Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0015672 (fatigue)
 51,768 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The death rate among patients with asthma in Japan has been reported by Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare to approximately 5/100,000 population. Over the past 15 years, this rate has remained relatively constant, but it is higher than that in western countries. To clarify recent trends in adult asthma mortality, the Japan Asthma Death Investigation Committee studied the clinical characteristics of 649 patients who died of asthma between 1986 and 1991. The annual number of deaths decreased slightly: from 145 in 1986 to 89 in 1991. There was a large difference between sexes: the male:female ratio was 3:2. Most patients ranged in age from 50 to 70 years old. It is noteworthy that in one third of the patients death was caused by asphyxic-type asthma, while status asthmaticus was the cause in only 23.7%. The number of patients with mild or moderate asthma was slightly increased, although patients with severe asthma accounted for at least 70% of all deaths. The main causes of fatal asthma attacks were airway infections, fatigue, and stress. Other responses on the questionnaires indicated the following areas of concern: deficiencies in patient education, delays in treatment with corticosteroids and other antiasthma drugs, and delays in provision of emergency treatment.
 ...
PMID:[Trends in asthma-related death among adults in Japan, 1986-1991--analysis of responses to questionnaires sent to hospitals with at least 200 beds]. 862 71

To help clinicians better assess and treat functional disabilities in persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the authors estimate empirical relations among biologic and physiologic variables, symptoms, and physical functioning in persons with AIDS. The sample of 305 persons with AIDS for this cross-sectional analysis came from three sites in Boston, Massachusetts: a hospital-based group practice, a human immunodeficiency virus clinic at a city hospital, and a staff-model health maintenance organization. Physical functioning, 10 AIDS-specific symptoms, and mental health were assessed by interview. Clinical diagnoses, comorbidities, health habits such as smoking, laboratory results, and selected medication use were assessed by chart review. Significant predictors of physical functioning P < 0.01, R2 = .58) in a multivariable regression model included energy/fatigue, neurologic symptoms, fever symptoms, a lower hemoglobin level, and current non-pneumonia bacterial infection. Ninety-six percent of the explained variance in physical functioning was accounted for by three symptom complexes: energy/fatigue, neurologic symptoms, and fever symptoms. Significant predictors of energy/fatigue in multivariable models included poorer mental health, lower white blood cell count, longer time since diagnosis, and weight loss (P < 0.01, R2 =.36). Significant predictors of neurologic symptoms included poorer mental health, weight loss, and no zidovudine use (P < 0.001, R2 = .30). Predictors of fever symptoms included poorer mental health, no zidovudine use, weight loss, and history of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < 0.05, R2 = .25). In conclusion, symptom reports were strong predictors of physical functioning. Poorer mental health and weight loss were correlated consistently with worse symptoms, and not using zidovudine was correlated with worse neurologic and fever symptoms. These variables, and the others the authors identified, may represent mutable determinants of physical functioning in persons with AIDS, and potential targets for specific clinical interventions.
 ...
PMID:Clinical predictors of functioning in persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. 865 26

A 52-year-old woman had a 14-year history of stridor attacks. Pulmonary function tests revealed reversible airway obstruction, and bronchial asthma was diagnosed. She also has bilateral ptosis, diplopia, and moderate weakness of all four limbs; a positive edrophonium test confirmed the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Although the parasympathetic system plays an important role in the regulation of bronchial tone, in this patient the edrophonium test did not provoke an asthmatic attack or exacerbate pulmonary function, except for increases in sputum production and in frequency of cough. The general weakness was usually worse in the afternoon. The decrease in grip strength and the shortening of arm elevation time also occurred after asthma attacks, which means that general muscle fatigue was caused by the work of breathing. Furthermore, dyspnea increased and pulmonary function worsened when an anti-cholinesterase inhibitor was discontinued, probably because of respiratory muscle weakness. Accordingly, the clinical status of bronchial asthma seemed to change in parallel with that of the myasthenia gravis.
 ...
PMID:[Bronchial asthma complicated by myasthenia gravis]. 869 67

