Water Toxicity

Medical Topic of the day:
Today's Topic:  Remember when that one lady died during that radio station dare in which you had to consume the most water to win tickets to some concert?  Did you know that drinking too much water can kill you?  Let's see how.

Off the top of my head:  I am not exactly sure how it works.  I know it is possible to consume more water than your body can get rid of.  Besides diluting your blood stream and reducing bio-availability of essential components like sodium I am not sure what else it would do.  Maybe it makes your brain swell.

My research today:  Haha.  Maybe I didn't need to do any research for this because that is exactly what water intoxication causes.  The technical term for low levels of sodium in the blood stream is hyponatremia.  So how does hyponatremia kill you?

Well sodium and other electrolytes are responsible for almost all cellular interaction and functions of your body.  The excess water dilutes the sodium in your blood stream and your cells transfer the fluid through osmosis to balance the sodium and electrolyte concentration.  The extra fluid makes your cells swell and this causes all sorts of problems.

These problems include but are not limited to muscle weakness, spasms, cramping, nausea, confusion, irritability, and bradycardia.  Ultimately increasing swelling will cause intracranial pressure to size and your brain will swell herniating your brain stem causing death.

Not surprisingly water is one of the least toxic compounds your body can consume. In fact your body is made of 90% of it. You have to drink a lot to kill you. How much? Well it depends on a lot of stuff everything from individual physiology to conditions which may compound water absorption into your cells like heat stress.

Remember your kidneys can only process approximately 1 liter of fluid an hour. If you drink less than that you should be fine in most cases.

Quest to 180:
Current Weight:  Not weighing myself
Activity Today:  40 minutes in the pool.
Diet today:  Meh.

Comments: Feeling tired today.  Going to try to fix that.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Meh
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  Workin on it.


Random:
Listening to:  Nothing today
Watching:  Secret stuff.
Reading:  Didn't read today.....yet.

Something fun:  Phys.org - Science!

Spinach contains only trace amounts of iron.  The myth that spinach contains high amounts of iron states back to a typo in the United States Department of Agriculture's report on mineral content in vegetables.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice, it is mealy an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Breast Implants

Medical Topic of the day:
Today's Topic:  I promised you two today so we are doing breast implants.  Heh heh, get it?  Two of em'?

Off the top of my head:  A type of plastic surgery, breast augmentation consists primarily of some type of implant.  There are several types.  Silicone implants have been outlawed in the US.  I think the only type approved by the FDA are saline implants.  I know that some people go out of the US to get silicone implants because they feel more natural than saline implants.

My research today:  Technically referred to as augmentation mammaplasty, breast augmentation consists of one or more surgical procedures to increase or change the size and shape of female breasts.  Many times this may also include a breast lift during or prior to the augmentation.  Men can have pectoral implants and reconstruction but it is a different procedure.

My grandfather always said "Anything more
than a mouthful is wasted."

There are many types of breast implants.  Currently only two types of implants are approved by the FDA in the US silicone gel and saline.  We will talk about them first.  Silicone gel implants surfaced in 1962 and were the first mainstream non-experimental type of breast augmentation aside from reconstruction using adipose (fatty) tissue after a masectomy or lumpectomy.

Prior to 1962 many different types of breast augmentation were experimented with dating all the way back to 1895.  Some of these procedures are horrifying at best and idiotic at worst.  Examples of failed implant material include wool, paraffin wax, glass marbles, ox cartilage, and formaldehyde sponges.  Apparently none of the surgeons had ever felt a breast prior to these operations.

Yeah, girl, your glass shake brings all
the boys to the yard!

Saline implants are salt water contained in a silicone elastomer shell.  There were developed as an alternative to silicone implants in 1964.  Early saline implants were relatively delicate when first introduced and prone to leakage or rupture.  Silicone implants were preferred until the 1990's when the possibility of multiple systemic diseases from a silicone implant became highlighted by mainstream media.  Although there is no conclusive link between normally functioning silicone implants and disease thousands of women reported illness and sickness that they thought was caused by the silicone breast implants.

At this time saline implant technology had much improved and the implant became a popular alternative to silicone gel.  Also complications with rupture were mild compared to leakage of silicone gel which could slowly migrate to other areas of the body creating scar tissue that could cause permanent disfigurement of the breast.

Breast implants come in shaped and round sizes depending on the patient, need, and type of surgical procedure.  There is a limit to the maximum size of implant in the US.  The size is limited to the patient and surgeon willing to perform the operation.  This is not the case in other countries where the size, type, and kind of implant is a matter of how much cash you have in hand.

This young lady is Maxi Mounds!
Her name is as real as her boobs.

Meet the polypropylene string breast implant.  Banned in the European Union and the US.  Basically a ball of polypropylene string is inserted into the implant pocket.  The string is sort of like yarn and causes tissue irritation and a build up of serous fluid creating an ever expanding space and continual breast enlargement.

Growth is adjusted and alleviated by sticking a big ass needle into the implant pocket and removing fluid.  Results of polypropylene string implants are extreme to say the least.  In a way it is the perfect parody of Western civilization.

Well that is all for tonight.

Quest to 180:
Current Weight:  Not weighing myself
Activity Today:  I fixed my sink.  Installed a new faucet almost by myself!  Yay me!
Diet today:  Meh, ok.

Comments: Feeling tired today.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Better
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  Workin on it.


Random:
Listening to:  Nothing today
Watching:  Secret stuff.
Reading:  Didn't read today.....yet.

Something fun:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zMRLpezBO8  This chick has the world's biggest boobs and I think they weigh more than she does.  NWS

Think you have heard of polypropylene string before?  You have. It's just a type of yarn.  You might have a rug or shirt made of it right now.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice, it is mealy an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

You'll get two tomorrow.

I'm too tired tonight. Sorry. I'll make it worth your while though.

Pus

Medical Topic of the day:
Today's Topic:  Everything you wanted to know and all kinds of stuff you didn't about pus.  Let's dig in.

Off the top of my head:  I believe pus is the result of cellular waste buildup from your body fighting an infection.  It smells bad.  And I have seen unbelievable amounts of it come out of someone before.

My research today:  I am so awesome.  Pus is defined as a yellowish-white viscous substance produced by suppuration (A fancy term for the formation of pus) and found in infected and necrotic tissues.  Pus consists of a liquid plasma in which white cells and cellular debris are suspended.

And dead brain cells suspended in liquid is called
"Steve O's head"

Specifically pus contains dead cells of the tissue the pus is in, and mostly neutrophils both dead and alive. Neutorphils are one of the most essential parts of most mammals immune system and are the most abundant type of white cells. Neutrophils attack foreign substances and life forms on and in your body on a molecular and cellular level. Pus typically also contains some small amount of the bacterial or viral agent your body is fighting.
The liquidy part all this stuff is suspended in is called "liquor puris."  Liquor puris is not alcohol and cannot be purchased in any liquor store.  Not even in Kentucky.

Not a thing.

In cases of advanced infection pus may contain particles of necrotic tissue turning the pus green or black. Pus can also change color depending on the type of bacterial infection. For example Pseudomonas aeruginosa pus is green.
Pus smells bad because the cellular debris in it is mostly dead and attracts anaerobic bacteria which is bacteria which grows in no oxygen.  Anaerobic bacteria create volatile sulfur compounds as waste and these compounds smell bad.  (Sulfur smells like rotten eggs.)

As a bonus here is a video of someone draining an empyema in a third-world country.  An empyema is a abscess in the space between your lung and your chest wall.  This video is mislabeled as "The biggest pimple in the world."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqirXqy_790&feature=related

Also you should not eat for two hours before and after viewing this video.

Quest to 180:
Current Weight:  Not weighing myself
Activity Today:  Walked 2 miles.  I figured I should probably see how that goes before jogging again.  I did get in 15K steps though.
Diet today:  Meh, ok.

Comments: Feeling tired today.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Better
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  Still need a wingman.


Random:
Listening to:  Nothing today
Watching:  Nothing today.
Reading:  Didn't read today.....yet.

Something fun:  Gorilla Glass - I think it's cool.

The word pus means "the" or "thus" in Latin.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice, it is mealy an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Bell's Palsy

Medical Topic of the day:
Today's Topic:  Bell's palsy.  Nuff' said.  Let's do this.

Off the top of my head:  It has something to do with your trigeminal nerve which has so many many branches.  For those of you that don't know your trigeminal nerve is a real sonofabitch.  So many branches...  Anyways, this particular malady causes half of part or all of your face to become paralyzed.  Let's find out how this occurs.

My research today:  I am wrong.  Bell's palsy is caused by damage or disruption to the 7th cranial nerve and your trigeminal nerve is your 5th cranial nerve.  Your cranium has a lot of nerves.  The 7th cranial nerve controls the following:

• Raises eyebrows
• Wrinkles your forehead
• Closes your eyes
• Draws your lips together
• Smiles

The Joker might have Bell's palsy.

