Fact of the day: Ferritin is an inflammatory disease marker

Ferritin is an acute phase reactant.

Serum ferritin arises from damaged cells, and is thus a marker of cellular damage.

Medicowesome secret project: Hemispheres of the brain

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An overview of the NEET PG entrance exam

AN OVERVIEW OF THE NEET PG ENTRANCE EXAM
by Dr. Prateek Charuchandra Joshi (DNB AIR 291, MH state rank 51)

Brainstem Syndromes-Pons!

Hellooo people!

After travelling from the Midbrain  I we have reached  the Pons.. which literally means a Bridge... So .... Let's study the important eponymous Pontine syndromes today...

1) Millard-Gubler Syndrome:
Lesion location:Pons
Structures affected: CN VII ,Corticospinal tracts!!
Clinical features: Ipsilateral peripheral facial palsy; contralateral hemiparesis ,CN VI not involved

Foville's Syndrome(Raymond-Foville) :
Lesion location:Pons
Structures affected:CN VII; lateral gaze center; Corticospinal tracts.
Clinical features • Ipsilateral facial palsy and horizontal gaze palsy; contralateral hemiparesis

Raymond's (Yelloly, Landry) Syndrome: Lesion Location: Pons
Structures affected: CN VI; Corticospinal tracts
Clinical Features: Ipsilateral abducens palsy; contralateral hemiparesis ,it is  often lumped with Foville's syndrome.

There are other Pontine syndromes ...And an Anatomical classification of them makes them easy to understand !

I shall in the next post put up the respective syndromes along with associated diagrams..

Till then... Study Well Guys!
Also I would like to say... Medicine is not just science and theory but also an art to be understood.... So we all need to have the artists eyes and spot out the subtle presentations of the  diseases in our patients and treat them with all our hearts!

-Medha!

Fact of the day: High maternal cortisol good for foetal brain

Hey Awesomites

Neurodevelopment attained in the foetal period is greater than in any other period of an individual's life. Foetal exposure to "optimal levels" of maternal cortisol in third trimester has been linked to better cognitive and functional performance in the child.

Maternal cortisol acts on its receptors present in amygdala, hippocampus and the pre - frontal cortex ( PFC ) in high amounts. This hormone influences various stages of neurodevelopment including neurogenesis, axonal development, and myelination of nerve fibres and thus it leads to increased cortical thickness in frontal part of the brain and increased brain maturity.
( Source )

Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Brutons disease (X linked agammaglobulinemia) mnemonic

Hello! 

Guess who made a new video?

Differentials of Unilateral Central Scotoma

Hey, guys this post will be on the differential diagnosis of "Blurred Vision in one eye" due to a central scotoma.

So a central scotoma can be usually due to retrobulbar neuritis(inflammation of the optic nerve) or optic nerve compression.

Now when you have detected a central scotomata in one eye it is essential to do the confrontation test in the other eye also. If in the other eye you detect a defect in upper temporal field, a superior temporal quandrantonopia; it is higly likely that this is a case of optic nerve compression.

How so? Well refer the attached pic with the illustrated diagram and I am sure you will understand. :)

-VM

Studying made simple: Ocular signs of thyrotoxicosis

Hey Awesomites

I read about ocular signs seen in patients with thyrotoxicosis. On googling and partly my work, studying these signs has become so simple to remember. -

Lhermitte's sign Variants!

Helloooo....

Well we all know about the Lhermitte’s sign... The famous Barber's Chair sign!

For the people who are reading for the first time... Lhermitte's sign  is a sensation of tingling or electric shocks running down the back and legs on flexion of the neck.

Some other actions giving rise to similar sensations are:  Neck rotation, arm abduction, coughing ,Yawning 

It is common in multiple sclerosis, and other demyelinating diseases  but can occur with other conditions involving the cervical spinal cord.

But...Some variants to Lhermitte’s sign have also been described.

1) Delayed typical Lhermitte phenomenon can follow contusion of the spinal cord from neck trauma.

2) Reverse Lhermitte phenomenon
Paresthesias induced by neck extension have been described in extrinsic compression of the cervical spinal cord.

3) Inverse Lhermitte's sign:
Upward moving paresthesias with neck   flexion have been described in myelopathy from nitrous oxide inhalation.

I hope this was informative!

-Medha!😊

Brainstem syndromes-Midbrain!

Here we shall review three syndromes in the Midbrain occuring majorly due to a vascular event.

