~ Dear Doctor Part II ~
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strange that you're learning it as a psychological condition. but i guess that's the way this condition is treated for the time being. i'm reading about it from the cognitive neuroscience view. medically, people with this condition have been dismissed as attention seeking or having psychological disorders or just plain crazy. however, for the neuroscience view, there does seem to be proof that it is a physiological condition. for one, it is a familial and not too rare (occurs in 1 out of 200) and the strange thing is that it occurs 7 times more often in artistically inclined people.Originally posted by alfagal:hello,
pple with synesthesia have extraodinary senses. they could include:
1. Sensory VS. taste - a particular person experiences a bitter taste in his mouth (taste) while he shapes hamburger patties in his hands (sensory)
2. Auditory VS visual: while playing the C# note on the piano (auditory) the person sees a tint of blue (visual); other notes would make her see other colours. therefore if she listens to music, yes, she will see many different colours going on and off
3. Visual VS colour: while looking at black printed numbers (visual), this person can see them in colour. E.g. while presented a black 7, the person sees a red colour.
these are some of the examples of synesthesia. it is not a medical condition, as the person's well-being is normal, and can carry on with day-to-day functions. i have not encountered them before, but got these from journals and psychologists who made studies on them.
some call Synethesia: pple who can blend senses together.
reasons why they happen are still a mystery, though some studies have been made. E.g. of some of the reasons (not proven though):
1. through learning and conditioning: associating colour with visual stimuli, till it becomes a non-thinking situation (happens naturally)
2.somatosensory cortex (in e brain) that are v close to each other can affect one another. hence a so called false activation of other senses.
3. just like how the olfactor bulb (sense of smell) can triger of memories, e.g this stranger who is using a particular scent passes u, u regconize it and immediately reminds u of ur bf/gf. this analogy is used to explain pple with syntaesthesia - pple w other methods of triggering different senses.
now that to me is very interesting...and since there are some artistically inclined people here...i wonder...do you guys actually have that mixed senses thing? or even see color when you're looking at days, months and the like?
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This is a thread for the ill, not for continuous medical education... go set up a new thread larr, reddy...
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haha...maybe..but there's be so few people....anw...i'm also slightly sick...Originally posted by renorenal:This is a thread for the ill, not for continuous medical education... go set up a new thread larr, reddy...
cutaneous bacterial infection on my calf. it's been 3-4 weeks since the first symptoms showed but i've refused to go see a doc the swelling has gone down a lot, and it's no longer painful, but it's turned itchy and the site of infection is real hard. i'm guessing i won on this battle...anything i need to be doing? -
I noticed that the doc is only 3rd level in the hierarchy... plus normally the heads and directors above the normal GP must also be docs wat -
Originally posted by Othello_Red:
Are you referring to the term impetigo? The moment you feel you win, that's the moment you might get sepsis...
haha...maybe..but there's be so few people....anw...i'm also slightly sick...
cutaneous bacterial infection on my calf. it's been 3-4 weeks since the first symptoms showed but i've refused to go see a doc the swelling has gone down a lot, and it's no longer painful, but it's turned itchy and the site of infection is real hard. i'm guessing i won on this battle...anything i need to be doing?
Are there any blisters? -
Aiyar... I'm not complainingOriginally posted by DriftingGuy:I noticed that the doc is only 3rd level in the hierarchy... plus normally the heads and directors above the normal GP must also be docs wat -
oh that sounds nice...nope...no blisters...but it does feel like it's taking an awful long time to heal...Originally posted by renorenal:Are you referring to the term impetigo? The moment you feel you win, that's the moment you might get sepsis...
Are there any blisters? -
Othello_red
How did the problem started?
And what makes you say it is bacterial?
Any associated fever? -
whats a profile zone??Originally posted by ceecookie:Yes...and from my view it seems to be 5mm tall -
That I'm not too sure...Originally posted by hisoka:whats a profile zone?? -
Originally posted by renorenal:
that's what i have no idea about...how it started.
[b]Othello_red
How did the problem started?
And what makes you say it is bacterial?
