Allergy, it's all stress

Ok, so while the above statement isn't strictly true I was surprised at how much stress has to do with allergy. It is a well known, but oft ignored, fact that psychology has a big part to play in the disease process. Doctors have a natural reluctance to accept that physical illness can be affected by or even driven by the mind. We have been taught that a ligand binds to a receptor, which then causes a chain of reactions leading to the desired effect. We know that this system sometimes goes wrong and that sometimes we can fix it with drugs. When put like that it is easy to see why many doctors don't even consider psychology in their management.  Immunologists seem to be one group that have worked this out, although maybe not as far as getting to the management stage.

The two faces of paediatrics

Paediatrics seems to be a specialty of two sides. Although I did a four week paediatrics rotation last year, it hadn't really struck me until now. Ever since I have told people that I am considering a career in paediatrics I have been warned me that paediatrics is frought with sad cases, but I have tended to brush that off. I don't know whether I was sheltered during my first rotation or just oblivious to it. I suppose I was probably caught up with the novelty of it and being let loose on real patients.

Nephrotic syndrome in 3's (mostly)

Sorry I have been quiet for a while, I've had to finish off my paediatric project. Onto allergy and immunology now so maybe a few articles focussing on that area. Anyway, before I finished paediatrics a nephrology registrar kindly sat me down and gave me a brief overview of nephrotic syndrome. I've always been confused by it so it was nice to have it summarised for me. Hope it helps.