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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

How Hypothalamus Created a Memory..


April 5, 2010, a date that changed everything inside my circulation, most specifically, how my brain functions as to act out my thoughts.
                Each year, specifically every 5th day of April, my family gathers to celebrate the feast of the Patron Saint Vincent at my mom’s relatives place, San Vicente Callos, Concepcion, Tarlac. The tradition usually starts with a mass to give praise to Saint Vincent and ends with a happy gathering which actually strengthens bonds between our relatives. It’s just once a year that we see each other as a whole that’s why this date is so important.

                Almost two o’clock when I checked my watch. I’m a bit flashed not just because of the intense heat at the Barrio, but also because of the guy who looked my way. Lol. To replenish the hotness that I’m feeling, I went to the kitchen and asked for ice cream. As I observed, I can see that no weather can stop my relatives to chat and share laughs to the excitement of the stories that everyone is telling. The laughs roared like they seem to attract the attentions of the neighbors.

                Exactly three o’clock in the afternoon when we decided to head home. My cousins and I ran off to stand a race who can reach the car first. As we’re waiting for the others to come, I’m talking to my cousin then I glanced at my mom who’s leaning at the garage pole. I talked to her and said, “Ma, ok ka lang? “ “Nahihilo ako…” she said. After that conversation, my world shattered and fear began swallowing me. My heart beat faster and faster as my knees tend to rattle and they became weak. My heart jumped to my ears as I could hear it pounding as a sign of nervousness. My eyes widened, and tears began rushing. 

                My mom, who I love the most after God and Jesus, collapsed as if she’s going to die. Everyone got shocked when I shouted, MA! MA! MA!!! as I hurried to catch her. I cried while I was holding her in my arms while I’m trying my best to avoid her, hitting the ground.  I thought she’s dead. I thought I lost a mother. My brother carried her to the car and we went to the hospital. She then was diagnosed to have had experienced a mild stroke due to the heat and high cholesterol level…

                This incident is connected to the topic that was assigned to me in my clinical chemistry subject, Hypothalamus and its hormones.

                Hypothalamus is concerned in the “fight or flight” mechanism of the autonomic nervous system. Based from 5th paragraph of my composition, It is clearly depicted on how the hypothalamus responds and activates the drilling system of the body that makes us alert and be able to be active to do unnecessary tasks that boosts our strength and coordination. It is also involved in regulating the body temperature and feelings that surrounds us in our everyday life. Fear, excitement and other emotions are mainly controlled by the hypothalamus.

                Some of its hormones such as the Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone which is responsible for the activation of the anterior pituitary, responsible for the release of thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, and prolactin. This hormone is responsible for the protein synthesis and growth.

The next hormone is CRH or Corticotropin Releasing Hormone. This hormone is responsible for the stress response mechanism of the body.  The fourth paragraph described how my CRH was released and on how it reacted to the tension that I am experiencing.

Last is the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone. This hormone stimulates the LSH and FSH. This hormone is lowered at the childhood years and is elevated in adolescence. The third paragraph of my post states the attraction from the opposite sex. This hormone stimulates other hormones involved in the development of the gonads that signals the brain that the person is really capable of developing as a reproductive individual.

                These are just the common hormones released by the hypothalamus.

Love, hate, anger, fear and any emotions are not specifically coming from the heart… So next time you’ll say I love you, say it from the bottom of your hypothalamus..

I LOVE YOU! :)




REFERENCES:


Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, Tortora and Derickson
Encarta Encyclopedia


Saturday, May 15, 2010

ENDOCRINOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY and DRUG TESTING: New Scopes of Student Challenges...

"For every beginning is a new learning, take each step slowly but surely through God's wisdom and words by heart..." 
- ein (Save The Starter, 2010)

For the third time, us, Medical Technology students studying Clinical Chemistry, wouldn't end our subject  by just its course title and description. It's as if a book that brings newly made chapters that we have to read and learn about. With this new path of knowledge, three topics were brought to begin the journey in the deeper and more toxic world of Clinical Chemistry... ^_^


ENDOCRINOLOGY
Many of the scientists believed that Endocrinology is a medical study that came from the Greek words "endo" and "krino" which gave to its meaning - to separate within. It is a branch of medicine that is dealing with the malfunctions of the Endocrine System and hormones, which are chemical secretions by specialized cells such as glands.

TOXICOLOGY

Toxicology, as implied by its root word, toxic, is related to poisonous substances such as chemicals, that  affect the living and non living matter. From its etiology, Greek words "toxicos" and "logos" were used to define it as the study of poisons, thus, it is concluded to be the discourse of the harmful effects of chemicals on living organisms, as well as the symptoms, mechanisms, treatment and detection. ^_^


DRUG TESTING

This test is primarily done using urine sample in order to detect the metabolites present in the body which were excreted as wastes. Other body fluids such as sweat, saliva, blood and oral secretions may also be used in testing. This test is performed to know whether the patient is using prohibited drugs or not. These prohibited drugs are those drugs taken outside the Philippine Drug Formulary and are banned by the law. Thus, any person caught positive, will be charged of penalty.


LINKS/Sources:
Toxicology
Endocrinology
Drug Test