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Showing posts from November, 2023

Thrombophilia, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), and Factor V: Understanding the Connection

Thrombophilia refers to an increased tendency to form abnormal blood clots, which can lead to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) . Several genetic causes of thrombophilia include Factor V Leiden mutation , antithrombin III deficiency , protein C and protein S deficiencies , histidine-rich glycoprotein deficiency , and prothrombin-related thrombophilia . These genetic abnormalities disrupt normal clot regulation, increasing the risk of clotting disorders. Key Genetic Causes of Thrombophilia Factor V Leiden Mutation : This is the most common cause of inherited thrombophilia, making Factor V resistant to inactivation by activated protein C (APC), resulting in increased clot formation. Antithrombin III Deficiency : Antithrombin III helps regulate clotting by inhibiting enzymes like thrombin. A deficiency reduces this inhibition, raising the risk of clot formation. Protein C and Protein S Deficiencies : These proteins work together to deactivate Factors Va and VI...

Fever, Chills, or Body Aches and Green Unrine

 Patients experiencing symptoms like fever, chills, or body aches after taking propofol should be checked for bacterial sepsis. Propofol can cause temporary green urine due to its metabolism in the liver, intestines, and kidneys and the production of phenol metabolites, especially when hepatic elimination is limited. Additionally, propofol, a GABA receptor agonist, can impair various functions of monocytes and neutrophils in the innate immune system, such as respiratory burst, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and polarization. Furthermore, there is a risk of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which is potentially life-threatening and necessitates immediate medical intervention. Several medications, similar to propofol, can cause symptoms like fever, chills, body aches, and allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. However, the specific combination of symptoms and effects, such as the transient green discoloration of urine and the impairment of certain immune ...

Herpes Viruses and Enteroviruses Key Differences

 Enteroviruses and herpes viruses are both groups of viruses, but they differ in their characteristics, mode of transmission, diseases they cause, and reactivation potential. Enteroviruses: Characteristics : Enteroviruses are a group of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses. They belong to the family Picornaviridae. Common Types : This group includes polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses (like EV-D68). Transmission : They are typically transmitted via the fecal-oral route, through contact with contaminated hands, surfaces, or food and water. Respiratory transmission is also possible. Diseases Caused : These viruses can cause a range of illnesses, from mild respiratory infections to severe diseases like poliomyelitis, aseptic meningitis, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Reactivation : Unlike some other viruses, enteroviruses do not typically undergo latent or dormant phases; therefore, reactivation is not a common characteristic. Herpes Viruses: Char...

ME/CFS Is it really elusive evidence?

Governments, researchers, medical professionals, and society must refrain from presuming and unfairly suggesting that symptoms are imaginary simply because evidence is elusive. The issue often lies in limited knowledge and reliance on standard testing, which may not be comprehensive due to insurance constraints, thereby hindering the discovery of underlying causes. ME/CFS, an illness recognized globally, has unfortunately been subject to opinions rather than solid evidence. In clinical settings, diagnoses can be accurate or erroneous; they should not be seen as definitive, as gaps in knowledge can lead to misinterpretations and treatments that might cause further harm. Other potential illnesses, such as muscle weakness, exhaustion, memory impairment, and pain, have been identified, but these were not always considered or compared with ME/CFS. Initially, there was a significant oversight in not examining the hypothalamic axis and its hormonal impact on neuroinflammation and antibo...

Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome

Post-Polio Syndrome Revisited Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is characterized by recrudescence or worsening of motor neuron disease symptoms decades after recovery from acute paralytic poliovirus infection, i.e., poliomyelitis. PPS afflicts between 25% and 40% of poliomyelitis survivors and mimics motor neuron diseases (MNDs), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), due to its selective impairment, degeneration, or death of motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord. Herein, we report a case of PPS in a 68-year-old man with a remote history of bulbar and cervical cord involvement by poliomyelitis, review the relevant literature, and contrast the salient histopathologic features that distinguish our case of PPS from ALS. https://www.mdpi.com/2035-8377/15/2/35 (PDF) How do you diagnose post-polio syndrome? There are no laboratory or diagnostic tests for PPS. Physicians diagnose the condition after completing a comprehensive medical history and physical examination , and by...