Medical Matters Trivia Quiz

Answer: Boeck's Sarcoid

In Boeck's Sarcoid (BS), organ damage looks similar to tuberculosis. BS is an autoimmune disease which usually affects the lungs, thus causing problems with breathing. Many organs of the body are affected including the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, spleen, skin, eyes, parotid glands and bones in the fingers and toes.

A small biopsy is taken from the lymph node to test for the disease or a prick test (Kveim reaction) can be used on the skin. A small swelling will be produced in about six weeks time if the test is positive.

The subacute form of BS can heal itself but the chronic form is usually treated with corticosteroid drugs. Unfortunately permanent damage to the eyes, heart and lungs usually occurs in the chronic form.

Answer: Yellow and red

Yellow bone marrow is mainly fatty tissue and the red marrow contains the cells that produce blood cells and platelets, which work together as blood clotting agents. At birth the yellow marrow is not present in long bones but around the time a child goes to school, it gradually replaces some of the red marrow. Red marrow is found in the spine, sternum and ribs and the yellow marrow mainly in the long bones.

As Paige ages the yellow marrow will degenerate and form a gel like substance.

Answer: Botulism

"Botulism" is a very bad form of food poisoning, which is caused by the "Clostridium botulinum" bacterium. The bacteria can be found in foods that have been canned, bottled and preserved at home. The bacteria can grow and reproduce without oxygen and in very low temperatures. Most people are taken straight to hospital where emetics (drugs that cause vomiting) and antitoxins are given.

Many sufferers need artificial respiration on the way to hospital and many die after they get there.

Answer: Brain tumour

In adults, brain tumours are often found in the cerebrum, which is in the front of the brain. The cerebrum controls conscious activities and thought and it receives messages from the skin, ears and eyes. It also controls our emotions, conscience and memory, walking and chewing. Frontal lobe tumours of the cerebrum cause memory and intellectual problems and antisocial behaviour. These people don't seem to care about the way they dress or how they behave in public.

Brain scans, x-rays, electroencephalographs and arteriograms are tests used to pick up these tumours, their size and their location. Surgery may be used to remove Soozy's tumour and drugs may be given to reduce the pressure within her skull.

Answer: Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a disease that humans can catch from cattle, pigs, goats and sheep which have been infected by the Brucella bacteria. Australian bacteriologist and physician, Sir David Bruce (1855 -1931) discovered the causes of "Brucellosis" and also African sleeping sickness.

Symptoms can range from nervousness, joint aches and pains, weakness, fatigue, fever and very bad headaches. If Colin had drank the unpasteurised milk of an infected female then she could have passed it on to him. If farmer Colin touched the infected animals and then didn't wash his hands, then he may well have caught the disease this way as well. If untreated, Colin will recover in about 3-6 months time, but antibiotics are available that will help fight the bacteria and Colin will recover sooner.

Answer: Chilblains

Chilblains are an inflammatory problem of the skin usually due to being in cold and damp places. Chilblains are small red lumps that can be found on the finger and toe tips and the backs of hands and feet. Sometimes they are even seen on the ears, nose and cheeks.

The lumps often become larger with increased itching, stinging and burning sensations. They become a dark red or purple color and may form blisters that break and become ulcers. Warmth from heaters actually increase the discomfort of burning and itching and it is advised to keep the body part affected warm, by using extra clothing instead. Jimmy may have inherited "Chilblains" from the family gene pool and the same areas have probably been infected each year when the cold weather sets in.

Answer: All of these

"Barotitits", "Barotrauma" and "Aero otitis media" are all known as the condition that some people feel when coming down to land in an airplane. Accumulation of fluid in the middle ear compartment causes the pain and discomfort, especially if the flyer has a cold or influenza.

Increased altitude causes an expansion of gas in the middle ear compartment, which escapes through a canal that leads to the nasal cavity. If this canal is blocked due to a cold or influenza the gas can't re-enter the middle ear during descent. Often the ear drum is forced inwards and fluid accumulates in the middle ear. Nasal sprays can be used before a flight and during descent to keep the canal open. Swallowing helps and children should be given something to eat during the descent. Decongestant medications also help.

Answer: Carpal tunnel syndrome

"Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) affects the wrist area where the median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel. In this area are the carpal bones and a fibrous band called the "flexor retinaculum". The space in the tunnel is reduced so the median nerve is compressed and a tingling pain and numbness can be felt in the thumb and first two or three fingers. Muscles that are supplied by the median nerve are affected and tension and swelling of the fingers can be felt. CTS can be caused by trauma to the area or arthritis in the wrist joint, which can result in inflammation and swelling of the tendon within the carpal tunnel. Splints can be worn at night to prevent movement of the wrist joint, thus taking the pressure off the inflammed area. Corticosteroid injections and surgery are also ways of treating this problem.

Answer: Anemia

Anaemia is a common blood disorder in women and men of all ages due to bad diet, blood loss or accidents. Anaemia is caused from a lack of red blood cells, which means that the level of oxygen carrying haemoglobin will also be low. Iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential for the production of red blood cells so adding foods with these vitamins and minerals in them will help treat the condition. Loss of blood through accidents, haemorrhage, ulcers, cancer and diverticular disease can result in anaemia as well.

The skin usually takes on a pale color, with headaches, dizziness, loss of appetite and increased sensitivity to cold. Anaemia caused by iron-deficiency may produce a sore tongue, flat brittle nails and coarse hair.

Answer: Appendicitis

Isla was suffering from an inflamed appendix. The appendix is a 10 centimetre long tube that opens into the first part of the large bowel. It doesn't perform any function in the body and in most cases surgery is used to remove it. Obstruction and infection are the main causes of "appendicitis" where small pieces of faeces or even parasitic worms can be present. Pain around the navel, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting are all symptoms of this condition and often diagnosis is difficult due to the fact that other conditions can have the same symptoms.