I have Acne
Grace H Acne is a skin condition that occurs due to the overproduction of oil by the oil glands of the skin. The oil that normally lubricates the skin gets trapped in blocked oil ducts and results in what we know as pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the surface of skin. Sometimes it also includes […]
Grace H
Acne is a skin condition that occurs due to the overproduction of oil by the oil glands of the skin. The oil that normally lubricates the skin gets trapped in blocked oil ducts and results in what we know as pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the surface of skin. Sometimes it also includes deeper skin lesions that are called cysts.
•Pimples are small skin swellings that sometimes contain pus.
•Blackheads are dark formations on the skin due to an accumulated mixture of oil and cells in a blocked skin pore.
•Whiteheads are small flesh-or white-colored bumps due to skin pore blockage.
•Cysts are closed sacs beneath the skin or deeper that contain fluid or semisolid substances.
Many factors are associated with that:
1.Increase secretion of sebum ( a liquid substance)
2.Increased hormonal production example release of Androgen from Testes, Ovaries and Supra renal Gland
3.Increased abnormal keratinisation (thickness) around the Pilosebaceous Follicles which lead to obstruction of the flow of sebum.
4.Increased presence of Bacterium such as Proprionobacterium acnes. It is a normal commensal on the skin
5.Familial ; runs in the family.
It normally affects face, shoulder, upper chest and back
Management
1.Local treatment such as regular washing with soap and clean water
2.Use of Antibacterial skin cleaners
3.Use of Antibiotics
4.Hormonal Treatment, but depends on the cause.
What is an acute abdomen?
My uncle collapsed last week in his business shop and was rushed to hospital. He almost died but was saved. We were told it was Acute Abdomen. Please what is it?
Iliya L
Acute abdomen represents a rapid onset of severe symptoms that may indicate life-threatening intra-abdominal pathology (Disease condition). Management of the acute abdomen in primary care should focus on careful assessment to reach a differential diagnosis list, with close attention paid to symptoms and signs that may indicate a need to investigate the situation further in hospital.
Major causes
This list is far from exhaustive, but commonly seen
1. Acute Cholescystitis (Inflammation of the gall bladder)
2. Acute Appendicitis
3. Acute Pancreatitis
4. Ectopic Pregnancy (Pregnancy that is not situated within the wall of the womb but located in the abdomen, follopian tubes, e/t/c)
5. Peptic Ulcer Diseases
6. Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases
7. Intestinal Obstruction
8. Acute Intestinal Ischaemia (compromised blood circulation to the intestine)
9. Gastrointestinal haemorrhage (bleeeding)
10. Renal colic (pain originated from kidney)
11. Acute Urinary Retention
12. Testicular Torsion (twisting of the testes)
13. Non-surgical disease, e.g sickle cell disease
Initial Assessment should focus on:
1. Does the patient look ill?
2. Is he/her lying still or rolling around in agony.
What to consider about the pain:
1. Onset (including whether new pain or previously experienced)
2. Site (ask patient to point), localised or diffuse
3. Nature (constant/intermittent/colicky)
4. Radiation (moving)
5. Severity
6. Relieving/aggravating factors (e.g. if worsened by movement/coughing or is relieved by sitting forward)
7. Associated symptoms:
8. Vomiting and nature of vomitus (undigested food or bile suggests upper GI pathology or obstruction; feculent vomiting suggests lower GI obstruction)
Some of the problems that will warrant admission are:
1. Hypotension (low blood pressure)
2. Confusion/impaired consciousness
3. Signs of shock ( cold extremities)
4. Systemically unwell/septic-looking
5. Signs of dehydration
6. Rigid abdomen
7. Patient lying very still or writhing
8. Associated testicular pathology
9. Tenderness around the abdomen
10. History of haematemesis (vomiting blood)
11. Suspicion of medical cause for abdominal pain.