Dwarfism

WHAT
Dwarfism is a short stature that results from genetic/ medical condition. Dwarfism is defined by a height of 4 feet 10 inches or less. The average adult height is 4 feet.  Treatments don't increases stature but merely lessens complications that may arise.
SYMPTOMS
Disproportionate dwarfism- some parts of body are small, and others are average/above average; inhibits development of bones

• average trunk size
• short arms and legs 
• short fingers
• limited mobility at elbows
• disproportionately large head with big forehead 

Proportionate dwarfism- head, trunk, limbs are all small; poor development of body system

• height below third percentile on standard pediatric growth charts
• growth rate slower than expected for age
• delayed/no sexual development during adolescence 

CAUSES 
Achondroplasia- person with achondroplasia and with 2 avg-size parents received 1 mutated copy of gene
Turner Syndrome- random deletion or severe alteration of X chromosome in sperm/egg
Growth Hormone deficiency- traced to genetic mutation but no definite cause can be identified
-deficiencies in hormones & poor nutrition 

references: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dwarfism/basics/definition/con-20032297

Career: Endocrinologist

WHAT 

An endocrinologist is a specially trained doctor who has a basic training in Internal Medicine as well. Endocrinologists have the training to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in the body. The common diseases and disorders of the endocrine system that endocrinologists deal with include diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders.

DISEASES THAT ENDOCRINOLOGISTS DEAL WITH: 

• Metabolic diseases
• Menopause and its hormonal unbalances
• Over- or underproduction of hormones
• Osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency
• Infertility
• Precocious puberty
• Lack of growth (short stature)
• Pediatric endocrine diseases
• Excessive growth or acromegaly/gigantism
• Cancers of the endocrine glands
• High blood pressure due to endocrine dysfunctions like adrenal gland tumors pheochromocytoma
• High blood cholesterol or lipid abnormalities associated with heart disease

HOW

Endocrinologists need four years of medical school and then spend three or four years in an internship and residency program. They cover internal medicine, pediatrics, orobstetrics and gynecology during this time.

Thereafter they spend two or three more years learning how to diagnose and treat hormone conditions.

Core training requires knowledge of normal physiology of the endocrine system, including the physiology and biochemistry of hormones, and their actions.

References: http://www.news-medical.net/health/Endocrinologist-What-is-an-Endocrinologist.aspx

Career: Optometrist

WHAT 
Optomertrists are the independent first (or most important) health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and spent time with/talked to structures as well as identify related(related to the deep-down, basic way something works) conditions affecting the eye. Doctors of Optometry prescribe medicines, low vision healing/repairing, vision therapy, sight to see lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists advice their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, hobbies, and lifestyle. An optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice. Optometrists are eye health care professionals state-licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.

HOW
To become an optometrist one must complete a four year program at an accredited optometry school. Undergraduate coursework should include mathematics, English, chemistry, physics and biology. Applicants must take an entrance exam called the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). It is sponsored by theAssociation of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.

References: http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/optometrist.htm

Career: Respiratory Therapist

WHAT

The respiratory therapist treats people with sicknesses/problems affecting the cardiopulmonary system such as breathing disease, dangerous lung disease, dangerous lung disease, (related to the heart and blood vessels) sicknesses/problems, and (serious physical or emotional harm). In the hospital setting, the breathing-related therapist provides care and life support to patients in the emergency room, intensive care units, general hospital areas, the lung-related (figuring out the problem with a person's health) laboratory and other specialty areas such as healing/repairing.

While on the job, the RT will diagnose lung and breathing sicknesses/problems and recommend treatment methods. They will interview patients, peform chest exams and analyze tissue medical samples/examples. Managing ventilators and artificial tube (from the mouth to the lungs) devices for patients who can't breathe normally on their own is also a first (or most important) responsibility of these professionals. The breathing-related therapist may play a well-known/obvious role in responding to Code Blue or other extremely importantcalls for care in the emergency room.

Responsibilities for the modern breathing-related therapist are varied and demanding, from complex diagnostic procedures to supervision of breathing-related technicians and equipment. For example, the RT may test a patient's breathing capacity and decide/figure out the concentration of oxygen and other gases in a patient's blood. Or, they may teach patients and their families to use ventilators and other life-support systems in the home. The RT talks to with doctors and other healthcare staff to develop and adjust patient care plans. In some hospitals, therapists perform tasks that fall outside their traditional role: lung-related healing/repairing, smoking ending counseling, disease prevention and case management.

