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Minor Ailments > Central nervous system > Flashcards

Central nervous system Flashcards

1
Q

What is pain?

A

Pain alerts us about injury or disease

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2
Q

Danger symptoms for pain

A
  • Patients who are abusing analgesics (routine appointment)
  • Young children who have not responded to the maximum dose at their age previously given
  • Pain increasing in severity over several days with no apparent reason
  • Dental pain of inflammatory origin requires referral to dental service
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3
Q

Treatment options for pain

A

Three main OTC analgesics are Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Aspirin.
- Aspirin should not be given to anyone under 16 as it is associated with Reye’s syndrome.
- Aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided in pregnancy. Paracetamol is safe to use in pregnancy and during breastfeeding

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4
Q

Practical tips for pain

A
  • Heat/hot water bottle for muscular aches or period pain
  • Cold compresses for headaches or sprains
  • Massage to help relieve headaches or muscular pain
  • Exercise for period pain and osteoarthritis
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5
Q

Teething

A

First teeth normally start to break through the gums at 6-9 months old. It can even start as early as 3 months.

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6
Q

Symptoms of teething

A
  • Discomfort and pain
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Swollen gums
  • Hot cheeks
  • Excessive salivation
  • Nappy rash
  • Increased tendency to chew objects
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7
Q

Treatment options for teething

A
  • OTC paracetamol for babies over 3 months old
  • OTC ibuprofen for babies over 6 months old
  • Teething gels which do not contain salicylate as it can cause Reye’s syndrome in people below the age of 16
  • Wash hands before applying teething gels
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8
Q

Practical tips for teething

A
  • A chilled teething ring, removed from the freezer before it solidifies to soothe sore gums
  • Chewing on hard biscuits, frozen fruits, chilled raw carrot under supervision
  • Petroleum jelly applied around the mouth and chin to prevent rash from excessive dribbling.
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9
Q

Musculoskeletal Pain

A

Strains and sprains are soft tissue injuries of ligaments and muscles. Injury can be due to overstretching muscle or contracting too strongly.
- Bruising appears around capillary affected
- Tenderness
- Swelling

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10
Q

Danger symptoms of musculoskeletal pain

A
  • Unexplained deformity, limited limb movement, swelling, weakness, malaise and chills require urgent referral to A&E
  • Unusual or excessive bruising requires GP referral
  • Urgent referral if bruising and the patient is on anticoagulants
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11
Q

RICE for musculoskeletal pain

A

R is for rest to reduce movement
I is for ice to reduce pain. Putting affected area in ice water for 10 minutes or using an ice pack for 15 minutes. Wait for area to warm up before repeating again. This can be done as many times in 48 hours
C is for compression to limit movement and restrict the development of swelling. Apply elasticated bandage to affected area for 48 hours taking care not to constrict blood flow
E is for elevation to help control swelling. Raise the affected part above the level of heart if practical

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12
Q

Analgesics for musculoskeletal pain

A
  • Paracetamol is first choice
  • NSAIDs oral route is first line
  • Topical NSAIDs
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13
Q

Practical tips for musculoskeletal pain

A
  • Prevention of injury is important especially when participating in regular exercise or sports. Warm ups and stretches are helpful
  • External ankle supports
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14
Q

Tension headache

A
  • Bilateral
  • Dull ache with pressing or tightening sensation
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15
Q

Migraine

A
  • Pulsating and throbbing headache
  • With or without aura
  • Typically unilateral but can be bilateral
  • Can be accompanied by any or all of nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia
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16
Q

Sinusitis

A
  • As a result of increased mucus
  • High pressure within sinus
  • Usually unilateral
  • Behind and around the eyes
  • Typically worse on bending forward
  • Affected sinus feels tender to touch
17
Q

Medication overuse

A
  • Present for 15 days or more in a month
  • Worst up on waking
  • Increases after physical exertion
  • Worse on discontinuing causative medication
  • If anyone is suspected of this, they should visit their GP
18
Q

Danger symptoms of headaches:

A

Urgent referral if:
- Sudden onset
- Different or more severe than previous headaches
- Associated with recent head trauma, neck stiffness, vomiting, altered level of consciousness, blackouts

Routine referral if:
- Suffered by children under 12

19
Q

Analgesia for headaches

A
  • Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin are first line
  • Codeine but avoid in migraine
20
Q

Sumatriptan for migraines

A
  • Indicated for acute migraine attacks in 18 years - 65 years with or without aura
  • Taken soon as possible after migraine onset
  • If there is only a partial response or migraine recurs take a second tablet after not less than 2 hours. If no response from first tablet, second tablet should not be taken. [ TWO TABLETS MAX IN 24 HOURS ]
21
Q

Practical tips for headaches

A
  • Exercise can help alleviate symptoms
  • Migraine sufferers may need to rest in a quiet, darkened room
  • Avoid triggers for migraines
22
Q

Insomnia

A
  • Poor quality sleep
  • Difficulty initiating sleep
  • Difficulty maintaining sleep
23
Q

Danger symptoms for insomnia

A
  • If it affects how alert they are the next day and puts them in danger i.e. accidents they should be referred for a routine GP appointment
24
Q

Anti-histamines for insomnia

A
  • Promethazine and diphenhydramine (Nytol)
  • Residual drowsiness may occur the next day
  • May develop tolerance
25
Q

Practical tips for insomnia

A
  • Maintain a regular bedtime routine. Avoid watching TV or using your phone an hour before bedtime.
  • A hot bath with lavender essential oils
  • Warm milky drink
  • Avoid caffeine in the evening
  • Avoid heavy meals before bedtime
26
Q

Travel sickness

A
  • Caused by repeated movements during travel
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Profused sweating, excess saliva, headaches
  • Pale, cold, clammy appearance
27
Q

Treatment options for travel sickness

A
  • Hyoscine (Kwells, Joyrides) taken 30 minutes before journey with duration of 6-8 hours. Avoid in people with glaucoma or urinary flow problems.
  • Anithistamines (Cinnarazine, promethazine) taken 2 hours before the journey
28
Q

Practical tips for travel sickness

A
  • Avoid looking out of the window and focus on distant objects
  • Make sure vehicle is well ventilated
  • Try to sleep
  • Avoid large meals or alcohol before travelling
  • Ginger biscuits or peppermint based sweets

Minor Ailments (7 decks)

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