Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy is a term that encompass wide range of blood pressure related disorders during pregnancy like gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, etc. Blood pressure in Normal Pregnancy: During middle trimester, due to the reduction in Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) and Arterio-venous (AV) shunting within the uterus and intervillous…
Emergency Medicine 
Pritchard regimen (MgSO4) in PIH
Pre-eclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy, characterized by hypertension (BP > 140/90 mmHg measured 2 times with interval ≥ 6 hours) and proteinuria (urinary excretion of ≥ 0.3 gm protein/24 hour specimen or 1+ in dipstick) after the 20th weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive and non-proteinuric woman. Pre-eclampsia…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Meningeal signs
Meningitis refers to the inflammation of leptomeninges and underlying subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Meningism or meningismus is a morbid state characterized by a meningitic syndrome (a triad of headache, photophobia and nuchal rigidity) without intracranial inflammation. Some authors, have also used the term “meningism” or “meningismus” to describe the characteristic signs…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Practical Procedures : Lumbar Puncture (LP)
Synonyms: Spinal tap Definition: Puncture of subarachnoid space in the lumbar region of the spinal cord to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic or therapeutic purpose or inject drugs for anesthetic purpose. Indications: A. Diagnostic: CNS infections: Bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic or TB meningitis Subarachnoid hemorrhage Carcinomatosis meningitis (CNS involvement…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Pulsus Paradoxus – Clinical Examination
Synonyms: Paradoxical pulse, Paradoxic pulse, Reversed Bernheim sign Definition of Pulsus Paradoxus There is normal physiological fall in Blood pressure upto 10 mmHg during inspiration. Pulsus paradoxus is the exaggeration of this normal decline in blood pressure more than 10 mmHg during inspiration. The “paradox” refers to the fact that…
Blog 
10 FAQs about Ebola
1. What causes Ebola virus disease? Ebola virus is a RNA virus belonging to family Filoviridae. The 5 species of Ebola virus are: Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV), Reston ebolavirus (RESTV), Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV), Taï Forest ebolavirus (TAFV). Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) is the most dangerous amongst these. Reston ebolavirus has caused disease in non-human…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Courvoisier’s law of Obstructive Jaundice
Synonyms: Courvoisier’s sign, Courvoisier syndrome, Courvoisier-Terrier sign, Bard-Pic disease Over years, the use of the term Courvoisier’s sign or gallbladder has been suggested instead of law, because of rising number of exceptions. Eponymous to: Ludwig Courvoisier (1843-1918) Definition of Courvoisier’s law Courvoisier’s (koor-vwah-zee-ayz) law states that ‘a palpable non-tender gallbladder…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Approach to a Child with Edema
Before beginning the clinical approach to a child with edema, it is necessary to understand the basics of fluid compartments, starling forces and technique of eliciting edema. Life threatening causes of Edema: Generalized: Cardiac disease Congestive Heart Failure Pericardial effusion Renal disease Nephrosis Nephritis Hepatic failure Localized: Allergic reaction with…