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GPR 91 Receptor – Can It Cure Blindness

December 7, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Canadian researchers claim to have found an on-off switch that holds clues to cure for blindness, tumour and even cancer. The on-off switch –called GPR 91 receptor in neurons causes unchecked blood vessel growth that leads to vision loss.

The GPR 91-or G protein-coupled receptor-functions as a detector of cell metabolism and is present in the kidney, liver, spleen, breast and blood vessels.

Researchers found that the GPR91 receptor can lead to irregular blood vessel growth which is one of the main cause of vision loss. The blindess includes

  • Retinopathy of prematurity in infants
  • Diabetic retinopathy in adults
  • Age-related vision loss [Read more...]
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The Internal Ear

December 6, 2008 By Leave a Comment

The internal ear or the labyrinth organ of hearing and balance. It consists of a bony and a membranous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth is filled with a clear fluid called endolymph while the space between membranous and bony labyrinths is filled with perilymph.

Bony Labyrinth

It consists of three parts: the vestibule, the semicircular canals and the cochlea.

  1. Vestibule is the central chamber of the labyrinth. In its lateral wall lies te oval window. Te inside of its medial wall presents two recesses, a spherical recess, which lodges the saccule and an elliptical recess which lodges the urile. Below the elliptical recess is the opening of aqueduct of vestibule through which passes the endolymphatic duct. In te posterosuperior part of vestibule are the five openings of semicircular canals.
  2. Semicircular canals: They are three in number, that latera, posterior and superior, and lie in planes at right angles to one another. Each canal has an ampullated end which opens independently into the vestibule and a non-ampullated end. The non-ampullated ends of posterior and superior canals unite to form a common channel called the crus commune. Thus the three canals open into the vestibule by five openings. [Read more...]
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Hypotension -Types and Causes

December 6, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Hypotension is diminished blood pressure. This could be acute or chronic.

Acute Recumbent Hypotension

Causes

  1. Cardiovascular: Acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, dissecting aneurysm, ventricular tachycardia, cardiac rupture.
  2. Intravascular volume contraction: Hemorrhage, vomiting, diarrhea, burns, intestinal obstruction, periotonitis, etc.
  3. Anaphylaxis
  4. Gram negative septicemia

Clinical Features

  1. Due to shock: Tachycardia, vomiting, fainting
  2. Due to causative disease
  3. In vasovagal attacks, hypotension with brady-cardia
  4. In postural hypotension, fall of BP occurs on suddenly assuming erect posture from supine posture.

Treatment

  1. Of the cause
  2. Posture: The patient should be in lying position with legs raised.
  3. For vasovagal attacks: Atropine 0.6 mg IV
  4. For anaphylaxis: Hydrocortisone hemisuccinate 100mg IV, repeated as required
  5. For postural hypotension: This is best treated by advising the patients to assume the erect posture slowly and to wear elastic stockings and abdominal binder.
  6. Vasoconstrictors: Dopamine, nor-epinephrine and ephedrine have been tried.
  7. Salt: Adequate amount of salt (NaC1) in diet helps to expand the plasma volume.
  8. Fludrocortisone Acetate: (0.1 – 0.2 mg) causes fluid retention and avoids postural fall of BP. [Read more...]
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Using Honey For Cough Relief

December 4, 2008 By Leave a Comment

If a nagging cough is keeping you awake, and syrup doesn’t help, try honey. It’s a favoured remedy for sore

It may not take much honey to do the trick. In study of kids, a small dose of honey-1/2 to 2 teaspoons, depending on age is enough.

Caution: Never give honey to a child who’s not yet a year old, because there’s a risk of botulism). Many doctors recommend a bit of honey for adult patients, too.

Try it with tea and lemon for extra throat lubrication.

It might help sinuses, too

Early research shows it may have a strong anti-bacterial edge and might fight sinus infections, too.

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