Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Just today I found out that my Aunt's father, who is probably in his late 80's has pneumonia.  He has a fever and is in the ICU.  In class we learned that pneumonia occurs when there is an inflammation of the lower airways.  The lungs restrict air to alveoli, which results in a decrease in oxygen exchange.  The alveoli fill with fibrinouse exudate.  Symptoms of pneumonia consist of sputum production, cough and fever.  We have also learned that long hospital or nursing facility stays can result in an acquired pneumonia.  My Aunt's father has been staying at a nursing home but has been freequently in and out of the hospital.  I am aware that a lot of ICU patients receive feeding tubes, ventiliators, or other such artificial means of keeping people alive.  I was curious as to whether or not a pneumonia patient would be put on a ventilator.  The website (provided below) I found stated that ventilators can cause pneumonia in a patient that has been on a ventilator more than 48 hours.  Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurs when the lung parenchyma and the lower respiratory tract get invaded by microorganisms.  Ventilation compromises the ability of the trachea and the oropharynx which allows gastric and oral secretions to block the lower airways. 

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/304836-overview

Can Concussions Cause Dementia?

Recently I found out that the NFL star Alex Karras; who played Mongo in "Blazing Saddles", is suing the NFL for not protecting him from getting concussions which caused his dementia.  After hearing that I wanted to find out if someone can actually get dementia from getting numerous concussions.  In class we learned that dementia can result in intellectual defects, memory changes, behavioral disturbances, and signs of mental deterioration.  We also learned that the causes of dementia were nutritional deficienciess, anemia, medicines, and depression.  When I researched the correlation between concussions and dementia I found out that concussions could potentially cause dementia (link below).  Concussions can damage brain tissue, nerves, and blood vessels in the brain.  Concussions can result in a decline of cognition which leads to dementia. 

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/dementia_in_head_injury/article_em.htm

Alchohol's Affect on Neurotransmitters

This week we learned that there are three different types of neurons in our body.  Sensory neurons carry impulses from the sense organs to the spinal cord and brain.  The motor neurons takes the impulses from the spinal cord and brain to the muscles and glands.  The connector neurons simply carry the impulse message from one neuron to the next.  First our body receives impulses in the sensory neurons.  The sensory neurons carry the impulses to the motor neurons.  From the motor neurons the impulses are carried to the connector neuron.  I found online that alcohol consumption can affect the chemical signals that are transferred in the synaptic cleft.  Alcohol either slows down or entirely stops the neurotransmitter from attaching to the receptor cell. (Website below).

http://www.bloodalcohol.info/how-alcohol-affects-the-brain.php

Pacemakers

This week in class we learned about the circulatory system.  The heart consists of two atria and two ventricles.  The atria receives blood from the veins and sends the blood to the ventricles.  The ventricles receive the blood from the atria and pump the blood out through the arteries.  We also learned as we age there is a decrease in oxygen delivered to the muscles.  Cardiac output and heart rate also decrease as you age.  My Grandfather has had a pacemaker ever since I was little.  I was told that it was to maintain his heart rate.  We also had to tell him if we were using the microwave because the microwave could either stop the pacemaker or adjust the heart rate it was set at.  Supposedly the newer pacemakers are not affected by the use of the microwave.  Recently he had a new pacemaker implanted.  Not only do pacemakers help the heart rate they also help heart arrhythmia's, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.  The small device itself is placed in the abdomen or the chest.  The device gives out electrical pulses to control the heart rate.  (information on the pacemaker below)

http://www.medicinenet.com/pacemaker/article.htm