Rostrum of Asclepius Vol 4, No. 3 (2005): July - September 2005

Stroke is the third reason for death in western countries, after coronary diseases and cancer and is responsible for 4.5m deaths, globally.
The aim of the present review was to underline as many risk factors as possible and the degree that each factor is accountable for the cause of different types of stroke.
The method of this study included bibliography research from both the Greek and foreign literature, mainly during the last five years.
The results from the review of relevant studies showed that, apart from the known risk factors of stroke, for example atheromatosis, diabetes mellitus and coronary diseases, there are some other factors responsible for this neurological disorder. Most of them are responsible either individually, or in interaction with others. Genetic and environmental factors seem to be implicated in the incidence of the disease; furthermore the prevalence of stroke differs from race to race, from country to country and from the socioeconomic status of the persons. Conclusively, the risk factors of stroke can be predictable, for this reason the course of action that aims to the prevention of the disease is necessary. Stroke is a social problem because of the long stay at hospital, recurrent admissions, high cost of nursing and the fact that these patients face afterwards many permanent disabilities

Keywords: stroke, nsk factors, epidemiology

This overview is targeted at ICU personnel to convince them that the principles of infection control in the ICU are based on simple concepts, and that the application of preventive strategies should not be viewed as a simple administrative or constraining control of their activity, but rather as basic measures that are easy to implement at the bedside. These strategies may only be effective over prolonged periods if they can be integrated into the behavior

Keywords: Prevention, infections, ICU

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder of unknown cause, leading to the gradual damage of the brain cells structure and function. The disease is the most common form of dementia representing more than 50% of the cases. Gradual loss of memory, deterioration of cognitive functions, confusion, change in mood and behavior and kinetic disturbances characterize Alzheimer's disease. These findings along with the patient's history, the complete clinical and neurological examination, the neuropsychological tests, the psychiatric examination and the laboratory tests contribute to the diagnosis of the disease.
The early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease allows the doctors to make plans for the therapeutic interventions in the years coming. According to the Alzheimer's Disease Association, diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is classified into 3 categories: a) possible Alzheimer's disease, in witch doctor has excluded all the possible disorders to provoke dementia, b) probable Alzheimer's disease, where Alzheimer's disease is the main cause of symptoms, but there is another disorder which interferes with Alzheimer's disease, and c) definite Alzheimer's disease, witch can only be characterized like that after biopsy or autopsy.

Keywords: Dementia, Alzheimers disease, Diagnosis

An unplanned pregnancy results in a life crisis with even more intense gendered social stigma. The article reviews the issues that arise from gender differences in emotional expressiveness and social support seeking when faced with the options of abortion or an adoption plan for their unborn child.

Keywords: Unplanned fertility, gender differences, emotional responses to abortion and adoption, gendered social stigma.

The article refers to the right of death, the right of the person's self-disposal and of the choice of his death, in relation to the Constitution and generally the Hellenic public order. Furthermore, the subject of the euthanasia and its kinds is critically examined according to the Hellenic Law, and the medical duty of life preservation. At the end of the article, the author deals with the subject of the medical liability and the "consenting" murder, as they are provided by the Penal Code.

Keywords: Right of death, Medical duty of life preservation, Euthanasia, Consenting murder

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the degree of awareness regarding the risk factors for coronary diseases, in a specific agricultural population of Peloponnesus.
MATERIAL AND METHOD: The main body of the research includes 851 persons, who belong to 7 different communities of Peloponnesus and a small amount are students between 14-18 years old. The data for the research was collected through a questionnaire of 64 closed type questions. The questionnaire was designed by using the Greek and Foreign bibliography.
RESULTS: According to the results 50,1% of the sample is aware of the inclination factors for Coronary Disease, 76,7% of the students ignored them, in the statistical difference p<0,001. The students are not aware of the role of cholesterol in a percentage of 60,5% and statistical difference between people of other age, p<0,001.44% of the population know well about the benefits of Mediterranean diet and 85.1% are aware of the benefits of oil. CONCLUSION: The awareness, concerning the risk factors for coronary diseases is satisfied, among people, although they do not conform to some of the rules of good health behavior. Moreover, it is proved, that the awareness of the students is insufficient.In order to achieve it however, mobilisation of government mechanism is not enough but is also essential the expressionof social solidarity and mutualism from citizens themselves.

Keywords: Coronary disease, Mediterranean diet, smoking, cholesterol