Happy New Year!

Well, fellow haemobloggings fans!

It's definitely been a great year...

But, what fascinating things will next year bring?

- Geeker

Secret Sunday: Help! Doc! There's Something In My Arm!

Can you guess what this is?

- Geeker

First-Aid Friday: Christmas Problems...

Remember not to eat too many mince pies guys!



- Geeker

Wednesday Words: Heart Time?

 [WORD] is a rare congenital heart defect in which the left ventricle of the heart is severely underdeveloped.

- Geeker

Over 2000 Views!

Woop! Over 2000 Views!

Thanks everyone! I'll keep the posts coming!


- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Drugs Man'

S E R P S T A N E D

- Geeker

Last Week's Answers 10!

Secret Sunday: Strep Throat

Mash-Up Monday: Giberellins

Wednesday Words: Diptheria

- Geeker

BrightMed 3: The Year Finale!

 Well guys, hasn't it been a busy week!

I haven't posted much recently, but I suppose I'll try and make it up to you today. I went to BrightMed yesterday for the last time this year, and like always, I have much to tell you.

You see, a very good point was made while I was there. We don't just go to BrightMed to develop our mind with medicine and anatomy. Or to even push ourselves as potential doctors. Of course, these are very major factors, and yet there is one other reason that seems particularly important. It's not just about grades and knowledge when you become a doctor, it's also about care, commitment and communication. Not just any odd "Hello, I'm Doctor [fill in with awesome sounding surname], what can I do for you today?", it's also about non-verbal communication, actually caring for your patients and making them feel as reassured as possible.

Which leads me onto what we did whilst I was there. Most of the day consisted on one of my favourite activities they offer at BrightMed; taking some one's history. The funny thing is (yes, I have a bizarre sense of humour), was that it was awesome to see your techniques develop throughout the day. You would begin the day answering small, open questions that only offered quick answers. But, by the end of the day we really saw how you can effectively communicate with your patients - and of course work on our teamwork skills.

They ended the day with us presenting our findings to the rest of the class. Our presentation was on gall-stone related illnesses.

However, this wasn't the end of the day for me. I decided to help out one of the medical students with her project she is performing. So, I participated in a interview with six other students where we discussed our learning techniques. Needless to say, it was a really eye opener as it was great to be with others who had the same mind set on education and the need to learn.

What can I say? Another great session.

And I haven't even had dinner...

- Geeker

Wednesday Words: CB Radio Slang and Infectious Stuff'

 Quick; 10:38!

Don't understand?: http://www.meetthebreakers.co.uk/cb-slang.php


 For Wednesday Words....

[Word] is a contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat

 Can you guess?

- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Can you Stem to Reach the Answer?

L I B R E N S B I G E L

Can you stem to reach the answer?

- Geeker

Last Week's Answer's: 9

 This one's a lot easier to write!

Massive Post: Diabetes!

- Geeker

Secret Sunday: It's Up To You!

 "What is this developing in my throat?", I know let's ask the readers!

So comm'on guys, what's wrong with this poor casualty?

- Geeker

First-Aid Friday: Asthma!

 Asthma now, do you kmow what to do?


- Geeker

Massive Post Time: What gave it away?

Woo! It's time for a massive post!

That's right, I haven't abandoned you this week!

It may be easy, but it's sure fun to write!

So...

All of these pictures, descriptions and anagrams relate to a particular condition... Can you guess what? If you know the answer, comment saying which hint made you guess!

Secret Sunday: 

Mash-Up Monday:

T E B A S E D I E

Wednesday Words:

"describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose"



- Geeker

Last Week's Answers: 8

Secret Sunday: Gallstones

Mash-Up Monday: Central Nervous System

Wednesday Words: Psoriasis


- Geeker

Mass Posts!

Look forward to another mass post tommorow!

- Geeker

First-Aid Friday: Help! My Chest Hurts!

Evenin' to all readers!

First-Aid Friday again!

This time, do you know how to treat someone for a heart attack?


- Geeker

Mid-Week Hints!

 I said I'd post some hints for you!

This week's Mash-Up Monday hint is...

The words form the acronym "CNS"...

- Geeker

Wednesday Words: Extra Stuff'

 I've been thinking...

(Yes, very dangerous; I agree)

I have thought of another way to appease you viewers. For Wednesday Words, I'm going to post the definition and not the word itself.

(More work for you!)

So, let's start today!

I'll use the term "[WORD]" to replace the text. This week's definition is from Wikipedia!

[WORD] from Greek meaning "itching condition" or "being itchy" is a common, chronic, relapsing/remitting, immune-mediated skin disease characterized by red, scaly patches, papules, and plaques, which usually itch. The skin lesions seen in [WORD] may vary in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. The disease affects 2–4% of the general population

- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Can you do this one?

 Mash-Up Monday Time!

This week could be classed as a difficult one...

So, I might give you a mid-week hint on Wednesday!

Yep, it's 3 words!

T A L R E N C     S O N E R V U    M E S T Y S

- Geeker

Last Week's Answers: 7

Secret Sunday: An aortic operation

Monday Mash-Up: Enzymes

- Geeker

Secret Sunday: Ah, Doc - it hurts!

Hmm... Another Sunday, another post...

What's wrong here?

- Geeker

First-Aid Friday: Poisoning

Time to give you some information you can show off to your friends...

(And save someone)

Yep, it's First-Aid Friday!

 Today, we're covering poisoning!




- Geeker

Wednesday Words and Thinking Thursday: DST?

I don't often do posts for Thinking Thursday, so I decided to do a combined one for yesterday's Wednesday Words!..

So, what is DST?

Deep sleep therapy (DST), also called prolonged sleep treatment or continuous narcosis, is a psychiatric treatment in which drugs are used to keep patients unconscious for a period of days or weeks.  - Wikipedia

But, for Thinking Thursday here's your question:

If a patient who consented to DST died, who would be to blaim?

- Geeker

The Time You Have: What are you going to do?

Just a quick one: Here's an interesting video you might enjoy...

What are you going to do?



- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Break it up, you guys!

Y E N S M E Z E

But what could it possibly be?

- Geeker

Last Week's Answers: 6

 Last week we asked for several things...

Secret Sunday: Black - Lower Border of the Zygomatic Arch
                          White - Malar Process

 Mash-Up Monday: Vasodilation

- Geeker

Secret Sunday: What's going on here?

Hmm... What's going on here?

- Geeker

First-Aid Friday: Shocked?

Last week we discussed how to treat an allergic reaction, now - do you know how to treat shock?



For those of you who can't see the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY24QL49TXQ

- Geeker

Wednesday Words: Hints?

Wednesday Words again! Here's a hint to this week's Mash-Up Monday!:

Homeostasis, also spelled homoeostasis (from Greek: ὅμοιος homoios, "similar" and στάσις stasis, "standing still"), is the property of a system in which variables are regulated so that internal conditions remain stable and relatively constant. Examples of homeostasis include the regulation of temperature and the balance between acidity and alkalinity (pH). It is a process that maintains the stability of the human body's internal environment in response to changes in external conditions. - Wikipedia

- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Vessel of Life?

Hmm... Fancied a bit of biology today...
 
V I T A D L O S I O N A

- Geeker

Last Week's Answers 5!

Time for answers!

Secret Sunday: Shingles

Mash-Up Monday: Insomnia

- Geeker

Secret Sunday: What is being pointed at?

It's another Secret Sunday...

This time, what's the black arrows pointing at?

For a bonus, can you guess the white arrows?

 - Geeker

BrightMed 2: I found this humerus...

 Busy day yesterday!

Well, where do I begin? I met up with some interesting people in the morning,  where we went in pairs and retrieved a clean t-shirt. We then began to follow some instructions towards where each area of the body is. Ribs, lungs, kidneys, etc. And then drew them on a t-shirt.

Sadly though, mine didn't look quite like this:

 But, I'm sure it was close enough. Just kidding, we didn't do the muscles! :)

Then, we entered the computer lab and researched a particular organ of our choice. Ours being the large intestine. Following this, we had to right out simple instructions so that others can draw the large intestine without looking at a picture.

Now, have you ever had to write instructions for where the large intestine is, what angle it is at, and where its ascending colon is found?

Well, have a go:

It was great, I now know exactly where it is positioned, and where it lies according to other organs.

After this, we left the lab and shared our findings with another pair. There's being the adrenal glands. I have to say, I felt sorry for them when they had to work through a one and a half page of large intestine instructions. There's was awesome, it really helps with your individual learning.