Weber's Syndrome:
Lesion Location: Midbrain base

Structures involved :CN III fibers; cerebral peduncle

Features: Ipsilateral CN III palsy; contralateral hemiparesis

(The image showing the involved 3 nerve and the crus! The lesion is anterior—in the cerebral peduncle—in  Weber’s syndrome, causing hemiparesis.)

Claude's Syndrome:
Lesion location :Midbrain tegmentum

Structures involved: CN III fibers; red nucleus; SCP

Clinical features: Ipsilateral CN III palsy; contralateral ataxia and tremor (“rubral tremor”)

(The sky blue line depicts the sup. Cerebellar peduncle! Lesion is more posterior—in the tegmentum—in Claude’s syndrome, causing hemiataxia.)

Benedikt's Syndrome:
Lesion location: Midbrain tegmentum

Structures involved: CN III fibers; red nucleus; CST (corticospinal tract)SCP(superior cerebellar peduncle)

Clinical features:
•Ipsilateral CN III palsy; contralateral hemiparesis with ataxia, hyperkinesia and tremor “rubral tremor

(The blue fibers being the sup. Cerebellar peduncle. In Benedikt’s syndrome, the lesion is more extensive, involving both the tegmentum and the peduncle, causing hemiparesis with tremor and ataxia of the involved limbs)

These three midbrain syndromes are variations on a theme.

Benedikt’s is essentially  Weber’s + Claude’s.

Because the fascicles of cranial nerve (CN) III are scattered in their course through the midbrain, the third nerve palsy in any of these syndromes may be partial.

Last on the list....
 Nothnagel's Syndrome mainly due to neoplasms ...affecting the Midbrain tectum involving Ipsilateral or bilateral CN 3 causes Oculomotor palsies; ataxia.

We finish Alll the midbrain syndromes !!!!!😎

Hope it helps!

-Medha😊

Facts and Fallacies: Vitamin D link to cancer

Hey Awesomites

Vitamin D has been shown beneficial for a variety of disorders and diseases. Recent studies now suggest that those deficient in vitamin D are at a  higher risk of developing cancer compared to those with adequate levels.

Brainstem Syndromes!

So let's get done with all the important brainstem syndromes once and for all !

I would be writing on all of them one by one...

Also ...I will try and incorporate many of my diagrams to help you guys make it seem less daunting...

Starting from the Midbrain the first syndrome is..

(The image shows the level of the lesion)

1):Parinaud's Syndrome

Lesion location:Midbrain dorsum ,superior  collicculi.

Structures involved: Quadrigeminal plate region; pretectum; periaqueductal gray matter

Etiology: •Due to mass lesion in the region of the posterior third ventricle, most often pinealoma, or due to midbrain infarction.

Clinical features:
•Impaired upgaze as centre for upward gaze is affected
convergence retraction nystagmus;
Argyll Robertson pupil :dilated pupils with light near dissociation.

A closer look at the structures involved .

I hope it helped !Also do share your Neuroanatomy diagrams and and more information on Parinaud Syndrome.

Have a nice day!

-Medha!

How I remember the duration of symptoms for Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) required for diagnosis

The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder should be present for at least 6 months. For me, it's hard to remember the duration of the symptoms in psychiatry. So I mnemonic-ify them :D

I remember G6PD, and say G6AD instead!

For those who don't know what GAD is here is the DSM V criteria for diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder...

Transposition of Great Arteries!

Hello!

So I have divided the post into two parts - A short summary for those who don't have the time to read everything (#TLDR) and a nice long explanation for those who want to read everything :)

Let's start with TLDR.

Buzz words for congenital syphilis!

Following are some important signs and buzzwords that are testable ...And high yeild for entrances.

