pressure plays a major role in the development of macrovascular events as well as microvascular complications, including retinopathy and nephropathy in patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Medications: There are several other principles regarding the treatment of hypertension in Diabetes patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Angiotensin II receptor Blockers are recommended as initial therapy because of their beneficial effects on renal function. Combination therapy with ACE Inhibitor and Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers has shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality versus those receiving ACE Inhibitor therapy combined with Thiazide Diuretic. However, th