Cytokine Storm

I’d like to say a couple of things:

• - This has been a crazy year for me in more ways than one and I’m damn sorry that I’ve not been posting more.
• - This will be soon fixed, and am planning on getting a post up every couple of days, if not more frequently. 
• - Hello again to followers old and new, your attentions are always appreciated!
• - The message box is always open, and please feel free to fill it with anything from questions on medical school to even just wanting a chat!

Peace out!

lunarscope:

“Oh, there’s not many people here yet, we’ll give it another ten minutes in case people are getting coffee”.

“Now, most of this is going to be about my own research rather than examinable material…”

“Now, for the next hour we’ll be discussing the need to pass Cleanliness Champion before the end of fifth year…”

“In today’s Dermatology lecture…”

In terms of treating (usually Alzheimer’s) dementia, Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are generally prescribed when the patients mini-mental state exam score is between 10 and 20. Guidelines say above and below this, they should be withheld (in the name of finances and QALY’s), however, many practitioners and textbooks err on the side of sentiment. Dementia is a very “family” disease, it affects the family and especially the spouse as much, if not more, than the patient. If the family and spouse notice a difference, even in general awareness and brightness in the patient, with the medication, that is not reflected in the MMSE or other mental state exams, it is usually seen that practitioners will continue the treatment.

I believe this is the right course of action, having had a family member suffering from severe dementia. 

“Using QALY’s (quality adjusted life years) can make us cruel, sentiment (as an alternative) may make us useless. However, it is better to be useless than cruel”.

Something that cheered me up today :) 

More to come from whitecoatandastethoscope later!

house-of-gnar:

untitled by adamheathRT on Flickr.

Pro-sections. That brings it all back!

Anonymous asked: Do you know any of the 1st years at your uni?

Because I’m on placement now 99% of the time, I unfortunately don’t know any of the new students this year anon. I know a fair few people in every other year though. It’s a shame, I enjoy giving tours of the Medical School at open days and such, and I just can’t get the time off placement anymore.

The ask box on the blog is always open!

If you’re every curious, I’m more than happy to answer queries!

It’s that time of year again, I’ve seen young ‘uns in the medical school with their best clothes on to try and talk their way in to our lovely school!

Good luck everyone, no matter where you apply!

I usually love tackling medical ethics and the moral side of medicine. Thankfully this isn’t due for over a month, because today my brain is just saying: