Diet and physical activity in the treatment of obesity - current knowledge

Introduction: Obesity is now becoming a growing problem and challenge for medicine. The number of people with excessive body weight has now reached more than 2 billion, or about 30% of the world's population. The purpose of this article is to identify and describe some of the already known treatments for obesity, along with the latest research on the subject, in order to show the importance of developing and introducing new methods of weight loss.Aim of the study: The purpose of this article is to review the impact of obesity on health and the diets offered to people struggling with the disease.Materials and methods: We reviewed the literature available in the PubMed database up to November 2022, using the keywords.Results: Consistently limiting caloric intake is a must when losing weight. There are also diets such as low-carbohydrate, low-fat and high-protein diets, but following them can also have some side effects. For example, a high-protein diet can lead to kidney stones. The Mediterranean diet is also a good option for people with obesity. It lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. All obesity treatment suggestions consistently recommend a balanced and low-calorie diet with reduced fat (along with saturated fatty acids) and optimal amounts of fiber. In addition to diet, physical activity is an important topic. The primary recommendation for people with obesity is at least moderate to vigorous physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week.Summary: In conclusion, the overarching goal of obesity treatment is to improve quality of life. Calorie restriction, regular exercise or a combination of both is accepted as an effective strategy for preventing or treating obesity

What affects chronic lithium poisoning in psychiatric patients? - a case report

INTRODUCTION: Despite medical developments, drug poisoning still occurs. Lithium is a drug that has been used for more than 60 years as a mood stabilizer in the treatment and prevention of bipolar disorder, mania and recurrent depression. Lithium is the most commonly prescribed mood stabilizer. It has a narrow therapeutic index.  Its target concentration in acute mania should be 0.6-1.5 mEq/L and 0.6-0.8 mEq/L for maintenance therapy. Because of this, there is a risk of lithium intoxication. We would like to present to you the case of a patient with chronic lithium poisoning. MATERIALS  AND METHOD: Patient information was collected from hospital records available in the clinical toxicology department. In addition, we conducted a literature review on lithium treatment, its toxicity, side effects and pharmacokinetics using PubMed. CASE REPORT: The patient, 58, was referred for lithium poisoning and admitted to the Clinical Toxicology and Cardiology Department in Lublin for treatment. The patient had a previous diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder, hypertension and obesity. According to the history, the patient was admitted to the psychiatric ward due to deterioration of her mental state for a month. She was found to have a high lithium level -2.98 mmol/L and elevated renal function parameters-creatinine 2.13 mg/dl.  During treatment with hemodialysis, these parameters returned to normal. CONCLUSION: It is important to remember that lithium has a narrow therapeutic range. Attention should be paid during lithium treatment to situations that increase the risk of adverse effects and the development of toxicity, and serum lithium concentrations should be monitored during treatment

What are the effects of taking 300 pills of sodium valproate? - case report

INTRODUCTION: Sodium valproate is one of the most important antiepileptic drugs. It can be effective as a preventive treatment for migraine, it has also found use in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder and acute mania,it is sometimes used in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, in the treatment of schizophrenia borderline personality disorder and acquired brain injury, this drug is used off-label. Its overdose can be fatal. MATERIALS    AND  METHOD:  Patient  information  was  collected  from  hospital  records available in the clinical toxicology department. In addition, we conducted a literature review on sodium valproate treatment, its toxicity, side effects and pharmacokinetics using PubMed. CASE  REPORT:  A 57-year-old patient with a history of depressive disorders was admitted to the Clinical Department of Toxicology and Cardiology in Lublin for intentional intoxication with the drug Absenor (sodium valproate). The patient had taken 3 packages of Absenor 500 mg (300 tablets in total) for suicidal purposes. The determined concentration of valproic acid was 841 µg/ml, and the patient's condition was very severe. Despite the treatment administered-multiple attempts at gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal, performance of hemodialysis procedures, administration of infusion of catecholamines, the patient died on the fifth day of hospitalization. CONCLUSION:  An overdose of sodium valproate can be fatal. Keep this in mind when ordering this drug for patients with a positive history of suicide attempts.&nbsp

