1/20. Cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a case study.The case of a 26-year old woman with Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is presented. Multidimensional assessment showing severe debilitating fatigue and considerable psychological, social and occupational impairment confirmed the diagnosis. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) was based on a tested causal model of CFS and individual behavioral analyses. Key elements in CBT were process variables from the CFS model, like sense of control, causal attributions, physical activity and focusing on bodily functions. goals were recovery from fatigue, returning to work and relapse prevention. The course of therapy is described in detail to illustrate difficulties in treating CFS. Assessments were made five times, at baseline and at 8, 14, 21 and 33 months. Comparison of the pretest, post-test and follow-up scores of the outcome variables, fatigue and functional impairment and of the process variables showed clinically significant improvement from the range of CFS patients to the range of healthy controls.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/20. Hypersomnia in Wilson's disease: an unusual symptom in an unusual case.Wilson's disease (WD) shows a wide heterogeneity in symptoms. In this case report we present hypersomnia as a symptom of WD. The male patient's complaints as fatigue, decreased level of concentration, and highly increased demand of sleeping started at his age of 21 years. No abnormality was found at physical examination. A moderate elevation in liver function tests was found, but all the other laboratory findings were within the normal range. The marked hypersomnia was verified by 24-h cassette EEG polisomnographic monitoring. No abnormality was found at physical examination. EEG, brain CT and MRI were normal. Neither toxic nor infectious disease was detectable. The diagnosis of WD was based on decreased coeruloplasmin level, increased baseline and forced urinary excretion of copper, and decreased level of serum copper. Kayser-Fleischer ring was not detectable. D-penicillamine (DPA) was introduced. At 8-10 months after the initiation of the therapy the patient's complaints gradually resolved. The control sleep record 14 months after the initiation of the DPA therapy was normal. Five years later the patient is currently on penicillamine treatment and he is free of any symptom.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6.0001746331786keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/20. Management of a patient with post-polio syndrome.PURPOSE: To describe the current understanding of the management of patients with post-polio syndrome (PPS) and relate the research to a case study. DATA SOURCES: Standard neurology textbooks, current review and research articles, and a case study. CONCLUSIONS: More than 15 years following a diagnosis of poliomyelitis, a new onset of weakness, fatigue, joint pain, decreased endurance, muscle atrophy, gait disturbance, respiratory and swallowing problems, cold intolerance, and difficulties with activities of daily living might indicate a neurologic disorder called PPS. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Non-post-polio causes of weakness, fatigue or pain must be excluded before making a diagnosis of PPS. Approaches to management vary depending on the symptoms and level of disability. Reducing physical and emotional stress, energy conservation, adequate rest, modification of work and home environments, joint protection, and the use of orthoses, adaptive equipment, or mobility aids can reduce fatigue and preserve function.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/20. Conscientiousness and work performance while suffering from acute mountain sickness: a case report.A 52-yr-old male scientist who participated in a geophysical survey in Antarctica from a field camp located at 3538 m (11,600 ft) experienced specific symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) by Mission Day 9, and full syndrome AMS by Mission Day 12. He was treated at the field camp and evacuated to sea level on the next available flight (Mission Day 15). The concerns of this highly conscientious individual that initial signs of illness, such as fatigue with exertion, could be misinterpreted by others as poor work performance are described. The report focuses on individual personality and group processes that could lead to nondisclosure of symptoms, and the need, particularly in long-duration missions in which evacuation is difficult or impossible, to sensitize personnel to the importance of recognizing and reporting potential health problems.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/20. Physical symptoms under forced-phase advance treatment in a patient with delayed sleep phase syndrome: a case report.The physical symptoms that are observed with forced waking in patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) often prevent the successful treatment of patients. Better understanding of these symptoms will assist in providing appropriate treatment in such patients. Herein, a 19-year-old female patient with DSPS is described, in whom headache, fatigue, and dizziness were observed under forced-phase advance treatment. Statistical analysis showed that her headache was dependent on the therapeutic week, and her fatigue was dependent on the period of the day. There was no association between dizziness and either factor. Experience with this patient indicates that the fatigue observed with forced waking is related to the circadian system. This relationship should be explored for other physical symptoms as well.