Bell's palsy is not uncommon and effects up to 40,000 peeps in the US per year. It does cause a bizarre facial droop sometimes or the inability to close one eye. It is temporary and not the result of a CVA or stroke although that is something most medical providers will rule out in their evaluation.

No one is entirely sure what causes Bell's palsy but many medical scientists think that there is some connection between Bell's palsy and herpes.  Herpes is what causes cold sores, fever blisters, chicken pox, and shingles.

And Paris might have herpes.

Treatment is typically with a steroid like prednisone and sometimes an antiviral like Valtrex or Zovirax to combat any evidence of herpes.  The goal is to reduce swelling in the nerve causing the issue.  Treatment may last several weeks depending on results.

People with facial paralysis for extended periods of time may need physical therapy to prevent their facial muscles from becoming shortened and causing permanent deficits.  In rare cases you can decompress the swollen nerve by drilling into the bony passageway that the 7th cranial nerve passes through.

Enough for tonight.  Have a good one and stay out of trouble.

Quest to 180:
Current Weight:  Not weighing myself
Activity Today:  On mah bike for 10 miles.  Plus 10K steps cause that's what bosses do.
Diet today:  So many vegetables I can't count them on just one hand.

Comments: Feeling good today.  Got my new office chair which is a balance ball to improve my posture and core strength.  Typing on it right now actually.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Better
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  Right now I'm feelin like the man.


Random:
Listening to:  Chingy - You could... roll... wit... me...
Watching:  Nothing today.
Reading:  Didn't read today.....yet.

Something fun:  Mati Hara Absinthe - It is pretty good.

Bell's palsy is named after Sir Charles Bell the surgeon that studied the 7th cranial nerve and its innervation of the facial muscles over 200 years ago.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice, it is mealy an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Münchausen's Syndrome

Medical Topic of the day:
Today's Topic:  We have explored Münchausen by proxy before but not Münchausen itself.  My friend Hanna wants to know more about this somataform disorder and how it is treated.

As an aside, I happen to know that the disorder is named after a German nobleman by the name of Baron von Münchausen whom was infamous for telling exaggerated or untrue stories to get attention at social engagements.  He once claimed to have rode a cannonball into battle.

I guess you could say he is a "total baller"

Off the top of my head:  Münchausen syndrome is a somatoform or factitious disorder in which a person pretends to have a physical symptom or illness in order to gain attention.  Münchausen can transcend the boundaries of a somatoform disorder depending on the severity.

My research today:  Münchausen syndrome is defined as a mental disorder in which someone has a deep psychological need for attention.  More so, a person with Münchausen will pretend to be sick or injured in order to garner this attention. So basically all crying babies and puppies have Munchausen.

Liars.

The DSM-III classifies Münchausen syndrome as a factitious disorder, which is not to say that the disorder is not real, that is just what it is classified as.  Factitious disorders are a classifaction of disorders in which a person fakes or fabricates an illness.  Münchausen syndrome is considered an extreme type of factitious disorder.

Münchausen syndrome blurs the line of what a somatoform disorder is as well.  First of all a somatoform disorder is not necessarily psychological in origin.  If you've ever had a sore throat and felt like there was something in your throat even though nothing was there then you have experienced a sensation called "globus."  Globus is a somatization, technically.  Second of all Münchausen syndrome can progress to the point where a person actually injures, poisons, or self mutilates to garner attention.  Münchausen is emo as hell.

Life is pain...or I have a mental disorder.  It's
definitely one or the other.

Many people with Münchausen syndrome will have some sort of basic medical background and know what questions to ask medical providers.  Some psychologists think that fooling medical professionals or people that they believe to be superior to themselves brings some sort of bizarre satisfaction to sufferer's of Münchausen.  They may also push to have rare medical testing and dangerous medical procedures performed on them which could result in death.  Many times there will be a psychological dependence on another person associated with Münchausen.

Like most factitious disorders Münchausen syndrome is very difficult to treat.  Rarely will a person present seeking help for this syndrome.  Typically the treatment is to try to change the patient's behavior through counseling and also to treat any associated disorders like depression with medication.

Unfortunately, because in most cases it is up to the person with the disorder whether or not they get treatment the prognosis is typically grim.  Most cases go untreated.  People with Müchausen have a higher risk of substance abuse or suicide.

Well, I am done for the day.  Thanks for the topic, Hannah.

Quest to 180:
Current Weight:  Not weighing myself
Activity Today:  On my bike.  30 minutes, about 7 miles.  Not too bad.
Diet today:  Good.
Comments: Back to day of normal activity.  Feels good.


The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Better
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  New mantra - but it's a secret....shh!


