Cough mechanism Coughing is a forceful and explosive maneuver that is done during expiration, which may be due to deliberate or reflexive action for the purpose of clearing the airways and the respiratory tract. An irritated air passage results in cough due to reflex action as a result of any gastric or nervous disorder. However, chronic cough needs immediate attention. Normally, when phlegm or mucus gets produced, the body tries to cough up the mucus involuntarily. Coughing after eating food causes Coughing indicates that something is wrong in the body. It may either be a foreign body or improper functioning of an organ in the chest area. There are various [...]

Hyponatremia Definition Hyponatremia is an imbalance in electrolytes, where there is low serum sodium than the normal level. Normal – 136-145 mEq/L Hyponatremia – <135 mEq/L Severe hyponatremia – <125 mEq/L It is one of the common and essential electrolyte abnormalities, which can either be present in isolation or as a resultant complication of the several medical conditions. Excess water in the body dilutes the sodium in blood by getting accumulated within the body, including congestive heart failure, polydipsia or SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone), and sometimes it can also be seen in over-hydration. Inadequacy of sodium intake is rarely the cause for hyponatremia; but this may an indirect [...]

What is Metatarsal Stress Fracture? Metatarsal stress fracture is a medical condition that seems only a few knows. Unfortunately, this condition has been pestering us since the olden times. The metatarsal bones are a group of long bones of our feet. This can develop as a person has undergone a strenuous exercise or activity of specific bones uncommonly used. This is well aggravated with weight bearing exercises that lead to stress of the metatarsal. The metatarsal stress fracture is also referred as the incomplete fracture of bones. This is highly brought about overuse, as already mentioned. Fatigue is then correlated with this condition. The number of cases for such condition [...]

What Is Thrombolysis? Thrombolysis is a process or a form of treatment with a primary goal of the dissolving blood clots that cause obstruction. This is a common form of treatment that can assist clients who are suffering from blood clots. This can also facilitate improvement of one’s blood flow. Thrombolysis Agents Thrombolysis agents are also known as thrombolytic agents. These are only aimed in acting on the formed blood clots. It doesn’t mean that it can avoid development of blood clots. The following are known agents of thrombolysis: Streptokinase Urokinase Alteplase Anistreplase Prourokinase Retaplase Tenecteplase These agents are composed of 3 classifications and these are tissue plasminogen activator, SK [...]

Hypernatremia Definition Hypernatremia is an imbalance in electrolyte, where the sodium level gets elevated in the blood. Generally, hypernatremia do not occur due to excess sodium; instead, it is caused due to free water deficiency in the body, which causes the sodium in the body to rise. Hence, hypernatremia is a water-problem rather than sodium homeostasis. Hypernatremia due to excess salt intake is rare, and may happen in situations like salt water ingestion. Thus, hypernatremia is synonymous with dehydration. A strong thirst sensation resulting as a consequence of increased sodium level indicates hypernatremia, and this can be corrected by drinking water while feeling thirsty. Normal range: 136-145 mEq/L Hypernatremia: 145 [...]

Hypovolemia Definition Hypovolemia is a condition, where the blood volume decreases, otherwise decrease in blood plasma volume occurs. Thus, it is the volume contraction’s intravascular component, or blood volume loss due to hemorrhage and dehydration. Hence, sometimes, volume contraction and hypovolemia are used synonymously. Hypovolemia is represented by depletion of sodium (salt), thereby differing from dehydration, and meaning excessive water loss from the body. Historically, hypovolemia was termed desanguination meaning extensive loss of blood (derived from the Latin word sanguis, meaning blood). Hippocrates widely used this term. Actually, this word was used for describing the personality lack, either due to weakness or health, as a result of massive blood loss [...]

Hypokalemia Definition Hypokalemia is an imbalance in metabolism, where the serum potassium (K+) concentration is low (hypo means- low, kalium- potassium, emia- in blood). Potassium amount < 2.5 mmol/L may be life-threatening, and will require urgent medical attention. Nearly 95% of the total potassium in the body is found intracellular, whereas, the remaining amount is found in the blood. Na+/K+ pump maintains this concentration gradient. Hypokalemia can either be a disease symptom, or diuretic drug side effect. Normally, hormone insulin secretion stimulated by food is capable of preventing diet-induced hypokalemia that occurs temporarily, thereby increasing the absorption of potassium by the cells. Thus, in hypokalemia, there occurs an imbalance, as [...]