HEART ATTACK

   Myocardial infarction which is also known as Heart Attack is caused by a blockage in a coronary artery. The myocardium loses its oxygen supply, and undergoes ischaemic change.

There are two main types of myocardial infarctions:

[i] NSTEMI (non S-T elevated myocardial infarction) - The coronary artery is only partially blocked. Ischaemic damage to partial thickness of the myocardium.

[ii] STEMI (S-T elevated myocardial infarction) where the coronary artery is completely blocked. Ischaemic damage to the full thickness of the myocardium.

   The most common cause of a myocardial infarction is an atheroma (lipid collection in the artery walls).

   Risk factors for myocardial infarctions include obesity, high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes.

What could the surgical removal of the womb mean?

   Hysterectomy is defined as the surgical removal of the uterus (womb), usually as a result of cervical or uterine cancer.

   When performing a hysterectomy, a good knowledge of regional anatomy is needed to prevent accidentally damaging other structures in the pelvic region. In summary, performing the surgery must be done by an experienced Surgeon.

THE VERACITY OF GOD

   This refers to His truth, or an exact correspondence and conformity between His Word and His mind.

   Moses says, "He is a God of truth." He is true in and of himself; he truly and really exists; He is the true and living God: all His perfections are true and real; truth is essential to Him; it is pure and perfect in Him; it is the first and original in Him; He is the fountain of truth: all His works in creation, providence, and grace, are according to truth.

BACKSLIDING - the danger zone

   This refers to the act of turning from the path of duty. It may be considered as partial when applied to true believers, who do not backslide with the whole bent of their will; as voluntary, when applied to those who, after professing to know the truth, wilfully turn from it, and live in the practice of sin; as final, when the mind is given up to judicial hardness, as in the case of Judas.

Causes of Backsliding

   The causes of backsliding includes: the cares of the world; improper connections; inattention to secret or closet duties; self-conceit and self-dependence; indulgence; listening to and parleying with temptations.

   A backsliding state is manifested by indifference to prayer and self-examination; trifling or unprofitable conversation; neglect of public ordinances; shunning the people of God; associating with the world; thinking lightly of sin; neglect of the Bible; and often by gross immorality.

Consequences of Backsliding

   The consequences of this awful state are loss of character; loss of comfort; loss of usefulness; and, as long as any remain in this state, a loss of a well-grounded hope of future happiness.

Escape Route

   To avoid this state or recover from it, we should beware of the first appearance of sin; be much in prayer; attend the ordinances; and unite with the people of God. We should consider the awful instances of apostasy, as Saul, Judas, Demas; the many warnings we have of it, [Matthew 24v13, Hebrews 10v38, Luke 9v62], how it grieves the Holy Spirit; and how wretched it makes us; above all things, our dependence should be on God, that we may always be directed by his Spirit, and kept by his power.

THE PREMATURE KIDNEY

   Renal dysgenesis is a term that is used to describe any underdevelopment of the kidneys. In a nutshell it is a term used to describe premature kidneys.

Forms of Renal Dysgenesis

There are two main forms of renal dysgenesis, and they include:

[i] Renal agenesis – this is a term used to describe the complete failure of one or both kidneys to develop. It is most commonly unilateral.

[ii] Renal hypoplasia – this describes a situation in which the kidneys develop with a normal architecture, but are of a smaller size.

The 'man' behind SEVERE ABDOMINAL PAIN.

   Appendicitis is described as the acute inflammation of the appendix, and it is the most common cause for acute, severe abdominal pain. The abdomen is most tender at McBurney’s point which is a one third of the distance from the right anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. This corresponds to the location of the base of the appendix.
  The aetiology depends on age. In the young, it is mostly due to an increase in lymphoid tissue size, which occludes the lumen. From 30 years old onwards, it is more likely to be blocked due to faecal matter (faeces).
   Initially, the appendix cannot drain, and so increases in size, stretching the visceral peritoneum. This causes a vague pain in the periumbilical region. As the appendix swells, it irritates the parietal peritoneum, and causes severe pain in the right lower quadrant.
   If the appendix is not removed, it can become necrotic and rupture, resulting in peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) which if not attended to immediately may result in DEATH.

Conclusion:
If you have a severe abdominal pain, you are hereby advised to see a Doctor, and not taking part in self-medication (taking drugs without prescription from the pharmacist or Doctor).

PULMONARY EMBOLISM

   Pulmonary embolism refers to the obstruction of a pulmonary artery by a substance that has travelled from elsewhere in the body. The most common emboli are:

Thrombus - responsible for the majority of cases and usually arises in a distant vein.

Fat – following a bone fracture or orthopaedic surgery.

Air – following cannulation in the neck.

   The effect of a pulmonary embolism is a reduction in lung perfusion. This results in decreased blood oxygenation, and the accumulation of blood in the right ventricle of the heart.

Clinical features include: 

Dyspnoea, chest pain, cough, haemoptysis and tachypnoea. In clinical medicine, the Wells’ score is used to assess the probability of pulmonary embolism.

Definitive treatment: 

This involves anticoagulation and thrombolytic therapy which play a role in reducing the size of the embolus, and preventing further clotting.