Random:
Listening to:  Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO and DJ Alesso
Watching:  Nothing really today.
Reading:  We are still taking a break from hating on 50 shades.  I only have so many brain cells I can burn at once.  I thinking huffing paint is healthier though.
Something fun:  Make - If you can't open it, you don't own it.

In Japan you can find a vending machine for just about anything.  Even beer and porno.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Colchicine

Following up on my gout article I decided to explore one of the most commonly prescribed medications for gout which is Colchicine.  What does it do?  Where is it from?  And why can you not get just colchicine in a non-combination prescription medication anymore?

Off the top of my head:  As I mentioned in the gout article, colchicine is technically a poison and derived from a plant extract.  Le'ts see how you make it and what it does to your body.

My research today: Colchicine is a natural product that is extracted from a plant called "meadow saffron."  The plant is from the genus Cholchicum hence the name of the drug.  Colchicine has been approved to treat rheumatic illness like acute gout attacks or familial Mediterranean fever by the FDA since 1977 but without any clinical trials.

That is colchicine.  Looks pointy.

The absence of clinical trials prior to FDA approval is part of the reason why it is not available in generic form in the US anymore.  But we will get into that aspect later.  Up until 2009 there was no official dosing regimen for colchicine just suggestions.  Prior to 2009 the dosing instructions for colchicine was literally:  "Two 0.6mg tablets initially then one 0.6mg tablet every hour until gout pain subsides or diarrhea occurs." No joke. You took it till you got better or had the Hershey squirts.


Exactly what colchicine's mechanism of action is is unknown.  That means no one really understands what it does to your body to make you feel better.  What is more understood is the toxic effect it has on your body.

Colchicine poisoning is very similar to arsenic poisoning in that it disrupts ATP production in your Krebs cycle.  The effect it has further disrupts ATP synthesis compounding its initial mechanism and also starves the power plants of your cells called mitochondria.  These changes to your metabolism eventually cause rapid cell death leading to multi-organ failure.

All of the above stuff is what contributed to colchicine becoming non-generic in 2010.  Basically in order to get better research as to the drug's mechanism of action the FDA granted a company by the name of URL Pharma a three-year marketing exclusivity agreement in exchange for URL Pharma conducting 17 new studies.  This agreement cost URL Pharma 100 million US dollars which included a 45 million dollar payment for an FDA application fee.

With the three years of exclusive rights to sell cochicine URL Pharma re-branded the drug "Colcrys" and increased the price from nine cents a tablet to $4.85 a tablet.  An over 980% increase in price.  The FDA then removed generic colchicine in oral and IV form from the market in October 2010.

One has letters on it.  One doesn't.

Just so we are clear here. The medication itself did not change. It still costs less than 9 cents a tablet to manufacture. Oddly enough the dosing did not change either. It remains almost the same except now you take a max of three tablets instead of four. Also they don't mention the diarrhea part. The whole thing seems sorta shady to me.

Quest to 180:

Current Weight:  Not weighing myself.
Activity Today:  Last day of resting.  Got it a walk today so that is good.
Diet today:  Pretty good.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Improved
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  Still looking for that wingman/wing-girl.


Fun Stuff:
Reading:  Today we are reading an introduction to Zen Buddhism
Watching:  I am not watching anything in particular today.
Comments:  Feeling good about resuming normal activity tomorrow.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Exploding Eyeballs

How much can the human eyeball take perforate it perforates or explodes like a cantaloupe?  Let's find out.

Off the top of my head:  I have seen a medical examiner deflate an eyeball like a basketball for a tox screen and I know it doesn't take much to puncture an eyeball with a needle.  Let's see what it takes otherwise.

My research today: It is a very disappointing answer. It depends very much on the age, condition, and health of the eyeball. Basically is is up to individual physiology. Overall the answer is anywhere from one to three pounds. Conditions like kerataconas, or scleromalacia can weaken the surface of your eyeball making it much easier to puncture.

As far as a spontaneous rupture of an eyeball occurring without any trauma I can only find one case from 1937 secondary to glaucoma following thrombosis of the central vein. Thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein. I am not sure this is a real thing, this spontaneous rupture of an eyeball, but I dunno.

Anyways, wanna see a gross eyeball?

Too bad, you're gonna see it anyways.

I thought that would be more interesting. Sorry.