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/20. A report of hypothyroidism induced by an over-the-counter fat loss supplement (Tiratricol).Prior to presentation, two physically fit adults, a 39-year-old male and 40-year-old female, began supplementation with an over-the-counter thyroid preparation marketed as a metabolic accelerator and fat loss aid, tiratricol. Both participants took the supplement for 5 weeks (3000-4000 mcg/d) and 3 weeks (6000 mcg/d), respectively. At presentation, both complained of lethargy, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness. Upon initial laboratory evaluation, results revealed low thyroid stimulating hormone with profoundly elevated T3 values in both patients. After an extensive review of the literature, the cause of the problem was found to be the nutritional supplement they consumed contained tiratricol. After discontinuation of the supplement, thyroid levels slowly returned to baseline 40 days and 5 months later, respectively.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/20. Abnormal serotonin reuptake in an overtrained, insomnic and depressed team athlete.The purpose of this report is to study serotonin reuptake of the brain in a severely overtrained athlete by using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A 26-year-old team athlete increased his training volume (by 200 %) and intensity markedly in a new high-level team. After two months, he started to feel continuous fatigue. He had tinnitus in his left ear, he felt disturbing palpitation and had pollacisuria. After four months, he started to suffer from insomnia. He still continued to play for another three months, after which he was unable to play. He could only sleep for 3 to 4 hours per night. Only minor abnormalities could be found in extensive physical and laboratory examinations. The athlete had a severe overtraining state. In the brain SPECT scans, using the specific radioligand for serotonin transporter imaging ( (123)I labelled 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-[4-iodophenyl]-nortropane), low activity areas were detected in the midbrain, anterior gingulus, and left frontal and temporo-occipital lobes. In a psychiatric examination, the patient was found to have signs of major depression, which he hardly recognized himself. We conclude, that that the severe overtraining state could have been related to decreased serotonin reuptake in the brain and signs of major depression.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/20. rehabilitation for postpolio sequelae.BACKGROUND: Postpolio sequelae (PPS) are new, late manifestations that occur many years after the initial poliomyelitis infection. recurrence of symptoms and fear of reactivation of the polio virus is particularly distressing to polio survivors. OBJECTIVE: This article outlines the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of PPS disabilities using a case vignette. DISCUSSION: Clinical features of PPS include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, new muscular weakness and bulbar symptoms. Diagnosis can be complicated particularly in nonparalytic cases of poliomyelitis. Disabilities in PPS may not be obvious to the observer but significantly affect the quality of life of the PPS patient. Previous rehabilitation intervention focussed on physical effort and determination to overcome disability at all costs. The treatment in PPS is now modified, and aggressive physical measures that may exacerbate muscle weakness are avoided. Most disabilities in PPS can be well managed with rehabilitation interventions that address limitations in patient activities of daily living, mobility and cardiopulmonary fitness.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/20. Not your "typical patient": cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent patient.meningitis, when caused by the fungal mycoses cryptococcus neoformans, is normally seen in immuno-compromised hosts. However, immunocompetent patients are also susceptible to cryptococcal meningitis (CM). In patients with an intact immune system, CM usually presents with the typical signs and symptoms of meningitis: fever, stiff neck, and headache. Major implications for the primary and advanced practice nursing plans of care for CM patients include a thorough history and physical exam, early diagnosis and treatment, and an individualized plan of care focused on minimizing sequelae and side effects of treatment and maximizing functional recovery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/20. Dilated cardiomyopathy in a 7-year-old girl.Pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy can initially be present for medical attention with non-specific and misleading signs and symptoms. We present the case of a 7-year-old girl with vague complaints of fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain and cardiac murmur on physical exam who progressed to congestive heart failure before her dilated cardiomyopathy was diagnosed. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for dilated cardiomyopathy in any patient with cardiac murmur and systematic symptoms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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