Sunday, September 2, 2018

The race is on to lead medical AI revolution BY CAROLINE COPLEY REUTERS

The race is on to lead medical AI revolution

BY CAROLINE COPLEY

REUTERS

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Nervous System: Facts, Function & Diseases

Nervous System: Facts, Function & Diseases

YOU CAN WATCH A SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE BRAIN and ITS ROLE in your body's functioning. Click the LINK above.

The nervous system is a complex collection of nerves and specialized cells known as neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the body. It is essentially the body’s electrical wiring. Structurally, the nervous system has two components: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. According to the National Institutes of Health, the central nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. The peripheral nervous system consists of sensory neurons, ganglia (clusters of neurons) and nerves that connect to one another and to the central nervous system. Functionally, the nervous system has two main subdivisions: the somatic, or voluntary, component; and the autonomic, or involuntary, component.

The autonomic nervous system regulates certain body processes, such as blood pressure and the rate of breathing, that work without conscious effort, according to Merck Manuals. The somatic system consists of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord with muscles and sensory receptors in the skin. Description of the nervous system Nerves are cylindrical bundles of fibers that start at the brain and central cord and branch out to every other part of the body, according to the University of Michigan Medical School. Neurons send signals to other cells through thin fibers called axons, which cause chemicals known as neurotransmitters to be released at junctions called synapses, the NIH noted. A synapse gives a command to the cell and the entire communication process typically takes only a fraction of a millisecond. Sensory neurons react to physical stimuli such as light, sound and touch and send feedback to the central nervous system about the body’s surrounding environment, according to the American Psychological Association. Motor neurons, located in the central nervous system or in peripheral ganglia, transmit signals to activate the muscles or glands. Glial cells, derived from the Greek word for "glue," are specialized cells that support, protect or nourish nerve cells, according to the National Institute on Aging.

[Related: 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Brain] Find out about the workings of the brain and nerves. Find out about the workings of the brain and nerves. Credit: Ross Toro, Livescience.com contributor Diagnosing nervous system conditions There are a number of tests and procedures to diagnose conditions involving the nervous system. In addition to the traditional X-ray, a specialized X-ray called a fluoroscopy examines the body in motion, such as blood flowing through arteries, according to the NIH. Other standard neurological exams include an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT scan, and an electroencephalogram (EEG), which records the brain's continuous electrical activity. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a procedure that measures cell or tissue metabolism and brain activity to detect tumors or diseased tissue or tumors, the NIH noted.

A spinal tap places a needle into the spinal canal to drain a small amount of cerebral spinal fluid that is tested for infection or other abnormalities, according to the NIH. Diseases of the nervous system “Of all the diseases of the nervous system, the most common difficulty that people have is pain, and much of that is nerve-related,” according to Dr. Shai Gozani, founder and CEO of NeuroMetrix, a medical device company.
“There are 100 million people who live with chronic pain.” According to the Mayo Clinic, patients with nerve disorders experience functional difficulties, which result in conditions such as: Epilepsy, in which abnormal electrical discharges from brain cells cause seizures Parkinson's disease, which is a progressive nerve disease that affects movement Multiple sclerosis (MS), in which the protective lining of the nerves is attacked by the body’s immune system Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a motor neuron disease which weakens the muscles and progressively hampers physical function Huntington's disease, which is an inherited condition that cause the nerve cells in the brain to degenerate Alzheimer's disease, which covers a wide range of disorders that impacts mental functions, particularly memory.

Mayo Clinic also noted that the nervous system can also be affected by vascular disorders such as: Stroke, which occurs when there is bleeding on the brain or the blow flow to the brain is obstructed; Transient ischemic attack (TIA), which are mini-type strokes that last a shorter period of time but mimic stroke symptoms; and Subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is specifically bleeding in the space between your brain and the surrounding membrane that can be the result of a trauma or rupturing of a weak blood vessel; Infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, polio, and epidural abscess can also affect the nervous system, the NIH noted. Treatments vary from anti inflammatory medications and pain medications such as opiates , to implanted nerve stimulators and wearable devices, Gozani said.

