Q&A: Diseases and Peripheral Blood Smear

Examination of the peripheral blood smear is an inexpensive but powerful diagnostic tool in both children and adults. In some ways it is becoming a "lost art" but it often provides rapid, reliable access to information about a variety of hematologic disorders. The smear offers a window into the functional status of the bone marrow, the factory producing all blood elements. It is particularly important when assessing cytopenic states (eg, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia). Review of the smear is an important adjunct to other clinical data; in some cases, the peripheral smear alone is sufficient to establish a diagnosis.

Q&A: Side Effects of Oral Contrceptives

Since the development and approval of the first combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill, combined estrogen-progestin hormonal contraception (CHC) has evolved from high-dose estrogen formulations (150 mcg) to very low doses (10 and 20 mcg). Simultaneously, dosing mechanisms have expanded to include vaginal rings and the transdermal patch. While most women are candidates for CHC use and do well on them, the safety and side effect profiles must be considered as women balance their long-term need for birth control with the management and treatment of any concurrent medical conditions.

Q&A: Management of Chronic Anal Fissure

Anal fissure is one of the most common benign anorectal diseases and one of the most common causes of anal pain and anal bleeding. Anal fissures typically start with a tear to the anoderm within the distal half of the anal canal. The tear then triggers cycles of recurring anal pain and bleeding, which lead to the development of a chronic anal fissure in as many as 40 percent of patients. The exposed internal sphincter muscle within the bed of the fissure frequently spasms, which not only contributes to severe pain but also can restrict blood flow to the fissure, preventing its healing.

Q&A: Treatment of Bradycardia

The normal adult heart rate, arising from the SA node, has been considered historically to range from 60 to 100 beats per minute, with sinus bradycardia being defined as a sinus rhythm with a rate below 60 beats per minute. However, the "normal" heart rate is, in part, the result of the complex interplay between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It is affected by numerous factors and varies in part with age and physical conditioning. Sinus arrhythmia, changes in the sinus rate as a result of respiratory cycles, often accompanies sinus bradycardia.

Career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology As Clinician And Researcher

Obstetricians are physicians who provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth, while gynaecologists are physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. They may also provide general medical care to women.

Requirements for ECFMG certification - what happens to IMGs in 2023

ECFMG® has announced that, effective in 2023, physicians applying for ECFMG Certification will be required to graduate from a medical school that has been appropriately accredited.

Interesting Case Challenge: Woman with Shortness of Breath, Hematuria and Lymphadenopathy

This is an interesting case challenge I read up on Medscape and decided to share with you guys here. It is about a young woman presenting with Shortness of Breath, Hematuria, and Lymphadenopathy. It is a really long read, but it tickled my fancy and I believe if you are patient enough to read to the end, it will also tickle your fancy. Happy reading folks!

West African College of Physicians (WACP) Calender Of Events For The Year 2010

WACP CALENDER 2010

The West African College of Physicians (WACP) has announced its complete Calender Of Events for the year 2010. All fellows and associate members are to take note and inform their centers. You are encouraged to spread the information far and wide.

Deep brain stimulation show promising results for Alzheimer's disease

In a world first, Dr. Andres M. Lozano and his team at Toronto Western Hospital has shown using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on patients with early signs of Alzheimer‘s disease is safe and may help improve memory.

GMC Acceptable Postgraduate Qualifications

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the UK's independent body concerned with regulating doctors, and ensuring good medical practice in the UK. Its primary role and purpose is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine in the UK.

WACP/RCP Collaboration Programme

The Royal College of Physicians of London (RCP) and the West African College of Physicians (WACP) have gone into a mutually beneficial partnership that will see to the training and production of safer, more competent and much more resilient doctors for the future.

Q&A: Assessment and Treatment of Chest Pain

Patients who present to the doctor's office with chest pain are a diagnostic challenge given the wide array of possible etiologies, including a potentially life-threatening condition. Studies have estimated that approximately one-third to one-half of these patients have musculoskeletal chest pain, 10 to 20 percent have gastrointestinal causes, 10 percent have stable angina, 5 percent have respiratory conditions, and approximately 2 to 4 percent have acute myocardial ischemia (including myocardial infarction).

Q&A: Treatment of Mercury Poisoning

Mercury exists in elemental, inorganic, and organic forms, all of which may be toxic. The toxic manifestation depends on the form of exposure. Thus the form of mercury exposure determines the clinical manifestations, the treatment and prevention of mercury toxicity. Potential toxicity from ingestion of fish during pregnancy is an issue (see below) and fears regarding the use of thimerosal in vaccines have largely been debunked as baseless.

Q&A: Cellular and Tissue Receptor Function

In biochemistry and pharmacology, receptors are chemical structures, composed of protein, that receive and transduce signals that may be integrated into biological systems. These signals are typically chemical messengers which bind to a receptor and cause some form of cellular and/or tissue response, e.g. a change in the electrical activity of a cell.

Q&A: ECG Diagnosis of Medical Conditions

The overall goal of performing an ECG is to obtain information about the electrical function of the heart. Medical uses for this information, however, are varied and often need to be combined with knowledge of the structure of the heart and physical examination signs to be interpreted.