Treatment of bilateral staghorn nephrolithiasis using percutaneous nephrolithotripsy in a patient chronically infected with Proteus mirabilis: a case report with literature review

Although urolithiasis is a common disease in the European population, bilateral staghorn stones are a relatively rare variant of nephrolithiasis. It is often associated with a chronic urinary tract infection or a metabolic disorder. The aim of this paper is to show an example of the treatment of bilateral staghorn  stones in a patient chronically infected with a resistant strain of Proteus mirabilis. Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) is currently the gold standard of treatment.  And this is the way the patient was managed. In the following section, the authors sought to describe new reports on this treatment method and how it could be improved.  Conservative treatment does not appear to be a safe alternative. And of the other surgical treatments, PCNL has the greatest benefits. Nearly 68% of patients with bilateral staghorn  stones have some underlying metabolic disorder in a small sample of patients. It seems reasonable, therefore, to introduce genetic and metabolic diagnosis in younger patients with the aim of prevention through diet or pharmacotherapy

Unintentional overdose of paracetamol as a problem of modern times - a case report

INTRODUCTION Paracetamol is one of the most widely used analgesics and antipyretics in the world. An overdose of this drug can occur after a single ingestion of a large amount of paracetamol or after repeated ingestion of smaller amounts that eventually exceed the recommended total dose and can result in liver damage.  It is believed that the maximum daily dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4g. MATERIALS AND METHOD Patient information was collected from hospital records available in the clinical toxicology department. In addition, we conducted a literature review on paracetamol using PubMed. CASE REPORT A patient, 16 years old, was admitted from a district hospital to the Clinical Toxicology and Cardiology Department in Lublin for paracetamol intoxication and suspected intoxication with a psychoactive substance. The patient's history revealed that he had taken a total of 20 paracetamol 500mg (10g) tablets in short intervals of 2 h for abdominal pain. The patient was treated with a full dose of antidote (ACC), and the drug infusion was continued at a maintenance dose. Despite the treatment administered, increasing features of liver damage were observed (INR 2.78, AST 6273 U/l, ALT 8854 U/l, bilirubin 3.83 mg/dl).The patient was consulted to qualify for a possible liver transplant. With intensive treatment maintained, a downward trend in liver damage parameters was achieved. The patient was discharged from the Department in good general condition, without complaints. CONCLUSION Due to the increasing number of paracetamol overdoses (intentional or accidental), strategies should be implemented to raise awareness and prevent this-educating patients, encouraging label/leaflet reading, reducing the amount of paracetamol in packages, more visible warnings on packages

Pharmacotherapy of androgenetic alopecia – a literature review

INTRODUCTION: Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is a common dermatological problem. It manifests as hair thinning and miniaturization of hair follicles. In recent years, knowledge of the risk factors and pathomechanisms of this disease has increased, making treatment more effective. Serious consequences of this condition include reduced quality of life and patient self-esteem. PURPOSE OF THE WORK: The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss selected studies involving agents used in the pharmacotherapy of androgenetic alopecia and to evaluate their safety and efficacy. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: There are two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia - oral finasteride 1 mg and 2% or 5% minoxidil solution for topical use. There are also other preparations for external use, such as 0.1% finasteride solution or ketoconaloze shampoo, and for oral use, dutasteride. They seem to be a promising alternative for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, but require further research. It is possible to use one drug of choice or to use combination therapy to achieve better therapeutic effects. SUMMARY: In order to achieve the best and fastest treatment results, patients should be treated with combination therapy consisting of two or more preparations. To reduce systemic side effects, consider using several topical preparations

The role of the skin microbiome in the development of alopecia areata

Human skin is a habitat to a variety of microbes that, along with their host genetic material, make up microbiome of the human skin. The composition of the microbiota in the gut and skin is influenced by many factors, such as life stage, nutrition, lifestyle and gender. Recently, there is more and more discussions about the increasing role of the microbiome in the development of other diseases. According to many studies, any changes in the skin microbiota are associated with the development of several dermatoses. Better understanding of the human microbiome and its interactions with the immune system could help us understand many diseases as well as could have an impact on the development of some new therapeutic methods. In this article, the current knowledge on the skin microbiome and its influence on the development of alopecia areata will be discussed. Alopecia areata (AA) is caused by an autoimmune process that destroys the hair follicles. The exact pathogenesis is unknown, but the triggering factors include: immune disorders, environmental exposures, genetic predisposition, and possibly the microbiome

