Dr Dimari's Medical Sciences Thread - Read the first post

[Dr Dimari]

GenOberst

Dr Dimari

Well most medical students, in my experience, really don't care about psychology and its importance. We've had a psych placement this year, and I loved it. Many people hated it and havent taken it seriously. So there is your reason: the people that study medicine are often those that disregard it as important and needed.

I'm one of the ones who didn't like it. Granted, I was also bored with my surgical rotations.

I have to agree with you on surgery. It does not interest me at all.

[demonman153]

I have the flu and a 103.8 fever.

Should I take something to bring the fever down and what sould I do to not get the people around me sick?

[Dr Dimari]

demonman153

I have the flu and a 103.8 fever.

Should I take something to bring the fever down and what sould I do to not get the people around me sick?

You can take some paracetamol/plain Tylenol or ibuprofen. Drink plenty of fluids. As for spreading, well you could lock yourself in a room, but the best thing is just ensuring they wash their hands and face regularly and before food etc..., as well as putting their clothes to wash at the end of the day.

[Golden Dysprosium]

Also, a more common one that people don't realise is to cough/sneeze into your sleeve, as opposed to your hands. This prevents infections from getting on to your hands where they can spread much more easily.

[zz1000zz]

Golden Dysprosium

Also, a more common one that people don't realise is to cough/sneeze into your sleeve, as opposed to your hands. This prevents infections from getting on to your hands where they can spread much more easily.

I remember doing this when I was a little kid, and everybody said it was strange.

[Munkers]

Echo_Space

Umm...no? The only way to advance research into the workings of biological units is to objectify them. If we looked at them from incongruent, subjective standpoints, then no knowledge we acquired would be trustworthy.

My chosen field is neurochemical research. My work is about advancing treatment and helping people THROUGH objectifying them. Don't try to insult me.

The problem is that even if we do reduce everything down to simple numbers and nice, neat little categories, not everyone responds to those same numbers and categories. For example: Two individuals with hypothryoidism have the same level of thyroid stimulating hormone in their blood. They each receive the same amount of replacement thyroid hormone. However, even with all things being equal (age, weight, gender, general health level, et al. demographics of significance) one individual experiences relief of symptoms and the other one does not.

The one thing that you can't shove into a box is quality of life. Not everyone is willing to tolerate the same level of continued symptoms, potential side effects/risk, or even specific therapies. Even if you could somehow know 100% without a doubt that a certain therapy would absolutely cure an individual, you can't force them down that road if they aren't willing to go there.

As you continue your studies, I hope you'll come to realize how involved the subject is and the fact that people simply don't fit into neat little blocks when it comes to mental health and brain chemistry.

[Dr Dimari]

Munkers

Echo_Space

Umm...no? The only way to advance research into the workings of biological units is to objectify them. If we looked at them from incongruent, subjective standpoints, then no knowledge we acquired would be trustworthy.

My chosen field is neurochemical research. My work is about advancing treatment and helping people THROUGH objectifying them. Don't try to insult me.

The problem is that even if we do reduce everything down to simple numbers and nice, neat little categories, not everyone responds to those same numbers and categories. For example: Two individuals with hypothryoidism have the same level of thyroid stimulating hormone in their blood. They each receive the same amount of replacement thyroid hormone. However, even with all things being equal (age, weight, gender, general health level, et al. demographics of significance) one individual experiences relief of symptoms and the other one does not.

The one thing that you can't shove into a box is quality of life. Not everyone is willing to tolerate the same level of continued symptoms, potential side effects/risk, or even specific therapies. Even if you could somehow know 100% without a doubt that a certain therapy would absolutely cure an individual, you can't force them down that road if they aren't willing to go there.

As you continue your studies, I hope you'll come to realize how involved the subject is and the fact that people simply don't fit into neat little blocks when it comes to mental health and brain chemistry.

Absolutely right, couldn't have said it better myself!

zz1000zz & Golden ... sneezing in the sleeve if you dont have a tissue is best practice.. however if you can sneeze into your upper arm ... where there is even less risk of it rubbing against someone than if you sneeze in your sleeve, its a good habit to get into.

[Solus Canis Lupus]

I've always had a sensitive stomach, but it seems to have gotten worse in recent years. I get gas a lot more often than I used to, and the pain is a lot more excruciating. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night because of it. I have to take gas relief pills just to get back to sleep.

I've tried paying attention to what I eat so I might be able to figure out what causes it, but I haven't noticed anything consistent. At one time I thought it was granola bars, but I've been fine eating them at times. I thought it might be too much soda, but I don't find that to be very consistent either. I am lactose intolerant, but I don't drink milk that often, and when I do it's never really been enough to bother me. Might be a combination of things, but I'm not sure how to test that.

