Injections of Medical Insights

Hypertension is defined as a persistent high blood pressure against the walls of a patient’s arteries. A high blood pressure is defined as a numerical value exceeding 140/90 mmHg, the numerator and denominator represents systolic and diastolic pressure respectively.  Hypertension damages blood vessels over a prolonged period of time, which leads to a range of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, aneurysm and heart attack.  Some symptoms include headache, high blood pressure and dyspnea (difficult or laboured breathing) possible retinopathy, chest pain and sensory or motor problems. If hypertension persists, it can induce end organ damage, which is the damage of major organs fed by the circulatory system. Renal failure and a loss of vision are some examples of end organ failure.  https://www.medscape.com/answers/241381-7577/what-end-organ-damage-may-occur-during-a-hypertensive-emergency https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/s...

Abdominal bloating occurs when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with air or gas. Bloating is often accompanied by several symptoms such as pain, flatulence, frequent burping and abdominal rumbling.  Gas is the commonest reason for bloating. Everyone swallows air when you eat or drink, however eating or drinking too fast will result in excessive air in the stomach and bloating.  However, abdominal bloating can also be a sign of other medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, or eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa.  These other medical conditions can also cause bloating due to other reasons such as overgrowth or deficiency of bacteria in the GI tract or impaired gas transit. However, bloating can also be caused by even more serious conditions such as perforation of the GI tract or celiac disease. Sources: https://www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-bloating#treatment https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/ss/slideshow-bloating-re...

  The first prosthetic was invented from 950 to 710 BC, when humans used prosthetics for aesthetic purposes. It was not until the 16th century, when french surgeon Dr Ambroise Paré created the first functional prosthetic. His inventions include the hinged prosthetic hand and leg with a locking knee-join. This allowed the wearer to bend their limbs again, which aided their mobility and manual dexterity with little trouble. Even though the first functional prosthetics were invented more than 500 years ago, they do not differ much in terms of design and usability compared to modern prosthetics.  A foam cover can be applied and shaped to match the real limb, which creates a real life-like experience for the patient. A wide range of materials are used to create the actual limb, this includes acrylic resin, carbon fiber, thermoplastics, silicone, aluminum, and titanium. Nowadays, the field of prosthetics has branched out to serve further purposes such as organ printing, orthotics, b...

  Organ transplantation is a medical procedure in which an organ is removed from one body and planted in the body of a recipient. It is often the only treatment for end stage organ failure, such as liver and heart failure.  Researchers have historically experimented with organ transplantation on animals and humans since the 18th century. However, the first major breakthrough was made in 1954, when the first successful kidney transplant was performed. Since then, medical breakthroughs such as tissue typing and immunosuppressant drugs have only increased the success rate of this procedure.  In Singapore, the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) covers all aged 21 and above, unless one has opted out. HOTA allows for the kidneys, heart, liver and corneas to be removed for transplantation in the event of death. Sources: https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/learn/about-transplantation/history/ https://www.moh.gov.sg/policies-and-legislation/human-organ-transplant-act https://www.who.i...

  Brain freeze, or more typically known as ice-cream headache, is when one experiences a freezing sensation in the roof of the mouth and at the back of the throat. Its medical term is called sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia . A cold stimulus shocks two important blood vessels called the internal carotid artery (responsible for giving blood to the whole brain) and the anterior cerebral artery (a complex web of vessels which runs throughout the frontal and limbic lobe of the brain). When these two vessels are exposed to cold, there is rapid contraction of the blood vessels, causing the brain to send more blood to that area for warmth. This expansion and contraction triggers pain receptors which sends impulses to the trigeminal nerve. This is why when patients experience ‘brain freeze’, pain is experienced in vast areas of the face. Remedies for brain freeze are simple, one can simply wait for a brief moment or drink warm water to rid the pain. Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. BCC most often occurs when DNA in basal cells in the epidermis is damaged due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth. BCC appears as lesions in the skin, with most developing on the head or neck. Fortunately, BCC very rarely metastasises to other parts of the body and is thus considered. However, BCC can occur repeatedly, and can grow to large sizes.  When detected early, most BCC can be treated and cured. The commonest form of treatment is surgery, where the tumour is removed. Sources: https://www.mypathologyreport.ca/basal-cell-carcinoma-skin/ https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/bcc-treatment-options/ https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/basal-cell-carcinoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20354187

  Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer, which develops in melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin).  Melanoma occurs when there is a mutation in the melanocytes. There are various factors which can cause this mutation, including exposure to ultraviolet radiation and genetic factors. Despite being the leading cause of melanoma, melanoma can develop in areas that are seldom exposed to any light. These include areas like the eye, under a nail or even in the digestive tract.  There are various factors which increase one's risk of melanoma. These include excessive exposure to sunlight, and having fair skin. Having less melanin means that one has less protection from ultraviolet radiation. This also means that people with lighter complexions are more likely to develop melanoma. Furthermore, having many moles or unusual moles can also increase the risk of melanoma. It is said that having more than 50 moles increases ones risk of developing the cancer. Sources: https://w...