GP community and public health Flashcards
What are the 4 main determinants of health?
- Lifestyle.
- Access to healthcare.
- Genes.
- Environment.
Define equity and equality.
Equity = what is fair and just
Equality = concerned with equal shares
Define horizontal equity
Equal treatment for equal need
e.g. individuals with pneumonia (with all other things being equal) should be treated equally
Define vertical equity.
Unequal treatment for unequal needs
e.g. individuals with common cold vs pneumonia need unequal treatment
e.g. areas with poorer health may need higher expenditure on health services
Give 2 factors that affect equity
- Spatial
- geography - Social
- age
- gender
- socioeconomic
- ethnicity
What are the 3 domains of public health?
- health improvement - social interventions aimed at preventing disease through promoting health
- health protection - concerned with measures to control infectious disease risks
- health care - organisation and delivery for healthcare services
Define health psychology
Emphasises the role of psychological factors in the cause, progression and consequences of health and illness.
Promotes healthy behaviours
What are the 3 main categories of health categories?
- health behaviour
- illness behaviour
- sick role behaviour
Define health behaviour
a behaviour aimed to prevent disease e.g. eating healthy
Define illness behaviour
a behaviour aimed to seek remedy (e.g. going to the doctor)
Define sick role behaviour
Sick role Behaviour: any activity aimed at getting well (e.g. taking prescribed medications; resting)
What are health damaging behaviours?
Health damaging behaviours are often related to mortality e.g. smoking, alcohol, high risk sexual behaviours.
What are health promoting behaviours?
Behaviours that seek and maintain health e.g. exercise, eating healthily, having vaccines.
What factors affect medication adherence?
- not knowing what the medication does
- poly pharmacy
- side effects
- they feel well
- don’t take it properly
What sort of health behaviour interventions are there?
Population level
- health promotion
- enabling people to exert control over the determinants of health (screening, vaccines)
Individual level
- patient centred approach
- care responsive to individuals needs
What are the 3 3lv3ls of intervention of behaviour change?
individual behaviour
Local community
Population level
What is unrealistic optimism?
Individuals continue to practise health damaging behaviour sue to inaccurate perception go risk and susceptibility
What are the perceptions of risk influenced by?
- Lack of personal experience with problem
- Belief that preventable by personal action
- Belief that if not happened by now, it’s not likely to
- Belief that problem is infrequent
- situational variability (seemed a good idea at the time)
- cultural variability
What did Davison’s study of patients perception of risk show?
- People had their own ideas of the cause of (heart) disease
- people who thought they were low risk were associated with reduced attendance to cardiac rehab & reduced medication adherence
What is a cross-sectional study?
Observations made at a specific point in time (now)
What are the pros and cons of a cross sectional study?
Strengths
Fast, inexpensive
who currently has exposure and outcome
no follow up
Weaknesses
not suitable for rare diseases
difficult to establish order of events
Can’t find causes
What is a case control study?
(Past) select participants with and without outcome and look back to see who had exposure
Strengths and weaknesses of case control study?
Strengths
suitable for rare diseases
multiple exposures can be studied
quick
Weaknesses
only a single disease can be studied
difficult to establish order of events
affected by selection bias & confounding factors
What is a cohort study?
(future)
collect participants info on a sample (some have exposure, others don’t)
Follow up over time, see who gets outcome
Strengths and weaknesses of cohort study?
Strengths
useful for demonstrating causal effect
multiple diseases & exposure can be studied
less chance of bias
weaknesses
time consuming and expensive
not suitable for rare diseases
people drop out
What is an RCT? Pros and cons?
Participants randomised to groups and followed up to compare outcomes
Strengths
- ‘gold standard’
- prevents bias - can be double blinded
- shows cause and effect
Weaknesses
- expensive
- not suitable for long term effects
- not always ethical
can be effected by non-compliance
What is a crossover trial? pros and cons?
Everyone in the study has all arms of the trial at some point
order of each arm randomised
everyone is their own comparison
Cons
more technical analysis
not always suitable (if drug/ surgery has carry over effects)
What is ‘Health Needs Assessment’?
A systematic method for reviewing the health issues facing a population, leading to agreed priorities and resource allocation that will improve health and reduce inequalities.
Health Needs Assessment: define need.
The ability to benefit from an intervention.
