Monsters Inc.
XP
Life is interesting these days. My computer crashed last weeks and everything was in a big mess. Prior to that, life at school was terrible too.
The Kerry Bush Fight
Maybe about as terrible as the poor Americans watching the "Bush-fight Kerry-on" to no end. I wonder how the elections will go over there but I know who I'll vote for if I'm there. Me, of course! Seriously, I'll give it to Bush. I have my reasons, and being a Republican supporter since early days is not a good enough reason (I am aware of that!).
1. I think Bush is not smart. But, I find Kerry dishonest. Between a bumbling fool and a conniving cheat, I'll choose the former. Hopefully, you can teach the fool a little.
2. Bush may not know what he's doing in the Middle East but Kerry may more likely not do what he knows (he has to do). Make a Democrat president and all the soldiers can wait for surer death.
3. Stem cell research may be stemmed to free funds for other things, if Kerry were elected into office. You know how those presidents are known for making about turns.
I can go on more about why I would choose one over the other but it is to no avail. These are EXACTLY the same things that an average American who intends to vote for the coming elections are pondering over.
So, it all boils down to condition number x.
x. I will vote for Bush because I cannot stand Kerry's face.
Don't take me to task for this: I've read enough faces in my life to know who to and who not to trust. It's a sixth sense, instinct, kind of thing. Most aquarians are blessed with it. I'm sharing my observations here.
Kerry has this dark side which he has kept suppressed. I think he's more dangerous than OBL and Saddam Hussein put together. Just a feeling.
And his partner looks like a over-eager beaver. Spells trouble, whichever way I look at things.
Ok, let's put it this way: Kerry looks capable of self-destruction (whatever that means) and Edwards looks capable of encouraging or hastening the demolition.
Monsters Inc.
My class in school has been officially renamed "Monsters Inc.".
You get the drift.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Back to Work
Back to Work
Spent a whole week at home nursing the pink eye. Tomorrow, I'll be back to work and I cannot tell you the INERTIA I'm feeling.
Hate work. Not accurately so, actually. Let's see. I love my work but hate the place I work in as well as some of the people I work with. That's by far a more accurate picture.
Anyway, I'm damned sick and tired to know that I've got to go back to work again. I can't be who I am and worse, I've got to resume teaching trigonometry to a bunch of innumerate kids.
Sigh.
Life? Sucks.
Spent a whole week at home nursing the pink eye. Tomorrow, I'll be back to work and I cannot tell you the INERTIA I'm feeling.
Hate work. Not accurately so, actually. Let's see. I love my work but hate the place I work in as well as some of the people I work with. That's by far a more accurate picture.
Anyway, I'm damned sick and tired to know that I've got to go back to work again. I can't be who I am and worse, I've got to resume teaching trigonometry to a bunch of innumerate kids.
Sigh.
Life? Sucks.
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Spondylolysis
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Description
The most common X-ray identified cause of low back pain in adolescent athletes is a stress fracture in one of the bones (vertebrae) that make up the spinal column. Technically, this condition is called spondylolysis (spon-dee-low-lye-sis). It usually affects the fifth lumbar vertebra in the lower back, and much less commonly, the fourth lumbar vertebra.
If the stress fracture weakens the bone so much that it is unable to maintain its proper position, the vertebra can start to shift out of place. This condition is called spondylolisthesis (spon-dee-low-lis-thee-sis). If too much slippage occurs, the bones may begin to press on nerves and surgery may be necessary to correct the condition.
Risk Factors/Prevention
Genetics: There may be a hereditary aspect to spondylolysis. An individual may be born with thin vertebral bone and therefore be vulnerable to this condition. Significant periods of rapid growth may encourage slippage.
Overuse: Some sports, such as gymnastics, weight lifting and football, put a great deal of stress on the bones in the lower back. They also require that the athlete constantly over-stretch (hyperextend) the spine. In either case, the result is a stress fracture on one or both sides of the vertebra.
Symptoms
In many people, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are present, but without any obvious symptoms.
Pain usually spreads across the lower back, and may feel like a muscle strain.
Spondylolisthesis can cause spasms that stiffen the back and tighten the hamstring muscles, resulting in changes to posture and gait. If the slippage is significant, it may begin to compress the nerves and narrow the spinal canal.
Diagnostic tests
X-rays of the lower back (lumbar) spine will show the position of the vertebra.
The pars interarticularis is a portion of the lumbar spine. It joins together the upper and lower joints. The pars is normal in the vast majority of children.
If the pars "cracks" or fractures, the condition is called spondylolysis. The X-ray confirms the bony abnormality.
If the fracture gap at the pars widens, then the condition is called spondylolisthesis. Widening of the gap leads to the fifth lumbar vertebra shifting. It shifts forward on the part of the pelvic bone called the sacrum. The doctor measures standing lateral spine X-rays. This determines the amount of forward slippage.
If the vertebra is pressing on nerves, a CT scan or MRI may be needed before treatment begins to further assess the abnormality.