Olympian Brow: Bony prominence of the forehead caused by persistent or recurrent periostitis

Clavicular or Higoumenakia sign:Unilateral or bilateral thickening of the sternoclavicular third of the clavicle

Saber shins :Anterior bowing of the midportion of the tibia

Scaphoid scapula :Convexity along the medial border of the scapula

Hutchinson teeth:Peg-shaped upper central incisors; they erupt during 6th yr of life with abnormal enamel, resulting in a notch along the biting surface

Mulberry molars :Abnormal 1st lower (6 yr) molars characterized by small biting surface and excessive number of cusps

Saddle nose :Depression of the nasal root, a result of syphilitic rhinitis destroying adjacent bone and cartilage

Rhagades:Linear scars that extend in a spoke-like pattern from previous mucocutaneous fissures of the mouth, anus, and genitalia

Juvenile paresis :Latent meningovascular infection; it is rare and typically occurs during adolescence with behavioral changes, focal seizures, or loss of intellectual function

Juvenile tabes : Rare spinal cord involvement and cardiovascular involvement with aortitis

Hutchinson triad :Hutchinson teeth, interstitial keratitis, and 8th nerve deafness

Clutton joint :Unilateral or bilateral painless joint swelling (usually involving knees) from synovitis with sterile synovial fluid; spontaneous remission usually occurs after several weeks

Interstitial keratitis: Manifests with intense photophobia and lacrimation, followed within weeks or months by corneal opacification and complete blindness

8th nerve deafness: May be unilateral or bilateral, appears at any age, manifests initially as vertigo and high-tone hearing loss, and progresses to permanent deafness.

Well all these are late manifestations of congenital syphilis occuring after 2 years of life.
It is important to recognise these signs clinically and also on the exams...

-Medha.

Pathophysiology of myopathy caused during hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

Hello awesomites! Today's topic of discussion is - Myopathy in thyroid disease.

Interestingly, it is caused by both, hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism.

What is myopathy?

It is a disease of muscle tissue where, ultimately, muscles get weak and are unable to perform work due to deficiency of ATP.

Why is there myopathy in hyperthyroidism?

The thyroid hormone is a catabolic hormone. Hyperthyroidism increases energy expenditure, glucose turnover, lipolysis, and protein breakdown (proteolysis). But here is the catch - Hyperthyroidism increases whole-body protein turnover and breakdown before any measurable changes in energy expenditure or glucose and fat metabolism, suggesting that amino acid and protein metabolism is an early and primary target for thyroid hormone action in humans. It was therefore concluded that the thyroid-hormone concentration may be an important factor in regulating muscle proteolysis. The altered protein metabolism causes myopathy.

Then, one may ask, why myopathy in hypothyroidism? Less thyroid hormone should lead to less protein breakdown, shouldn't it?

Well, this is a good question! Slightly complex and tricky to answer though. 

In hypothyroidism, there is abnormal glycogenolysis, defective mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and triglyceride storage.

Abnormal glycogenolysis and triglyceride storage: Less glucose is released and utilised because of this. The body starts using more proteins usually derived from muscles leading to myopathy.

Mitochondrial oxidative metabolism defect: Thyroid hormone is responsible for activation of bc1 complex also known as complex 3 & succinate dehydrogenase. Less activation of bc1 leads to less formation of ATP from glucose.... So again, the body switches to proteins from muscles as a source of energy!

That's all!
Stay cool :)

~Ojas

Medicowesome secret project: Exam time

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Medicowesome secret project: Embryo – Male or female?

What is the secret project? How can I participate?

Medicowesome secret project: Ghrelin

What is the secret project? How can I participate?

Medicowesome secret project: Biostatistics

What is the secret project? How can I participate?

Fact of the day: Regulate brain activity with your type of music

Hey Awesomites

Which genre or type of music do you like the most? Well, it surely has to do a lot with the functioning of our brain. Some of you may like slow music while others like to rock n roll on the floor while listening to their favourite beats. I am more of the latter type too, depending on the mood. ;p

Pediatric drawing milestones mnemonic

I share two mnemonics in this video - The count numbers on your hand mnemonic and the draw it yourself mnemonic xD

Medicowesome secret project: Life of a blind man

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Medicowesome secret project: Who am I?

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Medicowesome secret project: An Alcoholic's Tale

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Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) - MOA and side effects

Hello!
This is a fun and concise post on the pharmacology of TCAs. Excited? :D

Fact of the day: Green - The colour of medicine

Green used to be the "Colour of medicine"

Why?

Fact of the day: Paradoxical undressing in fatal hypothermia

Hypothermia causes paradoxical undressing.

This typically occurs during moderate to severe hypothermia, as the person becomes disoriented, confused, and combative. They may begin discarding their clothing, which, in turn, increases the rate of heat loss. It is estimated that twenty to fifty percent of hypothermia related deaths are due to paradoxical undressing.

Why does this happen?

