[block 1 re-cap] [block 2 re-cap] [block 3 re-cap]
physiology
physio is driving me a bit crazy because i feel like i *should* be enjoying the way anatomy and histology fit together, but i’m sorta not. it probably is a combination of the sheer amount of overwhelming material and professors that i find less-than-engaging. that said, Davenport diagrams are really super cool.
- potassium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium regulation
- water balance
- acid-base buffering, mechanisms & disorders
- gastrointestinal structure, peptides, motility, secretion
- digestion and absorption
- hormonal cell mechanisms
- hypothalamus-pituitary
>> most interesting thing learned: in the event of a complete removal of your stomach, intrinsic factor (required for vitamin B12 absorption in the ileum) is really the only thing your digestive system can’t live without. without injections of vitamin B12, you will develop pernicious anemia, but the small intestine can pretty much take over food digestion completely.
biochemistry
it might be weird to say this is my favourite class this semester. yeah, it is weird.
- disposal of nitrogen
- amino acid synthesis and degradation
- amino acid conversion to specialized products
- metabolic effects of insulin and glucagon
- feed/fast cycle
- diabetes mellitus
>> most interesting thing learned: this block we learned a lot about feeding, fasting, and diabetes. diabetes is essentially characterized by a deficiency in insulin and an elevation of blood sugar when you’re not eating. it’s interesting to note that different types of insulin deficiency can cause almost completely opposite symptoms. type I usually affects kids and is precipitated by some sort of infection that debilitates the pancreas. type II develops much later in life and has a very strong genetic component. kids with type I are frequently undernourished. adults with type II are most often obese. type I must be treated with supplementary insulin. type II can often be controlled just with diet and exercise.
psychology
okay okay. THIS is very probably my favourite class this semester. but everyone knows i have a soft spot for psychology. and the fact that we had a guest lecture (prep for the Behavioral Science shelf exam) with a few things to come next semester in neuroscience really reminded me how much i love the brain.
- domestic violence
- addiction
- alcohol and other drugs
- somatoform disorders
- dissociative disorders
- eating disorders
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- sleep: beta, alpha, theta, delta, REM
- sleep disorders
- aphasias & brain damage
>> most interesting thing learned: REM sleep increases after (and actually seems necessary for) learning retention. which explains the crazy dreams i have during block weekend.
medical ethics
- palliative care
- patient abandonment & elder abuse
- 3-week block means only 3 classes and i skipped one…
>> most interesting thing learned (about myself): i know how to skip class with a relatively guilt-free conscience. ; )
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looking for MED 1?
Wow, your post brings back a lot of memories! One thing that I really hated was the lack of integration across subjects, especially early on. Perfect example here actually. You mentioned DM. As you may have learned, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a very important complication. Understanding it in terms of physiology is paramount (e.g., hyperglycemia, significant electrolyte imbalances, pseudohyponatremia, dehydration, etc.). Ultimately, that leads us to learning how to manage all of that as well.
You also mentioned B12 deficiency. Did they ever get into macrocytic anemias (e.g., MCV > 100), or how to work up B12 deficiency (e.g., Schilling test)? Or how about if the terminal ileum isn’t absorbing because you have Crohn’s disease or some other lower GI problem?
Sorry for the rant! And congratulations on another completed block (how many left…15-16?)!
Yeah! Another block completed! I totally understnad that you like your biochemistry classe. When I was doing my B. Sc. in biology, I had a biochem class and loved it so much that I almost switched program to do a B. Sc. in biochemistry. That would have been fun!
Take care! 18 days left now!
Very interesting subjects and the things you found interesting.
You are educating with out knowing it.
Onward and upward.
Type 1 DM is classically autoimmune and infection can precipitate DKA. The kidney is the most complicated thing ever… it’s been 7 years since my first physiology lecture and I still don’t get it!
(waves hand) can you explain the part about REM sleep and memory retention?
if i’m studying before i go to sleep, then i should make sure i sleep longer to retain it? That would explain alot in my case, since i should be getting more sleep. (slaps forehead)
[...] looking for MED 1? or MED 2? or MED 3? or MED 4? [...]
forget a snoring mouthpiece…
If the problems of snoring are too much to bear please don’t rush out and get a snoring mouthpiece. These are usually ill fitting and don’t work. I found a 100% natural cure that is a lot more comfortable than trying to sleep with something stuffed i…