Do you know that apart from normal postures or posturing, we also have postures that are abnormal like the decorticate posture or decerebrate posture? This article reviews the assessment and management of decorticate and decerebrate posturing and highlights the role of medical professionals in evaluating and treating patients with these conditions – abnormal postures. In this post, we will identify the physical exam findings associated with decorticate and decerebrate posturing, describe the pathophysiology of decorticate and decerebrate posturing, outline the prognosis of patients with decorticate and decerebrate posturing and review the etiology of decorticate and decerebrate posturing. Keep reading. …
Author: Odudu Abasi
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About the Carnetts Sign Carnett’s sign is a clinical finding in which (acute) abdominal discomfort stays unaltered or worsens while the abdominal wall muscles are strained. To tighten the abdominal muscles, the patient may be requested to elevate his or her head and shoulders off the examination table during this section of the examination. Another option is to request that the patient elevate both legs with straight knees. A positive Carnetts sign suggests that the abdominal wall, rather than the abdominal cavity, is the cause of the discomfort (for example, due to rectus sheath hematoma instead of appendicitis). A negative…
The ‘CVA’…Maybe once or twice, in your life, you might have a kidney or urinary problem or any other problem affecting the bottom bones of your ribs, and during the hospital diagnosis, you must have heard words like CVA, the costovertebral angle, or CVA tenderness. You must have definitely wondered what does this CVA mean? What is the costovertebral angle all about? What about CVA tenderness? Today’s article will explain all there is to know about your costovertebral angle; what causes pain at the costovertebral angle, how comes about CVA tenderness, and how do you prevent costovertebral tenderness or costovertebral…
What does it mean to have crystals in urine? Crystalluria, or having crystals in urine, can be found during urine testing. It doesn’t always mean you have an infection. Causes include dehydration and taking certain medications. Urine contains a large number of different chemicals. Under some circumstances, these chemicals may solidify into salt crystals. This is called crystalluria. Crystals can be found in the urine of healthy individuals. They may be caused by minor issues like a slight excess of protein or vitamin C. Many types of urine crystals are relatively harmless. In some cases, however, crystals in urine can…
Pay close attention to your emotional responses or the people that surround you. Do you notice frequent mood swings or irregular emotional reactions? Are these responses somewhat exaggerated reactions to a situation? Have you ever heard of the statement; “Emotional Lability”? Emotional lability is characterized by rapid exaggerated changes in mood. You’ll feel strong emotions and feel like you can’t control your behavior and feelings. You will express your emotions more dramatically than usual. This is where labile mood comes in. Labile mood is associated with emotional lability. If you notice this scenario in yourself or a loved one, this…
Different forms of drainage may occur in surgical and open wounds. Purulent drainage is a sort of fluid produced by a wound. It is virtually usually an indication of infection and is often characterized as “milky” in appearance. If you have any injury with open skin, you need to take care of it to avoid infection. Keeping a wound clean, washing your hands before touching it, and following any instructions from your doctor will go a long way to helping a wound heal without complications. However, you might notice that you have symptoms of an infection, including something doctors call…
You’ve probably met or seen people whose teeth (incisors and molars) are widely spread and have a triangular or peg-like structure. And the enamel of the teeth seems to be fragile or weak. This ailment is known as Hutchinson Teeth, and it is part of the “Hutchinson triad,” which includes the eyes, ears, and teeth. When raising a child, there’s a wealth of questions that can come up on a daily basis. If your child has congenital syphilis, they may have a condition known as Hutchinson’s teeth that affects their teeth’s shape and appearance. We’re here to walk you through…
Have you ever heard of microscopic urine analysis? This is a urine test that is done with a microscope, and now where do the epithelial cells in urine fit in all this? The microscopic examination of urine can also be called the epithelial cells in urine test. Now, what are these epithelial cells in urine all about? Is it dangerous? Can it be treated? Do I have it? And so on, the questions keep piling in, but don’t worry, Healthsoothe is here for you as usual. This article aims to expose all there is to know about epithelial cells in…
Nutritional information in the media around diabetes meal planning is complicated and constantly changing. Type “diabetic diet” into a search engine and you’re going to get thousands of confusing results. Should you be vegan? Low-carb? Keto? Should you cut out fat or eat nothing but fat? Everyone seems to be suggesting something different. So, what is the American Diabetes Association diet? What is the ADA diet all about? The quick answer is there isn’t one. At least not one exact diet that will meet the nutrition needs of everyone living with diabetes. Which, in some ways, is unfortunate. Just think…
About the Flutter Valve A flutter valve (known as the Heimlich valve since its creator, Henry Heimlich) is a one-way respiratory valve used in respiratory therapy to prevent air from flowing backward via a chest tube. The flutter valve is a handheld device designed to facilitate the clearance of mucus in hypersecretory lung disorders. Exhalation through the Flutter results in oscillations of expiratory pressure and airflow, which vibrate the airway walls (loosening mucus), decrease the collapsibility of the airways, and accelerate airflow, facilitating the movement of mucus up the airways Any chest drainage management system, that normally allows for the…