med4lif3

[med4lif3]

Diabetes (research post)

Diabetes is a chronic disease of varying types in which issues occur with insulin production or regulation

How's it caused?:

Type 1 diabetes: A chronic condition in which the pancreas produces an insufficient to none amount of insulin (hormone that allows glucose to be processed and enter into cells to create energy).

Type 2 and prediabetes: Similar to type 1 diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin and the body is unable to use insulin which eventually leads to high levels of blood sugar. 

Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs in pregnant women and its cause is unknown. It has been theorized that the placenta will produce hormones that prohibit the mother's ability to regulate and use insulin.

Symptoms?:

Increased thirst

Frequent urination

Increased hunger 

Fatigue

Slow healing sores

Genital itching (Gestational diabetes

Treatment?:

For type 1 diabetes patients, they're treated with doses of insulin either by a daily injection or an insulin pump.

For type 2 diabetes patients are encouraged to lose weight and exercise, keeping their diet in check as type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity. Diabetes medications (such as ozempic) or insulin therapy may be given if dietary changes and exercise are insufficient in managing blood sugar.

Similarly patients with gestational diabetes manage the disease either through a healthier diet and exercise or insulin depending on their progression.

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Note: this one resonates a bit since my country (lol the us) is well known for our high rates of diabetics and it also runs in my family but to keep things lighthearted i remade this meme i saw a while ago w my own twist

[med4lif3]

Lupus (research post)

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself.

How’s it caused?:

Lupus is a genetic condition, so a patient must be genetic predisposed (or prone) to develop the disease

It is triggered by an environmental factor such as sunlight, infections, medications, or smoking can activate the illness.

The body’s immune system starts attacking healthy tissues and organs, which causes inflammation throughout the body.

Symptoms?:

Fever

Fatigue

Butterfly shaped rash on the face (Across cheeks and nose bridge)

Rashes

Mouth/nose sores

Sun sensitivity

Raynaud's phenomenon (Change in toes and finger color blue-purple, white, or red from cold or stress)

Swollen glands

Joint pain 

Treatment?: Since lupus is a chronic condition, it cannot be cured but its symptoms can be treated.

The main treatment prescribed by doctors is NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce the pain and swelling in joints.

Corticosteroids such as prednisone also help to reduce any swelling or pain.

Immunosuppressive agents or chemotherapy is used in the most severe cases of lupus where major organs are affected and the alternative treatments don't work.

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Note: this was a bit self-indulgent bc i've been watching house and...yea anyways no self-made memes but i've got a funny reference photo!

[med4lif3]

😭 fr tho

[med4lif3]

Mucormycosis (research post)

Mucormycosis is also known as ‘black fungus’ and it is a very serious and rare fungal infection

How is it caused?: 

Mucormycetes are a type of mold that is present in our environment, usually in soil and organic matter in the process of decay (i.e compost).

Usually coming into contact with this type of mold is harmless, however mucormycosis typically presents in people with compromised immune systems. 

There are five different types of mucormycosis: 

Pulmonary mucormycosis (Infection of the lung)

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis (Infection of the GI tract)

Cutaneous mucormycosis (Infection of the skin)

Disseminated mucormycosis (Infection spread through the bloodstream)

Symptoms: The symptoms may vary for each type of mucormycosis however it generally presents as a respiratory or skin infection

Fever

Headache

Cough

Nasal congestion

Sinus pain

Swelling

Redness

Blisters

Ulcers

Blackened skin tissue

Treatment:

Mucormycosis is treated with a prescription antifungal medication, and is usually given intravenously or orally. The primary medication given is isavuconazole. However amphotericin B or posaconazole can also be administered depending on the patient's requirements.

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Note: Second post and all I can say is....wow. This was a bit scary to think about how doing something as normal as like hanging around in a park or playing in the grass and soil could lead to something so detrimental, stay safe everyone. Here's another badly made meme that I couldn't stop laughing at for some reason- and I hope you all have an amazing day!

[med4lif3]

Adrenal Cushing's syndrome (research post)

Cushing's syndrome refers to an abnormally high amount of cortisol present in blood.

How is Adrenal Cushing's syndrome caused?:

A tumor present on the adrenal glands (located above both kidneys) will produce an excessive amount of cortisol. This tumor can be malignant or benign, however both types will secrete cortisol.

This extra production of cortisol that is sent throughout the bloodstream, triggers the onset of hypercortisolism in blood (Cushing’s syndrome)

Benign tumors include: Adrenal adenomas (Tumor growing along the epithelial tissue of the adrenal gland) and micronodular hyperplasia (Micronodules growing along the adrenal gland)

Malignant tumors that could cause Cushing’s include: Adrenal carcinomas (Tumor that similar to an adenoma, forms in the epithelial tissue of the adrenal gland)

What are some symptoms?:

Weight gain in the central part of the body (Thin arms and legs)

Rounded face (referred to as moon face)

Fragile skin, prone to easy bruising and poor wound healing

Muscle weakness

Hypertension

Memory loss

Depression

Sleeplessness

Women may also experience: Irregularity or loss of periods (Amenorrhea) and male-pattern face and body hair growth (hirsutism)

Men may also experience: Erectile dysfunction

Types of treatment available?:

Patients can use medications that target the adrenal glands in order to control the excessive cortisol production. Medications include: Ketoconazole, Osilodrostat, and Mitotane

A more permanent option of treating Adrenal Cushing’s syndrome would be an adrenalectomy, in which patients have their adrenal glands surgically removed.

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Note: First post and whew, this was really interesting to research the mechanics of Cushing's syndrome itself. It was also cool to find out that tumors just produce hormones?? The body works in really funny way...but anyways to finish off here is a meme I made (it isnt very funny but the background photo's dumb so i still laughed)