Pedantic Health

15/02/2026

14/02/2026

About 90–95% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut, primarily by specialized enterochromaffin cells lining the digestive tract.
Although serotonin is widely known as a “feel-good” neurotransmitter in the brain, most of it actually functions outside the central nervous system.
In the gut, serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating intestinal motility, helping coordinate the rhythmic contractions that move food through the digestive system.
It also influences inflammation and interacts closely with immune cells, shaping immune responses in the intestinal environment.
Importantly, this peripheral serotonin cannot cross the blood–brain barrier, meaning it operates independently from the serotonin produced in the brain.

12/02/2026

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10/02/2026

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

9 COMMON ANTIBIOTICS

AMOXICILLIN
Used to treat bacterial infections, including ear infections, throat infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections

AZITHROMYCIN
Used to treat respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, and some sexually transmitted infecton

CEPHALEXIN
Used to treat respiratory infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections

CIPROFLOXACIN
Used to treat urinary tract infections, skin infections, and certain types of gastrointestinal infections

DOXYCYCLINE
Used to treat respiratory infections, Lyme disease, acne, and certain sexually transmitted infections

CLINDAMYCIN
Used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs, skin, blood, and pelvic organs

METRONIDAZOLE
Used to treat bacterial infections of the stomach, liver, skin, joints, and reproductive organs

NITROFURANTOIN
Used to treat urinary tract infections

PENICILLIN
Used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including pneumonia, scariet fever, and cellulitis

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10/02/2026

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29/01/2026

29/01/2026

🦠 Common Human Parasites & Their Effects on the Body
🟣 Taenia solium (Pork Tapeworm)

Type: Cestode (tapeworm)

Infection forms:
→ Adult worm in intestine → taeniasis
→ Larval cysts in tissues → cysticercosis / neurocysticercosis

Mode of transmission:
→ Eating undercooked pork → intestinal taeniasis
→ Fecal–oral ingestion of eggs → cysticercosis

Clinical features:

Intestinal taeniasis:
→ Abdominal pain
→ Weight loss / nutrient deficiency

Larval migration (neurocysticercosis):
→ Seizures (most common presentation)
→ Headache
→ Hydrocephalus
→ Raised intracranial pressure

Diagnosis (exam):
→ Stool ova/proglottids (taeniasis)
→ CT/MRI brain (cysticercosis)

Treatment:
→ Praziquantel or albendazole (with steroids for neurocysticercosis)

🟣 Ascaris lumbricoides (Roundworm)

Type: Nematode

Transmission:
→ Ingestion of eggs from contaminated soil/food

Life cycle (high-yield):
→ Intestine → larvae migrate to lungs → swallowed back to intestine

Clinical features:

Intestinal phase:
→ Abdominal pain
→ Intestinal obstruction (children)
→ Malnutrition

Pulmonary phase:
→ Löffler syndrome
(cough, wheeze, eosinophilia)

Complications:
→ Biliary obstruction
→ Pancreatic duct blockage

Treatment:
→ Albendazole / mebendazole

🟣 Fasciola hepatica (Liver Fluke)

Type: Trematode

Transmission:
→ Ingestion of metacercariae on aquatic plants (e.g., watercress)

Target organ: Liver and bile ducts

Clinical features:
→ Hepatomegaly
→ Right upper quadrant pain
→ Biliary obstruction
→ Cholangitis
→ Chronic infection → liver fibrosis

Exam pearl:
→ Associated with increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma

Treatment:
→ Triclabendazole (drug of choice)

🟣 Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)

Type: Nematode

Transmission:
→ Fecal–oral, autoinfection common

Classic symptom:
→ Severe nocturnal perianal itching

Other features:
→ Sleep disturbance
→ Vulvovaginitis in young girls

Diagnosis (classic):
→ Cellophane tape test

Treatment:
→ Albendazole / mebendazole
→ Treat household contacts

🟣 Ancylostoma duodenale (Hookworm)

Type: Nematode

Transmission:
→ Larvae pe*****te skin (bare feet)

Pathophysiology:
→ Adult worms attach to intestinal mucosa → chronic blood loss

Clinical features:
→ Iron deficiency anemia
→ Fatigue
→ Pallor
→ Weakness

Skin manifestation:
→ Ground itch at entry site

Treatment:
→ Albendazole / mebendazole + iron supplementation

Disclaimer: For educational purpose only and does not replace medical advice.

28/01/2026