Student physical therapists across the country are the home stretch to preparing for the Board Examinations at the end of this month. So, “settle down” would most certainly be applicable words for all of us. However, let’s talk about blood instead! Who doesn’t like test tubes full of blood? YAY. Alright, your patient has blood work that … Continue reading
Filed under Pathology Pondering …
Like a marsupial ? Craniectomies status post TBI (traumatic brain injury)
I suffer from pervasive and malignant foot in mouth syndrome (IE ~ stream of consciousness speaking without filtration) I just get so excited sometimes and my mind just leaps to places perhaps it shouldn’t go. Well, I had a mild case of “FIMS” this week when speaking to a surgeon about a new patient I … Continue reading
The Boy with the Basketball Braces
There are DAYS in PT school…. and then there are DAYS ❤ Today, was one of the latter. We had the absolute privilege to have a special guest in pediatrics today: “Jack” “Jack” is a super precocious 3 year old who loves basketball, playing at the park, drawing (“I draw with anything I want!”), and his physical … Continue reading
Scary Dreams
Ok, DO NOT fall asleep studying and listening to pharmacology and pathology. YOU. WILL. HAVE. WEIRD. DREAMS. inspired by Goya’s “The sleep of reason produces monsters” 1797 As we know, our adrenal glands release cortisol (from the adrenal cortex) when we are stressed. [yep, right now and lots next week … read: finals] BUT you also … Continue reading
Bodygaurds to the BBB
Meet my friends carbidopa and COMT Their necks are the thickest, their jaws are the MOST chiseled, & they are crucial in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Unfortunately, dopamine (the neurotransmitter that is decreased when individuals have Parkinson’s disease) cannot cross the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). Luckily, we are able to give patients L-DOPA the precursor to … Continue reading
Slow yo’ roll insulin !
Learned (at least) two interesting things in Pharmacology this week: 1) Insulin used for individuals with Diabetes Mellitus can be derived from pigs and cows (only a few amino acid difference –> we are all one big mammalian family : ) Thanks Babe! (we primarily use pork insulin because of the “mad cow” problems) 2) Zinc can … Continue reading
Worst analogies ever
Ok, I <;3 learning cardio stuff! But can someone please tell me why they have the worst analogies ever? ; Congestive Heart Failure = “old underwear” A-fib = “bag of worms” Well, maybe it is a good thing….so people think: </p So, take care of yourself!!! Exercise, eat right, and make sure your heart fits … Continue reading
Good advice cAMP
Ok, first off…get your slurpee on! I would suggest a minimum of 3 free slurpees, one for each meal of the day. Trust me, I’m going to be a doctor [of physical therapy and deliciousness] Second, our good friend cAMP may be the Paul Revere riding through our cells saying bronchdilate [and the British are … Continue reading
P is for Platelet
om nom nom nom…..made by the tiniest elves, eaten by the tiniest monsters Seriously…check this dude out: In an inactive state, it looks delicious … Turn it on to GET YOUR CLOT ON!
In ur phospholipid bilayer, nommin’ ur penicillins
waca, waca, waca, waca…..Pac-Man NO! –> or should I say β-Lactam…send in the GHOSTS (β-lacamase inhibitors 😀 ) When was the last time you rooted for the ghosts? Well, if you’ve got a bacterial infection you will !! Lets all do our part to prevent resistance to antibiotics and play more video games!! JK: Seriously though, this … Continue reading