Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Testicle disease
The scrotum may be affected by various skin diseases, particularly eczema or fungal infection. A hernia may pass into the scrotum. Defective development of the testicle may lead to its retention within the abdomen, a condition called undescended testicle.
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Teicoplanin
A glycopeptide antibiotic which acts against aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive bacteria. Like the similar drug, vancomycin, it is given for the prevention and treatment of endocarditis and other serious infections caused by gram-positive cocci, including staphylococcus, which have developed resistance to other antibiotics. Its long duration of action means that it need be given only…
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Taxanes
A group of cytotoxic drugs administered intravenously for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer and secondary spread of breast cancer. Given under specialist supervision in hospital, taxanes are not effective for all patients, but results are encouraging when they do respond. Side-effects include hypersensitivity, myelosuppression, cardiac arrhythmia, and peripheral neuropathy. Examples of the taxanes are…
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Tantulum
A heavy metal that is used in surgery because it is easy to mould and does not corrode. It is particularly suitable for repairing defects in the skull bones.
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Tacalcitol
An analogue of vitamin D, applied to the skin for treatment of plaque psoriasis.
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Syringe drivers
Battery or mains electrically driven portable devices into which a syringe can be loaded to give a continuous infusion to patients who need regular treatment to control severe pain, or to newborns where the volume to be given is critical and difficult to control with other devices. A compact apparatus that combines a medication-filled syringe…
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Synechiae
Adhesions between the iris and adjacent structures (e.g. cornea, lens). They usually arise as a result of inflammation of the iris.
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Sympathomimetic drugs
These drugs stimulate the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. There are three group: inotropic and vasoconstrictor sympathomimetics, and those used for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The properties of these drugs vary according to whether they act on alpha or beta adrenergic receptons. Substances that activate the sympathetic nervous system by imitating the impacts of natural compounds…
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Sulphonylureas
Sulphonamide derivatives which lower the blood sugar when they are given by mouth, by enhancing the production of insulin. They are effective in treating diabetes mellitus only when some residual pancreatic beta-cell function is present. All may lead to hypoglycaemia if given in overdose and this is particularly common when long acting sulphonylureas are given…
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Sudden unexpected death in infancy
Traditionally this was called ‘cot death’ and implies that a baby has been found dead for no obvious reason, usually between the ages of 1 month and 1 year. Amongst them will be some babies where a definite cause is found at post-mortem examination, for example an overwhelming infection, an undiagnosed. metabolic disorder or congenital…
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