Lastly we teamed up in a group of six, and were given a career to research. We were given oncology and took on a particular area of the job. I researched a typical day in the life, and their training requirements. This task itself was particuarly fascinating, as we then had to watch, and present our findings to the rest of the students. This was a key highlight; it made us consider career paths we hadn't looked at in medicine, and adapted our confidence skills when presenting. I'd love to do more of this!

Sadly, it was the end of the day for BrightMed. But, not for my work - I set off onto cadet duty and returned thoroughly satisfied with the overall day I have had.

Here's a interesting video on the digestive system:



Or, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4waSJqOEJts

Plus, checkout this cool website!: http://www.zygotebody.com/

Now, here's a small joke...

- Geeker

First Aid Friday: Halloween?

It's Halloween!

But, as always - we will not forget First-Aid Friday!

So, for all those sweet tooths; do you know how to treat for an allergic reaction?:



- Geeker

Wednesday Words: What's your vaccine REALLY for?

  So, it's Wednesday Words today - and it's a particularly interesting topic...

Diphtheria. What is it? How do we prevent it? And what does it do?

Some of us will know that diphtheria, the upper respiratory tract illness is one of five vaccines administered to infantile children.

Some symptoms of diphtheria:

• Sore throat
• Low fever
• Adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity
• Sometimes, skin can be affected
• Cough
• Headache
• Difficulty swallowing
• Rapid breathing

Often, the disease is manageable. However, when lymph nodes are affected it becomes more problematic. Some may require a tracheotomy or incubation.

If you would wish to learn more about diphtheria, the NHS, kidshealth, and the CDC offer some particularly interesting information.

For those of you waiting for a factual video, here's a short video I found:




For those of you whom can't view the video, here's the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poK8YMA2RtQ

- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Do you feel refreshed?

 M I N A S O N I

 Do you feel refreshed?


- Geeker

Secret Sunday: Blistering Rash?

 What is it?

- Geeker

Last Week's Answers: 4!

 Last Week's Answers: 4!

Secret Sunday: "A Coronary Calcium Scan showing calcified plaque in one of the major coronary arteries (arrow). The white part of the image near the arrow is plaque. The white around the outside of the image forming a rough circle is bone. Below right: A normal Coronary Calcium Scan with no white-appearing plaque. The heart is the light gray mass in the middle of the image. The spine is the white object at the bottom left of the image." - http://www.cedars-sinai.edu

Mash-Up Monday: Escherichia coli

Don't forget, there's going to be another Secret Sunday today!

- Geeker

Last Before Last Week's Answers: 3!

 Oopsie, forgot to do the week before's answers. Oh well, here they are:

Secret Sunday:

                Spina Bifida X-Ray

Monday Mash-Up:

                Diabetes

                Insulin  

                Glucose

Picture Guessing:

                Kidney

 

 Don't worry, there will be more answer tomorrow!

- Geeker

Breast Cancer Awareness

"EVERY day is a celebration." - 25-year #BreastCancer survivor & #PBCCexhibit participant Mimi Coppersmith pic.twitter.com/iagt1VQjy7
— PA Breast Cancer (@PBCC) October 23, 2014

- Geeker

First-Aid Friday: Bleedin' Problems

 Do you know what do you with a bleeding casualty?




For those who can't view the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJEnbSBIvqE
- Geeker

Wednesday Words: Neoplasm

Wednesday Words!:

 Neoplasm

 also commonly referred to as a tumor or tumour, is an abnormal growth of tissue

- Geeker

Monday Mash-Up: Is BACk?

Monday Mash-Up time!

C H A I R H E I S E C    L O C I

- Geeker

1000 Views

 Over 1000 views now! Thanks to everyone!

- Geeker

Secret Sunday: What is it, what's wrong?

 It's Secret Sunday, can you guess what this organ is? Plus, for bonus points; what's wrong with it?

- Geeker

Picture Guessing: What is it?

 Can you guess?

What is this organ? The year 9s are going for spleen... pic.twitter.com/wkpWnqtICL
— BrightMed BSMS (@BrightMed) October 18, 2014

- Geeker

First-Aid Friday: Choking Charlie?

Recapped on how to do first aid on a choking casualty, at cadets.

We taught you how to help a choking child...

What about an adult?

 However, often you administer up to 5 back blows, and then up to five abdominal thrusts...

- Geeker

Doc's Instagram?

 Instagram for doctors? Share your diagnosis?

