7 - Arms and Legs Flashcards
What is a common cause of leg cramps?
Strong contractions of the leg muscles due to overexcitable nerves
Common causes include low levels of electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, or calcium; local buildup of acid; and dehydration.
What should you do to prevent leg cramps after exercise?
Stretch adequately before and after workouts
Staying hydrated with rehydration solutions rather than just water is also recommended.
What condition is characterized by painful leg cramps at night?
Nocturnal leg cramps
Half of adults over fifty experience these cramps, which improve after stretching.
What can help prevent nighttime leg cramps?
Stretching at least three to four times per day
Taking vitamin B complex capsules may also be beneficial.
What is restless legs syndrome?
An uncomfortable tingling sensation in both legs that improves with movement
Symptoms are most prominent while resting or trying to sleep.
True or False: Restless legs syndrome usually causes leg pain.
False
It causes an uncomfortable tingling sensation rather than pain.
What does swelling in the legs indicate?
Fluid accumulation that can cause painful stretching of the skin
A thorough evaluation is required to check for kidney, liver, or heart disease.
What can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs?
A herniated disc or narrowed spinal canal compressing nerves
Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medications or surgery.
What is claudication?
Pain while walking that improves with rest due to narrowing of arteries supplying blood to the legs
It is often associated with smoking and conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
What medication types can contribute to leg pain and cramping?
- Diuretics
- Albuterol inhalers
- Oral contraceptives
- Raloxifene
- Statins
Always consult a doctor before stopping any medication.
What symptoms indicate a potential blood clot in the leg?
One leg is red, warm, and painful to the touch
Call a doctor for a same-day appointment.
What should you do if you have painful swelling in one leg after a long trip?
Seek medical attention for a possible deep venous thrombosis
This can lead to life-threatening complications if untreated.
What is pedal or peripheral edema?
Foot swelling due to fluid accumulation in and beneath the skin
It can be a cosmetic issue or indicate serious health problems.
What can cause fluid retention in the body?
- High salt intake
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- Hormonal changes before menstruation
Reducing salt intake and moving around can help alleviate this.
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
A condition where leg veins become damaged and blood and fluid get stuck in the legs
It is common and can be treated with diuretics and compression stockings.
What are signs of a serious problem if swelling is accompanied by other symptoms?
- Swelling in thighs, hands, or face
- Red and painful swelling
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms may indicate heart, liver, or kidney issues.
What should you do if you have a sudden, complete blockage of an artery in your leg?
Seek emergency medical care
Irreversible complications like gangrene can occur without prompt treatment.
What is a tremor?
Unintentional, difficult-to-control shaking in specific circumstances
Tremors can affect various body parts and may indicate underlying diseases.
What are the types of tremors based on their occurrence?
- Resting tremor
- Action tremor
- Intention tremor
Each type has different characteristics in terms of when it appears.
What are tremors?
Involuntary muscle contractions that cause shaking in various parts of the body
Tremors can occur at rest or with movement and may indicate underlying health issues.
What is a resting tremor?
A tremor that occurs when the affected body part is at rest and improves with voluntary movement
Commonly associated with conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
What is an action tremor?
A tremor that occurs during voluntary movement, worsening as the affected body part is used
Often seen in essential tremors.
What is an intention tremor?
A tremor that worsens as the hand approaches the target object
Indicates potential issues with the cerebellum.
What is essential tremor?
A common action tremor that usually begins in late adulthood and can be inherited
Affects one in twenty people and typically starts in the dominant hand.
What medications can cause tremors as a side effect?
Stimulants, caffeine, asthma inhalers, some seizure medications, lithium, theophylline, and thyroid hormone
Consult a physician before stopping any medication.
What symptoms may indicate an overactive thyroid?
Constant feeling of being hot, weight loss, diarrhea, and palpitations
Can exaggerate a physiologic tremor.
What is the classic tremor associated with Parkinson’s disease?
A resting tremor described as ‘pill-rolling,’ where the thumb moves in a circular motion against the index finger
Other symptoms include rigidity, slow movements, and balance problems.
What are signs of potential life-threatening conditions related to tremors?
Sudden onset of tremors, weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion, or high fever
May indicate severe electrolyte imbalances, strokes, or serious infections.
What is myalgia?
The medical term for muscle pain
Can arise from various causes, including overuse and autoimmune diseases.
What is arthritis?
Inflammation or wear of joints, classified as noninflammatory or inflammatory
Osteoarthritis is noninflammatory, while rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory.
What is Raynaud’s phenomenon?
A condition where fingers or toes change color in response to cold or stress
Affects blood vessel function and can be associated with autoimmune diseases.
What is polymyalgia rheumatica?
A condition causing pain and stiffness in the shoulders and hips, usually in individuals over fifty
Symptoms often improve with low-dose steroid treatment.
What are common treatments for osteoarthritis?
Medicated creams, physical therapy, exercise, weight loss, NSAID pills, and possibly joint injections
Joint replacement surgery may be considered for severe cases.
What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Pain in multiple joints, stiffness in the morning, and possible systemic symptoms like fever and fatigue
Often diagnosed in women aged forty to sixty.
What should you do if you experience severe withdrawal symptoms after stopping alcohol?
Seek emergency medical attention for symptoms like hallucinations, confusion, or seizures
Withdrawal can be life-threatening.
What condition can cause joint pain and bloody diarrhea?
Celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
Joint pain may resolve with a gluten-free diet in celiac disease.
What lifestyle changes can help manage joint pain from exercise?
Gradual increase in activity, stretching, icing, and resting affected joints
NSAIDs may be used for pain relief.
What condition is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulders and hips in individuals over fifty?
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
PMR usually occurs in a person’s seventies and is more common in women.
What is a serious related condition that affects some individuals with PMR?
Temporal arteritis
It can cause headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, and blurred vision.
What class of medication is commonly used to lower cholesterol?
Statins
Popular statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
True or False: Statin-related muscle pain occurs frequently in patients taking statins.
False
Muscle pain occurs much less often than claimed by critics.
What can increase blood levels of statins and potentially cause muscle pain?
Grapefruit juice
Only if consumed in amounts greater than eight ounces per day.
What antibiotic is associated with tendon irritation and rupture?
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
The risk is highest during exercise.
What is the first sign of Lyme disease?
A rash that looks like a bull’s eye
Surrounding a large red spot with normal skin in between.
What condition can cause joint pain and skin lesions following unprotected sexual activity?
Gonorrhea
It can spread to involve joints and skin, often without typical symptoms.
What condition is characterized by widespread muscle pain and additional symptoms like fatigue and insomnia?
Fibromyalgia
Symptoms may worsen with stress, exertion, poor sleep, and cold.
What is a common treatment for gout attacks?
Pain relievers and steroids
Medications like colchicine and allopurinol may also be prescribed.
What can cause a sudden-onset painful, swollen joint?
Gout attack or bacterial infection
A doctor may need to withdraw fluid from the joint for diagnosis.
What is rhabdomyolysis?
A condition causing widespread muscle breakdown
It can lead to dark red or brown urine and kidney failure.
List some causes of rhabdomyolysis.
- Crush injuries
- Prolonged immobilization
- Excessive exercise
- Seizures
- Heat stroke
- Certain medications
- Alcohol
- Drugs like cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines
These factors can lead to muscle pain and swelling.
