Health Questions and Answers

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

rtrafaelmd — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:19:08 +0000

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Irritable bowel syndrome comprises a group of functional bowel disorders in which abdominal discomfort or pain is associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits, and with features of disordered defecation. How does one diagnose IBS? The diagnosis of IBS is based on identifying positive symptoms consistent with [...]

ADRENAL GLANDS

rtrafaelmd — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:29:58 +0000

Differentiate Cushing’s syndrome from Cushing’s disease. Cushing’s syndrome refers to hypercortisolemia and its associated signs and symptoms due to any cause. Cushing’s disease refers specifically to hypercortisolemia due to ACTH overproduction by a pituitary adenoma. The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is iatrogenic due to exogenous steroid treatment for a variety of conditions (rheumatologic, [...]

Pituitary Gland

rtrafaelmd — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 03:01:06 +0000

Summarize the general functions of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is the “master gland” of the endocrine system. It is involved in many body functions, including growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction. These functions are regulated by the secretion of hormones that interact at specific target organ sites. Describe the anterior pituitary gland. The [...]

Obesity

rtrafaelmd — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:07:51 +0000

How is obesity currently defined? Obesity is the level of overweightness associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Obesity is determined by body mass index (BMI). The BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (weight in kg)/(height in meters)2. Individuals are currently considered overweight if the BMI is greater than [...]

DIABETES MELLITUS

rtrafaelmd — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:26:04 +0000

List the three main categories of diabetes mellitus (DM). Type 1 (previously called insulin-dependent DM or juvenile-onset DM) Type 2 (previously called non-insulin-dependent DM or adult-onset DM) Gestational diabetes (diabetes diagnosed in pregnancy) Describe type 1 DM. Type 1 DM accounts for approximately 5-10% of patients and is generally due to autoimmune destruction of the [...]

Coma

rtrafaelmd — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 02:11:29 +0000

What are the most common causes of coma? Drugs (e.g., alcohol, illicit drugs, accidental or intentional overdose) Hypoxia Hypoglycemia Other metabolic derangements (e.g., sepsis, uremia, hepatic failure) Structural brain disease (e.g., stroke, intracranial hemorrhage) Outline the approach to the patient in coma. ABCs-protect the airway, breathing, and circulation. Draw blood to check for metabolic derangements, [...]

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

rtrafaelmd — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:19:12 +0000

What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? MS is the most common disabling neurologic disease of young people under age 40, affecting approximately 250,000 Americans. It is probably an autoimmune disease, characterized by relapsing and remitting episodes of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation destroys the myelin, which is the insulating sheath around nerve [...]