What's the BBC got to say about it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29521986


- Geeker

Ebola - How do we know when Ebola has 'ended'?

Some are asking "Will Ebola ever 'end'?"

However, others would argue that "How do we declare Ebola has ended?"  a more valid question...

So how exactly do we do that? The WHO (World Health Organisation) have tweeted some neat information!

How does WHO declare the end of an #Ebola outbreak? http://t.co/rBulpOMVRu pic.twitter.com/DRW0ADw8RJ
— WHO (@WHO) October 14, 2014

How does WHO declare the end of an #Ebola outbreak? http://t.co/rBulpOMVRu pic.twitter.com/DRW0ADw8RJ
— WHO (@WHO) October 14, 2014

- Geeker

Wednesday Words - Poikilotherms

Well, it's Wednesday Words today!

Thought I'd give you some nice biology terms this week...

Poikilotherm:

A poikilotherm is an organim that varies its internal temperature with its surroundings

- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday: Three For You...

So, here's a little challenge for our Mash-Up Monday. Since it's the third Monday Mash-Up, I've decided to do three different words! But, they all relate to number one...


T E B I D A E S


S I N I L U N


E C O L U G S


- Geeker

Secret Sunday: What is this X-ray of?

Secret Sunday: What is this X-Ray of?

- Geeker

For the newcomers...

For all of those newcomers to my blog, I'd thought I'd do a little introduction!

Well, firstly, welcome to the blog!

We have a small 'schedule' where I make posts on particular days:

Mash-Up Monday:  On Mondays I post a little anagram for different medical terms... Like; SHROOMEN and PLATSTEEL. Can you figure those out?

Wednesday Words: Also sometimes called "Words Wednesday" this is where I post a term of phrase related to medicine or science, with a neat little definition to expand your vocabulary.

Thinking Thursday: On these days I may post something for you to ponder about...

First-Aid Friday: Do you know your life-saving skills? On Fridays I try to post an informative picture or description assisting with your first aid.

Secret Sunday: Today, it's Sunday, which is when I post a picture that you have to work out...

Have fun reading my upcoming posts!

- Geeker

Atherosclerosis

 I have been told that some of you cannot see the Atherosclerosis video.

So, here's the direct link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZB2GciZnr4


- Geeker

Last Week's Answers: 2

 It's that lovely time of the week when I actually give you the answers! That's right, it's "Last Week's Answers" time!

Mash-Up Monday: Appendicitis

Wednesday Word's Bonus Mash-Up: Hemorrhage

Secret Sunday: Impetigo


Congratulations to all who worked them out!


- Geeker

BrightMed 1: The Story Begins...

Off to a great start, and ended with a fantastic finish; BrightMed has just begun!

And the 'long' journey was definitely worth the wait. (Apart from the roundabouts - no one likes roundabouts...)

You know that moment when you're sitting in a lecture hall, waiting for the time to go by? Nope, can't say I do, not today at least!

Really, it was absolutely amazing. I think the most admirable part, was the fact that we were all treated as adults, as respected human beings, as potential doctors.

 So, how about I tell you what we did? I don't know why I bothered asking, I'm going to tell you anyway.

1. Anatomy Session - Everyone knows how crucial anatomy is for becoming a doctor, but no-one really knows how entertaining it is. Seriously, if a student ever says they dislike it, they don't. They're either lying, or in the wrong theatre...
   
2. S B E E T A I D - Here's another thing we learnt about... Can you work out what it is?
   
3. Being taught by students - This was awesome, UTIs, heart circulation and kidneys - All in one session! Plus, a free insight into the students high quality of teaching.
   
4. Now we're on the subject of heart circulation... - I have to admit, previously I thought that a practical walk around a virtual Circulation of the Heart wouldn't be beneficial. How wrong I was. Not only was it incredibly educational, it's also fascinating to see how systematic and precise the circulatory system is!
   
5. Possibly the highlight of my day: taking medical history - Not only did we get to see an Oscar winning performance, but we were able to experience some amazing clinical application of the skills we learnt. Mr Beaton, do you know your SOCRATES?

Mum's response: "So you liked it then?"

For now, here's a video for those of you who wish to learn more about Atherosclerosis...

- Geeker

Tommorow...

 BrightMed tommorow! Time for the packing of notepads!

- Geeker

First-Aid Frday - Can you save a life?...

