Chikungunya is not caused by chicken bites. It has nothing to do with chickens, in fact, it is not even spelled or pronounced like “chicken”. It is pronounced as CHIK-UN-GUN-YA. Chikungunya word is derived from the Swahili language which means “bends up”, in reference to the stooped posture, developed as a result of Arthralgia (severe …
A 45-year-old male patient, who presented to the outpatient department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad with complaints of progressive lower back pain and stiffness in association with a limitation of mobility for the last 20 years. The back pain was insidious in onset and progressive in nature associated with early morning stiffness, and …
Bluish-black pigmentation, Back pain and stiffness Read More »
The incidence of a serious genital infection, the Fournier’s gangrene, has been noted to rise with the use of SGLT2 inhibitors. This has prompted the FDA to add an alert with its use. SGLT2 inhibitors include dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin, and ertugliflozin. These drugs have recently been marketed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients. …
Severe genital infection with the use of SGLT2 inhibitors! Read More »
A 30 years old female was evaluated 6 months back for rapid weight gain and amenorrhea and found to have diabetes, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. She presented with acute onset of a severe headache and syncope. O/E She is afebrile, BP: 130/80 (80/60 mmHg on standing), signs of meningeal irritation are positive. She has …
Amenorrhea, rapid weight gain, diabetes and hypertension Read More »
A 40 years old female was brought to the emergency with a history of sudden vision loss. Her previous history is significant for poly-arthralgias, Raynaud’s phenomena and syncopal episodes. On Examination she has stable vital signs with no postural drop in blood pressure. Fundus examination reveals retinal whitening. The cardiovascular examination is significant for a …
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever or CCHF is a viral disease transmitted by a tick from animals to humans. During the Crimean war, the disease was known as Crimean fever. In 1944 the Soviet scientists identified the disease and labeled it as Crimean hemorrhagic fever. In 1967, the virus was isolated and was named as Congo virus. …
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever – a fatal disease. Read More »
Snakebite accounts for more than 100000 deaths annually worldwide. In Pakistan, it is estimated that 40000 snake bites are inflicted every year, out of which about 10000 patients die. Most of these bites are inflicted during the monsoon season (July to September). Men aged 20 to 60 years are affected more probably because of the …
Protein is an essential component of the human diet, However, excessive intake of protein should be avoided especially in patients with kidney & liver diseases. Meat is a very rich source of proteins, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Compared to iron derived from plant sources, iron derived from animal proteins is readily absorbed. Apart from …
Excessive intake of protein – Effects & Side effects Read More »
Liver diseases are very prevalent worldwide. Abnormal LFTs (liver function tests) are frequently detected in asymptomatic individuals during screening. A study in the US found that 8.9% of healthy individuals had abnormal ALT. This high number of abnormal ALT levels were in part related to the obesity epidemic. In the western world, alcohol and obesity …
LFTs (liver function tests) – Is my liver failing? Read More »
Painkillers can be classified as narcotics and non-narcotics or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). This article focuses on the adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Adverse effects of other painkillers especially acetaminophen or paracetamol (Tylenol) shall be discussed in some other article. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most overused drugs Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory …