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MT Newsletter |  |
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Compiled by
Dr. Rema Valsala |
Thought for the month: |
The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. ...Elbert Hubbard |
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MT Newsletter | |
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Compiled by
Dr. Rema Valsala |
Thought for the month: |
The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. ...Elbert Hubbard |
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FAQs
Standards Questionnaire |
Gradual healing through rest after sickness or injury is known as convalescence.
The idiom, "Down in the dumps" means -- Become depressed.. There is some pretty decent alignment of the bones as seen on x-ray. He has no complaints of chest pain or dyspnea on exertion. The patient states that she would like to lose weight. The cystic duct was visualized directly under the gallbladder, seen from all angles. There has been quite a panic over the recent earthquakes. Prescribe: To recommend; issue commands or orders for |
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Q. What are probiotics?
The word, probiotic by definition is 'for life.' According to the currently adopted definition by the WHO, probiotics are: ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.’ This name is now mostly used in reference to concentrated supplements of beneficial or "good" bacteria given to treat and possibly prevent a clinical disorder. In the womb, the human digestive tract is free of pathological (disease-manifesting) microorganisms. However, in the first few weeks after birth, it rapidly acquires bacteria of many types. By adulthood, the typical human body harbors about 100 trillion bacterial cells from at least 500 different species. This is about 10 times the number of human cells. However, bacterial cells are much smaller than human cells - so by weight the average adult only carries about 2 pounds of bacteria - mostly within the digestive system. Fortunately, not all bacteria are pathogenic and the majority of these bacteria are considered "friendly." These friendly bacteria, called flora, form a protective barrier to keep the bad bacteria at bay by competing with harmful bacteria in the intestines, just like grass in a healthy lawn limits the growth of weeds. This process helps maintain a healthy intestinal tract while at the same time stimulating the body's natural immune defenses. Some of the flora aid in digestion. The ability of beneficial bacteria to transform milk into a longer lasting food was recorded 6,000 years ago. Yogurt or curdled milk is commonly advertised as a source of healthy bacteria and a good source of nutrition, especially calcium. Most of the bacteria cultures contained in yogurt do not survive in the acidic stomach environment. Most die long before they can reach the small and large intestine below. A dead bacteria is useless. Also, most yogurts contain the bacterial strain Lactobacillus acidophilus - a bacteria not normally found in the gut and not considered a good probiotic. A few yogurts such as Stoneyfield contain Lactobacillus reuteri, which is a beneficial bacteria. Mechanism of action of probiotics: This is not completely understood. It is assumed that probiotics help, . Primarily by suppressing the growth of pathogenic, or "bad," bacteria in the digestive tract. . By strengthening the intestinal barrier that lies between the outside world and us. . By directing our immune system against these bad bacteria. Common probiotics: In recent years, much research has been done in the development of probiotics. These studies suggest that certain probiotics species given alone or in combination may reduce symptoms of several digestive diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease) and antibiotic-induced diarrhea. Flora-Q: Currently, one of the most common available preparations include Flora-Q, which is a blend of 3 strains of bacteria. Each Flora-Q capsule contains over 4 billion freeze-dried bacteria. To prevent stomach acid from killing these bacteria, this special capsule does not dissolve until it leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine where the bacteria are rehydrated and come alive. The recommended dose is just one a day. Culturelle: Culturelle is a formulation of Lactobacillus GG, or LGG for short, a patented "healthy" bacterial strain. LGG has been proven to better withstand stomach acid and form a stronger barrier to bad bacteria than other common Lactobacillus strains found in yogurt. The recommended dose is one capsule a day. Florastor: Florastor is non-pathogenic yeast, not a bacterium like other probiotics. It has been useful in patients with acute and chronic diarrhea, epecially when caused by broad-spectrum antibiotic (Clostridium difficile colitis). It is also useful in the so-called "traveler's diarrhea," and may be helpful in those with bloating and gas associated with bowel problems. This preparation is available without a prescription and the recommended dose is one capsule twice a day. VSL#3: A recent formulation containing 450 billion freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria in each packet of