Abstract This paper presents an overview of corticosteroids. The paper discusses their purpose, recommended dosage and precautions and special conditions regarding their use. The paper also discusses the use of corticosteroids during cardiac surgery by first explaining the surgery itself and some of the risks associated with cardiac surgery and then by looking at how corticosteroids can help the postoperative course of cardiac surgery.
Table of Contents
Recommended Dosage for Corticosteroids Precautions of Corticosteroids Special Conditions Concerning Corticosteroids Side Effects of Corticosteroids Cardiac Surgery
From the Paper "Corticosteroid ointments, creams and gels can be absorbed through the skin and travel into the bloodstream. This is not a problem unless large amounts are absorbed. Then, unwanted side effects in other parts of the body are possible. To reduce the chance of that happening, do not spread the medicine over too large an area and do not cover it with plastic wrap, adhesive bandage, or any other type of airtight covering unless told to by your physician."
Abstract The paper explores Crohn's disease's pathogenesis, clinical staging and prognosis. The paper looks at current management trends and discusses the most promising medical therapy, which is the use of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists as an immunomodulator. The paper then examines Natalizumab, a monoclonal antibody against a cellular adhesion molecule, anti-interleukin 12 (anti-IL 12) medications, corticosteroids and their role in Crohn's disease, as well as current discoveries about their short and long-term consequences. The paper looks at the association of diet to the prognosis, progression or alleviation of Crohn's disease and concludes by presenting the best management for adult and child patients with this debilitating disease.
Outline:
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Crohn's disease is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. More often, Crohn's disease is seen in the terminal ileum and colon (Caprilli and Clemente, 2008). As many as 7 newly diagnosed cases per 100,000 people are diagnosed every year, with a prevalence rate of 162 cases per 100,000 people every year (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease [NIDDK], 2005). Along with the other major form of IBD, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease caused 825 deaths in 2002. Of 169,000 patients confined in the hospital, 62% were due to Crohn's disease. People with Crohn's disease suffer from severe diarrhea and abdominal pain, which results from the inflammation of the digestive tract."
Abstract The paper discusses both trivial hypersensitivity reactions such as itchiness and urticaria as well as fatal reactions such as peanut allergy and bronchial asthma. The paper looks at the current mainstream therapy for severe anaphylactic reactions that involves intramuscular epinephrine and adjuvant therapies including antihistamines, corticosteroids and inhalant bronchodilators. The paper then reveals that the efficacy of these medicines is limited by adverse side effects that could potentially arise from chronic use. The paper asserts that there is a need to entertain the potential benefits of Chinese traditional medicine.
From the Paper "Most human beings eat foodstuffs or are exposed to environmental factors and do not experience any problem. Others, however, can eat some of these foods and have a multitude of allergic reactions. Others can be exposed to only minute amounts of these ingredients, but these minute exposures can be fatal. This may be attributed to the fact that some people are hypersensitive to these stimuli. Hypersensitivity reactions are objectively reproducible symptoms or signs that manifest when a person is exposed to a stimulus at a dose tolerated by normal persons (Brown, 2006). Humans are constantly exposed to these stimuli that have the capacity to produce an immunologic response. Hypersensitivity reactions are in fact caused by several immunologic reactions that may be triggered by exogenous antigens such as pollen, dust, food, drugs, and chemicals (Kumar, Abbas and Fausto, 2005). These stimuli are called allergens."
Abstract This paper explains the causes, symptoms, and treatments of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) from both a biological and a patient's perspective. It also touches upon the differences between the ways ITP occurs in children and adults and the complications the ailment can cause during pregnancy.
From the Paper "Pregnancy is also a common cause of ITP. Abdul Rahim Gari-Bai, Fachartz, a noted hematologist, writes in a recent review article, that as platelets play a particularly important role in primary and secondary hemostasis during pregnancy, any decrease in their count in peripheral blood is a cause for considerable concern. Bleeding problems are especially common during the first and third trimester, as well as during and after delivery. Furthermore, the child the woman is carrying may be affected by maternal Thrombocytopenia. This is especially dangerous because babies are subject to great stress during the passage through the birth canal."
