Target-controlled infusion, or TCI, is a method of drug administration rapidly gaining popularity in the medical field. TCI involves using computerized systems to calculate and control the infusion rate of a drug to achieve a specific target concentration in the patient's bloodstream. The history and mechanics of TCI Enhancements in understanding the pharmacodynamics of opioids and anaesthetic drugs led to the development of TCI—a method of IV drug administration in the 1980s. Initially developed by Schüttler and Schwilden, TCI leverages sophisticated computer programs to predict the plasma concentration level at a given site and helps regulate the level of anaesthetic...

Physical activity and sports are essential for your physical and mental well-being. However, contact sports—although exhilarating to watch and partake in, come with risks of injury and bodily harm. Every year, thousands of sportspersons involved in contact sports such as boxing, rugby, soccer, hockey, ice hockey and others suffer from injuries to the head and other body parts. Repeated trauma to areas such as the head can also lead to diseases such as CTE or Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). What is Chronic traumatic encephalopathy? Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive head trauma, particularly in contact...

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow to the heart is suddenly reduced or blocked. Typically caused by plaque build-up in the arteries that supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients, undiagnosed or untreated ACS can rupture or cause a blood clot, leading to a sudden and severe reduction in blood flow to the heart.   ACS can manifest in different ways, depending on the severity and duration of the blockage. The three types of ACS are unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). > Unstable angina...

Degenerative brain diseases refer to a group of conditions that progressively damage the brain and nervous system over time. These diseases can affect movement, coordination, thinking, memory, and other cognitive functions. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Alzheimer's disease are both degenerative brain diseases that can affect older adults. However, they differ in their cause, symptoms, and progression. Causes of CJD and Alzheimer's disease CJD is caused by abnormal prion proteins that form in the brain, which cause damage and death of brain cells. CJD typically causes dementia, along with muscle stiffness, jerky movements, and visual disturbances. The disease progresses rapidly, with...