Quest to 180:

Current Weight:  Not weighing myself.
Activity Today:  Meh
Diet today:  Meh

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Meh
Social Engineering Tactics:  Meh
Comments:  Meh


Fun Stuff:
Reading:  Today we are reading nothing in particular.
Watching:  I am not watching anything in particular today.
Comments:  Not a great day today.  Will do better tomorrow.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Alpha-2 Receptors

Today we are finding out what an Alpha-2 receptor is.  I take a break from reading 50 Shades to read something more sensible like a Dr. Suess book and we explore why you shouldn't sit in a chair when you know it is broken.

Off the top of my head:  I dunno,  I think it is a chemical receptor.  Some medications act on it in their mechanism of action.  Ultimately I am very unsure on the topic.

My research today: Alpha-2 receptors are one type of adrenergic receptors also known as adrenoceptors.  As an aside "Adrenoceptors" sounds like a good name for a basketball team.  Adrenoceptors are in many different cells in your body and their primary purpose is to trigger a relatively complex range of autonomic responses associated with your "fight-or-flight" instinct.

Basically, adrenergic receptors like Aplha-2 are what your body needs when shit gets real.  Got a gun pointed at your head?  Then your adrenoceptors are already at work doing all kinds of things automatically to help you escape and to prepare you body for battle.

Not just real, but ALL the way real.

For today we are only looking at the autonomic responses that alpha-2 receptors are associated with. It is a very interesting topic and I might do a series on this but I can only type so much in one night.  So alpha-2 activation is a presynaptic action meaning it is the end of a discharge across a synapse.  Synapse is electrical or chemical signals between cells in your body.

These re some of the things that alpha-2 activation does in your body.  This is a complicated process and all of your adrenoceptors work in conjunction with each other to acheieve a global effect on your body but let's see how alpha-2 contributes:

• Acts on a type of pancreatic cell to inhibit insulin release temporarily increasing your blood sugar to make large amounts of expendable energy more available in your blood stream.
• Inhibits the release of norepinephrine.  Norepinephrine does many things like increases heart rate, increases blood flow to your skeleton and relaxes smooth wall muscle in your gut. 
• Inhibits acetylcholine release.  Actylcholine is an important neurotransmitter that does many things as well.  Actylcholine can enhance sensory perceptions like smell, or vision.  It also increases skeletal muscle contraction and inhibits cardiac muscle contraction.

Basically alpha-2 acts as a mediator for your autonomic responses so your body doesn't burn out in overdrive.  It works specifically in conjunction with your alpha-1 receptors when shit gets real.

It keeps you from going Super Sayan and destroying a planet or something.

Pharmacologically medications that act on alpha-2 recpetors can either be antagonists (inhibits alpha-2 activation) or agonists (increases alpha-2 activation).  Agonists are used to treat hypertension and also narcotic withdrawl.  More recently they are being studied to treat ADHD in children.  Antagonists increase norepinephrine availability increasing vasodialation peripherally.  The supplement Yohimbine is an alpha-2 antagonist found in many energy drinks and was once used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Okay, I am done.  I hope I didn't f that up too much.  It is a complicated subject.  I could see writing all or part of a thesis on it.

Quest to 180:

Current Weight:  227
Activity Today:  My foot is better today.  Almost 8K steps.  Gonna be back at it soon.
Diet today:  Ok

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Improved
Social Engineering Tactics:  Mind reading.
Comments:  I can read your mind!  Soon.


Fun Stuff:
Reading:  Today we are reading Aristotle and ignoring the 50 shades books to keep our sanity.
Watching:  I am not watching anything in particular today.
Comments:  Also I am a little sour about breaking my desk chair and am currently sitting cock-eyed on it wondering when I will be thrown to the ground.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

GOUT!

Today's Topic:  My good friend C-Bass wants to know about Gout.  So here we go.  Thanks for the topic, C-Bass.

Off the top of my head:  I have seen it many times.  I believe it is a type of rheumatism as it is called "gouty arthritis."  I know it is caused by an over abundance of uric acid and typically effects one joint at a time.  I have seen a gouty joint aspirated before and it is this chalky-white gooey substance that surrounds the joint.  I know there is a lot of swelling and redness.  Gouty joints are very tender and pain is worse with movement.

My research today: So gout is caused by having too much uric acid in your body.  This is because either your body makes too much uric acid or because your body is having difficulty removing uric acid.  The uric acid builds up in the synovial joint fluid and crystallizes causing the swelling and pain.

Uric acid is created by your body when it metabolizes purines.  Purines are a common molecule found naturally in your body and also in many foods.  Caffeine is technically a purine.

The crystals that uric acid form are molecularity pointy.  That is to say they are super, mega, ultra sharp.  Hence the discomfort.

