gen med: heart conditions and diabetes Flashcards
what are arrythmias?
abnormal heart rhythm that is too slow, too fast or irregular
what are three types of atrial arrythmias?
ectopic
bradicardia
tachycardia
what is an ectopic heart beat?
extra heartbeat which occurs out of sync
what is bradicardia?
slow heartbeat <60 beats per minute
what is tachycardia?
fast heartbeat >100 beats per minutes
what are ventricular arrythmias?
uncommon, irregular beat of the ventricles but the rate in the atria is normal
what is aortic stenosis?
narrowing of the aortic valve caused by calcification –> partial restricted blood flow from the left ventricle into the oarta –> reduced cardiac output
what is postural hypotension?
drop in blood pressure, usually >20/10 mmHg (usually when standing up from seated position)
which virus causes glandular fever/ infectious mononucleosis?
Epstein-Bar virus
what are s&s of infectious mononucleosis?
fever
sore throat
lymphadenopathy
muscle and joint aches
fatigue
splenomegaly
tonsillar exudate
maculo-papular rash
what is myalgic encephalitis?
chronic fatigue syndrome
what are s&s of myalgic encephalitis?
fatigue
malaise
pain
cognitive problems
sleep dysfunction
immune or neurological autonomic symptoms
symptoms persist for at leasts 4 months
what is the mechanism behind hypertension?
increased cardiac output
increase in peripheral resistance
what are the possible treatments for hypertension?
beta blockers
ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptors blockers reduce vasocontstrictions
calcium channel blockers
diuretics
what is congestive cardiac failure?
inability of the heart to adequately perfuse and oxygenate the body to maintain homeostasis
what are the most common symptoms in cardiac heart failure?
fluid retention (and oedema)
breathlessness
decrease in exercise intolerance
what is systolic dysfunction?
lack of ejection force
what is diastolic dysfunction?
lack of filling pressure
what are the s&s of left ventricle failure?
SOB
poor exercise tolerance
fatigue
nocturnal cough or wheeze
cold peripheries
what are the s&s of right ventricle failure?
oedema
nausea
what is the function of red blood cells?
they contain haemoglobin which carries oxygen to the tissues
what is the cause of anaemia?
decrease is red blood cells
decrease in RBC function
–> inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissues
which blood tests can be done to diagnose anaemia?
hemoglobin test
mean corpuscular volume
iron status
vit B12 folate
what are possible signs of anaemia?
pallor (blood shunted away from skin and other organs)
tachycardia (heart trying to compensate for less effective blood)
exertional dyspnoea
what is leukeamia?
cancer of cells in the bone marrow
what is another name for red blood cells?
erythrocytes
what is another name for white blood cells?
leukocytes
which components do leukocytes consist of?
neutrophils
lymphocytes
eosinophils
monocytes
basophils
where are leukocytes (wbc’s) made?
in the bone marrow by stem cells
what are the three main types of leukemia?
acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
chronic myeloid leukaemia
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
what are the s&s of leukaemia?
anaemia
blood clotting problems
serious infections
lymphadenopathy
splenomegaly
pain in bones or joints
persistent fever
weight loss
which tests are done to diagnose leukaemia?
full blood count
bone marrow sample
cell and chromosome analysis
lumbar puncture
what is diabetes?
deficiency or diminished effectiveness of insulin
what is the main function of insulin?
regulates the body’s energy supply by balancing micronutrient levels during the fed state
which organ secretes digestive enzymes and produces insulin and glucagon?
pancreas
what is diabetes type 1?
body fails to produce enough insulin due to destruction of beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans
what is diabetes type 2?
the body become resistant to insulin
most common type
what is gestational diabetes?
pregnant women with high level blood glucose level during pregnancy
what is maturity onset diabetes?
several forms of diabetes with impaired insulin secretion
what are the most common causes of secondary diabetes?
pancreatic disease
medications (steroids)
endocrine disease
what s&s do all types of diabetes present with?
polyuria and polydipsia (excessive thirst and urinary frequency)
lethargy (tiredness, fatigue)
boils (inflammation of hair collicles)
recurrent infections
blurred vision
numbness or tingling in feet
what are typical s&s for DM1?
sudden weight loss
polyuria and polydipsia
dehydration
hyperventilation
ketonuria (high keton levels in urine)
–> symptoms are acute with short duration
what are typical symptoms for DM2?
may be asymptomatic
polyuria and polydipsia
no weight loss
altered mental state
blurred vision
infections
neuropathy
ulcers
retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in the retina of the eye –> blindness)
arterial disease
what are the diagnostic blood tests for DM?
random blood sugar level >11.1 mmol/l
fasting blood sugar level > 7.0 mmol/l
glucose tolerance test GTT > 11.1 mmol/l
hba1c (measures average blood sugar level over 2-3 months) normal value 6.5-7%
what is the treatment for DM1?
insulin injections (2-4 times a day)
what medication is used for DM2?
oral hypoglycaemic agents
metformin medicatoin
sulfonylurea
what is hypoglycaemia?
low blood sugar level, its a common side effect of DM2 treatment
what is the metabolic syndrome?
a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors whose underlying pathophysiology may be related to insulin resistance
how and when do you diagnose someone with metabolic syndrome?
when 3 or more of the following are present:
large waistline
high triglyceride level
low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level
high BP
high fasting blood sugar
what are s&s of peripheral neuropathy?
loss of pinprick touch, temperature and vibration sense in a glove and stocking distribution
what is a diabetic amyotrophy/ proximal neuropathy?
nerve damage due to underlying diabetes
what are s&s of diabetic amyotrophy/ proximal neuropathy?
asymmetrical wasting of muscles in the pelvis and thigh
back and knee pain
loss of quadriceps reflex
subtle sensory features