Fact of the day: Psychosomatic symptoms love to travel

Hey Awesomites

Yes, you read it right. The symptoms of psychosomatic disorders flit from one body part to another, and just too easily and quickly ( they love to travel a lot ;p ) . Just as one symptom is discovered, it disappears and another one emerges in some other part of the body.

The psychosomatic symptoms have been linked to a chameleon. Every time a medicine tries to pin them down,  they become something different.

That's all
- Jaskunwar Singh

The colours of a chameleon are not more numerous and inconstant than the varieties of the hypochondriac and hysteric disease.
 - Robert Whytt

NYHA Classification Mnemonic

Hey guys, this post will help you to remember the definitions of the four NYHA classes.

So first just remember two phrases-
"Patient with a heart disease" and "in ordinary or accustomed activities". For convenience I will use letters A and B to refer to these phrases respectively. Now I will just fill in the gap between them.

1. NYHA Class I:
A--- will not get dyspnea ---B.

2. NYHA Class II:
A--- will get dyspnea ---B.

3. NYHA Class III:
A--- will get dyspnea in less than ---B.

4. NYHA Class IV:
A--- will get dyspnea at rest.

This system of classification has its flaws since the definition of "ordinary and accustomed activities" is entirely subjective. Like for example if a rich businessman gets breathless after walking 1 km, you may label him as NYHA Class II, but the same case in a hard working labourer will have to be labelled as NYHA Class III.

And another thing that NYHA has recently clarified NYHA Class III a bit further, it has included self-care activities in it's spectrum. As a supposition, if a 56 year old male person gets breathless while shaving or bathing then it is NYHA Class III.

-VM

Authors' diary: Medicowesome secret project

We initially introduced the secret project very mysteriously and kept the details highly confidential just for fun! Let me tell you more about it...

Grave's ophthalmopathy features mnemonic

Hey Awesomites

Grave's disease, a common cause of primary hyperthyroidism causes some epic features of ophthalmopathy apart from lid retraction and lid lag. Mnemonic: EPIC

E- Exophthalmos
P- Periorbital Edema
I- Involvement of ocular muscles (diplopia)
C- Conjunctival irritation and chemosis

- Jaskunwar Singh

Amiodarone- induced thyroid dysfunctions

Hello

Amiodarone, a potent class III anti- arrhythmic drug is contraindicated in thyroid patients or those with subclinical disease. The reason lies in the pharmacokinetic profile of this drug.

The drug has a structural resemblance to triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). In the body, it is metabolized by dealkylation to Desethylamiodarone (DEA), the intrathyroidal concentration of which is higher than the parent drug.

Normal daily recommended intake of iodine for adults is approx. 0.15mg (150mcg).  Each 200mg tablet of amiodarone contains about 74.4mg of iodine with 7.4mg (10%) being released as free form. This is roughly 50- fold higher than the normal. Therefore, total body stores may remain increased for upto 9 months after stopping the drug.

High iodine content of this drug inhibits  local type-1 5'- deiodinase activity (blocking conversion of T4 to T3) and type- II 5'- deiodinase activity in the pituitary. As a result, TSH is increased initially (mild elevation) and then return to normal or may even decrease in euthyroid patients after weeks, while T4 is normal or raised, and T3 levels decrease.

The increased delivery and uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland may cause increase in hormone production and release, a condition called type-1 Amiodarone- induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) . In other cases, excessive thyroid tissue destruction due to destructive thyroiditis may lead to type-2 Amiodarone- induced thyrotoxicosis. These are hyperthyroid states!!
Discontinuation of the drug is recommended, if not, then high doses of thioamides and corticosteroids may work in AITs.

Amiodarone may also cause hypothyroidism (AIH) in  patients depending upon the iodine status of individuals and prior thyroid disease. Wolff- chaikoff effect is shown by thyroid cells due to failure of thyroid hormonogenesis. Levothyroxine is the drug of choice.


Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Fact of the day: Burning the heart to ashes

An interesting fact about heart I read today:

The heart is resilient, literally. When a body is burnt, the heart is the last organ to oxidize. While the rest of the body can catch flame like a polyester sheet on campfire, it takes hours to burn the heart to ash because it's deep inside!

That's all!

Did you know? According to Hindu mythology, when Arjuna cremated the body of Lord Krishna, his whole body turned into ashes, except his heart which was still burning. Arjuna washed the ashes and burning heart into the river.