Gout is more common in men, and typically comes on suddenly.  People with gout experience a burning, searing, sometimes excruciating pain in the effected joint along with redness are localized swelling.  Untreated the uric acid crystals can do permanent damage to your joints, wearing down and destroying cartilage and tendons.

Gout is easily treated with anti-inflammatory agents and steroids which reduce swelling and pain.  Colchicine is also effective in treating gout and is technically a poison that disrupts cell division or mitosis but ultimately contributes an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting neutrophil motility.  Basically it slows cell reproduction down thereby reducing swelling through physical inactivity of cells.

There are some other prescription medications that remove uric acid from your blood like Uloric.  People with chronic gout can develop something called "tophi" which are lumps below the skin around joints which must be drained and is that gross chalky substance I was talking about.

Anyways, that is enough for tonight.

Quest to 180:

Current Weight:  227
Activity Today:  Resting my foot.
Diet today:  Ok

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Meh.
Social Engineering Tactics:  Mind reading.
Comments:  I can read your mind!  Not really.


What I think of the first Fifty Shades of Grey book-shaped thing:
Third chapter down and I still can't think of anything positive to say so...

***HATE BELOW THIS LINE***

You will notice that I have refrained this time from calling 50 Shades of Grey a book.  It is only a book insofar as it has pages and type on those pages mimicking a book the same way that a parrot might mimic human language.  It is, however, book-shaped.  This I cannot deny.

I know this thing is not geared towards a male audience but I feel like the author does a disservice to their audience by writing so poorly.  I have read things more eloquent written in the snow with urine.  For those of you who are curious as to the depth of story but do not want to read it, I have compiled this info-graphic:

***END HATE***

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Grapefruit Drug Interactions

Today's Topic:  Specifically what makes grapefruit interact with some medications.

Off the top of my head:  I know this is a thing because I have seen it before.  I believe it has something to do with an enzyme in the fruit that also exists in many other fruits, however, grapefruit for whatever reason seems to have an unusually high level of this stuff.

My research today: So grapefruit reduces the bioavialability of certain medications secondary to an organic compound called furanocoumarin derivatives which interfere with certain hepatic and intestinal enzymes and are responsible for this interaction.  That sounds really complicated but is really simplified from the actuality.

Grapefruit is not the only fruit abundant with this furanocoumarin compound.  The fruit pomelo, which was crossed with the orange to create the grapefruit is also abundant in this compound.  This compound blocks several enzymes in the wall of your small intestine that destroys many medications therefor preventing the absorption of those drugs.

This bizarre interaction was discovered by accident when a researcher studying the drug felodipine's (a hypertension medication) interaction with alcohol mixed grapefruit juice with alcohol to mask the taste.  Furanocoumarin may cause un or mal-absorption of many drugs including statins, antihistamines, benzos, and immunosuppressants.  The biovailability of these medications can be reduced for up to 24 hours with only one glass of grapefruit juice.

Anyways cool beans.  I know no one is interested in this and more in my review of 50 shades, so.  Read on.

Quest to 180:

Current Weight:  227
Activity Today:  Resting my foot.  Tried a cast shoe today.  That did not go so well.
Diet today:  Salads and yogurt!  Trying to get excited here.

Comments: Will try to get into the pool and burn some calories that way.  Also do some upper body and core exercises.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Meh.
Social Engineering Tactics:  Mind reading.
Comments:  I can read your mind!  Not really.


What I think of the first Fifty Shades of Grey book:
I read the first chapter.  I am going to try to stay positive here but it is difficult for me to connect with a book whose first paragraph is mostly about adjusting your ponytail.  I did realize that the title is a pun which is disappointing but somehow expected.

Okay staying positive...  The book so far is umm...cute?  It sort of feels like the diary of a 14 year-old girl right now but if that is what the author was going for then it is exquisite writing and deserving of a Pulitzer. People have told me that the book will eventually be both "shocking" and "erotic" however it seems like it will be more PG than that.

As a historical reference, it appears that this Grey character has designed his office lobby and personnel in the same manner that Hitler and Stalin did.  High ceilings, ridiculous long entrances, and luxurious, yet spartan accommodations that are designed specifically to humble those entering.

It is possible that the black and white furnishings described are an attempt by the author to to communicate how this Grey character wants to be perceived in contrast to the actuality of his person which is "many shades of grey."  Get it?  Oh, holy crap, I think this might be painful for me to read!  I think it might make me wanna nail my wiener to a tree!  We'll see!

The lion used in the original MGM logo killed its trainer and two other people the day after the footage for the logo was filmed.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Meniere’s Disease

Today's Topic:  Meniere's Disease

Off the top of my head:  I have no earthly idea.

