Stephane Begg

Stephane Begg BSN, ER RN

Implanted Cardiac Pacemaker: Medical illustration showing a pacemaker device positioned beneath the left collarbone, wit...
01/17/2026

Implanted Cardiac Pacemaker: Medical illustration showing a pacemaker device positioned beneath the left collarbone, with lead wires and electrodes extending into the heart chambers to regulate and maintain a normal heart rhythm.

Main types of arthritis1. Osteoarthritis (OA)Most common typeCaused by wear and tear of jointsAffects knees, hips, hands...
01/17/2026

Main types of arthritis
1. Osteoarthritis (OA)

Most common type

Caused by wear and tear of joints

Affects knees, hips, hands, and spine

Causes pain, stiffness, and reduced movement

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

An autoimmune disease

Immune system attacks the joints

Causes swelling, pain, stiffness (especially in the morning)

Can affect other organs

3. Psoriatic Arthritis

Occurs in people with psoriasis

Causes joint pain, swelling, and skin lesions

4. Ankylosing Spondylitis

Mainly affects the spine

Causes back pain and stiffness

Can lead to reduced flexibility

5. Gout

Caused by uric acid crystal buildup

Often affects the big toe

Sudden, severe pain and swelling

Other types
6. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Occurs in children

Causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness

7. Reactive Arthritis

Develops after an infection

Affects joints, eyes, and urinary tract

8. Septic Arthritis

Caused by joint infection

Medical emergency

9. Lupus Arthritis

Associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Joint pain with other organ involvement

10. Enteropathic Arthritis

Associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Degenerative brain diseases are conditions in which brain cells gradually stop working and eventually die, leading to a ...
01/17/2026

Degenerative brain diseases are conditions in which brain cells gradually stop working and eventually die, leading to a decline in memory, movement, behavior, and thinking ability.

🔹 Common types include:

Alzheimer’s disease

Parkinson’s disease

Huntington’s disease

Frontotemporal dementia

Lewy body dementia

ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

⚠️ Common symptoms:

Memory loss & confusion

Tremors and movement problems

Personality & behavior changes

Difficulty speaking or swallowing

💡 Early diagnosis, proper medical care, and supportive therapy can help slow progression and improve quality of life.

📌 Awareness is the first step toward better brain health.

Brain hemorrhage means bleeding inside or around the brain and is a medical emergency 🚨Understanding the types helps in ...
01/17/2026

Brain hemorrhage means bleeding inside or around the brain and is a medical emergency 🚨
Understanding the types helps in early recognition and quick action.

🔴 Epidural Hemorrhage – Bleeding between the skull and dura mater
🔴 Subdural Hemorrhage – Bleeding beneath the dura mater
🔴 Subarachnoid Hemorrhage – Bleeding between the brain and arachnoid membrane
🔴 Intracerebral Hemorrhage – Bleeding within brain tissue itself

⚠️ Warning signs: sudden severe headache, weakness, confusion, vomiting, loss of consciousness

📞 Seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear.
Early treatment can save lives.

1️⃣ Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)Cause: Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cellsResult: Little or no insulin productionOnse...
01/16/2026

1️⃣ Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)

Cause: Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells

Result: Little or no insulin production

Onset: Usually childhood or adolescence (can occur at any age)

Management: Lifelong insulin therapy

Key feature: Prone to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

2️⃣ Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)

Cause: Insulin resistance + relative insulin deficiency

Risk factors: Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history

Onset: Mostly adulthood (increasing in youth)

Management: Lifestyle changes, oral drugs, ± insulin

Most common type of diabetes

3️⃣ Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Occurs during: Pregnancy

Cause: Hormonal insulin resistance

Risk: Can lead to large baby, birth complications

Outcome: Usually resolves after delivery, but ↑ risk of T2DM later

4️⃣ Prediabetes

Meaning: Blood glucose higher than normal but not diabetic range

Importance: Reversible with lifestyle modification

Risk: Progression to Type 2 Diabetes

5️⃣ Secondary Diabetes

Caused by:

Pancreatic diseases (pancreatitis)

Endocrine disorders (Cushing’s syndrome)

Drugs (steroids)

Management: Treat underlying cause

6️⃣ Monogenic Diabetes (Rare)

Examples: MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young), Neonatal diabetes

Cause: Single gene mutation

Onset: Childhood or early adulthood

1️⃣ Calcium Stones (Most Common)Types: Calcium oxalate, Calcium phosphateCauses: High oxalate intake, dehydration, exces...
01/16/2026

1️⃣ Calcium Stones (Most Common)

