Common diseases of the kidney’s (Bright’s disease)

A common disease of the kidney, known as Bright’s disease, in­cludes a number of different conditions. Bright was a physician estab­lishing a connection between degenerative changes in the kidney and the presence of albumin in the urine. The discovery of albumin in the urine usually indicates a faulty working of the kidneys. It means that albumin from the blood plasma is being allowed to pass through the renal tubules, and thus be excreted in the urine. At the same time the damaged tubules fail to eliminate fluid. This fluid collects in the tis­sues and causes swelling, or edema, of various parts of the body. The fluid is more likely to collect in the legs and in the eyelids. Hence the puffy face and swollen legs of the sufferers from advanced Bright’s disease.

It must not be assumed, however, that the presence of a small amount of albumin in the urine is necessarily a sign of Bright’s disease. It is often transient and of no great significance.

Fractures

A fracture is a broken bone. There may be different types of fractures. A closed or simple fracture results from an injury which breaks a bone without causing any external wound at the site of the break. In case of an open or compound fracture there is a wound of the skin at the site of the fracture, and this will allow communication between the outside air and the broken bone, therefore it is «open». When the sharp ends of a broken bone damage an internal organ such as the brain or lungs, this is known as "complicated fracture».

In compound fractures early and prompt healing with good function will be obtained, only by early repositions in correct position. This is necessary not only to restore the bone structures, but to place the soft parts in relationship for correct function as well. All compound fracture patients must be protected against movement, muscle spasm, and loss of position. This is accomplished by fixation of fracture fragments in plaster of Paris casts or in any other way. Frequent dressing of wounds in compound fractures is unnecessary.

What are the symptoms and signs of a fracture? Shock is always present in some degree with any fracture. Sometimes it may be severe. Pain and tenderness at the site of fracture is quickly followed by bruising and swelling. Bleeding is frequent in case of an open fracture. Irregularity on the surface of the bone may also be seen, e.g. on the collar-bone or the bone of an arm. In an open fracture the ends of the broken bone may be sticking out of the wound. A person’s leg which was broken may be turned underneath him with the foot turned around the wrong way. The bones of the leg may be bent in a place where there is no joint, e.g. between the knee and the ankle if both bones of the leg are broken.

First-aid treatment of fracture.

 

Lay the patient down. This will lessen shock. If there is a fracture of the skull raise the patient’s head and shoulders a little and support them. Stop bleeding if the fracture is open, and apply a dressing. In all open fractures there is some bleeding, but it can generally be stopped by putting on a dressing. If bleeding continues, it is necessary to use indirect pressure, especially if the bleed­ing is from an artery.

 

Menstruation

 

A period is the common name for a menstrual (monthly) period. The onset of menstruation is known as menarche. The last menstrual period is commonly abbreviated in doctors' notes: LMP 2/52 ago means the last menstrual period was two weeks ago. The menstrual cycle, or length and frequency of periods, is usually written in the form 4/28, which means lasting 4 days and occurring every 28 days. If a period lasts more than four or five days it can be described as prolonged. The term heavy periods means excessive blood loss - menorrhagia, often with the passage of clots - coagulated blood. The term period pains means dysmenorrhoea, or painful menstruation.

The time when a woman stops menstruating, normally at about the age of 50, is called the menopause or climacteric. In everyday English it is known as the change of life, or simply the change. Symptoms of the menopause include hot Hushes - sudden sensation of heat - and night sweats.

 

Injures to the skin

 

Mechanical injuries to the skin are divided into those caused by a blunt force, such as a punch from a fist, and those caused by a sharp force, such as a knife.

Injuries from blunt forces

An abrasion (also called a graze or a scratch) is a superficial (surface) injury involving only the epidermis, which has been removed by friction.

A scratch is linear, as in fingernail scratches, whereas a graze involves a wider area, as in abrasions caused by dragging part of the body over a rough surface.

A contusion (also called a bruise) is an injury that occurs when blood vessels in the skin are damaged.

A laceration (also called a tear) is a wound involving both the dermis and epidermis. It is usually distinguished from penetrating or incised wounds by its irregular edges and relative lack of bleeding.

Injuries from sharp forces

An incised wound (also called a cut) is a break in the skin where the length of the wound on the surface is greater than the depth of the wound - for example, a wound caused by a razor blade.

The depth of a penetrating wound

is greater than the superficial length of the wound - for example, a stab wound caused by a knife.

 

Childbirth

 

The expected date of delivery (EDD) is the date on which a woman is expected to give birth to the child she is earning (pregnant with). It is calculated by adding 280 days or 40 weeks to the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). Childbirth is also referred to by doctors as parturition. Delivery is the process of helping the child to be born. A spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) is a normal delivery. If there are complications, the baby may be delivered by caesarean section (surgically removed).

A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks, divided into three trimesters. A baby who is born before this is premature, and one born after 40 weeks is postmature. A baby who is born dead, for example because the umbilical cord is around its neck, is stillborn. A pregnancy may end before term spontaneously, with a miscarriage (spontaneous abortion), or be deliberately terminated with an induced abortion (termination of pregnancy).