Health Needs Assessment: briefly describe the planning cycle.
(is the need met)
Needs assessment -> planning -> implementation -> evaluation -> needs assessment etc…
What is felt need?
Individual internalised perception of variation from normal health
What is expressed need?
Individual seeks help to overcome variation in normal health (demand)
What is normative need?
Professional defines intervention appropriate for the expressed need
What is comparative need?
Comparison between severity, range of interventions and cost
Health needs assessment: define demand.
what people ask for
Health needs assessment: define supply.
What is provided
What is the inverse care law?
The availability of good medical care can vary inversely with the need for it
(greater unmet need for disadvantaged people)
Name 3 different types of health needs assessment.
Epidemiological.
Comparative.
Corporate.
Give 3 negative points for epidemiological health needs assessments.
- Required date may not be available.
- Variable data quality.
- Ignores felt needs.
Who might be involved with corporate health needs assessment?
Politicians.
Press.
Providers.
Professionals.
Patients.
Give 3 negative points for corporate health needs assessments.
- Difficult to distinguish need from demand.
- Groups may have vested interests.
- May be influenced by political agendas.
Briefly describe a comparative health needs assessment.
Compares services received by one population with other populations.
Give 3 negative points for comparative health needs assessments.
- Required date may not be available.
- Variable data quality.
- It is hard to find comparable populations.
What are the challenges and benefits of a health needs assessment?
Benefits:
- strengthen community involvement in decision making
- public participation
- improved patient care
Challenges
- lack of commitment from top down
- problems accessing target population
- lack of info sharing
Define Acne vulgaris and its cause.
Acne caused by chronic inflammation with or without localised infection
Increased production of sebum (natural skin oils), trapping of keratin (dead skin cells) and blockage of the pilosebaceous unit (contain hair follicles and glands) –> swelling & inflammation
Androgenic hormones increase production of sebum so acne can increase in puberty
Describe the appearance of acne vulgaris
Macules = flat marks
Papules = small lumps
Pustules = small lumps containing yellow pus
Comedomes = skin coloured papule representing blocked pilosebaceous units
Blackheads = open comedones with black pigmentations in centre
Ice pick scars = small indentations after acne lesions heal
Hypertrophic scars = small lumps after acne lesions heal
Rolling scars = irregular wave-like irregularities of the skin after acne lesions heal
What is the aim of acne vulgarise treatment?
- reduce symptoms
- reduce risk of scarring
- minimise psychosocial impact of condition
(explore anxiety and depression)
Management of acne vulgaris.
- No treatment if mild
- Topical Benzoyl peroxide = reduce inflammation & toxic to Propionibacterium acnes bacteria
- Topical retinoids = slow production of sebum
- Topical antibiotics = e.g. clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide to reduce bacterial resistance
- Oral antibiotics = lymecycline
- Oral contraceptive pill = help stabilise female hormones & reduce production of sebum
- Oral retinoids = severe, last line, tetragenic so with contraceptives
What is the Oral retinoid used for treating acne vulgaris and its mechanism?
Isotretinoin (Roaccutane)
- reduces production of sebum
- reduce inflammation
- reduce bacterial growth
Only prescribed by dermatologist
What are the side effects of isotretinoin?
- tetragenic so must be on contraceptives
- dry skin and lips
- photosensitivity of the skin
- depression, anxiety, aggression & suicidal ideation
- rarely Stevens-Johnson syndrome & toxic epidermal necrolysis
Define: Acute bronchitis
Lower respiratory tract infection which causes inflammation in the bronchial airways
Define: pneumonia
an infection of the lung tissue in which the air sacs in the lungs become filled with micro-organisms, fluid and inflammatory cells affecting the function of the lungs
(consolidation on a CXR)
What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?
- cough
- may have sputum, wheeze, breathlessness
- chest pain present from cough
- may have raised temp
Investigations: Acute Bronchitis
- listen to chest = wheeze
- check temp & ops
- refer to get CXR if severe
Management: Acute Bronchitis
- self limiting, cough for 3-4 weeks
- fluid, paracetamol or ibuprofen, cough medicine
- smoking cessation
- antibiotics = only if systemically unwell
Define: Acute Stress Reaction
Follows a sudden severe stressor and lasts for only a few days
Occurs in an individual without previous psychological disorder
What are common causes of Acute Stress Reaction?