Do you know the signs of choking in a child?

Should First Aid be tought to school students?



- Geeker

Wednesday Words and Bonus Mash-Up

Just a quick mash-up!

E A R O G H H R M E

A technical name for 'bleeding'...



Korsakoff's Syndrome - A brain disorder that is associated with the consumption of alcohol.

Do you know the symptoms?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korsakoff%27s_syndrome


- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday - Do you know?

 D T S P E A N I C I P I

Each year, around 40,000 people are admitted to hospital every year with this condition...

But what is it?

- Geeker

Last Weeks Answers!

 Last week's answers!

Mash-Up Monday: Myocardial Infarction

Thinking Thursday Examples: Sickle-Cell Disease, Colour Blindness, Haemophilia


Congratulations if you were correct!

- Geeker

Secret Sunday - Are you a 1/35?

About 1/35 children aged up to four get this highly contagious skin infection...
Do you know what it is?

- Geeker

Ebola Death Toll

 What's happening with Ebola?

Ebola death toll rises to 3,439: WHO http://t.co/hGU2TcZod7
— Medical News (@MedicalNews) October 3, 2014

- Geeker

First-Aid Friday - Resuscitation

 Do you know your resus?



- Geeker

Thinking Thursday - Genes

 Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition, can you name others?

 

Cystic Fibrosis X-Ray

- Geeker

Wednesday Word - Zygomycosis

Zygomycosis - This fungal infection is often found in people who have immune-system deficiencies or illnesses. If un-treated, it can spread to the blood, the eyes, and even the brain.

[Credit: MedTerms.com]


- Geeker

Mash-Up Monday! - A Hearty Guess!

                                             

L D I C M O A Y R A          C T F A N N I O I R


Hint: Blood stops flowing towards a part of your heart muscle, often caused by blood clot.

- Geeker

Secret Sunday - Do you know what's going on?

 Do you know what's going on here?

Credits to Meddy Bear

- Geeker

Books.. Books.. Books!

 Interested in Medicine? Science? Technology? Sci-Fi? Psychology?

What books would you reccomend?


Here are some of our favourites:

• The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat
• The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time
• Musicophillia
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
• First Aid Guide

More soon!

- Geeker

Medicine News

Interested in the news of the medicine world?

Ebola: Headed for Epidemic Expansion? (CME/CE) http://t.co/0zltjSv87I
— Medical News (@MedicalNews) September 23, 2014

- Geeker

Gingivitis

 Wednesday Words!

Gingivitis - inflammation of the gums with Gum Disease. Often syptoms include: bleeding when brushing teeth and red, puffy gums.

[Credit: MedTerms.com]

- Geeker

Ebola Virus Disease

"Early symptoms of EVD may be similar to those of malaria, dengue fever or other tropical fevers, before the disease progresses to the bleeding phase" - Wikipedia, Ebola Virus Disease

 - Geeker

Stephen Christmas

"Factor IX was discovered in 1952 in a young patient with hemophilia B named Stephen Christmas (1947–1993)" - Wikipedia

- Geeker

Skin Cancer Advances?

"A new drug to treat skin cancer should be made available on the NHS, a health body has recommended. " - BBC News

Want to know more?: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29240358

- Geeker

Welcome

After experiencing my first exhilarating meeting with all the BrightMed participants, it has certainly been an event to remember. Trolleyology was absolutely amazing, learning about the coagulation cascade was extremely intriguing - the whole meeting overall was an absolute delight. 

I've got to say, it's hard to appreciate how awesome it is to see all the enthusiastic children in the lecture theatre. Just today, my mum even said how envious she is of this educating course - she will even start learning some more too! 

I mean, what can I say about the highlights? It was all so brilliant!

 It's very educational

• It develops my passion
• It even has it's own Twitter page  (clearly the most outstanding highlight)

Everything is just so exciting!  

However, I'd like to take my time to thank all the staff that are in association with BrightMed. And, of course to welcome everyone to my blog! It will be a wonderful experience, and I can't wait to return.
 
Readers,

Have an interest in medicine?
Love science, technology, mathematics or languages?
Part of the BrightMed experience?
A total geek?

Read my blog, because you will (hopefully) enjoy it


(Not that I want you to read my blog, that's totally irrelevant)

Honestly, I hope you will enjoy the future posts - I know I enjoy writing them! 

- Geeker