Abstract This paper explains that the Orthopedic approach states that gouty arthritis is a systemic inflammatory illness (PMR), which is a synovitis of the large proximal joints, although more distal joints also can be involved. The author points out that, in the Orthopedic approach, physical therapy is useful because patients' residual "stiffness" is more often mechanical rather than inflammatory in nature. The paper relates that the Renal approach states that an excess of uric acid in the body causes gout; this excess can be caused by an increase in production by the body, by under-eliminating of uric acid by the kidneys or by increased intake of foods containing purines that are metabolized to uric acid in the body.
Table of Contents
Introduction and Thesis of the Investigation
The Onset of Gout and a Brief Glimpse at the History of the Disease
A Brief History of Gouty Arthritis from the Viewpoint of Orthopedics
Epidemiology
Pathophysiology
Clinical Features
Some Treatments
Alternative Treatment
The Other Side of the Gouty Arthritis Argument
What is Gout or Gouty Arthritis?
This Group's Causes for the Disease
What are the Symptoms of Gout from their Viewpoint?
How is Gouty Arthritis Diagnosed?
Gout and Hyperuricemia
Risk Factors for Gouty Arthritis
Conditions and Concerns in the Treatment of Gouty Arthritis
With Knowledge of Both Sides of the Issue, What One Can Do?
From the Paper "Bruce first described polymyalgia rheumatica in 1888 when he reported on five senior patients with a proximal muscular syndrome that he called "senile rheumatic gout." The syndrome next appeared under the name "humeroscapular periathrosis," in 1945 and later as "anarthritic rheumatoid arthritis." Bagratuni coined this latter term because he felt that such patients had a forme fruste of rheumatoid arthritis. Two of the 50 patients he reported went on to develop rheumatoid arthritis and 8 others had transient swelling of various joints. He felt that the term anarthritic rheumatoid arthritis was more appropriate than polymyalgia rheumatica coined by Barber in 1957. Finally, Healey has furthered the concept of PMR as a systemic articular disease by describing variant forms of PMR that he calls benign synovitis."
Abstract The strong association between the use of prednisone and the subsequent development of cataracts is widely established. This paper provides a brief review of cataracts; discusses the evolution of corticosteroids and prednisone use, benefits and risks; and focuses on the interaction between cataracts and prednisone. Discussion centers on type of administration and dose dependency relative to the development of cataracts.
From the Paper "The World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed cataract, on a global basis, to be the primary cause of blindness. 20.5 million individuals in the United States are affected by cataracts (Shoemaker, 2002). According to the Mayo Clinic, cataract formation affects approximately 50% of all Americans aged 65 or older ("Cataracts," 2004). At a cost to Medicare of $3.4 billion per year for cataract treatment coupled with the anticipated doubling of those with vision disturbances projected within the next thirty years (Shoemaker, 2002), cataract development and related causes are an important issue. In particular, there is a strong association between the use of prednisone and the development of cataracts."
Abstract In this article, the writer explains that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an RNA negative-sense stranded enveloped virus. The writer notes that infection with the virus is implicated in the condition bronchiolitis, which is a condition which affects predominantly infants. Often there is little need for laboratory diagnosis as the clinical symptoms and history allow for accurate diagnosis of the condition. The writer discusses the treatment of RSV that currently focuses on treatment of the condition's symptoms. This involves the use of anti-inflammatories to control the fever, and bronchodilators or corticosteroids to control the effects present in the pulmonary system. The writer concludes that there is currently no preventative vaccine for RSV although there have been developments relating to prophylactic medication which can be administered to at risk children.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Micro-Organism
Transmission
Symptoms
Pathology of the Disease
Onset and Incubation Period
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
From the Paper "RSV is transmitted in respiratory secretions. This means that it may be contracted through close contact with anyone who has the infection, or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. The fact that the virus is able to survive for only short periods outside the body reduces the probability of contracting the virus through contact with surfaces. Infection occurs when the infected respiratory secretions come into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth or nose. It is possible that the disease may also be transmitted through inhaling droplets from the coughs or sneezes of infectious persons.
"In areas which have the correct type of temperate climate to encourage proliferation, community outbreaks of RSV occur. These usually begin in the fall and may last from four to six months."