Any associated fever?[/b]
i'm just guessing it's bacterial btw.
nope...doubt it's impetigo...no fever or anything else. just a localised skin lesion...had varying degrees of soreness and the center of it looked bruised. had thick yellow pus and dark red blood flowing out of it a couple of days ago. continued bleeding for awhile. not it really isn't giving me much trouble...except that it looks bad, feels itchy at times and just feels funny to have there....hope it doesn't get as far as sepsis. -
im a little confused abt it but profile zone means how much can u still hear or so...there's many zones but i only know one of them which is profileOriginally posted by hisoka:whats a profile zone?? -
Any related injury? Any recent history of playing in the football field or jungle trekking? It sure will be itchy as all the anti-inflammatory chemicals will be there, but do resist from scratching as it often will delay healing process, because of pressure to the granulation tissues (healing tissue)...Originally posted by Othello_Red:that's what i have no idea about...how it started.
i'm just guessing it's bacterial btw.
nope...doubt it's impetigo...no fever or anything else. just a localised skin lesion...had varying degrees of soreness and the center of it looked bruised. had thick yellow pus and dark red blood flowing out of it a couple of days ago. continued bleeding for awhile. not it really isn't giving me much trouble...except that it looks bad, feels itchy at times and just feels funny to have there....hope it doesn't get as far as sepsis.
Keep the wound dry, wear new socks, walk around more for improved circulation for faster healing...
Yellow pus is Staphylococcus aureus infection, a famous skin commensal. May I suggest using the appropriate antiseptic cream if the ulcer or breach is not too large and cover it with a clean bandage, change it often and try not to wet your wound during bathing...
Remember that superficial skin infection can progress to impetigo and then sepsis. -
If you are interested hisoka, I think you can consult an ENT specialist... I can't help you here with the information...Originally posted by ceecookie:im a little confused abt it but profile zone means how much can u still hear or so...there's many zones but i only know one of them which is profile
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Othello_Red
If you can provide me with a picture, it would be better... -
Actually I have a problem with ENT as well... not sure if you are able to answer this..
Its regarding feelings of "tightness" around the throat area. Theres a feeling that my trachea is narrower than normal and that feeling has been on and off for many years. Its so bad sometimes that I find I couldnt sleep well.
I have consulted specialists in the past who used fibre-optic larynoscopes without success. Some of them said that its a normal thing which will pass but its recurring.
Anyway, I read up that its could be tensional soreness in the neck muscles caused by prolonged stress and bad posture. I wonder if thats the real cause?? -
What you are suffering from is technically called Globus Pharyngus.. The sensation comes with stress and tension from work and you will feel that there is this lump or some ppl may describe it as a tightness around the neck and finds it hard... it is as though one is being smothered to death...Originally posted by DriftingGuy:Actually I have a problem with ENT as well... not sure if you are able to answer this..
Its regarding feelings of "tightness" around the throat area. Theres a feeling that my trachea is narrower than normal and that feeling has been on and off for many years. Its so bad sometimes that I find I couldnt sleep well.
I have consulted specialists in the past who used fibre-optic larynoscopes without success. Some of them said that its a normal thing which will pass but its recurring.
Anyway, I read up that its could be tensional soreness in the neck muscles caused by prolonged stress and bad posture. I wonder if thats the real cause??
Breathing then becomes uncomfortable and so is appetite at times... Most ppl affected have Type A personality, meaning that they are panicky, easily irritated and wants to get things done in the fastest and their own way... They are usually ppl who are easily agitated and cannot relax easily...
Scopes can be done to rule out any potential carcinoma of the esophagus or any benign polyps in there, but there is usually no medical diagnosis to this...
You have to learn how to relax yourself and up to a point even towards changing your personality...
I shall refer you to alfagal, my liaison psychologist for further consultation...
NB: This is purely a psychological phenomenon, as your muscles (pharyngus) tightens up during stress... Note that there are plenty of muscles surrounding the throat, some may not present like you do, some will often present as a headache towards their stress whereas others may present with gut symptoms... -
Originally posted by renorenal:
Psychosomatic Cough (habitual cough)
I believe you are suffering from a condition called habitual cough...