My research today:  Minere's Disease is a chronic inner ear disorder that effects balance, can cause a roaring sound in your ear called tinitus and also may cause pain.  Typically it effects only one ear.  The etiology of the disease is uncertain but medical scientists think it might have something to do with fluids mixing and and shifting in your ear.

Minere's Disease is more common in people in their 40's and 50's and usually contributes to hearing loss in those individuals.  The kind of dizziness that Minere's Disease causes is called vertigo and is a room spinning sensation.  These episodes of vertigo may be unpredictable and can occur suddenly.

There is no known cure for Minere's Disease although many medications may be beneficial to those who suffer from the disorder.  A water pill or diuretic may be prescribed as well as medications like Antivert to counteract the vertigo symptoms.  There is some sort of new treatment with something called a Meniett Device.  I have no idea what this is but it is used at home and applies pressure with a pulse generator through a tube to the middle ear to improve fluid exchange.  It sounds fancy.  The thing costs like five grand.

A Meniett Device, the blue end goes in your ear.  I think.

There are also a few surgical options, some of which seem horrifying.  You can have your vestibular nerve severed on one side and also have a labyrinthectomy which is the removal of a portion or all of your inner ear which destroys any balance or hearing remaining on that side of your head.

A labyrinthectomy.  Looks like they dman near rip your ear off.

Well, that is enough for tonight.  I hope you enjoyed my fumbling through the medical world.  Feel free to hit me up with any suggestions for topics or requests.

Quest to 180:

Current Weight:  227
Activity Today:  Resting my foot.  A little better today, able to put in 9K steps.
Diet today:  Meh.  Trying to limit my diet severely.

Comments: I am so mad that I can't workout.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Meh.
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  At this rate I will be working on this forever.


Random:
Listening to:  Nothing today.
Watching:  NCIS - I dunno why.
Reading:  Secret book again....shhh!
Something fun: 28-port USB hub?  Yes please!

The lion used in the original MGM logo killed its trainer and two other people the day after the footage for the logo was filmed.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Mastoiditis

Today's Topic:  Mastioditis

Off the top of my head:  Something to do with an infection in your jaw I think.  I know it can be really bad and lead to brain abscesses.  Let's find out.

My research today:  I was so close.  The mastoid is located just behind your outer ear.  It is part of your skull posterior to your ear.

Usually caused by middle ear infections (otitis externa) and is more common in children.  Due to the honeycomb-like nature of the mastoid bone, traditional oral antibiotics may not reach deep enough into the bone tissue to treat it effectively.  Quickly treated ear infections make mastoiditis relatively rare these days.  Before antibiotics mastoiditis was a leading cause of death in children.

Mastoiditis has some clinical findings like swelling of the ear and such but is typically diagnosed with a CT of your head.  Treatment includes antibiotic therapy both oral and IV and may include surgery.  Surgical procedures to treat mastoiditis are horrifying at best and include removal of part of the mastoid bone or draining pus out of your middle ear though your eardrum; a process called myringotomy.

This is called a subperiosteal abscess and it is gross as hell.

Mastoiditis is curable but people who have it once have a stronger likelihood for it to return.  Chronic mastoiditis is usually associated with a specific type of chronic middle ear infection called chronic suppurative otitis media and is also associated with something called cholesteatoma.  Cholesteatomas are benign combinations of different types of skin tissue that can alter the normal function of surrounding skin and bone tissue creating a destructive cyclical process.

Well I am finished with this topic for tonight.  Mastoiditis seems more like something cool to add in a differential diagnosis and less like something you would see.  Although I imagine you could run into it a couple times in a medical career.  More if your were in ENT.

Quest to 180:
Current Weight:  227
Activity Today:  None, resting my foot.
Diet today:  Meh.  Trying to limit my diet severely.

Comments: I find my clothes are very ill-fitting these day but I don;t want to buy new clothes until I am finished losing weight.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Meh.
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  Keep on keepin on.


Random:
Listening to:  Nothing today.
Watching:  The Avengers
Reading:  Secret book again....shhh!
Something fun: Watch famous voice actors read the screenplay of Star Wars as characters from famous cartoons.  So awesome.  Props to my man Jon for the hookup.

Princess Diana had her navel pierced and fitted with a 2.8 carat diamond just a few hours before her death.  Alcohol was probably involved.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Polycythemia!

Today's Topic:  Polycythemia

Off the top of my head:  Some sort of blood disorder.  I know it makes blood counts unusual.  I am not sure what the overall effects of this disorder is.  I am going to guess it is a hereditary disorder because disorders usually are.

