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Antineoplastic Agents
ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS Antineoplastic agents are a class of drugs designed to combat cancer by inhibiting the growth and proliferation of neoplastic cells (cancer cells). Also called Anticancer drugs. The action of antineoplastic agents can be broadly categorized into two main mechanisms: affecting cell survival and enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight abnormal cells. Common…
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Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal Cord Compression (SCC) Spinal cord compression (SCC) results from processes that compress or displace arterial, venous, and cerebrospinal fluid spaces, as well as the cord itself. Spinal cord compression (SCC) refers to the mechanical or pathological compression of the spinal cord, resulting in the displacement or obstruction of arterial, venous, and cerebrospinal fluid spaces,…
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Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants Anticonvulsants / antiepileptic drugs are a type of drugs that are used to prevent or treat seizures or convulsions by controlling abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Common Terms Absence seizure: type of generalized seizure that is characterized by sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, sometimes with staring or blinking for 3 to 5 seconds;…
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Epilepsy
Epilepsy Lecture Notes Epilepsy A seizure is an occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Epilepsy, however, is a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations,…
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Anxiety Disorders
ANXIETY DISORDERS All children have worries and fears from time to time. Whether it’s the monster in the closet, the big test at the end of the week, or any other thing, kids have things that make them anxious, just like adults. But sometimes anxiety in children crosses the line from normal everyday worries to…
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Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation)
Intellectual Disability formerly mental retardation Intellectual Disability (ID), formerly known as mental retardation, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This condition originates before the age of 18 (during the developmental period). The shift in terminology from “mental…
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Substance Abuse
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Before we define SUD, lets first understand key terms. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), provides the standardized criteria used by clinicians. I. Key Terms and Definitions Substance: Any natural or synthesized chemical that, when taken into the body, alters its functioning. This includes psychoactive substances…
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Narcotics
Narcotics Narcotics or Narcotic drugs are drugs that react with different type of opioid receptors, receptor sites that respond to naturally occurring peptides, enkephalins, and endorphins. These are found in the CNS, peripheral nerves, and GI tract cells. In the spinal cord, they integrate and relate pain information. Pain relief and side effects depend on…
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by hyper-arousal, re-experiencing of images of the stressful events, and avoidance of reminders. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. It is characterized by a specific constellation of…
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ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC
Atypical or second generation or novel Atypical or ‘2nd generation’. These medications have been used since the 1990s. These are newer types of antipsychotics. These are sometimes referred to as ‘atypicals’ These are newer antipsychotic drugs on the Ugandan market and are less commonly used because they are expensive. They are however the best antipsychotics…