- rape or other assault
- war or natural disaster
- breakup of intimate relationship
What are features of an Acute Stress Reaction?
- fear, anxiety, depression
- palpitations, sweats, restlessness, insomnia
- avoidance
- denial and repression
Management: Acute Stress Reaction
- sympathetic listening
- short term anxiolytics
- encouragement to recall event and to express emotion
- Improve coping strategies
- Help with long term consequences of stressful reaction such as disability
What are the types of allergies seen by GPs?
- allergic rhinitis
- angio-odema + anaphylaxis
- Asthma
- conjunctivitis
- Cow’s milk allergy in children
- Food allergy
Insect bites and stings - Tiredness/fatigue in adults
- Urticaria
Define: Allergic rhinitis
IgE mediated inflammatory disorder of the nose that occurs when the nasal mucosa becomes exposed and sensitised to allergens
Can be allergic, non-allergic, infective or mixed
Cause: Allergic Rhinitis
- house dust mites
- pollens
- moulds
- animal hair
- occupation
Management: Allergic rhinitis
- nasal spray
- anit-histamines
- avoid trigger
- allergy testing
Management: milk or food allergy
- allergy testing
- send to A&E if severe
- paediatric dietician
Define: anaemia
Low red blood cell production due to low iron stores in the body
What are the causes of anaemia?
- dietary deficiency
- malabsorption e.g. coeliac, H.pylori, gastrectomy
- increased loss e.g. chronic blood loss
- Increased requirement = pregnant
Symptoms: Anaemia
Symptoms
- dyspnoea
- fatigue
- headache
- cognitive dysfunction
- restless leg syndrome
- weak
- pruritus
Signs
- pallor
- atrophic glossitis
- damaged hair
- alopecia
- angular cheilosis
- koilonychia
Investigations: Anaemia
- FBC (low Hb and MCV)
men = below 130
women over 15 yrs = below 120
children = below 120 - Ferritin level
If MCV <95 - check B12 and folate
Management: Anaemia
Refer if:
- suspected cancer and over 60 yrs
- suspected cancer, rectal bleeding, over 50 yrs
- to GI if rectal bleeding
Treatment:
1. lifestyle advice = increase in iron in diet
2. Oral ferrous sulfate/fumarate/gluconate = one daily for 3 months
3. recheck FBC within 4 weeks
Define: Anal Fissure
Tear or ulcer in lining of the anal canal which causes pain on defecation
What are the causes of anal fissures?
- constipation
- IBD
- Colorectal cancer
- Anal surgery or sex
Management: Anal Fissure
- Ensure stools are soft = laxatives
- manage pain = paracetamol or ibuprofen, steroid cream
- Topical antibiotics
- Surgery if fails to heal
Refer if rectal cancer suspected
Define: anaphylaxis
Severe, life threatening generalised hypersensitivity reaction with rapid airway/breathing/circulation problems
Management: Anaphylaxis
- A+E
- 500mg intramuscular
- allergy info
- advice on biphasic reaction
Define: Generalised anxiety disorder
Characterised by excessive worry about every issue that is disproportionate to any inherent risk
What are the symptoms for Generalised anxiety disorder?
3 of symptoms present at all times:
- restlessness
- nervousness
- fatigue easily
- poor concentration
- irritability
- muscle tension
- sleep disturbance
What assessment is used for generalised anxiety disorder?
GAD-7 anxiety questionnaire
- helps establish the severity of the diagnosis
Management: Generalised anxiety disorder
- communicate the diagnosis early, provide info
- refer for counselling, guided self help, groups
- High intensity CBT
- Medication = sertraline SSRI
Define: OCD
Obsessive- compulsive disorder = recurrent obsessional thoughts or compulsive acts/ both may cause functional impairment +/ distress
Obsession = unwanted, intrusive thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters the person’s mind and that causes anxiety/ distress
compulsions = repetitive behaviours or rituals that the person feels driven to perform by their obsession that must be applied rigidly or to achieve a sense of ‘completeness’
What are the screening questions for OCD?
Do you wash or clean a lot?
Do you check things a lot?
Is there any thought that keeps bothering you that you would like to get rid of, but cannot?
Do your daily activities take a long time to finish?
Are you concerned about putting things in a special order, or are you upset by mess?
Do these problems trouble you?
