Monday, October 7, 2019

Autonomic Nervous System ANS Module & Infectious Diseases Module - October 2019


Autonomic Nervous System ANS Module

Unlike the previous two modules, the first week of the ANS module did not commence with the naming of numerous drugs and their mechanisms of action.  Instead, it was a review of the nervous system physiology.  How does the body know how to osmoregulate for you, keep you beating, keep your heart breathing, without your conscious input?  ANS. 

I was surprised to learn that the receptors of cannabinoid metabolites inhibit appetite by inhibiting the GABA receptor.  Really?  But pop culture depicts that the usage of cannabis leads to the classic “munchies.” Is pop culture wrong ... again? Two types of receptors were discussed: one for the immune and one pertaining to the nervous system.  
  

He discussed the genius of Boltzmann who gave us another constant for students to memorize . 

“Looks like a genius,” he said, showing a bearded figure.  According to Dr. Li, Boltzmann had a unique personality like Isaac Newton, “he couldn’t take criticism.”

“You have to take criticism,” especially in science, he continued. You submit drafts of your research, a product of your blood, sweat, tears to a journal.  Then, you get the editorial criticism, “telling you how stupid you are.” 

“He suicide himself,” he said.  Boltzmann felt misunderstood.





Infectious Diseases Module

Reminded of the documentary Surviving R. Kelly, if  R. Kelly was your patient, do you what to e-prescribe for him?


Given his habit of cigar smoking, and considering that tobacco is a known inhibitor of cytochrome P450 enzymes, his dose of Valacyclovir may have sub-therapeutic effects than the comparative doses given to his live-in girlfriends.  

Reading the syllabus, this module seemed simple.  But it’s not.  Within a short period of time, one has to memorize what seems like zillions of drugs and side effects.  I think all drugs will affect the liver with a large dosage, of course.  But you have to know more than that. Some affect graying of teeth and yellowing of eyes. 





Post Word Count: 300+

No comments:

Post a Comment