HOW 

Respiratory therapists need an Associate’s Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree, or even a Master’s Degree from a post-graduate program. Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy programs are available from community colleges, but their programs aren't as advanced. The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential is required to obtain state licenses and practice as respiratory therapists. CRTs are also eligible to sit for the two-part advanced practitioner registration examination and achieve the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. 

References:

http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-health-professions/respiratory-care-education/what-is-a-respiratory-therapist.html

Brain Tools

Tools we use to study the brain

Many tools are used to study the brain. Each works slightly differently.

For each of the following get an example of a brain image and a sentence or two about how it works or what it is used for.

CAT scan (computer axial tomography)

The CAT scan emits a series of narrow beams as it moves through. Many 2-D ray images are taken around a single axis of rotation and then placed together to create a 3-D image of thee brain.

Structural Magnetic Resonance Image

MRI scanning uses radio waves to produce images. The MRI scanner is a tube surrounded by a circular magnet.MRI scans are used as an accurate method of disease detection. It can view brain anatomy. 

Diffusion-Tensor MRI (DTI)

Diffusion MRI measures how water molecules diffuse through the body tissue. It is used too diagnose strokes, multiple sclerosis, etc. DTI allows researchers to map connectivity between brain areas. 

EEG (electroencephalograph)

 EEG uses electrodes to detect electrical activity in your brain since brain cells communicate via electrical impulses. EEG is used to diagnose epilepsy and other brain disorders. 

PET scan (Positron emission tomography)

The patient must consume radioactive material in his/her body. The PET scan tracks the radioactive material. More radioactive material often corresponds to areas of disease, etc. It is used in evaluating neurological problems.  

fMRI (functional MRI)

fMRI measures brain activity by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity. fMRI shows parts of the brain that are involved in a particular mental process.

phMRI (pharamacological MRI)

phMRI uses drug stimuli to map brain function. It can provide information on neuro-receptor signaling and function. Drugs can elicit hemodynamic changes. 

TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve depression symptoms. A large electromagnetic coil is place on the head and sends electric currents. 

references: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/scanning/

http://www.amenclinics.com/

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/image.html

Muscle Song

(to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

Muscles, Muscles in our body
so vital to our function
everywhere in our body
what would we do without you
Muscles, Muscles in our body

So many different types
cardiac smooth and skeletal
all in different areas
serving different functions
Muscles, Muscles in our body

Cardiac muscles in the heart
under involuntary control.
they appear to be striated
in the walls of the heart.
helping the heart beat everyday

Smooth muscles, in visceral organs
under involuntary control.
They appear spindle shaped,
contracting and relaxing,
working all over in the body.

Skeletal muscles, attached to bones
under voluntary control.
They appear to be striated,
stretching across bones and joints.
working with bones to give you movement

All these muscles are so useful
but how do they function?
myosin moving along filament
results in muscle contraction and release.
And that's the sliding filament theory.

Muscles, Muscles in our body
so vital to our function
everywhere in our body
what would we do without you
Muscles, Muscles in our body

Heart Sounds

Aortic Sclerosis

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/heart-lung-sounds-reference-guide-details.aspx?caseID=88&title=+Aortic+Sclerosis+(Musical+Murmur)

Aortic sclerosis heart beat is loud. It sounds like a slow horse galloping like bumBUm..bumBUM..bumBUM. It seems slow and steady.  Aortic sclerosis is when the trileaflet aortic valve calcifies and thickens. There is an absence of obstruction of ventricular outflow. As adults age, they tend to exhibit aortic sclerosis. Other factors that increase the risk of aortic sclerosis include being male, smoking, hypertension, high lipoprotein, and diabetes mellitus. LDL cholesterol lowering can slow the progression of aortic sclerosis. Aortic sclerosis can be an indicator of a coexisting coronary disease. Having aortic sclerosis may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular causes by 50%.

