More things I learned...

1. Mittelschmerz is an actual word. It means 'ovulatory pain'. Occurs in a small portion of women of reproductive age. Basically the follicle containing the ovum ruptures (ovulation) and releases some blood, which ends up irritating the peritoneum. In some women this causes pain and could look like she is having an acute appendicitis.

2. If you keep your neck submerged in water, such as sitting in the deep end of kids pool - after a few minutes you'll get the urge to pee. That is due to the effect of stimulation of the carotid body, which with an unknown mechanism increase release of ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide). ANP increases Na+ loss through urine, thereby increasing urine output. You may feel too guilty to pee in the pool, but the kids won't...

3. If a patient has low blood sugar, check serum level of c-peptide. If c-peptide is high, you know the patient probably has an insulinoma (tumor of beta-cells of pancreas). If c-peptide is low, well, the patient has been stabbing him/herself with insulin needles too often!! The latter is called a factitious disorder, where the patient is conscious of his/her doing, but without a particular motive.

4. Atkin's diet. I'm sure we've all heard of it. It's based on the idea that fat cells can't absorb fat on their own. They need glucose (carbohydrate). So if you eat a lot of meat without any carbohydrate then all of the fat eaten is not absorbed. But come on.... carbohydrate tastes so good!! Think about all those freshly baked loaves of bread...

Happy Monday! :)