Treatment Options
Initial treatment for spondylolysis is always conservative. The individual should take a break from the activities until symptoms go away, as they often do. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may help reduce back pain. Occasionally, a back brace and physical therapy may be recommended. In most cases, activities can be resumed gradually and there will be few complications or recurrences. Stretching and strengthening exercises for the back and abnormal muscles can help prevent future recurrences of pain.
Periodic X-rays will show whether the vertebra is continuing to slip.
Treatment Options: Surgical
Surgery may be needed if slippage continues or if the back pain does not respond to conservative treatment and begins to interfere with activities of daily living. A spinal fusion is performed between the lumbar vertebra and the sacrum. Sometimes, an internal brace of screws and rods is used to hold together the vertebra as the fusion heals.
Description
The most common X-ray identified cause of low back pain in adolescent athletes is a stress fracture in one of the bones (vertebrae) that make up the spinal column. Technically, this condition is called spondylolysis (spon-dee-low-lye-sis). It usually affects the fifth lumbar vertebra in the lower back, and much less commonly, the fourth lumbar vertebra.
If the stress fracture weakens the bone so much that it is unable to maintain its proper position, the vertebra can start to shift out of place. This condition is called spondylolisthesis (spon-dee-low-lis-thee-sis). If too much slippage occurs, the bones may begin to press on nerves and surgery may be necessary to correct the condition.
Risk Factors/Prevention
Genetics: There may be a hereditary aspect to spondylolysis. An individual may be born with thin vertebral bone and therefore be vulnerable to this condition. Significant periods of rapid growth may encourage slippage.
Overuse: Some sports, such as gymnastics, weight lifting and football, put a great deal of stress on the bones in the lower back. They also require that the athlete constantly over-stretch (hyperextend) the spine. In either case, the result is a stress fracture on one or both sides of the vertebra.
Symptoms
In many people, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are present, but without any obvious symptoms.
Pain usually spreads across the lower back, and may feel like a muscle strain.
Spondylolisthesis can cause spasms that stiffen the back and tighten the hamstring muscles, resulting in changes to posture and gait. If the slippage is significant, it may begin to compress the nerves and narrow the spinal canal.
Diagnostic tests
X-rays of the lower back (lumbar) spine will show the position of the vertebra.
The pars interarticularis is a portion of the lumbar spine. It joins together the upper and lower joints. The pars is normal in the vast majority of children.
If the pars "cracks" or fractures, the condition is called spondylolysis. The X-ray confirms the bony abnormality.
If the fracture gap at the pars widens, then the condition is called spondylolisthesis. Widening of the gap leads to the fifth lumbar vertebra shifting. It shifts forward on the part of the pelvic bone called the sacrum. The doctor measures standing lateral spine X-rays. This determines the amount of forward slippage.
If the vertebra is pressing on nerves, a CT scan or MRI may be needed before treatment begins to further assess the abnormality.
Treatment Options
Initial treatment for spondylolysis is always conservative. The individual should take a break from the activities until symptoms go away, as they often do. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may help reduce back pain. Occasionally, a back brace and physical therapy may be recommended. In most cases, activities can be resumed gradually and there will be few complications or recurrences. Stretching and strengthening exercises for the back and abnormal muscles can help prevent future recurrences of pain.
Periodic X-rays will show whether the vertebra is continuing to slip.
Treatment Options: Surgical
Surgery may be needed if slippage continues or if the back pain does not respond to conservative treatment and begins to interfere with activities of daily living. A spinal fusion is performed between the lumbar vertebra and the sacrum. Sometimes, an internal brace of screws and rods is used to hold together the vertebra as the fusion heals.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Acute conjunctivitis is redness and soreness (inflammation) of the clear covering (the conjunctiva) which coats the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eye lids. This comes on relatively quickly and lasts for a fairly short time. Acute conjunctivitis may clear on its own, but often needs treatment from your doctor.
Symptoms
Mostly both eyes are affected, but often one starts before the other.
The eye is red, with the blood vessels over the white of the eye more visible and swollen. The lining of the eyelids also looks redder or pinker than usual.
The eye is sticky, with a discharge, which is worse when you wake up.
The eye is itchy or painful.
Sometimes people do not like to be in bright light (photophobia).
Causes
The commonest cause is infection with bacteria.
Virus infection may also occur.
Allergic reactions, eg hayfever, may cause conjunctivitis, but do not usually cause a sticky discharge.
Diagnosis
The doctor will want to rule out more serious problems, which might affect the vision, and may examine you with a special torch for looking into and at the eye (an ophthalmoscope). In some circumstances, if there is doubt about the diagnosis, your doctor might use special fluorescent eye drops to examine the eye better.
Sometimes, especially if the treatment is slow to work, the doctor may take a specimen of the germs in the eye on a small swab (like a cotton bud) and send it to the laboratory for analysis.
