Supplemental Knowledge

Eylea

A drug used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic eye disease by blocking the growth and leaking of fluid from abnormal blood vessels in the eye.

Avastin (bevacizumab)

A drug similar to Eylea, used off-label for eye diseases, particularly effective for wet AMD and diabetic eye disease.

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)

A serious complication of diabetes characterized by very high blood sugar levels for an extended period, leading to symptoms like extreme thirst, frequent urination, and confusion.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition where the platelet count in the blood is too low, affecting the blood's ability to clot and seal wounds.

Agranulocytosis

Severe reduction in neutrophil levels, a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Polycythemia vera (PV)

A condition where the bone marrow produces an excessive amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, increasing the risk of blood clots, bleeding, and certain blood cancers.

Cholestyramine

Medication used to lower high cholesterol levels by removing bile acids from the body, reducing the risk of cholesterol-related medical issues.

Conn's syndrome

Also known as primary aldosteronism, a condition causing resistant high blood pressure due to excess production of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal glands.

Cholesteatoma

A skin-lined cyst originating at the eardrum's edge and invading the middle ear and mastoid.

Glaucoma

A disease damaging the optic nerve due to increased eye pressure from fluid buildup, often treated with laser surgeries like trabeculoplasty and iridotomy.

Trabeculoplasty and Iridotomy

The two main types of laser surgery to treat glaucoma. They help aqueous drain from the eye. These procedures are usually done in the ophthalmologist’s office or an outpatient surgery center.

Trabeculoplasty

This surgery is for people who have open-angle glaucoma and can be used instead of or in addition to medications. The eye surgeon uses a laser to make the drainage angle work better. That way fluid flows out properly and eye pressure is reduced.

Iridotomy

This is for people who have angle-closure glaucoma. The ophthalmologist uses a laser to create a tiny hole in the iris. This hole helps fluid flow to the drainage angle.

Cushing reflex

is a physiological nervous system response to acute elevations of intracranial pressure (ICP), resulting in the Cushing triad of widened pulse pressure (increasing systolic, decreasing diastolic) bradycardia, and irregular respirations.

Cushing's triad

refers to a set of signs that are indicative of increased intracranial pressure, or increased pressure in the brain. Cushing's triad consists of bradycardia, irregular respirations, and a widened pulse pressure.

Intravenous mannitol, hyperventilation, and elevation of the head

Treatment that aimed at decreasing the ICP, reversing the cause, and restoring cerebral blood flow

Elevating the head of the bed to thirty degrees, keeping the neck in a neutral position, maintaining a normal body temperature, and preventing volume overload

Interventions to lower or stabilize ICP include?

Mannitol

a hypertonic crystalloid solution, is commonly used to decrease brain water content and reduce intracranial pressure (ICP). Hypertonic saline solutions also decrease brain water and ICP while temporarily increasing systolic blood pressure and cardiac output.

Dawn phenomenon

Happens when hormones your body naturally makes in the early morning (including cortisol and growth hormone) increase your blood sugar. The Somogyi effect also involves a surge of hormones, but it's due to a low blood sugar episode overnight. This doesn't happen because of low blood sugar.

Phantom limb pain

Is the perception of pain or discomfort in a limb that is no longer there. PLP most commonly presents as a sequel of amputation. The underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood. A patient may experience this type of pain soon after amputation or even in the weeks or months afterward. The pain in the missing limb may be ongoing or unpredictable. It is often worse at night when thoughts turn inward as outside distractions subside.

Insulin resistance

Is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don't respond well to insulin and can't easily take up glucose from your blood. As a result, your pancreas makes more insulin to help glucose enter your cells.

Meniere's disease

Is an inner ear problem that can cause dizzy spells, also called vertigo, and hearing loss. Most of the time, Meniere's disease affects only one ear. This disease can happen at any age. But it usually starts between the ages of 40 to 60.

Meniere syndrome

The symptomatic triad of episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss occurring secondary to other inner ear disorders.