18. Sense Organs - Pathologies Flashcards

1
Q

Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear): definition

A

Inflammation of the outer ear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear): epidemiology

A

5x more common in swimmers

Also prevalent in humid cultures, diabetes mellitus, HIV and people with narrow auditory canal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear): pathophysiology

A
Ear wax (cerumen) contains lysozymes and oil that create an acidic, lubricating coat
This coat inhibits bacterial and fungal growth so insufficient wax can predispose to infection
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear): aetiology

A

90% associated with bacterial infection
Remaining fungal or allergic
Excess wax (obstruction)
Water in the ear
Frequent use of earplugs/headphones/hearing aids
Acne, eczema, fungal infections following antibiotic use

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear): signs and symptoms

A
Pain (especially with movement of pinna)
Discharge - often purulent
Swelling
Itching
Red, swollen auditory canal
Hearing deficit
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear): allopathic treatment

A

Hygiene
Avoid water in ears
Syringe ears with saline solution (by GP)
Topical antibiotics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Otitis Media: definition

A

Inflammation of the middle ear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Otitis Media: epidemiology

A

Most common cause of earache in children due to horizontal eustachian tube
75% <10 yrs old
Many have food or inhaled allergies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Otitis Media: pathophysiology

A

Fluid puts pressure on tympanic membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Otitis Media: aetiology

A

Infectious organisms - bacterial/viral

Allergies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Otitis Media: signs and symptoms

A

Earache/pain
Malaise, fever, nausea
Mild earing loss
Can get bulging of tympanic membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Otitis Media: complications

A

Scar tissue on eardrum (with rupture of tympanic membrane)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Otitis Media: allopathic treatment

A

Rupture of tympanic membrane

Antibiotics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Secretory Otitis Media: definition

A

Effusion of the middle ear resulting from incomplete resolution of acute otitis media

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is secretory otitis media also known as?

A

Glue ear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Secretory Otitis Media: pathophysiology

A

Gluey fluid dampens the tympanic membrane and ossicle vibrations which leads to hearing impairment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Secretory Otitis Media: signs and symptoms

A

Hearing loss
Pressure in ear
Mild intermittent ear pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Secretory Otitis Media: allopathic treatment

A
Tympanostomy tube (grommet) inserted into eardrum to drain fluid
Tonsils may be removed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Labyrinthitis (Otitis Interna): definition

A

Balance disorder associated with inflammation of the membranous labyrinth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Labyrinthitis (Otitis Interna): aetiology

A

Often follows upper respiratory infection

Following head injury, allergy or reaction to medication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Labyrinthitis (Otitis Interna): signs and symptoms

A

Sudden, severe vertigo
Sudden, unilateral hearing loss
Tinnitus
Nausea, vomiting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Labyrinthitis (Otitis Interna): allopathic treatment

A

Anti-emetic drugs (anti-sickness)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Meniere’s Disease: definition

A

Disorder of inner ear, caused by change in fluid volume in labyrinth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Meniere’s Disease: pathophysiology

A

Progressive distention of the membranous labyrinth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Meniere’s Disease: aetiology

A

Genetics
Viral
Autoimmune links - RA, SLE
Food allergy links

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Meniere’s Disease: signs and symptoms

A
Vertigo
Tinnitus
Hearing loss
Nausea, vomiting
Ear pressure
Characterised by fluctuating patterns of symptoms
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Meniere’s Disease: allopathic treatment

A

No cure - only symptom minimisation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Tinnitus: definition

A

Perception of sound originating from within the head rather than outside

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Tinnitus: aetiology

A

Objective - pulsatile (carotid stenosis, valve disease), muscular (spasm of tympanic muscles)

Subjective - ear origin (Meniere’s, ear infection, wax), neurological (head injury, MS, tumour), infections (meningitis), drug related (NSAIDs, loop diuretics), TMJ (jaw) dysfunction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Hearing Impairment: definition (conductive)

A

Ear canal obstructions, ossicle abnormalities, ruptured tympanic membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Hearing Impairment: definition (sensory)

A

Poor hair cell function due to congenital condition, infection or noise trauma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Mild hearing loss: definition

A

25-40dB

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Moderate hearing loss: definition

A

41-70 dB

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Severe hearing loss: definition

A

71-90 dB

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Profound hearing loss: definition

A

90 dB+

36
Q

Hearing Impairment: aetiology

A

Diseases - measles, meningitis, mumps, rubella, chlamydia, syphilis
Premature birth
Head injuries
Shaken baby syndrome

37
Q

Hearing Impairment: allopathic treatment

A

Hearing aid

Cochlear implant

38
Q

Blepharitis: definition

A

Inflammation of eyelid margin

Can be acute or chronic

39
Q

Blepharitis: epidemiology

A

Most common in adults

40
Q

Blepharitis: pathophysiology

A

Often associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection

Dermatitis

41
Q

Blepharitis: signs and symptoms

A

Often bilateral
Red eyelid margins
Sore, gritty eyes, scales, flakes
Eyelids may stick together, worse in morning
Itching and burning
Loss of eyelashes
Can block sebaceous glands and cause recurrent styes

42
Q

Blepharitis: allopathic treatment

A

Eyelid hygiene - clean with cotton bud
Warm compress
Topical antibiotics
Avoid contact lens use

43
Q

Stye: definition

A

Inflammation of sebaceous glands of eyelid

44
Q

Where is usually affected by a stye?