Treatment
It helps to bathe the eyes with water or water with a pinch of salt in it. Beware, conjunctivitis is often very contagious. Wash your hands after touching your eyes (or your child's eyes, if you are nursing them), as it is very easy to infect others by spreading the germs on your fingers or on tissues etc.
Over the counter eye cleansing solution can also soothe the eyes, but in the presence of a bacterial infection, you need to see the doctor as antibiotic eye drops or ointment are necessary. In some rare infections, antibiotics are also given by mouth.
If the problem is a virus infection, then it will not respond to antibiotics, and your body will have to fight off the infection.
If your doctor thinks that the problem is allergic, then you may be prescribed antihistamines, sodium cromoglycate eye drops, or nedocromil eye drops.
There are proprietary eye washes and lotions which may soothe the eyes, and at least one eye treatment which is for mild infections, but in general these are merely a temporary measure. You should see your doctor for further advice.
Your doctor may prescribe drops or ointment, or both. Drops stay in the eyes for a shorter time, but ointment tends to blur the vision. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe drops by day, with ointment at night.
Prevention
You are more prone to conjunctivitis after a cold, but anyone can pick it up. Certainly it is important to avoid spreading the germs, and anyone with conjunctivitis, and those treating them, should be scrupulous about washing their hands after touching the eyes, and disposing of tissues straight into the bin.
Symptoms
Mostly both eyes are affected, but often one starts before the other.
The eye is red, with the blood vessels over the white of the eye more visible and swollen. The lining of the eyelids also looks redder or pinker than usual.
The eye is sticky, with a discharge, which is worse when you wake up.
The eye is itchy or painful.
Sometimes people do not like to be in bright light (photophobia).
Causes
The commonest cause is infection with bacteria.
Virus infection may also occur.
Allergic reactions, eg hayfever, may cause conjunctivitis, but do not usually cause a sticky discharge.
Diagnosis
The doctor will want to rule out more serious problems, which might affect the vision, and may examine you with a special torch for looking into and at the eye (an ophthalmoscope). In some circumstances, if there is doubt about the diagnosis, your doctor might use special fluorescent eye drops to examine the eye better.
Sometimes, especially if the treatment is slow to work, the doctor may take a specimen of the germs in the eye on a small swab (like a cotton bud) and send it to the laboratory for analysis.
Treatment
It helps to bathe the eyes with water or water with a pinch of salt in it. Beware, conjunctivitis is often very contagious. Wash your hands after touching your eyes (or your child's eyes, if you are nursing them), as it is very easy to infect others by spreading the germs on your fingers or on tissues etc.
Over the counter eye cleansing solution can also soothe the eyes, but in the presence of a bacterial infection, you need to see the doctor as antibiotic eye drops or ointment are necessary. In some rare infections, antibiotics are also given by mouth.
If the problem is a virus infection, then it will not respond to antibiotics, and your body will have to fight off the infection.
If your doctor thinks that the problem is allergic, then you may be prescribed antihistamines, sodium cromoglycate eye drops, or nedocromil eye drops.
There are proprietary eye washes and lotions which may soothe the eyes, and at least one eye treatment which is for mild infections, but in general these are merely a temporary measure. You should see your doctor for further advice.
Your doctor may prescribe drops or ointment, or both. Drops stay in the eyes for a shorter time, but ointment tends to blur the vision. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe drops by day, with ointment at night.
Prevention
You are more prone to conjunctivitis after a cold, but anyone can pick it up. Certainly it is important to avoid spreading the germs, and anyone with conjunctivitis, and those treating them, should be scrupulous about washing their hands after touching the eyes, and disposing of tissues straight into the bin.
The Winner
The Winner
So Bambang won the Indonesian elections. But who is the real winner? Let's wait and see. Things can go either way but I do think that the elections this time around has been a democratic one.
Few wishes to Indonesia:
1. Mdm Megawati graciously concedes defeat. Do not waste precious time and resources trying to overturn the results - these should be used to improve the living conditions of the people.
2. Pak Bambang is able to have a peaceful first 100 days. If internal strife between the political parties is going to mar his honeymoon period, then little can be done. Even less can be achieved. The people will be the losers.
3. The Indonesian economy grows a little. I don't need a miracle but do let the economy grow. The people need it.
4. Less violence, fewer terrorists.
5. Greater stability for south east Asia. We have enough of uncertain times.
So Bambang won the Indonesian elections. But who is the real winner? Let's wait and see. Things can go either way but I do think that the elections this time around has been a democratic one.
Few wishes to Indonesia:
1. Mdm Megawati graciously concedes defeat. Do not waste precious time and resources trying to overturn the results - these should be used to improve the living conditions of the people.
2. Pak Bambang is able to have a peaceful first 100 days. If internal strife between the political parties is going to mar his honeymoon period, then little can be done. Even less can be achieved. The people will be the losers.
3. The Indonesian economy grows a little. I don't need a miracle but do let the economy grow. The people need it.
4. Less violence, fewer terrorists.
5. Greater stability for south east Asia. We have enough of uncertain times.
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