Archive for May, 2009

What is Peptic Ulcer & Causes of Peptic Ulcer

What is an ulcer and what is peptic ulcer?

Before we define peptic ulcer, we should know what an ulcer is. Ulcer is a break in the epithelial lining in skin or mucosa, which is more than 3 millimeter in diameter. If ulcer is situated in the lower esophagus, stomach, duodenum, in jejunum, or in ileum near Meckel’s diverticulum it is called peptic ulcer. But generally by peptic ulcer we understand ulcer in the stomach or duodenum or combination of both together. Gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer (peptic ulcer) can be either acute or chronic.

Causes of peptic ulcer:

There is a balance between protective mechanisms and ulcer causative mechanism. As part of protective mechanism there is production of bicarbonates by gastric Chief cells which neutralizes the gastric acid produced by the gastric Parietal cells. And there is also increased blood supply which can cause prompt healing if there is ulcer due to any imbalance between the two opposing forces.

The epithelial lining of stomach and duodenum like any other mucosal lining is constantly replaced by new epithelium and there is a balance between regeneration of epithelium and normal destruction of epithelial lining. Anything that can tip this fine balance can cause peptic ulcer. The commonest and most important cause which can tip this balance and cause peptic ulcer is infection of H. pylori. There are also other causes of peptic ulcer like common medicines aspirin (excess and irrational use) and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs – commonly known as painkillers), smoking, alcohol, mental stress (e.g. before exam for students, day to day due to serious disease etc.) as well as physical stress like major surgical procedure or major trauma and many more factors can cause peptic ulcer.

Helicobacter pylori (discovered in 1984 and responsible for 90% of duodenal ulcers and 70% of gastric ulcers) enters the antrum of stomach through contaminated drinking water or via food and cause antral gastritis (inflammation of antrum) and this inflammation cause excess production of gastric acid from gastric Parietal cells (Parietal cells are responsible for production hydrochloric acid in stomach). This excess gastric acid can cause ulcer in the stomach itself or it may pass to duodenum and attack the duodenal epithelial lining and cause duodenal ulcer.

Advanced Brain Training: The Advantages

Brain fitness is a new subject in the field of medicine. Many companies (these companies are called neorotechnology companies) are developing software for brain training and brain fitness, as a result there are many software that are available in the market these days. Neurotechnology companies develop and market interactive software and music-based programs. These programs are for the improvement of memory, attention, academic skills, sensory processing, brain health, performance at the peak and many more.

The advantages of brain training:

There are also many websites which are dedicated for brain training (can be called as gym for the brain). These websites provide for the fitness of the brain (not for physical fitness). These sites train your brain for brain workouts that can help your mind to process information very quickly as well as more efficiently, it also train your brain about proper concentration. These brain training programs also train you to be able to perform multiple tasks at the same time. After getting trained you can also test before training and after training, your memory status and creativity of your brain (mind).

It is a good idea to try these brain training software to improve your performance in day to day life as well as for academic excellence. Brain training not only help you to improve memory, concentration, attention, but brain training can make you a smarter person. Brain training can make you a wealthier, successful and also happier person.

Hyperthermia Syndromes

Hyperthermia is elevation of body temperature to more than 41.5°C (106.7°F). It is also called hyperpyrexia. There are many causes of hyperthermia, which are different from that of the causes of fever. The causes of hyperthermia or hyperpyrexia are Heat Stroke, Drug-induced hyperthermia, Malignant hyperthermia, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Endocrinopathy, Central Nervous System Damage, Serotonin Syndrome etc.

Heat stroke:

Heat stroke which is association with a warm environment may be categorized as exertional or nonexertional. Exertional heat stroke typically occurs in individuals exercising at elevated ambient temperatures and/or humidity. In a dry environment (with maximum efficiency), sweating can dissipate approximately 600 kcal/hour, which require the production of more than 1 liter of sweat. Even in healthy individuals, dehydration or the use of common medications (like over-the-counter antihistamines with anticholinergic side effects) may precipitate exertional heat stroke. Nonexertional heat stroke typically occurs in either very young or elderly individuals, particularly during heat waves due to medicines like anticholinergics, including antihistamines; antiparkinsonian drugs; diuretics; phenothiazines. The elderly, the bedridden, persons taking anticholinergic or antiparkinsonian drugs or diuretics, and individuals confined to poorly ventilated and non-air-conditioned environments are susceptible to non exertional heat stroke.

Malignant hyperthermia:

Malignant hyperthermia occurs in individuals with an inherited abnormality of skeletal-muscles. Elevated temperature, increased muscle metabolism, muscle rigidity, rhabdomyolysis, acidosis, and cardiovascular instability develop within minutes in these individuals with muscular abnormality. This rare condition is often fatal. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome occurs during use of neuroleptic agents (antipsychotic phenothiazines, haloperidol, prochlorperazine, metoclopramide) or the withdrawal of dopaminergic drugs and is characterized by “lead-pipe” muscle rigidity, autonomic dysregulation, and hyperthermia. This disorder appears to be caused by the inhibition of central dopamine receptors in the hypothalamus, which results in increased heat generation and decreased heat dissipation.

Hyperthermia due to Serotonin Syndrome:

The serotonin syndrome, seen with selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), MAOIs, and other serotonergic medications, has many overlapping features, including hyperthermia, but may be distinguished by the presence of diarrhea, tremor, and myoclonus rather than the lead-pipe rigidity of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Thyrotoxicosis and pheochromocytoma can also cause increased thermogenesis.

Treatment of drug addiction

The problem of drug addiction is a grave international, national and social problem. The treatment of drug addiction needs holistic approach. The ideal drug treatment or addiction treatment requires to have an approach which encompasses physiological, psychological (or emotional) and spiritual needs. For a good drug treatment it should also be affordable and cheap (drug addiction treatment is a very lengthy treatment and if it is reasonably priced and is affordable then many addicts can avail the treatment facilities, even in the developed nation like US).

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Health Problems After International Travel

Fever is one of the commonest health problem a traveler face after return from international travel. Other health problems that may occur after international travel are diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and skin diseases. But there may also some problems like fatigue and emotional stress and these are usually ignored and commonly seen after long stay.

To diagnose medical and health problems of international traveler require some knowledge about geographical medicine (knowledge of diseases which are prevalent in a particular geographical area) and epidemiology and clinical presentation of infectious disorders.

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