Types: Calcium oxalate, Calcium phosphate

Causes: High oxalate intake, dehydration, excess calcium in urine

Risk factors: Low fluid intake, high salt diet

2️⃣ Uric Acid Stones

Cause: High uric acid levels in urine

Associated with: Gout, high-protein diets, dehydration

Characteristic: Often seen in acidic urine

3️⃣ Struvite Stones (Infection Stones)

Cause: Urinary tract infections by urease-producing bacteria

Feature: Can grow rapidly and form large “staghorn” stones

More common in: Women with recurrent UTIs

4️⃣ Cystine Stones (Rare)

Cause: Genetic disorder called cystinuria

Mechanism: Excess cystine leaks into urine

Seen in: Young individuals, recurrent stones

Illustration showing Crohn’s disease, highlighting affected areas of the digestive tract, intestinal inflammation, commo...
01/16/2026

Illustration showing Crohn’s disease, highlighting affected areas of the digestive tract, intestinal inflammation, common symptoms, complications, and diagnostic and treatment approache

Syncope is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, followed by spontaneous ...
01/16/2026

Syncope is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, followed by spontaneous recovery.

🧠 Why does syncope occur?

When the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood for a short time, a person may faint.

📌 Common Causes of Syncope

Vasovagal syncope (most common)

Triggered by fear, pain, emotional stress, prolonged standing

Orthostatic hypotension

Sudden drop in BP on standing up

Cardiac syncope

Arrhythmias, heart block, aortic stenosis

Situational syncope

Coughing, urination, defecation

Neurologic causes

Stroke, seizures (rarely true syncope)

⚠️ Warning Signs (Prodrome)

Dizziness

Lightheadedness

Nausea

Sweating

Blurred vision

Palpitations

🩺 Diagnosis

History & physical exam

Blood pressure (lying & standing)

ECG

Blood tests (if needed)

Tilt-table test (in selected cases)

🚑 Immediate Management

Lay patient flat with legs elevated

Loosen tight clothing

Check airway, breathing & circulation

Monitor vital signs

🧑‍⚕️ Prevention & Care

Adequate hydration 💧

Slow position changes

Avoid triggers

Treat underlying heart or BP problems

Symptoms of Stomach (Gastric) CancerEarly stomach cancer often causes no clear symptoms, but as it progresses, the follo...
01/16/2026

Symptoms of Stomach (Gastric) Cancer

Early stomach cancer often causes no clear symptoms, but as it progresses, the following may appear:

Early symptoms

Indigestion or heartburn

Feeling full after eating small amounts (early satiety)

Mild stomach discomfort or bloating

Nausea

Advanced symptoms

Persistent stomach or upper abdominal pain

Loss of appetite

Unintentional weight loss

Vomiting (sometimes with blood)

Black, tarry stools (sign of bleeding)

Fatigue and weakness (due to anemia)

Difficulty swallowing (if tumor is near the esophagus)

Warning signs – seek medical help urgently

Ongoing stomach pain with weight loss

Vomiting blood

Black stools

Severe weakness or anemia

⚠️ These symptoms can also occur with less serious conditions (like ulcers or gastritis), but persistent or worsening symptoms should always be checked by a doctor.

Blood Collection Sites in the Human Body1. Venous Blood Collection (Venipuncture) – Most commonMedian cubital vein (ante...
01/15/2026

Blood Collection Sites in the Human Body

1. Venous Blood Collection (Venipuncture) – Most common

Median cubital vein (antecubital fossa) ⭐ Preferred

Cephalic vein

Basilic vein

Dorsal veins of the hand

Forearm veins

👉 Used for routine blood tests (CBC, biochemistry, serology).

2. Capillary Blood Collection – Small samples

Fingertip (adults & children)

Heel (newborns/infants)

Earlobe (less common)

👉 Used for glucose monitoring, hemoglobin, ABGs (sometimes).

3. Arterial Blood Collection – Special tests

Radial artery ⭐ Most common

Brachial artery

Femoral artery

👉 Used mainly for Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs).

4. Central Venous Access – Hospital/ICU settings

Internal jugular vein

Subclavian vein

Femoral vein

👉 Used for critically ill patients, CVP monitoring, frequent sampling.

01/15/2026

Top 5 Symptoms of Kidney Damage 🚨
Swelling, changes in urine, back pain, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath can be warning signs. Early testing can protect your kidneys—don’t ignore the symptoms.

An infection of the urinary system—most commonly caused by bacteria like E. coli—leading to burning urination, frequent ...
01/15/2026

An infection of the urinary system—most commonly caused by bacteria like E. coli—leading to burning urination, frequent urges, lower abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Early diagnosis and proper treatment help prevent complications

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