This article presents a summary of selected events that highlighted the 13th International Symposium on Respiratory Psychophysiology held at the inaugural meeting of the International Society for the Advancement of Respiratory Psychophysiology, Saint Flour, France, 1994. The topic of basic and applied research includes summaries of presentations of research on (a) the control of breathing, (b) dyspnea, (c) dyspneic-fear, (d) hyperventilation (panic disorder, somatic changes, pain, fatigue, occupational stress, and strain), and (e) asthma. The topic of evaluation of treatment includes (a) a review of breathing retraining outcome studies and (b) a discussion of recent advances and continuing controversies regarding breathing patterns and breathing retraining. The topic of technical advances is provided by a description of a visual feedback device for pulmonary rehabilitation. The symposium banquet celebration was highlighted by an award ceremony in which L. C. Lum was recognized for his distinguished contributions to respiratory psychophysiology.
 ...
PMID:Highlights of the 13th International Symposium on Respiratory Psychophysiology held at the inaugural meeting of the International Society for the Advancement of Respiratory Psychophysiology. 869 2

Several different meanings have been attached to the term "chemical sensitivity" by those who use it. Feeling ill from odors is a symptom reported by approximately one-third of the population. The syndrome of chemical sensitivity, frequently called "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" or "MCS" has been the subject of three federally-sponsored workshops; at least five different case definitions for research on MCS have been proposed. In contrast, the hypothesis that chemical sensitivity may be a mechanism for disease posits that a broad spectrum of "recognized" chronic illnesses, ranging from asthma and migraine to depression and chronic fatigue, may be the consequence of environmental chemical exposures. According to this theory, a two-step process occurs: (1) an initial salient exposure event(s) (for example, a one-time, intermittent, or continuous exposure to pesticides, solvents, or air contaminants in a sick building) interacts with a susceptible individual, causing loss of tolerance for everyday, low level chemical inhalants (car exhaust, fragrances, cleaning agents), as well as for foods, drugs, alcohol, and caffeine; (2) thereafter, such common, formerly well-tolerated substances trigger symptoms, thus perpetuating illness. "Masking" (acclimatization, apposition, and addiction) may hide these exposure-symptom relationships, thus obfuscating the environmental etiology of the illness. Accumulating clinical observations lend credence to a view of chemical sensitivity as an emerging theory of disease causation and underscore the need for its testing in a rational, scientific manner. While chemical sensitivity may be the consequence of chemical exposure, the term "toxicant-induced loss of tolerance" more fully describes the two-step process under scrutiny.
 ...
PMID:Chemical sensitivity: symptom, syndrome or mechanism for disease? 871 50

Allergic rhinitis is underestimated as a cause of suffering and diminished quality of life in children and adolescents. If nasal symptoms such as itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and congestion are not well controlled during the day, they may contribute to learning problems during school hours. If these symptoms are not well controlled during the night, they may contribute to nocturnal sleep loss, secondary daytime fatigue and learning impairment. Even uncomplicated seasonal allergic rhinitis may be associated with reduced ability to learn, and the likelihood of learning problems may increase in severe perennial rhinitis or in rhinitis associated with complications such as sinusitis or eustachian tube dysfunction and conductive hearing loss. Also, many of the medications used to treat allergic rhinitis may cause central nervous system adverse effects and contribute to learning impairment. For some medications, such as inhaled glucocorticoids and decongestants, the potential effect on central nervous system function and learning has not been tested. For others such as H1-receptor antagonists (antihistamines), well-designed, prospective studies have been performed. The newer relatively nonsedating medications such as terfenadine, astemizole, loratadine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine have less potential to impair central nervous system function and learning than their predecessors.
Allergy Asthma Proc
PMID:Learning impairment and allergic rhinitis. 887 36

