Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Lights, Pokemon, Seizures!

Did you know light can induce seizures?

Photic-induced seizures — Photosensitivity has received considerable attention as a seizure trigger. The light stimulation may come from a natural or artificial source, in particular television shows and video games.

Deviation of the tongue, jaw, uvula and lips in cranial nerve palsy mnemonic

Hello! Long time no see (From my side :D )

So in this post, I'll be taking about what deviates where with a mnemonic! Yaay!
What? Jaw, tongue, lips and uvula.

Let's start with LMN lesions of the respective cranial nerves.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Two interesting facts.

Hey awesomites! Happened to read two interesting things today-

1. The Y sperm is relatively lighter due to the acrocentric chromosome, amounting to the relatively skewed sex ratio towards males across the globe.

2. Homeobox gene 8 controls the expression of forelimbs, messing with it causes alters the position of the forelimbs.

That's all!


Monday, October 3, 2016

Concepts vs mnemonics

"There are two ways to learn something - One is through pure logic  ie, from first principles (building up a concept). The other is mnemonics (To help retrieve info quickly... To avoid all the time and thinking taken to derive it).

The best thing is to learn both ways. If you forget the mnemonic, you can derive it from the concept. If you forget the concept, you'd at least have the mnemonic." - SG

Many people question whether mnemonics really help. This is what I have to say in explanation. Learn both like SG said. They'll help if you manage to remember, if you forget, you can use your knowledge and understanding to come to the same conclusion.

That's all!

SG is a good friend and is very philosophical on learning. These are some random thoughts that she sent and I thought of sharing them because I strongly agree!

-IkaN

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Transmission of toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is transmitted through:
Cat bite
Droplets
Orofecal route
Cat scratch

This is a tricky question if you haven't revised parasitology. You'll vaguely remember the association with cats, so you'll be tempted to pick one which mentions the word cat.

Remember, toxoplasmosis is transmitted through cat feces, so orofecal route is the correct answer.

That's all!
-IkaN

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Friday, September 30, 2016

Step 2 CK: GBS prophylaxis mnemonic

Hi!

Drugs used for GBS prophylaxis mnemonic: PACE CV
Penicillin
Ampicillin
Cefazolin
Erythromycin
Clindamycin
Vancomycin

Indications of GBS prophylaxis:
- Previous infant with invasive GBS disease.
- GBS bacteriuria / positive culture during current pregnancy.
- Unknown GBS status with:
- Delivery at < 37 weeks
- Amnionic membrane rupture > 18 hours
- Intrapartum temperature > 100.4 (38.0)

That's all!
-IkaN

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Most common sites of bone tumors mnemonic

I made these mnemonics on request by an awesomite, Yashwanth.
Here's the most common sites list he sent, mnemonics follow.

SAAG mnemonic

Hello!

SAAG is serum albumin ascites gradient.

SAAG is >1.1 in portal HTN, CHF, HVT and constrictive pericarditis.

The mnemonic for this is SAAG is High in conditions with an H.

portal Hypertension
congestive Heart failure
Hepatic vein thrombosis
Heart constriction (Constrictive pericarditis)

For completion, SAAG < 1.1 is seen in nephrotic syndrome, cancer and infections (except SBP)

That's all!
Have an amazing day!
-IkaN

Lofgrens syndrome mnemonic

What is Lofgrens syndrome?

The triad of Arthritis, Erythema Nodosum & Hilar adenopathy seen in sarcoidosis.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Why smoking is protective for endometrial cancer?

Smoking is a risk factor for quite a number of cancers. But it can be protective for certain diseases as well..like ulcerative colitis.

It is also protective for endometrial carcinoma and how?
1. It reduces estrogen level
2. Decreases weight
3. Associated with early menopause.

Remember that endometrial cancer is due to excess estrogen..and even being obese or having diabetes mellitus is a well known risk factor

Irrespective smoking is bad for health. Each cigarette reduces your life span by 11 minutes or so they say.

Live happy stay healthy

-sakkan

Types of abortion mnemonic

Hello!

I'll start off the post with a mnemonic and then go on explaining what these terms mean...

Prostaglandins mnemonic for obstetrics

Hey!
Thought this will help.

Dinosaurs are Extinct. Ex-two-inct.
Dinoprostone is PGE2.

Carboprost. Carbofrost.
Carboprost is PGF2 alpha.

MIsoprostol - M flipped is E and I looks like 1.
Misoprostol is PGE1.

That's all!
-IkaN