For more information... I refer you to the [b]Liaison Psychologist, alfagal[/b]
Psychosomatic cough is rare, especially in adults. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and should not be entertained until all other potential causes have been investigated, including therapeutic trials of adequate intensity and duration. Since Reno has ruled you out of a series of bad cough, you could b a patient of Habitual cough
its is a syndrome of persistent, habitual throat clearing that may respond to biofeedback (something that triggers off ur cough reflex to rid the phlegm).
some suggestions:
1. take note of ur bodily patterns when u are about to cough. then from there explore to control e cough. e.g. taking a deep breath before the cough starts, then do it everytime till e cough disappears.
2. since its habitual, habits = learnt. you can unlearn it. if u have e habitual throat clearing thingy that triggers off ur cough, then learn to control, and stop it. one way to do stop it is to keep clearing ur throat (consious effort) till you are tired, so tat next time, when u wanna clear your throat, you wld b reminded of the tiredness, you will stop clearing it, and hence e cough.
same goes for your cough, cough consiously till you are tired.
3. due to stressors. are u going thru some sort of stress? then pls indentify it, and learn to reduce stress.
-thru muscle-relaxation techiniques (squeeze ur muscles and letting it go), deep breathing, listen to music, get enough rest, excercise.
4. drinking: if u think u are drinking too much, it wouldnt hurt if u stop or reduce drinking for a start to stop your cough..
5. smoking can trigger of coughs too as it irritates ur throat...
my 5cents worth -
Originally posted by renorenal:
Ah.. at least you gave a name for what I had.. not those $150 per visit arrogant ENT spec
What you are suffering from is technically called [b]Globus Pharyngus.. The sensation comes with stress and tension from work and you will feel that there is this lump or some ppl may describe it as a tightness around the neck and finds it hard... it is as though one is being smothered to death...
Breathing then becomes uncomfortable and so is appetite at times... Most ppl affected have Type A personality, meaning that they are panicky, easily irritated and wants to get things done in the fastest and their own way... They are usually ppl who are easily agitated and cannot relax easily...
Scopes can be done to rule out any potential carcinoma of the esophagus or any benign polyps in there, but there is usually no medical diagnosis to this...
You have to learn how to relax yourself and up to a point even towards changing your personality...
I shall refer you to alfagal, my liaison psychologist for further consultation...
NB: This is purely a psychological phenomenon, as your muscles (pharyngus) tightens up during stress... Note that there are plenty of muscles surrounding the throat, some may not present like you do, some will often present as a headache towards their stress whereas others may present with gut symptoms... [/b]
Anyway I find it odd that you say I get it while under stress since I get it mostly when I am relaxing... when I am stressed I don't even notice it (if there is)...
But I do agree that relaxation may be the only cure la... anyway thanks doc
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I'm impressed with your consultation alfagal...
Habit
If you take away the H - you still have abit
If you take away the A - you still have bit
If you take away the B - you still have it -
Somehow, it has become a trend that if you have it often during your stressful period, it will progress and encroach even though you are relaxing...Originally posted by DriftingGuy:Ah.. at least you gave a name for what I had.. not those $150 per visit arrogant ENT spec
Anyway I find it odd that you say I get it while under stress since I get it mostly when I am relaxing... when I am stressed I don't even notice it (if there is)...
But I do agree that relaxation may be the only cure la... anyway thanks doc -
Thanks alfagal, I'll try practicing that.
I don't drink nor smoke. Must be the stress sneaking in.
*Deep breathes* -
Me too... my throat tightens more during exam periods.Originally posted by CoolMyth:Thanks alfagal, I'll try practicing that.
I don't drink nor smoke. Must be the stress sneaking in.
*Deep breathes*
*Breathes deep deep* -
Yeah... thats what I thought so too... I maybe too used to the feeling that I can only feel it when I am less occupied with other things.. and when it comes it comes with a bang..Originally posted by renorenal:Somehow, it has become a trend that if you have it often during your stressful period, it will progress and encroach even though you are relaxing...
Must meditate liao
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Originally posted by DriftingGuy:
Precisely why pain comes as a common symptom at night when people have nothing to do and when their mind is focused on themselves can they only realize that feel their pain...
Yeah... thats what I thought so too... I maybe too used to the feeling that I can only feel it when I am less occupied with other things.. and when it comes it comes with a bang..
Must meditate liao