In the second part of their article on the emerging field of neuroimmunology, the authors present an overview of the role of neuroimmune mechanisms in defence against infectious diseases and in immune disorders. During acute febrile illness, immune-derived cytokines initiate an acute phase response, which is characterized by fever, inactivity, fatigue, anorexia and catabolism. Profound neuroendocrine and metabolic changes take place: acute phase proteins are produced in the liver, bone marrow function and the metabolic activity of leukocytes are greatly increased, and specific immune reactivity is suppressed. Defects in regulatory processes, which are fundamental to immune disorders and inflammatory diseases, may lie in the immune system, the neuro endocrine system or both. Defects in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis have been observed in autoimmune and rheumatic diseases, chronic inflammatory disease, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Prolactin levels are often elevated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases, whereas the bioactivity of prolactin is decreased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Levels of sex hormones and thyroid hormone are decreased during severe inflammatory disease. Defective neural regulation of inflammation likely plays a pathogenic role in allergy and asthma, in the symmetrical form of rheumatoid arthritis and in gastrointestinal inflammatory disease. A better understanding of neuroimmunoregulation holds the promise of new approaches to the treatment of immune and inflammatory diseases with the use of hormones, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and drugs that modulate these newly recognized immune regulators.
 ...
PMID:Neuroimmune mechanisms in health and disease: 2. Disease. 887 36

Respiratory therapy, consists in the administration of gases or drugs via airways; it includes: oxygen, humidity, aerosol therapy, IPPB, chest physiotherapy and mechanical ventilation. Asthmatic patients frequently require oxygen support which is delivered by low and high flow systems, for best results, gases must be humidified, either by bubble or wick humidifiers, heat increases usefulness. Spray is produced by nebulizers and metered dose inhalers, the last are cheaper but they need a certain grade of coordination. Powder inhalers are easier to use. IPPB is indicated in patients with severe fatigue, this method is used sporadically. Chest physiotherapy teaches utilization of relaxation and inferior thoracic respiration techniques. Thoracic percussion must be avoided in an asthmatic crisis. Mechanical ventilation is delivered through a large bore canule, its goal is to assure an adequate gas exchange and to avoid respiratory muscular fatigue.
 ...
PMID:[Inhalation therapy in asthma]. 900 2

Disinfectant surveys from responding members of the American Society of Postanesthesia Nurses were divided into two groups based on whether or not they considered themselves to be exposed to disinfectants in their work environment. Their survey responses were then compared with those obtained previously from members of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc., who were regularly exposed to 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde in the work setting. There were significant differences among the groups in the percentage of respondents who reported having headaches, eye irritations, respiratory problems, shortness of breath, rashes, memory loss, mood swings, and fatigue. These findings support the association of these complaints with 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde exposure. In contrast, there were no significant differences among the groups in the percentage of respondents who reported having asthma, rhinitis, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, muscle/joint pain, visual disturbances, or dermatitis.
 ...
PMID:Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. (SGNA) Endoscopic Disinfectant Survey results compared with control group. 902 1

As the power source for vocalization, the lower respiratory tract plays a key role in voice production. This is particularly true with sustained singing, where continued high ventilatory demands are present. Changes in pulmonary function that are insignificant with normal speech have been shown to lead to performance impairment. The purpose of this study was to examine and characterize this problem in a large group of singers. Systematic evaluation of a defined population, along with inhalational and singing challenge, was the design. The demographic characteristics, history, pulmonary function, and response to treatment were evaluated in 20 professional or serious amateur singers with voice problems, who did not have causal laryngeal pathology, whose history and evaluation suggested increased airway reactivity, and who responded to anti-asthma therapy. An additional patient was challenged by the exercise of singing in the office, with pulmonary function measurements before and after. This group of serious singers demonstrated vocalization complaints referable to bronchodilator responsive airway obstruction. They responded to treatment for asthma, with improvement in their performance-related difficulties. An additional subject demonstrated a small decline in expiratory flow rates with only 20 minutes of singing in the office. This was readily reversed by an inhaled bronchodilator. Singers who present with complaints of impaired vocalization, such as vocal fatigue, decreased control, and excessive muscular tension, should be evaluated for increased airway reactivity as a possible cause of their complaints.
Allergy Asthma Proc
PMID:Airway reactivity induced reversible voice dysfunction in singers. 906 29


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>