Clinical Shock: Diagnosis, Physiology, and Treatment
Understanding Clinical Shock
Shock is one of the most frequently diagnosed and most complex clinical conditions encountered in the critically ill patient. Ongoing investigations have identified the mechanisms of various shock states to be complicated, yet based within the cellular foundation of normal, everyday existence. Although mortality from shock states remains high, the focus on early, aggressive resuscitation to defined endpoints has significantly enhanced a clinician’s ability to improve
Read MoreUnderstanding the Immune System and Autoimmunity
Understanding the Immune System
The immune system is the body’s natural defense against infection. Through a series of steps, your body fights off invading infectious organisms and destroys them before they cause harm. When your immune system is functioning properly, it protects against infections that cause disease.
Scientists have begun to understand the immune system in detail. Researchers are continually generating more information on its operation and what happens when it malfunctions.
The Immune
Read MoreMedical Laser Technology: Applications, Techniques, and Safety
This document provides a detailed explanation of the technique, applications, indications, and contraindications of laser use in medicine and surgery.
Laser Technology in Medicine and Surgery
What Is a Laser?
LASER is an acronym that stands for: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
Lasers emit coherent, monochromatic, and collimated light, which can be precisely focused on tissues. The interaction of laser energy with biological tissues—ranging from cutting and vaporizing to coagulating
Read MoreUnderstanding Cancer: Types, Complications, and Prevention
Complications of Neoplastic Tissue
Complications: Obstruction/compression of organs, bleeding, perforation, dysfunction due to replacement by neoplastic tissue.
General: Cachexia + paraneoplastic syndrome (ADH up, GI -).
Benign Tumors
Glandular Benign Tumors:
- Adenoma
- Adenoma villous
- Fibroadenoma
- Cystadenoma
- Villous adenoma
Mesenchymal Benign Tumors:
- Papillary hemangioma
- Cavernous hemangioma
- Lymphangioma
TNM Staging
- T: Size of primary lesion (0 in situ)
- N: Extent to lymph nodes
- M: Presence or absence of metastases
Complications
Read MoreFetal Monitoring, Diagnostic Procedures, and Pre-eclampsia in Pregnancy
Fetal Monitoring and Labor Stages
Ultrasound Examination
- Purpose: Detects intrauterine infection, fetoplacental insufficiency, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal organ development, congenital anomalies, pregnancy diagnosis, placenta implantation (position, location, thickness), stage of labor, fetal lie, position, presentation, engagement, and size.
- Anatomical Examination:
- Biparietal diameter
- Femur length
- Transverse truncal diameter
- Anterior-posterior truncal diameter
- Front-occipital diameter
- Functional
The Immune System Explained: Defenses, Cells, and Immunity Types
The Human Immune System: Defenses and Responses
The immune system is responsible for the body’s defenses. Key organs include:
- Bone marrow
- Thymus
- Spleen
- Lymph nodes
- Peyer’s patches
- Tonsils
- Adenoids
Immune Barriers: The Body’s First Lines of Defense
Immunity is broadly categorized into two main types:
1. Nonspecific (Natural) Immunity
This constitutes the primary and secondary barriers, providing immediate, general protection.
a) External Barriers
- Physical: Skin (keratin), cilia in the bronchi.
- Chemical: pH of the