von Willebrand disease mnemonic

Greetings everyone!

As you all probably already know, I've been studying loads of hematology this week. Here's another compilation of facts + mnemonic on  von Willebrand disease!

How to remember gene for differentiation of gonads

Hello!

How to remember gene for differentiation of gonads

Mnemonic: Why (Y) are you Sorry (SRY)?

Y chromosome contains SRY gene which differentiates gonads to testes.

Daxone (DAX1) went for (WNT-4) double X (XX) .

Genetic factor DAX1 and signaling molecule WNT-4 are necessary for development of ovary.

That's all!

-IkaN

Normal values of Calcium, Phosphate, PTH and Alkaline phosphate mnemonic

Hey!

Here are a few mnemonics on how to remember the normal range of calcium, phosphate, PTH and Alkaline phosphate.

You may need to memorise these values for time restricted exams where wasting time looking up tables for normal values may cost you a few points.

Studying Biochemistry

"Just came across your blog. I must say you are very inspirational. I am first year medical student but I find it hard to study biochemistry. I would like to know if there is a good way to learn it. Any tips?" -Asked by email

How to speed read

I have modified a lot of general principles of speed reading for us, medical students, because we need to understand what we read.

Causes of macrocytic anemia mnemonic

Hello.

We all know that vitamin B9 and B12 causes macrocytic anemia but do you know the OTHER causes of macrocytic anemia?

They are:
Orotic aciduria
Thiamine deficiency
Hypothyroidism
DysErythropoietic anemia

Mnemonic: OTHEr

That's all!

-IkaN

Growth hormone deficiency mnemonic

Hello!

Today I'll be sharing a mnemonic on Growth hormone deficiency!

Barts hemoglobin mnemonic

So I just came across a question asking me why Barts hydrops fetalis is lethal. The answer is because Barts hemoglobin can't release oxygen to the tissues.

And I thought, "Barts can't fart oxygen." as a funny way to remember this xD

What is Barts hemoglobin anyway?

Tetramers of gamma globin chains formed when there is deletion of all four alpha globin genes.

How do you remember Barts hemoglobin has gamma chains?
I made a sentence with a lot of B's and G's. I'm not even sure if you can call it a mnemonic.
"BiG bart bargains for bar games."
I don't know if it works.

That's all!

-IkaN

Graves ophthalmoplegia case

Hello everyone!

I saw an interesting case in the ward today. And I'll be asking loads of questions for you to answer as you read along!

There was a 75 year old man with proptosis, inability to move his right eye inferiorly or adduct his eye. Any guesses on what it could be?

Antianginal drug classes mnemonic

Hello!

So today, on our study group, Vaidehi posted a mnemonic for anti anginal drugs.

The mnemonic is, "Black Nights Can Please Others"

1) Beta blockers:
Propranolol, Metoprolol

2) Nitrates (Since nights are sorry and long so do we have - )
Short acting Nitrates: GTN
Long acting Nitrates: Isosorbide

3) Calcium channel blockers: Verapamil, Nifedipine

4) Potassium channel openers (Can also be remembered as - A pleasing person is open to others)
Nicorandil

5) Others:
Dipyridamole, Ivabradine

Thanks a lot for the mnemonic Vaidehi!

-IkaN

Related post: Anti arrhythmic drug classes mnemonic

Repeating PG entrance exam

"I'm a PG aspirant... This is my third year of PG preparation. I lost all interest in medicine. I've lost all hope too. I'm just tired of trying. I don't know who to talk to. I don't know how you get so much passion to write your blogs. I don't how to study also."

I understand that giving an exam for the third time must be really frustrating and tiring.

So my advice to you is - Make sure you prepare so well this time that it's your last attempt and that you get whichever post graduation seat you desire. Study real hard, no excuses.

It's natural that you tend to lose interest in learning repetitive facts. Maybe you should try hunting for new ideas, new perspectives and gain a different understanding of old concepts?

Google about facts you've learnt earlier. This time, instead of memorizing, think of why.

Question everything - Why does this muscle cause that movement? Why does sickle cell anemia cause leukocytosis? Why does phenytoin produce vitamin B9 deficiency?

Trust me, questions and curiosity will awaken an unexplored passion in you - The one you lost in studying the same things over and over again.

Causes of sideroblastic anemia mnemonic

Mini post for the day!

Do you know the causes of Sideroblastic anemia? No? You guys are such liars!

Mnemonic: LIARS

Hemoglobin and erythropoiesis mnemonics

Hi everyone! Long time no see? :D

Today, I'll be sharing a few facts and mnemonics on hemoglobin and erythropoiesis. Let's get started!

Do you know the order in which hemoglobin appear from early embryo to infancy?
It's embryonic hemoglobin first (Gower 1, Gower 2, Portland) then fetal and after that, adult.

Mnemonic: Gower goes, fetal follows, adult afterwards. 

(Also, notice the reverse alphabetical order -  G, F, e, d, c, B, A)

The alphabets also pair the chains with their respective hemoglobin!
GF - Gamma Fetal
BA - Beta Adult

Study group discussion: Contraindications of ACE inhibitors

Why ACE inhibitors are contraindicated -
During pregnancy
In CCF due to severe aortic stenosis
Bilateral renal artery stenosis

Please explain.

Study group discussion: Polygonal cells

What are polygonal cells ?

