Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0043352 (xerostomia)
 4,250 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Many patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have signs and symptoms of easy fatigability, fluctuating weakness, apathy, dry mouth, and blurring of vision. These symptoms can be confused with disorders of neuromuscular transmission. When present, the physician may want to determine whether the patient has myasthenia gravis--the commonest of all neuromuscular disorders--and administer the edrophonium (Tensilon) test. An unequivocally positive response to the test must be interpreted with caution in ESRD. However, the exact mechanism of a positive response is unclear but may be explained by metabolic abnormalities related to end-stage renal disease, i.e., uremic toxins, disordered calcium metabolism, abnormal neuromuscular mechanism, associated neurological disorders, or myopathic processes in uremia, all of which can affect neuromuscular transmission.
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PMID:Interpretation of positive edrophonium (Tensilon) test in patients with end-stage renal disease. 777 Jun 46

The use of the herbal stimulant khat (Catha edulis FORSK) is maintained by immigrants from countries where it is part of their cultural life (Arabian Peninsula and eastern Africa). In western countries the drug and its effects are largely unknown and no experience in evaluating impairment symptoms due to the khat-alkaloids, e.g. cathinone, cathine and norephedrine exists. Blood and urine samples from khat users involved in 19 cases of suspected driving under the influence of drugs were analysed and correlated with the results of medical examination and police officer reports. In 3 cases impaired driving and in 10 cases marked impairment of psychophysical functions was observed such as effects on the nervous system (slow pupil reaction to light, dry mouth, increased heart-rate), trembling, restlessness/nervousness, daze/apathy/dullness, impairment of attention, walking and standing on one leg. However, the alkaloid concentrations assayed in blood did not correlate with the impairment symptoms. Apart from an acute phase of indirect sympathomimetic action the development of habituation and withdrawal symptoms must also be considered in explaining the diversity of effects observed. From these results it can be concluded that chewing khat may severely impair driving ability, but may also be without noticeable effects.
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PMID:Driving under the influence of khat--alkaloid concentrations and observations in forensic cases. 1501 69

The purpose of this study was to explore how persons with severe mental illness (SMI) experience oral health problems (especially dry mouth), and weigh the support they received in this regard from professionals and staff at community-based congregate housing through a controlled intervention programme. Oral health problems and dry mouth are found in association with apathy and indifference, cognitive deficits, and long-term medication with psycho-pharmacological drugs. The present study describes the results from one part of a longitudinal intervention programme, which sought effective ways of mitigating dry mouth through increased support with oral health problems. This part consists of 67 informal interviews with ten participants in two community-based urban housing projects between November 2006 and June 2007, with a follow-up session in December 2007. Content analysis of the results yielded five categories: The shame of having poor dental health, history of dental care, experiences of self-care, handling of oral health problems, and experiences of staff support. Poor oral health caused shame and limited participation in social activities. Participants avoided oral health issues by such circumventions as denial of a tooth ache or dental infections, or postponing oral problems with the hope that they would die away. Offers of support were frequently resisted because of unsatisfactory prior encounters with dental professionals and staff. Our findings suggest that self-care needs to be facilitated in an unobtrusive manner with minimal staff involvement, and clients should be referred to dental care providers experienced in treating people with SMI.
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PMID:Oral health problems and support as experienced by people with severe mental illness living in community-based subsidised housing--a qualitative study. 2056 Oct 79