You Got It by Roy Orbison

Doctor's Day

Medical Doctors are those who are there to deliver your babies when you are in labor, to help you when you are ill, and to keep you well when you are well. Many countries recognize doctors' contributions to society by designating a Doctor's Day: It is July 1 in India, February 27 in Viet Nam.

"The Doctor" by Luke Fildes

In the U.S., National Doctor's Day always falls on March 30th. National Doctor's Day observance dates back to 30 March 1933 when it was first conceived by Eudora Brown Almond of Winder, Georgia. The day marks the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia that occured in 1842. The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Doctor's Day on 30 March 1958. National Doctor's Day was, however, not established until March 30, 1990 when President Bush signed the resolution into law. The first Doctor's Day was celebrated nationwide in the U.S. on March 30, 1991.

Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel

Pleural Empyema

Pleural spaces are seen as black, curving lines wrapping around lungs

Pleural empyema refers to the infection of pleural space, which is located between two lining sheets that wrap around lungs. In healthy people, this pleural space is deflated and does not contain fluid. This space, however, may expand and contain abnormal fluid which usually leaks in from infected or injured lungs. If pus or bacteria are found in this abnormal fluid, pleural empyema is diagnosed.

Arrows point at pleural empyema seen on a chest CT scan

Pleural empyema can become deadly if left untreated.

Treatment requires the placement of a chest tube which helps drain pus or infected fluid. Also, 4-6 weeks of antibiotics that help kill both aerobes and anaerobes are required.

In some cases empyema walls become thickened scars that prevent lungs from expanding properly, even after infection is successfully treated. These conditions are called "trapped lungs" and treating doctors may recommend decortication.

Gitano Soy by Gipsy Kings

Quinsy

Quinsy, or peritonsillar abscess, refers to a complication of tonsilitis. George Washington is believed to have died of complications of quinsy.

Patients with quinsy usually have fever, sore throat, muffled voice. Many cannot swallow or open mouth. Quinsy usually affects only one side of the throat.

Quinsy on the right side of throat

Left untreated, quinsy may result in more serious complications such as airway obstruction, rupture of abscess. Rupture of abscess results in the accumulation of pus in a space that surrounds the throat. This complication can be lethal.

Quinsy must be drained. Intraveous antibiotics are also required. Doctors usually prescribe ampicillin-sulbactam, a combination of penicillin G and metronidazole, or clindamycin.

Now We Are Free

Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear refers to the inflammation of ear canal in those who swim and usually live in humid tropical regions. Swimmer's ear is just one of inflammatory diseases of ear canal, also known as external otitis or otitis externa.

Those who wear hearing aids, headphones have higher risk of external otitis. People who use cotton swabs to clean cerumen excessively also have increased risk since cotton swabs can create abrasions in the ear canal skin, making it easy for bacteria to invade deeper tissue.

The most common bacteria responsible for external otitis are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphyloccocus aureus, bacteroides, and peptostreptococci. Fungi account for about 2 to 10 percent of cases of otitis externa and usually cause infection following the treatment of bacterial infection.

The most common symptoms of external otitis are ear-ache, itch, ear discharge, and hearing loss.

Treatment of external otitis usually requires thorough cleaning of the ear canal, use of topical antibiotics, and pain control. Ear canal cleaning is the most important step and should be performed at doctors' offices.

Cristofori's Dream by David Lanz

Larynx, Vocal Cords, and Hoarseness

Normal Larynx

Larynx, also known as voice box, connects throat with trachea. Within the larynx lie vocal cords, which dictate your vocal tone or phonation. Larynx also works in sync with epiglottis to prevents food from going into your trachea and lungs.


Vocal tone results from the vibration of vocal cords as air comes out through them. An illustration of how vocal cords produce sound is as below.



The frequency of vibration determines the vocal pitch as heard by ears. The usual frequency during normal speech ranges from 100 to 300 times per second (Hz). Soprano singers' frequency can be greater than 1000 Hz. The above vocal pitch is probably not the best ear-pleasing sound you have ever heard. Many singers, however, are able to produce fantastic sound. An example of Sarah Brightman's soprano is as below.



Hoarseness refers to any change in voice that indicates injuries to larynx or vocal cords. These injuries may be due to inflammation, infection, tumor, or neurological diseases.

If you smoke cigarettes or drink excess alcohol, your hoarseness usually indicates the inflammation of larynx, also known as laryngitis. Hoarseness that lasts for more than 2 weeks, however, requires a complete examination to rule out laryngeal cancer.

What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong