Anticholinergic Poisoning

Anticholinergic Poisoning

Anticholinergic poisoning is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by ingestion or exposure to anticholinergic drugs or substances. Anticholinergics block the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at synapses within the central and peripheral nervous...
Understanding Adverse Drug Reactions

Understanding Adverse Drug Reactions

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant concern in clinical practice, impacting patient safety and treatment outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an ADR as “A response to a drug which is noxious and unintended, and which occurs at doses...
Myxoedema Coma

Myxoedema Coma

Myxoedema coma is an extreme manifestation of untreated hypothyroidism and is a life-threatening condition characterised by hypometabolism and altered mental status. It commonly affects elderly patients with long-standing hypothyroidism, often precipitated by...
Levels of Evidence and Grading Systems

Levels of Evidence and Grading Systems

Levels of evidence A hierarchical system of classifying evidence is an essential part of evidence-based medicine. This hierarchy is commonly referred to as the levels of evidence. When attempting to find the answer to a clinical conundrum, a clinician should actively...
Togo and the Diphtheria Serum Run

Togo and the Diphtheria Serum Run

Thanks to modern childhood vaccination programs, diphtheria is now a rare illness in Western Europe and the United States. It is still common, however, in developing countries where vaccination rates are low. It is a terrifying illness caused by the airborne bacterium...
Addisonian Crisis

Addisonian Crisis

An Addisonian crisis, also known as an adrenal crisis, is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that arises due to acute adrenal insufficiency. It is a rare condition with an estimated prevalence of around 600 per million, but it does present to the...