Is there any particular way to go about finding out what bothers me, or could it be more than just a diet thing?

[Dr Dimari]

Solus Canis Lupus

I've always had a sensitive stomach, but it seems to have gotten worse in recent years. I get gas a lot more often than I used to, and the pain is a lot more excruciating. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night because of it. I have to take gas relief pills just to get back to sleep.

I've tried paying attention to what I eat so I might be able to figure out what causes it, but I haven't noticed anything consistent. At one time I thought it was granola bars, but I've been fine eating them at times. I thought it might be too much soda, but I don't find that to be very consistent either. I am lactose intolerant, but I don't drink milk that often, and when I do it's never really been enough to bother me. Might be a combination of things, but I'm not sure how to test that.

Is there any particular way to go about finding out what bothers me, or could it be more than just a diet thing?

Well, there are a few questions that a Family Doctor would like to ask

• Have you been sick? When, how much and colour? Or have you been nauseous?
• Has you bowel habit changed ie, been going more less and exactly how often, runny stools or hard pebble-like stools, colour, blood, slimey stools
• Does going to the loo make the pain any easier
• Pain constant, or on and off, and what time of the day does it get worse?
• Is the pain often worse when you have eaten, or when you haven't? Fatty foods especially worse?
• You've already talked a bit about what makes it better and worse, maybe keep a food diary for a few weeks and when you have pain. Include the amounts of food too?
• Have you had any sensation of heart burn or an acidy feeling in the throat
• What your lifestyle like, hectic, stressful, busy, high demands?
• Whats your weight like, has that been going up or down? Hows your appetite?

The next thing we might want to do, is maybe do a few blood tests and examine your abdomen. Look at the hands, eyes, mouth, skin and unfortunately a PR (rectal exam).

The blood tests would look be
• Full Blood Count - look for anaemia and inflammatory problems
• Liver Function Tests - see if you may have biliary or liver problems that are causing pain on digestion on food?
• Urine and Creatinine - check your ions are balances and good
• Lipid Profile & Cholesterol
• Coeliac Screen (IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies, Endomysial antibodies and anti-gliadin antibodies)

From what you said, it is most likely a diet/lifestyle thing, maybe giving you a syndrome called Irritable Bowel Syndrome - however you should see your GP or family doctor to be absolutely 100% sure.

[Munkers]

Solus Canis Lupus

I've always had a sensitive stomach, but it seems to have gotten worse in recent years. I get gas a lot more often than I used to, and the pain is a lot more excruciating. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night because of it. I have to take gas relief pills just to get back to sleep.

I've tried paying attention to what I eat so I might be able to figure out what causes it, but I haven't noticed anything consistent. At one time I thought it was granola bars, but I've been fine eating them at times. I thought it might be too much soda, but I don't find that to be very consistent either. I am lactose intolerant, but I don't drink milk that often, and when I do it's never really been enough to bother me. Might be a combination of things, but I'm not sure how to test that.

Is there any particular way to go about finding out what bothers me, or could it be more than just a diet thing?

You said that you tried to pay attention to your eating habits, but did you actually journal anything? Keeping a detailed food journal and noting when you experience the most trouble would be a good first step. Also, pay attention to the ingredients in your foods. It also may not be one specific food. Example: Too much fiber at one time can cause gas and bloating. Maybe you need to spread out your fiber intake throughout the day.

Once you've journaled and think you see a pattern, try eliminating that trigger food altogether. Give it a week or two and during that time, continue to journal about your diet and symptoms. Eliminating one food at a time will give you a better idea of how each one contributes to the problem.

Other things to consider: frequency and size of meals, how close you're eating to bed time, and patterns of physical activity (movement can help with bloating).

[science is powerful]

For the past three days I've had this ovewhelming sensation of lightheadedness. It was so bad that my teacher would not allow me to drive home on monday. I missed school on tuesday because when I woke up my head felt like it was going to explode from the intense headache I had. That evening I went to the doctor and they found nothing wrong with me. No fever, normal blood pressure, normal sugar levels, etc. They said they had no idea other than vertigo a perscribed Meclizine 3 times a day. I took that that evening and woke up on wednesday ready to go to school. As soon as I got up I passed out. I ended up missing the bus and not going to school. Now it's thursday and I'm still super lightheaded, even when I'm laying down! Any ideas?

[Dr Dimari]

science is powerful

For the past three days I've had this ovewhelming sensation of lightheadedness. It was so bad that my teacher would not allow me to drive home on monday. I missed school on tuesday because when I woke up my head felt like it was going to explode from the intense headache I had. That evening I went to the doctor and they found nothing wrong with me. No fever, normal blood pressure, normal sugar levels, etc. They said they had no idea other than vertigo a perscribed Meclizine 3 times a day. I took that that evening and woke up on wednesday ready to go to school. As soon as I got up I passed out. I ended up missing the bus and not going to school. Now it's thursday and I'm still super lightheaded, even when I'm laying down! Any ideas?