ICD-11 and DSM- 5 criteria
Management: obsessive-compulsive disorder
- referral to CAMHS
- patient and carer education
1. CBT = exposure and response prevention - SSRIs medications
- TCA = clomipramine
- severe = antipsychotics e.g. aripiprazole or risperidone
Define: arrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms
- interruption to the normal electrical signals that coordinate the contraction of the heart muscles
What are the different types of arrhythmias?
- Cardiac arrest rhythms
shockable:
- ventricular tachycardia
- ventricular fibrillation
Unshockable:
- pulseless electrical activity
- asystole - Narrow Complex Tachycardia (QRS<0.12s)
- sinus tachycardia
- supraventricualr
tachycardia
- atrial fibrillation
- atrial flutter - Broad complex tachycardia (QRS >0.12s)
- ventricular tachycardia
- AF with bundle branch block
- supra ventricular tachycardia with BBB
Management: Arrhythmias
Emergency admission
- Ventricular tachycardia
- haemodynamic instability
- IHD
- Chest pain
- significant breathlessness
- syncope
Refer to cardiology
- Atrial flutter
- SVT
- Wolff-parkinson White syndrome
Non-urgent
- bloods
- lifestyle advice
- cease driving if likely to cause incapacity
What are the causes of AF?
SMITH
Sepsis
Mitral valve pathology
Ischaemic heart disease
Thyrotoxicosis
Hypertension
structural heart disease
electrical abnormalities
systemic causes = hyperthyroidism, obesity, diabetes
lifestyle factors = caffeine
genetic
idiopathic
Investigations: AF
- ECG
(Absent P waves
narrow QRS
irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm) - 24 hr ECG
- Echo
Management: atrial fibrillation
- CHADVASC
high risk >2
- anticoagulation = DOAC then warfarin/aspirin
(HAS-BLED score for bleed on anticoagulation) - Rate control (1st line for symptom control)
- BB e.g. bisoprolol
- CCB e.g. verapamil
- Digoxin
- Rhythm control (severe symptoms or HF)
- antiarrhymthmic drugs
- amiodarone, flecainide - electrical cardio version
- catheter ablation
Anticogulation (persistent AF) e.g. DOAC or warfarin
Define: Asthma
Chronic respiratory condition associated with airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness
How to diagnose asthma?
- presence of more than one symptoms = wheeze, cough, breathlessness and chest tightness
- diurnal = worse at night/ early morning - FH of atopic conditions
- Fractional exhaled nitric oxide testing = positive >40
- Spirometry = FEV1/FVC <70%
- Bronchodilator reversibility = improvement of FEV1 of 12% or more
- Variable peak expiratory flow readings = >20 % variability
What is the aim of asthma management?
- no daytime symptoms
- no night time waking
- no need for rescue medication
- no asthma attacks
- no limitations on activity including exercise
- normal lung function
Management: Asthma
- SABA - short acting beta agonist
- Add low ICS
(if deliver inhaler used 3 or more times a week) - Add Leukotriene receptor antagonist LTRA
- Add LABA
- Change to MART (ICS + LABA )
- Increase ICS dose
- Add muscarinic receptor antagonist, theophylline or high ICS dose
What should be checked before increasing asthma medication?
- recheck adherence
- check inhaler technique
- check elimination of trigger factors
What should be monitored at an asthma a review?
- monitor number of asthma attacks
- nocturnal symptoms
- adherence
- lung function
- bronchodilator overuse
- smoking status
- possibility of occupational asthma
What are the different risk stages of future asthma attacks?
Greatly increased risk
- history of previous asthma attacks
Moderately increased risk
- poor control
- inappropriate or excessive use of SABAs
Slightly increased risk
- older age, female, reduced lung function, obesity, smoking, depression
What are the features for moderate asthma exacerbation?
- PEFR > 50-75%
- normal speech
What are the features for acute severe asthma exacerbation?
- PEFR 33-50%
OR resp rate >25/min
OR pulse rate >110
OR inability to complete sentence in one breath
OR accessory muscle use
OR inability to feed
with O2 sats at least 92%
What are the features for life threatening asthma exacerbation?