“Many people also turn to herbal and holistic methods to reduce pain, such as acupuncture.” Study of the nervous system The branch of medicine that studies and treats the nervous system is called neurology, and doctors who practice in this field of medicine are called neurologists. Once they have completed medical training, neurologists complete additional training for their specialty and are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). There are also physiatrists, who are physicians who work to rehabilitate patients who have experienced disease or injury to their nervous systems that impact their ability to function, according to the ABPN. Neurosurgeons perform surgeries involving the nervous system and are certified by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Heart Disease (link to Medicinenet.com)

The following information about heart disease was referenced from:
http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_disease_coronary_artery_disease/article.htm

Please visit the LINK above at medicinenet.com to see the complete information on heart disease.
NOTE: Be sure to watch the Heart Disease (slideshow) near the botttom of the page on the above LINK (url).

Heart Disease (Cardiovascular Disease, CVD)

Heart (cardiovascular) disease definition and facts

Heart disease refers to various types of conditions that can affect heart function. These types include:
- Coronary artery (atherosclerotic) heart disease that affects the arteries to the heart
- Valvular heart disease that affects how the valves function to regulate blood flow in and out of the heart
- Cardiomyopathy that affects how the heart muscle squeezes
- Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) that affect the electrical conduction
- Heart infections where the heart has structural problems that develop before birth
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in the US.
Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle and coronary artery disease occurs when there is a buildup of cholesterol plaque inside the artery walls. Over time, this buildup of plaque may partially block the artery and decrease blood flow through it.
A heart attack occurs when a plaque ruptures and forms a clot in the artery causing a complete blockage. That part of the heart muscle that is denied blood supply starts to die.
Classic signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease may include:
- Chest pain (angina) - This pain may radiate or move to the arm, neck or back.
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Irregular heartbeat
Not all people with coronary artery disease have chest pain as a symptom. Some may have signs and symptoms of indigestion, or exercise intolerance where they cannot perform activities that they normally once could.
Coronary heart disease is initially diagnosed by patient history and physical examination. EKG blood tests, and tests to image the arteries and heart muscle confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment for coronary heart disease depends upon its severity. Many times lifestyle changes such as eating a heart healthy diet, exercising regularly, stopping smoking and controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes may limit the artery narrowing.
In some people, surgery or other procedures might be needed.

If you go to the link (URL) at the top of this page, you can visit the original page where you can watch the Slideshow below:

Quick GuideHeart Disease: Symptoms, Signs, and Causes

Friday, September 15, 2017

Can you label the parts of the human digestive system?

Click on the URL link below to open a webpage with a quiz on the human digestive system.

To answer, type one or more words. BE SURE TO CAPITALIZE each word in your answer, such as small intestine should be typed as: Small Intestine

https://www.sporcle.com/games/shapiror/digestive_system

How does the Human Digestive System work?

There are very few things in this world that you can honestly say you can't live without. Your digestive system is definitely one of those things. Simply put, this system is in charge of absorbing and transporting all the nutrients your body needs in order to thrive -- and it gets rid of all the waste the body doesn't need. As you read this article, your digestive system is chugging along, all its parts working together as a team (well, at least we hope it is).

This digestive team is composed of a bunch of hollow passageways that start at your mouth and end at your anus. These organs are aided by a couple of friends, the liver and the pancreas, with a few cameos from the brain and nerves.

Everything you eat takes a long journey through your body -- if stretched out, the system would measure about 30 feet, most of it the winding intestines [source: Kids Health: Digestive System]. And the entire ride is usually over in a matter of hours. Of course, there can be bumps in the digestive road, but we'll get to those later.

So how exactly do all of these organs work together? Let's begin by following the topsy-turvy journey of a ham and cheese sandwich.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Basic human needs, growth and development (Powerpoint)

Basic human needs, growth and development (Powerpoint)

The Slideshare Powerpoint
https://www.slideshare.net/ShaellsJoshi/basic-human-needs-growth-and-development

Basic human needs, growth and development from Shaells Joshi

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Storytelling 101

Storytelling 101

View more webinars from Ethos3

Kitasato English-B Class

Sunday, September 2, 2018