My research today:  Polycythemia Vera is a rare disorder that causes over-production of red blood cells in your bone marrow.  It is caused by a gene mutation called JAK2V617F which is a terrible name for just about anything.  What causes this mutation is unknown.

Here JAK2V617F!  Here boy!

Polycythemia is more prevalent in men than women and extra rare in people under 40. There are many different types of polycythemia and I really don't feel like exploring all of them tonight.  I feel like that is something that you could write a thesis on.  Polycythemia may increase more than just red blood cell production including but not limited to white blood cells and platelets.  The symptoms of these abnormal levels can cause any number of symptoms.

So what can you do if you are unfortunate enough to have his disorder?  Well blood-letting is still a form of treatment for this disorder, there are a few medications like hydoxyurea which can prevent blood clots.  Having the disorder diagnosed and treated early reduces thickness of your blood and symptoms thereof.

This is where shit gets real.

If you have polycythemia you can reduce your risk factors by adjusting your lifestyle.  Don't smoke, don't drink, avoid extreme temperatures and exercise.  So basically you should be a good human.

This is a really complicated subject and I feel like it is too complicated to explore in one post.  If anyone desires I will attempt to examine this subject further.  I have a grim idea of this disorder at best.  Challenge me if you will.

Quest to 180:
Current Weight:  227
Activity Today:  None, resting my foot.
Diet today:  Meh.  Trying to limit my diet severely.

Comments: I am so mad that I can't workout.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Meh.
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  At this rate I will be working on this forever.


Random:
Listening to:  Nothing today.
Watching:  Star Trek TOS
Reading:  Secret book again....shhh!
Something fun: Voltron something!

FDR's wife Elenor Roosevelt was so convinced that the Whitehouse was haunted that she kept a vial of holy water at her nightstand.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.

Uh oh, Polio!

Medical Topic of the day:
Today's Topic:  Polio

No, not this.

Off the top of my head:  I know that it is a debilitating, contagious virus that was the scourge of the 19th and 20th centuries.  I believe it effects neuromuscular function somehow but I do not know by what mechanism.  It was mostly abolished in the US in the 60's with a vaccine.  I know there used to be some strange vaccination process that left a small circular scar on your arm.  Still in the world today, it is one of the diseases on the Bill and Melinda Gate's Foundation 20 disease hit list.

My research today:  The disease is officially named Poliomyelitis and is caused by the poliovirus.  It is spread by direct contact through your nose or mouth by plegm, sputum, feces, etc.  It multiples in the mucosa of your digestive tract spreading into your blood stream and lymph system.

The incubation for poliomyelitis is about 7 to 14 days.  In 90% of cases the virus does nothing. In 9% it causes typical symptoms of a virus, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue.  In the very unlucky 1% it gets into your nervous system and preferentially infecting and destroying motor neurons causing acute paralysis to all or part of your body which is irreversible (usually your legs).  Of those very unlucky there is 5 to 10% of ridiculously unlucky that die when they cannot move their chest muscles to breathe.

Still want to be the 1% Rupert?  Huh?

There is no cure for polio, only prevention with vaccination.  As the poliovirus mainly infects children under 5 years of age it is wise to always have your children up-to-date on all vaccinations, especially when traveling.  Although the US and surrounding countries are polio-free it is still technically possible to import the poliovirus.

There are only a few poliovirus endemic countries in Asia and Africa with 1352 cases reported last year.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in coordination with the World Health Organization have heavily invested in worldwide vaccination programs to stop polio outbreaks wherever and whenever they are found.

Quest to 180:
Current Weight:  227
Activity Today:  None, resting my foot.
Diet today:  Not too bad. Limiting my diet severely.

Comments: I am so mad that I can't workout.

The MAN:
Confidence Level:  Meh.
Social Engineering Tactics:  Confidence
Comments:  At this rate I will be working on this forever.


Random:
Listening to:  Nothing today.
Watching:  American Restoration
Reading:  The Dragon in The Sea by Frank Hubert
Something fun: Steve Martin's Twitter!

Our 32nd president Franklin D. Roosevelt had leg paralysis from polio and still defeated Hitler.

Questions or comments can be submitted to dudaday@gmail.com

Disclaimer:  I am not a health care provider, any information presented in this blog should not be considered advice it is mearly an outlet to slake my curiosity.  You should always consult your primary medical provider for any concerns or illness.  Unlike Tylenol, I am not approved by the FDA or American Medical Association to treat or provide relief for any ailment.