- Jaskunwar Singh

Munchausen's syndrome

Hello

"Psychosomatic disorders are conditions in which a person suffers from significant physical symptoms (causing real distress and disability), that is out of proportion to that which can be explained by medical tests and physical examinations."

Karl Friedrich Von Munchausen, the "Baron of Lies" gave his name to the syndrome. Munchausen's syndrome (now more correctly called factitious disorder in DSM- 5 classification of somatic symptom and related disorders ) refers to patients who imitate illness (may be in an exaggerated form ) for medical attention and care and may even expose themselves to life- threatening operations, amputations, unnecessary medications and toxic treatments.

Lets take an example: A woman presents to hospital with a headache and a dilated pupil. On investigations, scans were normal and no other systemic abnormality seen. Then, a nurse walks into her room and finds the patient self- administering dilating eye drops into the affected eye.

The person has an awareness of the lies they are telling but they surely do it to seek medical care and attention, being unaware of their own motivation and uncontrolled behavior.

Upto one- third of patients in neurology ward suffer from psychosomatic illness and most often, an emotional cause is suspected.


Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Parinauds syndrome notes, mnemonic and a video

Parinauds syndrome notes + mnemonic + video!

Is it okay to wish a man "Happy Women's Day"?

Hello awesomites!

Happy women's day to everyone - Male and female!

Study group discussion: PGE and congenital heart diseases

We had a discussion on this question on our study group today :)

PGE causes clinical worsening in an infant with?
A. PS without VSD
B. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
C. Obstructive TAPVC
D. Obstruction in Aorta

Let's work this out - choice by choice!

Acute intermittent porphyria mnemonic

Acute intermittent porphria - AIP - That's the mnemonic!

Asbestosis and Silicosis mnemonics

Here are a few mnemonics to help you not mix these conditions up!

Hyperthermia in Pontine Haemorrhage

Hey guys!

This post will be focused on the pathophysiology of Hyperthermia in Pontine Haemorrhage( which may manifest as the Locked-in Syndrome, remember that super-awesome House episode? <3 )

1. First try the easy simple reason. Hypothalamus has been basically cut off from the body below pons and there has been Haemorrhage. Therefore, there will be a Sympathetic outflow causing peripheral vasoconstriction. Meanwhile the internal visceral organs are still functioning and consequently producing heat. So without hypothalamus, the body's ability to produce heat has transcended it's ability to lose heat.

2. The next reason is a bit "cooler", literally. Our body hates Hypothermia more than Hyperthermia, thanks to evolution. (Ice Age!!!) Now there is no central thermoregulation but peripheral one is still intact. And the peripheral thermoreceptors are much more sensitive to lower temperatures or basically cold environment. Once again, without the Hypothalamus, the body is defending itself too vigorously against Hypothermia as to contribute ironically to Hyperthermia.

3. This reason is the only one which you should know since this will explain how Baclofen, a GABA-B Agonist works to treat this Hyperthermia. Remember the Medial Forebrain Bundle, it connects Hypothalamus to a lot of structures, one of them being Nucleus Raphe in the Pontine reticular formation. This is a very crucial portal in control of Sympathetic nervous system outflow by Hypothalamus. Simply speaking, if the body is hot, Hypothalamus will send inhibitory (GABAergic and Dopaminergic) signals to this nucleus and if the body is cold, it will send excitatory (Glutaminergic and Serotonergic) signals. And apparently this connection is lost in Pontine Haemorrhage, so we substitute it with a drug.

P.S. Now you can guess how Bromocriptine and Apomorphine cause Hypothermia. :)

-VM

Fact of the day: Blood coagulopathies in Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Hello

It is known since long that familial hypercholesterolemia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease as a consequence of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels. But Its NOT due  to high cholesterol levels in blood !!

The cause of such consequences lies in genetics. Genetic aberrations in patients with FH include variations in Prothrombin gene which increases coagulation and clot formation. This ultimately blocks the arteries by forming plaques!

Heart patients with FH also have higher concentrations of Fibrinogen and Factor VIII in their blood in addition to other factors, compared to healthy ones.

People with familial hypercholesterolemia tend to live a longer life than those with low cholesterol levels, suggesting a minor role of high cholesterol in pathogenesis of the disease.

However, cholesterol is still associated with other systemic diseases, though recently LDL has been considered 'good' too!


That's all
- Jaskunwar Singh

Fact of the day: Proton pump inhibitors and osteoporosis

Chronic PPI usage is associated with an increase occurrence of bone fractures, at present, the likely mechanism of this affect, is not at all clear.

