Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum), also known as Reishi mushroom, is a dietary supplement consisting of a woody mushroom utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported benefits in promoting health, longevity, immune system boosting, and ability to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. The active ingredients in this product are believed to be polysaccharide peptides and triterpenes, particularly ganoderic acid. There have not been any reported adverse effects and the toxicity of this product is not known. (Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/)
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Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is carried by blacklegged ticks and transmitted through their bites. Initial symptoms include fevers, headache, fatigue, and erythema migrans (characteristic "bull's-eye" rash). Untreated, the infection can spread to the joints causing a migratory arthritis, to the heart causing heart block, and to the facial nerve causing Bell's Palsy. Lyme is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings, possible exposure to infected ticks, and serology. Treatment is with antibiotics, specifically doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil.
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Chemical weapon causing severe eye pain, respiratory irritation, skin irritation, bleeding, and eventually blindness. The mechanism is stimulation of the lacrimal gland’s nerves to produce tears. Common agents used include OC gas (pepper spray), PAVA spray (nonivamide), CS gas, CR gas, CN gas (phenacyl chloride), bromoacetone, xylyl bromide, syn-propanethial-S-oxide (onions), and Mace. Treatment involves distancing from the gas and irrigation with water or saline. Bathing with soap and water can help remove residual particle on the skin. Can uses anticholinergics/antihistamines to reduce tearing and rhinorrhea that is caused by the irritation to the nose and eyes. Image courtesy of Mostafa Sheshtawy. https://www.flickr.com/photos/msheshtawy/.
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Mucosal injury following accidental lye ingestion. Following exposure to an alkali, dissotiated hydroxide ions penetrate tissue surfaces producing liquefactive necrosis.
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