Aortic Stenosis (severe)

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/heart-lung-sounds-reference-guide-details.aspx?caseID=90&title=Aortic%20Stenosis%20-%20Severe

Aortic stenosis heart beart sounds like repetitive swift swinging of a baseball bat. It sounds deep, swift, and quick. It sounds like WOOP.WOOP.WOOP. It is louder and higher pitched. Aortic Stenosis is when the aortic valve does not fully open. It decreases the blood flow from the heart. The aortic valve becomes more narrow, making the left ventricle increase pressure to pump blood out. The muscles in the ventricle walls become thicker and causes chest pain. In severe cases, blood may back up into the lungs or prevent enough blood from reaching the brain or rest of the body. A common cause is rheumatic fever that develops after strep throat or scarlet fever. Another common cause is calcium deposits that narrow the valve.

Normal Heart (normal and unsplit)

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/auscultation-lesson-waveform.aspx?coursecaseorder=1&courseid=22

It sounds normal and steady. It sounds like metronome going BUM...bum..BUM...bum..BUM..bum.  It goes 60 beats per minute. The first heart sound is a bit more intense than the second one. The first heart sound is produced by the closing of the mitral and tricuspid valve leaflets. The second heart sound is produced by the closing of the aortic and pulmonic valve leaflets.

Acute Pericarditis

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/auscultation-lesson-waveform.aspx?coursecaseorder=6&courseid=28

It sounds like ocean waves crashing into another. It goes like WOOSH. WOOSH. WOOSH. The murmurs are caused by turbulent blood flow across incompetent waves, but a pericardial rub is caused by the two surfaces of the pericardial sack rubbing together. Pericarditis is a swelling and irritation of the pericardium, the thin membrane that surrounds your heart. Pericarditis causes chest pain. It is usually sudden and acute.

Mitral regurgitation (severe)

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/auscultation-lesson-waveform.aspx?coursecaseorder=1&courseid=28

It sounds like an orca. It sounds like hoocrr..hoocrr..hoocrr. Severe mitral regurgitation is caused by the degeneration of the mitral valve leaflets. The first sound is normal but the second heart sound is widely split. It is characterized as a loud, rectangular, pansytolic murmur. Mitral regurgitation is the most common type of heart valve disorder. The mitral valve doesn’t close all the way and the blood flows backward into the upper heart chamber. There is a decrease in blood flow to the rest of the body and the heart tries harder to pump more blood. This may lead to congestive heart failure.

Atrial Septal Defect

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/heart-lung-sounds-reference-guide-details.aspx?caseID=110&title=Atrial%20Septal%20Defect

Atrial septal defect sounds like someone knocking on the door. It goes like duh.DUH.duh.DUH. When a baby is in the womb, there’s an opening between the upper chambers and of the heart. It usually closes when the baby is born but if it doesn’t close the hole is considered an atrial septal defect. The hole allows blood to flow between the two heart chambers and pressure in the lungs may build up. There will be less oxygen in the blood that goes to the body.

Mediastinal Crunch

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/heart-lung-sounds-reference-guide-details.aspx?caseID=130&title=Mediastinal%20Crunch

It sounds like the sound of the wind when you are recording a video on your phone. It sounds like a crunch. It is also known as Hamman’s sign. There is a crunching, rasping sound that is synchronous with the heartbeat. It is produced by the heart beating against air-filled tissues. IIt is caused by pneumomediastinum and is associated with tracheobronchial injury due to trauma.

Ebstein’s Anomaly

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/heart-lung-sounds-reference-guide-details.aspx?caseID=117&title=Ebstein's%20Anomaly

It sounds like someone snoring. Ebstein’s anomaly is a rare heart defect that is present at birth. The tricuspid valve, the valve between the right side chambers, doesn’t work properly. Blood leaks back through the valve, causing the heart to work less efficiently. It can lead to heart enlargement or heart failure.

Third Heart Sound

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/auscultation-lesson-waveform.aspx?coursecaseorder=4&courseid=22

The third heart sound is an extra sound that creates a gallop cadence and sounds like “tennessee”. The third heart sound is heard early in diastole. It is very low frequency. To increase the intensity of the third heart sound, the patient should lie to his/her left side. It is heard on occasion in normal people with no cardiac pathology.

Exercise Heart Rate

http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/auscultation-lesson-waveform.aspx?coursecaseorder=6&courseid=22

Because exercise increases heart action, it increases the heart rate and the intensity of the first heart sound. This sounds like the first heart sound but louder and faster. The heart sounds are best heard using the diaphragm of the stethoscope.

References: http://www.practicalclinicalskills.com/heart-sounds-murmurs.aspx