A

Usually affects upper lid

45
Q

Stye: aetiology

A

Usually a bacterial infection - Staphylococcus

Risks - diabetes mellitus, chronic blepharitis

46
Q

Stye: signs and symptoms

A

Red, swollen and/or painful infection of sebaceous glands of eyelid

47
Q

Stye: complications

A

Cyst formation can damage the cornea

48
Q

Stye: allopathic treatment

A

Usually none necessary
Hot compress 3/4 times a day once burst
Antibiotic ointment if stye doesn’t resolve

49
Q

Conjunctivitis: definition

A

Highly contagious inflammation of the conjunctiva

50
Q

Conjunctivitis: aetiology

A

Viral
Bacterial
Often linked with allergies

51
Q

Conjunctivitis: signs and symptoms

A

Red eye, irritated and uncomfortable
Watery (viral/allergic)
Purulent discharge (bacterial)
Photophobia suggests corneal (deeper) involvement

52
Q

Conjunctivitis: allopathic treatment

A

Eye bath with salt water or eye-cleansing solution

Antibiotic eye drops

53
Q

Uveitis: definition

A

Inflammation of any part of the uvea

54
Q

Uveitis: aetiology

A

Autoimmune links - HLA-B27 eg AS
Trauma to eye (inc contact lenses)
Viral infection, fungal or parasitic

55
Q

Uveitis: signs and symptoms

A
Progressive unilateral red eye with pain
Blurred vision
Photophobia
Visual acuity reduced in affected eye
Watery discharge
56
Q

Uveitis: allopathic treatment

A

Antibiotics

Cortisone depending on cause

57
Q

Cataracts: definition

A

Opacity of the lens

58
Q

Cataracts: pathophysiology

A

Healthy lens = transparent

Cataracts = new fibres produced and become disorganised with cytoplasm

59
Q

Cataracts: allopathic treatment

A

Surgery

60
Q

Cataracts: aetiology

A
Age-related deterioration of lens
Congenital
Diabetes mellitus
Smoking
Steroids
61
Q

Cataracts: signs and symptoms

A

Gradual painless loss of vision

Diplopia

62
Q

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): definition

A

Ageing changes that occur in the central areas of the retina (macula)

63
Q

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): epidemiology

A

55 yrs+

Leading cause of vision loss worldwide

64
Q

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): aetiology

A

Advancing age
Smoking
CVD risk factors
Family history

65
Q

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): signs and symptoms

A

Reduced visual acuity
Difficulty with near vision
Gradual and progressive loss of central vision

66
Q

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): diagnosis

A

Amsler grid

Ophthalmoscopy

67
Q

Muscae Volitantes (Floaters): definition

A

Opacities floating in field of vision

Shadowy shapes that move with eye movements

68
Q

Muscae Volitantes (Floaters): aetiology

A

Shrinkage of vitreous humour causing collagen to become fibrils
Vitreous haemorrhage with haemorrhaging in diabetic retinopathy

69
Q

Retinal Detachment: definition

A

Separation of the neurosensory layer of the retina from the pigmented epithelium

70
Q

Retinal Detachment: pathophysiology

A

Accumulation of sub-retinal fluid in the potential space

71
Q

Retinal Detachment: signs and symptoms

A

Floaters in vision
Flashing lights
Curtains descending over vision

72
Q

Retinal Detachment: allopathic treatment

A

Ocular emergency - surgery

73
Q

Retinal Detachment: complications

A

Visual impairment

Blindness

74
Q

Retinal Detachment: epidemiology

A

Middle-aged

Elderly

75
Q

Glaucoma: definition

A

Increased intraocular pressure caused by inadequate drainage

76
Q

Glaucoma: intraocular pressure levels

A

IOP should be 10-21 mmHg

>40 = significant damage caused

77
Q

Glaucoma: pathophysiology

A

Causes compression of the retina and optic nerve

78
Q

Glaucoma: aetiology

A

Congenital
Acquired - uveitis, intraocular haemorrhage
Obstruction of the canal of Schlemm
Smoking

79
Q

Glaucoma: signs and symptoms (acute)

A

Mild - pain in eyes
Haloes around lights, relieved by sleep

Severe - rapid deterioration of vision
Intense eye pain
Redness, watering of eye
Sensitivity to bright light
Nausea, vomiting
80
Q

Glaucoma: signs and symptoms (chronic)

A

Often no symptoms until permanent damage has occurred
Late symptoms - loss of peripheral vision
Blurring of objects directly in front of person
Loss of night vision

81
Q

Glaucoma: complications

A

Damage to optic nerve and retina leads to permanent blindness

82
Q

Glaucoma: allopathic treatment

A

Eye drops/tablets to reduce fluid retention

Laser or surgical treatment

83
Q

Diabetic Retinopathy: definition

A

Progressive, potentially sight-threatening disease of the retinal microvasculature

84
Q

Diabetic Retinopathy: pathophysiology

A

Microvascular damage occurs which occludes branches of the retinal artery causing neovascularisation
The vessel walls become physically weak and leaky, leading to micro-aneurysms, oedema and haemorrhaging

85
Q

Diabetic Retinopathy: aetiology

A

Chronic hyperglycaemia

86
Q

Diabetic Retinopathy: prognosis

A

May retain normal sight or present as a decline in vision or floaters