A fibrillation can be described as muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibres acting without coordination. In the heart this is caused by the electrical charges that make the heartbeat become irregular and rapid. If untreated, fibrillation can lead to cardiac arrest, also known as myocardial infarction, and death. The defibrillator, if used as soon as […]
As part of an Independent Medical Assessment, a specialist may be required to carry out a physical examination of the claimant. When the specialist dictates the report, they will need to refer to the body and the location of its parts in precise detail. In doing this they will use terminology of body planes. They […]
Strains Most strains are caused by overstretching muscles or tendons. Strains may be minor or severe. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the strain but may include pain and tenderness that is worse with movement, swelling and brusing, normal or limited muscle movement, or a bulge or deformity at the site of a complete […]
Summary Knee replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is usually necessary when the knee joint is worn or damaged, leaving mobility reduced and the patient in pain even while resting. Knee replacement surgery is considered when all other forms of conservative treatment have been exhausted. The procedure involves removing all or part of the knee […]
Summary The knee joint is the largest and one of the strongest and most important joints in the human body. It is a synovial hinge joint which typically means that it allows motion in one plane, flexion and extension, however, the knee joint is slightly unusual in that it allows a small amount of rotation. […]
The brain and the rest of the nervous system make up the control centre for the human body. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. All actions, both voluntary and involuntary, occur due to electrical and chemical signals being passed between the brain and the nervous system, the […]
Overview One in every five Australians suffer from chronic pain. Whether it is the slice of a paper cut, the crack of a broken bone, the throb of a headache or an ache that niggles in your back, pain serves an important purpose. It warns us when we are injured or when something is not […]
Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. The lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli, which fill with air when a healthy person breathes. When an individual has pneumonia, the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and limits oxygen intake. Pneumonia is the […]
This week in LexiMed Educates we are looking at a potentially fatal condition that is of an increasing danger to the westernised society; the heart attack. There were 22,983 deaths in 2006 due to coronary heart disease. This was 17% of total deaths of that year. It is also worth knowing that women may have […]
Overview We all realise when we have a bit too much fat around the midriff, it is plain for all to see. What about having too much fat in your liver? You cannot see it or feel it, so most people do not even know it is present. Fatty liver disease is common in westernised […]
