Neuralgia

Neuralgia, recurrent pain along the path of a sensory nerve. Neuralgia may be caused by a disorder that affects a nerve, such as tooth decay or carpal tunnel syndrome, or it may accompany such diseases as diabetes mellitus or certain vitamin deficiencies. In some cases the cause of neuralgia cannot be determined. Whatever the cause, the affected nerve does not become inflamed and its tissues are not damaged or destroyed.

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most common forms of neuralgia, involving the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from the face, eyes, nose, mouth, and jaws to the brain. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by overwhelming sensations of stabbing pain that may be momentary or may last for minutes or hours. When it is short-lived, the condition is also known as tic douloureux. Trigeminal neuralgia may be relieved by analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. In severe cases, surgery may be performed to reduce pressure on the nerve or to sever it.

In postherpetic neuralgia, pain occurs at a site earlier affected by herpes zoster, or shingles, in which blisters develop on the skin along the path of a nerve. Postherpetic neuralgia may last for weeks or months after the illness, but the pain may be alleviated with analgesics.

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis, chronic disease marked by progressive weakness and abnormally rapid fatigue of the voluntary muscles. The muscles affected include those used in walking, breathing, chewing, and talking. A characteristic sign of the disease is drooping eyelids. Myasthenia gravis most often affects women between the ages of 20 and 30, but it can strike anyone after adolescence; after 40, it actually afflicts more men than women.

Myasthenia gravis is a noninherited autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antibodies in the blood that destroy muscle-cell sites for the reception of acetylcholine molecules. Acetylcholine normally transmits signals between nerves and muscles, so when its receptors are destroyed it cannot induce muscle contractions. No cure for the disease yet exists, but it can be treated with drugs called anticholinesterases. These drugs are capable of inhibiting an enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, that breaks down acetylcholine in the body. Myasthenia gravis may also be relieved by surgical removal of the thymus and by a blood-cleansing process called plasmapheresis that eliminates the destructive antibodies.

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy, crippling disease characterized by gradual wasting of skeletal muscle. As the disease progresses, symptoms include increased weakness and loss of muscle mass and function. Eventually a person with muscular dystrophy needs to use a wheelchair to move around. Four clinical forms of the disease are recognized, based on pattern of inheritance, age when symptoms are first noted, and distribution of the muscles earliest involved. Microscopic abnormalities of skeletal muscle are found in each type.

Muscular dystrophy has its origin in a genetic mutation, but the biochemical steps by which this genetic defect manifests itself in the degenerative process in the muscle are not known. Because specific treatment is not available, general measures, including physical and occupational therapy, are used. Genetic tests for mutations in the different genes causing muscular dystrophy provide rapid and accurate diagnosis for patients.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition, dietary condition caused by a deficiency or excess of one or more essential nutrients in the diet. Malnutrition is characterized by a wide array of health problems, including extreme weight loss, stunted growth, weakened resistance to infection, and impairment of intellect. Severe cases of malnutrition can lead to death. Deficiency diseases are usually associated with lack of vitamins or minerals. The effects of a vitamin or mineral deficiency on the body depend on the function of the particular nutrient lacking. For example, vitamin A is important for good vision, and severe deficiency of this vitamin may cause blindness. Because some vitamins and minerals have many functions, prolonged nutritional deficiencies can therefore have wide-ranging effects on health. Diets that lack a wide variety of foods may result in vitamin deficiency diseases. For example, in countries where people eat maize as the staple food and only few other foods, diets may lack niacin, a B vitamin. Such diets may cause pellagra, a deficiency disease characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.

Ketorolac

Ketorolac, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the short-term management of severe, acute pain, as well as for the short-term treatment of itchy eyes caused by seasonal allergies. Ketorolac relieves pain and reduces fever and inflammation by blocking the production of prostaglandins. It is sometimes used with a narcotic to provide better pain relief than either drug alone can offer.

This drug is available by prescription only as an injectable liquid, tablets and eye drops. The effectiveness of all forms is usually apparent in 30 to 60 minutes.