VSL#3, which is taken once daily. Clinically proven to be effective in the dietary management of ulcerative colitis (UC), diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). VSL#3 can be mixed with yogurt, applesauce, ice-cream or any cold food or non-carbonated beverage. Q. What is the Crocodile tear syndrome? Crocodile tear syndrome (CTS) or the gusto-lacrimal reflex consists of one-sided watering from an eye (unilateral lacrimation), which occurs when a patient eats or drinks. This phenomenon usually follows a Bell palsy or a traumatic facial paralysis. It may occur congenitally (existing at birth) with Duane retraction syndrome. Bell palsy: Bell palsy is paresis or paralysis, usually unilateral, of the facial muscles, caused by dysfunction of the 7th cranial nerve; probably due to a viral infection. Paresis is weakness of a muscle. Paralysis is loss of power of voluntary movement in a muscle through injury or disease of the muscle or its nerve supply. Duane retraction syndrome (DRS): DRS is a congenital disorder of eye movement characterized by a limited ability to move the eye inward toward the nose (ie. adduction) and a limited or sometimes absent ability to move the eye outward toward the ear (ie. abduction). It is unilateral in 80% of cases. |
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Cancer classifications:
Stage and Grade: Do not capitalize stage or grade. Use roman numerals for cancer stages and Arabic numerals for grades Classification is made according to the site of origin and histology called grading; and according to the extent of the disease called staging. Examples: Stage 0 - Cancer in situ (limited to surface cells) Stage I - Cancer limited to the tissue of origin, evidence of tumor growth Stage II - Limited local spread of cancerous cells Stage III - Extensive local and regional spread Stage IV - Distant metastasis Grade 1 - Cells slightly abnormal and well differentiated Grade 2 - Cells more abnormal and moderately differentiated Grade 3 - Cells very abnormal and poorly differentiated Grade 4 - Cells immature and undifferentiated CIN GRADE (Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia): Use Arabic numerals and place a hyphen between CIN and the numeral Examples: CIN-1: the least risky type, represents only mild dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth[1] and is considered a low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL). It is confined to the basal 1/3 of the epithelium. CIN-2: considered high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). CIN-2 represents moderate dysplasia, and is confined to the basal 2/3 of the epithelium. CIN-3: also considered high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Severe dysplasia spans greater than 2/3 of the the entire epithelium, and may involve the full thickness. This lesion may also be referred to as cervical carcinoma in situ. Clark level: Use roman numerals I to V This system classifies the level of invasion of primary malignant melanoma of the skin. The prognosis is worse with each successive deeper level of invasion. Examples: Clark level I - limited to the epidermis Clark level II - extends into the underlying papillary dermis Clark level III - extends to the junction of the papillary and reticular dermis Clark level IV - extends into the reticular dermis Clark level V - extends into the subcutaneous fat Dukes classification: Do not use an apostrophe. Follow with a capital letter A classification of the extent of invasion of a resected adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum. Examples: Dukes A - confined to the mucosa Dukes B1 - extends to the muscularis mucosae Dukes B2 - extends through the muscularis mucosae Dukes C1 - limited to the bowel wall, with nodal metastases Dukes C2 - extends through the bowel wall, with nodal metastases. TNM Classification (Acronym for Tumor-Node-Metastasis): Write TNM expressions with on-line Arabic numerals and commas, spacing after the commas Tumor (T) T0 No evidence of tumor Tis Carcinoma in situ (limited to surface cells) T1-4 Increasing tumor size and involvement Node (N) N0 No lymph node involvement N1-4 Increasing degrees of lymph node involvement Nx Lymph node involvement cannot be assessed Metastases (M) M0 No evidence of distant metastases M1 Evidence of distant metastases Examples: T2, N2, M1 T1, N1, M0 Tis, N0, M0 |
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Q. Falling of an elevated temperature or abatement of fever is termed _____________.
a. defervescence b. deflorescence c. dehiscence Q. The idiom, "To talk turkey" means _____________. a. To talk in a restrained manner. b. To talk seriously. c. To talk frivolously. Q. Fill in the blanks with the suitable word given in brackets: 1. The patient became nauseated and began to ______. (wretch, retch) 2. She had a ______ on her left foot. (callous, callus) 3. The abdomen is tense with ______ fluid. (ascitic, acidic) 4. Numerous urticarial ______ were noted.. (wheels, wheals) 5. ______ of the skin is a sign of dehydration. (tenting, tinting) Q. Find the meaning of these homonyms: cecal and thecal overly and overtly scar and eschar See the answers in the next issue.... |
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