I know I'm stating the obvious, but can I guess cells which are polygonal in shape? :P

According to Google, Polygonal cells have many sides. (Four to five mostly)

The skin has a layer of polygonal cells called the stratum spinosum.

Criteria for LVH in ECG

Hey everyone!

Someone requested me to do a criteria for LVH in ECG. Here are a few!

Cornell criteria: Add the R wave in aVL and the S wave in V3. If the sum is > 28 mm in males or > 20 mm in females, then LVH is present.

Mnemonic: 20 carnivals tree

caRniVALS (Corn evil? Cornell?) tree

R in aVL (caRniVaL).

S in V three (tree).

3 looks like a Mirrored 8.

So 28 in Males, 20 in females.

Study group discussion: Decerebrate and Decorticate rigidity

Can anyone please explain how do we get decerebrate & decorticate posturing?

ORS and baby - My ORS week poster

It's ORS week again! And this time, I made the poster in Marathi, one of my favorite languages!

ORS week poster in Marathi

For all those who don't know Marathi, here's a translation. (The dialogue might not sound as cute in English, but here it goes!)

ORS week poster: 5 reasons why ORS is a superhero

So here it is - the superhero poster I made for ORS week :D

ORS superhero poster

Vitamin D resistant rickets mnemonic

Vitamin D resistant rickets mnemonic

"WASP"
Wa: Waddling gait
S: Short stature
P: Phosphate low

Difference between secondary and superinfection

Should antibiotics be prescribed for an adult with the usual fever, headache and sore throat symptoms?

Not unless he develops secondary bacterial infection.

Metachromatic Leukodystrophy mnemonic

Inspired by the case I saw in the OPD yesterday, I thought I'd share a mnemonic I use to remember the same.

"Aryl has many Colorful look a like, Cerebral brothers. They are Clumsy and Crazy."

Internship diaries: Metachromatic leukodystrophy

Hey everyone! I'm posting the study group discussion we had because it's so much less to type :D

I saw a case of metachromatic leukodystrophy in the OPD yesterday.

Can anyone tell me what is metachromatic dystrophy?

For those who don't know, it's a lysosomal storage disease. Deficiency of the enzyme aryl sulfatase A causes accumulation of cerbroside sulfate.

Study group discussion: Hot vs Cold fomentation

Can anyone tell me when should we give hot fomentation and when should we give cold fomentation?

Immediately after an injury -  Cold fomentation.
Later on - Hot fomentation.

Cold is for acute injuries like sprains, joint injuries, sports injuries.

Hot is more for chronic conditions like back aches, muscle spasms.

The point is after an acute injury, you need to reduce the swelling and inflammation. So you cool the area to decrease blood flow.

After a day of injury, you would want to increase blood flow to heal the area.

Amazing!

Study group discussion: Fluids in inferior wall myocardial infarction

Why are fluids indicated in inferior wall MI?

Inferior wall MI is associated with severe hypotension. So first, correct the hypotension, then, thrombolyse.

Yes, but any reason for the hypotension?

Because inferior wall has vagal plexus. Patients with inferior wall MI are parasympathetic i.e. high vagal tone.

Study group discussion: Referred pain

Can someone please give me regions of referred pain areas?
Eg. Pain in the shoulder could infer problem with diaphragm.

Right shoulder pain - problem with gall bladder (eg. Cholecystitis)
Left shoulder and ulnar border of left arm and hand - myocardial infarction.

Knee pain can refer to hip.

Renal colic pain is referred to the back.

Splenic rupture can refer pain to left shoulder - Kehr's sign

What is Kehr's sign please?

Splenic rupture or hemorrhage irritates the diaphragm on left side and that refer s the pain to the left shoulder. Same like cholecystitis on right side.

Study group discussion: ECCE

Why ECCE is not done when zonules are not intact?

What is ECCE?

Extra capsular cataract extraction.
Because the IOL will be implanted in the remaining posterior capsule - And if the zonule is not intact, it may cause lens subluxation.

Awesome.

Study group discussion: Cystogastrotomy for pseudopancreatic cyst

One interesting question:
In cystogastrotomy, as surgical treatment for pseudo pancreatic cyst...Why do food particles don't enter from stomach to pseudocyst through the communication?
This question asked by surgical professor in OT today.

Because cyst will be always in positive pressure and clinical studies show that the cyst rapidly decompresses. Approximating the mucosa with cyst wall, which has no epithelial lining, leads to rapid shrinkage of stoma. Within few days, neither the stoma nor the cyst is evident on radiology or endoscopy.

Wow. This is great stuff!

Study group discussion: Serum ascites albumin gradient

Can anyone explain the serum ascites albumin gradient in a super simplified way?

High SAAG: Imbalance between hydrostatic and portal pressures.

Low SAAG: Ascites due to protein leakage.

SAAG = Serum albumin - Albumin in ascitic fluid. And is directly proportional to portal pressure.

Internship diaries: Calcium channel blockers and peripheral edema mnemonic

As you all know, I am doing internship or housejob and it's really tiring but a good learning experience. Lemme share what I learnt / revised today!

In my medicine OPD, we start most newly diagnosed hypertensive patients on amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker. Many of the patients, after a few weeks of therapy, come back complaining of lower extremity edema. You check their electrolytes, LFT's and RFT's and they are all normal.