Light-headedness can be cause by many things, and sometimes we don't why.
However, doctors need to try and understand exactly what you mean? ie:
• Were the surroundings spinning from side to side, or up to down?
• Or was it an acute tired, confused dizzy spell where you had no spinning or surroundings?

Depending on which one you answer can give different answers.
Did you have any other symptoms?
• Palpitations or a fast rhythm of your heart?
• Feeling sick, tired, or suddenly hot?

Did they happen straight away, or come on gradually?
Did they come on after doing something (such as standing up a bit quickly or exercise?)?
Have you not been sleeping well, eating properly or been stressed, anxious or depressed?

To me, it sounds like it could be labrynthitis, which is inflammation of the semicircular canals of the ears. Usually this mainly happens in one ear, or one ear is more affected than the other. This inbalance between your ears gives you the feeling that everything is moving around (spinning) and your brain gets confused because your eyes don't match what your ears tell you. The medication your doctor (meclizine) works by bringing the good ear down to the level of the mainly affected ear, and so your body seems to cope better with that. However, it only meant to be a short course of treatment last no more than usually a couple of weeks.

It might be an idea to go back to your GP (doctor) and tell them that it hasn't got any better. He should also do a general physical examination to clinically rule out anaemia or a neurological cause. he should check your BP sitting and standing (to rule out postural hypotension - a normal condition in those who are still going though the teenage years). Then do some bloods: check a fasting sugar result, do a full blood count, thyroid function, urea and electrolytes. These would rule out an biochemical cause or a basic haematological cause. If he can't figure out whats up, and the meclizine hasn't helped, he should refer you to ENT or Audiology.

I shouldnt worry with all that said, most likely it will be nothing, and probably a few days, some rest and some tlc would help wonders.

[Seaine]

Heeeey I am back! I got an internship in Nevada and so I went to a sleep specialist here to get my medication refilled. He really, really wants to say that I have narcolepsy as opposed to idopathic hypersomnia. He is of the opinion that narcolepsy is more common, and I also assume that doctors just generally don't like giving a diagnosis that involves a word meaning "we don't know why."

I don't really agree with him because my symptoms do not quite match narcolepsy. My sleep study was normal aside from showing that I was too sleepy, so REM and other sleep stages were not abnormal. Narcoleptics take short naps and feel refreshed when they wake up; I take naps that are an hour or two long and I wake up still feeling groggy and tired. I understand it is still possible that I have it, and it's progressive so other symptoms could show up later. I have developed two new symptoms. I have begun sleepwalking on an extremely frequent basis - sometimes almost every single night. I usually just wander around, act like I am getting ready for work like I would in the morning, or move items that I move often when I am awake. I have also begun hallucinating very often when I wake up for short periods in the night, when I wake up in the morning, or when I wake up from naps. They are generally innocuous such as seeing a pair of pants hanging on the rack where there isn't one or seeing the cat in the room when I've locked him out. It only happens in the few seconds after I have woken up. It is not sleep paralysis or hypnagogic hallucinations because I have sat up before while it was happening and there is never any unwarranted feeling of fear. These two new symptoms do not really shed any light on what I have or do not have, and I wonder if they are side effects of Adderall. I have sleptwalked or hallucinated in this way on very rare occasions, but it was only when I started taking Adderall everyday that it started happening so frequently.

The new doctor ordered a test for alleles that nearly all narcoleptics have. I tested positive for them, DR15 and DQ0602. However, I read that 20% of the general population has these alleles, and only 1 in 20,000 people have narcolepsy. Statistically speaking, I'm more likely to have the alleles and NOT have narcolepsy. However, I do obviously have a sleep disorder with excessive daytime sleepiness so I find it likely that the new doctor will give me a diagnosis of narcolepsy.

After that long rant, I do actually have a question. I asked for my thyroid to be tested as well. The results are 1.32 for TSH and 1.23 for free T4. I tried looking online but couldn't really find anything enlightening on what these results may mean, other than that it's within the very wide normal range.

[MusicalLust]

Hiiiiiiiiiiii
I really want to become a doctor in the future
And Im wondering how to become one.
I have a few ideas of how to become one but im not totally sure.
Can I possibly have some tips please?
(Plus i live in the UK, so it would be helpful to know how to become a doctor in the UK and how long it takes)

[oO-Soul-Revolution-Oo]

Yo call me 'Sea' ...

I would like to know which maggots can be used for eatting necrotic flesh... simple and to the point ^_^