Ketorolac should be used with caution by patients with known bleeding disorders or sensitivities to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as by patients with a history of alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, edema, kidney or liver disease, lupus erythematosus, asthma, colitis, heart disease, or high blood pressure. The safety of this drug for pregnant or breast-feeding women or for children has not been determined. The eyedrop solution should not be used by patients wearing contact lenses. Abdominal or stomach pain, bruising at the site of injection, drowsiness, indigestion, and nausea are the most common side effects of both the oral and injected forms of the drug. Less common side effects are bloating or gas, burning or pain at the injection site, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, a feeling of fullness in the abdominal or stomach area, headache, increased sweating, vomiting, edema, decrease in urine output, renal failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation.

A temporary stinging and burning sensation in the eye is the most common side effect of the eyedrop solution. Less common side effects are eye irritation, allergic reactions, superficial eye infections, and superficial inflammation of the eye’s cornea.

Ketorolac may interact adversely with aspirin, acetaminophen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, as well as with lithium, methotrexate, probenecid, ketoprofen, nabumetone, naproxen, and oxaprozin. Use of ketorolac with blood-thinning drugs, cefamandole, cefoperazone, cefotetan, heparin, moxalactam, plicamycin, or valproic acid may increase risk of bleeding.

Brand Names: Acular, Toradol

Ketoprofen

Ketoprofen, drug used to reduce the inflammation, fever, and pain associated with such diseases as arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and menstrual cramps. Ketoprofen is believed to work by preventing prostaglandins (chemicals that cause inflammation and contribute to the brain’s perception of pain) from concentrating in body tissues.

Ketoprofen is available by prescription in capsule, tablet, and suppository form. The drug is taken daily in 3 or 4 doses for a total of 150 to 300 mg. It is most effectively absorbed if taken on an empty stomach, but it can be taken with food, milk, or an antacid to prevent stomach irritation. The patient must take ketoprofen for one to three weeks before physicians can evaluate its effectiveness.

Possible side effects include drowsiness, fluid retention, skin rash, headache, depression, indigestion, and nausea. Men may experience problems with sexual performance and breast enlargement. Women may find their menstrual cycles affected, with increased blood flow during menstruation.

Pregnant women should not use ketoprofen in the third trimester of pregnancy. Breast-feeding women, patients with allergies to the drug, those who suffer asthma with aspirin use, and patients with ulcers, bleeding disorders, impaired kidney function, or liver disease should not take ketoprofen.

Ketoprofen may have negative effects when taken with other anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, aspirin, insulin, phenytoin, verapamil, nifedipine, lithium, and diuretics. Alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of ulcers or bleeding in the stomach.

Brand Name: Orudis

Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole, prescription drug used to treat fungal infections. It works by weakening fungal cell walls, thereby either killing the fungus or stopping its growth. Ketoconazole is also used to treat prostate cancer because it suppresses the production of testosterone, a hormone necessary for prostate cancer cell survival.

Ketoconazole is available as a tablet, cream, or shampoo. Patients using the drug in tablet form take 200 to 400 mg once a day for fungal infections and 400 mg three times a day for prostate cancer. The drug should be taken with food for better absorption and to avoid stomach irritation. It must be taken for two to four weeks before a physician can evaluate its effectiveness as an antifungal agent. A cure may require many months of treatment.

Common side effects of ketoconazole include reduced testosterone production (which may impair sexual function in males), skin irritation and rash, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and liver problems. Pregnant and nursing women, patients with active liver disease, and patients who have previously had an allergic reaction to the drug should not take ketoconazole. Patients should exercise caution in taking the drug if they are allergic to related antifungal drugs, take any other drugs, have liver disease or reduced liver function, have a history of alcoholism, or have low levels of hydrochloric acid in their stomachs.

Ketoconazole enhances the blood-thinning effects of warfarin and minimizes the effects of theophylline. Antacids may lessen ketoconazole’s effectiveness. Patients who consume alcohol while taking this drug may experience dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Alcohol in combination with ketoconazole can also contribute to liver problems.

Brand Name:Nizoral