ETHER - a partially forgotten anesthetic

INTRODUCTION: Ether is the common name for diethylether (CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3). It is a colorless, volatile and highly flammable liquid with a characteristic pungent odor. It was widely used as an anesthetic in the past and is now a component of solvents.  PURPOSE OF THE WORK: The purpose of this paper is to introduce ether as a potentially forgotten substance in the world of Western medicine. Its history, current use, potential for abuse for narcotic purposes, addiction, and the benefits of anesthesia with this agent in impoverished countries. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Ether was first synthesized in 1540 by Valerius Cordus. Ether is characterized by rapid absorption, rapid distribution in the central nervous system and rapid, short-lasting effects. Ether has high solubility in blood/gas, which slows both induction and recovery of anesthesia. In developing countries, it is suggested that ether be used as an intraoperative analgesia. But it should be remembered, despite the new psychoactive substances, other inexpensive and readily available intoxicants can be found, among them ether. It has been noted in numerous publications that abuse of ether is associated with abuse of other drugs and/or alcohol dependence. SUMMARY: It is important to remember that ether compounds are widespread. People struggling with the urge to abuse substances can get these substances easily and cheaply. On the other hand, ether anesthesia is a great solution for developing countries. There are situations there that due to lack of funds, some operations are carried out without anesthesia. Ether is cheap, and administering anesthesia with it is quite simple, and could give wonderful relief to these patients

Renal cell carcinoma - epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment - review article

INTRODUCTION: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common urological malignancy. It accounts for 2% of deaths from all malignancies.  Most cases of renal cell carcinoma are diagnosed incidentally during routine ultrasound or CT scans. Most cases are diagnosed in the asymptomatic stage. The presence of symptoms such as lower extremity edema and varicose veins of the seminal vasculature usually indicate the presence of an advanced neoplastic process.   PURPOSE OF THE WORK: In this article we reviewed the literature on renal cell carcinoma. We collected and compared information on the epidemiology of risk factors, histological classification and treatment of RCC.STATUS OF KNOWLEDGE: According to GLOBOCAN data, there is an increase in the incidence of RCC in developed countries. In the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, the method of choice is surgical excision of the tumor. A kidney-sparing approach is preferred if the conditions exist. VEGF inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and m-TOR kinase inhibitors are used in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.CONCLUSION: Renal cell carcinoma is the most common urological cancer. By promoting healthy lifestyles, patients can significantly reduce their risk of developing it. The method of choice for treatment is still surgical excision of the tumor

On catatonia again... - literature review

Introduction: In addition to the symptoms, the symptoms of catatonia have been classified as a subtype of schizophrenia (catatonic schizophrenia). Currently, however, catatonia is treated as a single psychopathological syndrome that can occur in the course of various disorders. Catatonia has been the subject of many disputes in the scientific community over the years, and many of its elements remain unexplored. Material and method: The aim of the study is to review current research on catatonia in the field of: main, leading to catatonia, neuroimaging, immunology, methods of treatment and psychoactive compounds, COVID-19, therapy of pediatric and geriatric patients. The article reviews research and scientific papers from 2014-2022 on catatonia, interest in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Results: Studies showing a prevalence of catatonia of approximately 10.6 cases per 100,000 tax recipients. The assessment of the prevalence of individual catatonias varies depending on the criteria. Deep vein embolism has been confirmed in approximately 25.3% of patients with cardiac catatonia. Conclusions: Catatonia is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome that significantly prolongs hospitalization time. Additional studies using the technique of functional neuroimaging of the brain are needed. Effects of treatment with the effect of: zolpidem, memantine, amantadine and augmentation with amisulpiride