The assumed mechanism is that long-term PPI use leads to decreased intestinal absorption of calcium resulting in negative calcium balance, increased osteoporosis, development of secondary hyperparathyroidism, increased bone loss and increased fractures.

An acidic environment in the stomach facilitates the release of ionzed calcium from insoluble calcium salts, and the calcium solubilization is thought to be important for calcium absorption. 

That's all!
Happy studying!
-IkaN

Facts and Fallacies: Almonds for Migraine

Hello

Some people who suffer from migraine are found to be deficient in magnesium and certain  vitamins. This proves to be one of the factor for causing such attacks!

Almonds are rich in magnesium and vitamin B2 ( riboflavin ) and contain salicin, an anti-  inflammatory agent and ingredient in aspirin. So 10- 12 almonds a day, equivalent to 2 aspirins helps in preventing acute attacks of migraine.

However, for those who are allergic to salicin, almonds may even trigger migraine attacks! Therefore prior testing is important in such cases.

Many recent updates and drugs have become available to treat the attacks but no single one is effective in long- term. For those deficient in magnesium and allergic to salicin,  infuse magnesium sulfate solution i.v.  over 3- 5 minutes.


That's all
- Jaskunwar Singh

The story of Medicowesome (With Q&A)

Here's the video to the many questions people have asked me till date:
How did Medicowesome start? How do you manage blogging and studying? etc etc.

Pediatric milestones mnemonic

Another awesome video by Shilika!

Fact of the day: Multi- vitamin supplements beneficial for schizophrenics

Hello

Recent studies suggest that high- doses of vitamin B help in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenic patients and those with other neuropsychological disorders, when added to the normal treatment in early stages. (Source)


- Jaskunwar Singh

Glasgow coma scale mnemonic video

Hello!

This video on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was made by Shilika :)

Dealing with psm

Hello.
This was a question from one of our readers..as to how to deal with psm.

Personally I too have dealt with a lot of trauma related to it. So I will share you my own tips and tricks.

Just keep this basic funda in your head while dealing psm. YOU DONT HAVE TO READ EVERYTHING.

Never start reading psm chapters from the very first page. You will be lost in a whirlpool so huge and exhaust yourself to the limits in a matter of hours..and you are bound to never touch the book again.

Now how to approach it..if say your professor is teaching a chapter on contraceptives. Just go through ONLY last three year worth questions..and mark out all the questions just for contraceptives. Never do the whole ten years or five years  questions together. Cause you will end up marking the whole book..and that depresses you. So first start last three years.

Once you have done the marking. Psm has one lovely plus point..that apart from the humongous text..it also has charts and diagrams. READ the diagrams first..the flow charts those should be the ones you should learn first. And for answers who don't have flow charts..and have things like components and sub headings of this and that and shit..I suggest just mugg up the names of the sub topics. Just the names only. Make mnemonics, make weird stories..do whatever but you need to learn them.
This trick is important cause think of your examiner. He is tired of reading the same old answers over and over again. So if you go ahead and make beautiful flow charts..or if you just emphasise on the various components and sub headings itself..your job is half done.

And regarding the actual reading of the text. Do it later when you feel more confident..and that time also just stick to the specific answers from previous yr papers.

psm is crazy huge..I have learnt that during exams it was more easy to make up matter to write for psm..but what I didn't remember was that one word of the sub headings or details of the flow chart.
And that's where you go wrong.

Let me know if it helped you and also if any other doubts.

-sakkan

Fish oil for treatment of asthma

Hello

Asthma is a chronic, exaggerated and allergic inflammatory response in the respiratory airways to certain allergens that vary according to seasons.

Omega- 3 fatty acids in high- quality fish oils and other products reduce the inflammation by regulating B- cell function. IgE production is reduced, which otherwise acts to cause asthma symptoms and allergic reactions in patients with mild form of asthma.

The fatty acids are used up by the cells in the lining of respiratory passages to produce hormones that tend to "turn- off" certain factors responsible for attracting white blood cells to the site of inflammation such as leukotrienes, interleukins, and other cytokines.

However, these oils are less effective in severe forms of the disease and in the majority of patients taking corticosteroids.

According to a study, prenatal exposure to fish oils (mainly in third trimester) reduces the risk of wheeze and asthma in children.


Thats all
- Jaskunwar Singh