- PEFR <33%
OR O2 sats <92%
OR altered consciousness
OR exhaustion
OR cardiac arrhythmia
OR hypotension
OR cyanosis
OR poor resp effort
OR silent chest
OR confusion
Treatment: Moderate asthma exacerbation
- oxygen face mask
- pressurised meter-dose inhaler with a large volume spacer
Treatment: life threatening + severe asthma exacerbation
- oxygen mask
- nebulised salbutamol
- add nebulised ipratopium bromide
- first dose of prednisolone
Define: Domestic Abuse
Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.
What are the types of domestic abuse?
- psychological
- physical
- sexual
- financial
- emotional
How can domestic abuse impact on health?
- Traumatic injuries following assault e.g. fractures, miscarriage.
- Somatic problems or chronic illness e.g. chronic pain, headaches.
- Psychological problems e.g. PTSD, depression, anxiety.
Give 3 potential indications of domestic abuse.
- Unwitnessed by anyone else.
- Repeat attendances to GP or A+E.
- Delay in seeking help.
- Multiple minor injuries.
What assessment tool can be used to determine someones risk of domestic abuse?
DASH assessment
What action would you take if someone was at high risk of domestic abuse?
Refer to MARAC or IDVAS.
What are the 4 features of the Health Belief Model?
- Believe they are susceptible to the condition in question
- believe it has serious consequences
- Believe that taking action reduces susceptibility
- Believe that the benefits of taking action outweighs the costs
‘Cues to action’ are another important aspect of the health belief model. What is meant by this?
- Internal cues e.g. worsening pain or breathlessness may trigger someone to want to change their behaviour.
- External cues e.g. reminder letters or phone calls from GP.
Give 3 disadvantages of the health belief model.
- Health beliefs may be affected by alternative factors e.g. outcome expectancy and self efficacy.
- The model does not consider the influence of emotions on behaviour.
- Cues to action are often missing in research.
- It does not differentiate between first time and repeat behaviours.
Define: Theory of Planned behaviour
Proposes the best predictor of behaviour is intention
What does the Theory of Planned Behaviour say intention is determined by?
- a person’s ATTITUDE to the behaviour
- the perceived social pressure to undertake the behaviour, or SUBJECTIVE NORM
- A person’s appraisal of their ability to perform the behaviour or their PERCEIVED BEHAVIOURAL CONTROL
How do we help people to act on their intentions?
- Perceived control = recall own success
- Anticipated regret = link to sustained intentions
- Preparatory actions = dividing a task into sub-goals increases self-efficacy
- Implementation intentions = ‘if then’ plans facilitates the translation of intention in to action
- Relevance to self
What are some criticisms of the Theory of Planned Behaviour model?
- lack of direction or causality
- doesn’t consider emotion
- doesn’t explain how attitudes, intentions and behaviour interact
- some things are not planned but just habits and routine
- relied on self-reported behaviour
What are the 5 stages of change in the transtheoretical model?
- precontemplation
- contemplation
- preparation
- action
- maintenance
(Relapse - at any point with in stages)
What are the pros and cons of the Transtheoretical model?
Pros:
- acknowledges different stages
- accounts for relapse
- temporal element
Cons:
- not all people move through every stages
people may move backwards
- progress may not be in a continuous steps
- doesn’t take into account values, habits, emotions, culture etc.
Give 3 external factors that are important when thinking about behaviour change.
- Impact of personality traits.
- Assessment of risk perception.
- Impact of past behaviour/habit.
- Social environment.
Define: atopic dermatitis/eczema
A chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects people of all ages
What are the symptoms/appearance of eczema?
Itchy skin +3:
- dry skin in last 12 months
- visible flexural eczema (in skin creases e.g. elbows)
- history of asthma or allergic rhinitis
- onset of symptoms before 2 yrs old
How to classify eczema?
Clear = normal skin with no active ezcema
Mild = areas of dry skin = infrequent itching
Moderate = areas of dry skin, frequent itching, redness
Severe = widespread areas of dry skin, incessant itching, and redness
Infected = weeping, crusted or pustules present with fever
How to categorise the impact of eczema on quality of life?
None = no impact on QoL
Mild = little impact on everyday activities, sleep, and psychosocial well-being
Moderate = moderate impact on everyday activities and psychological well-being and frequently disturbed sleep
Severe = severe limitation on everyday activity, psychosocial functioning, loss of sleep every night
Management: Mild eczema
- prescribe lots of emollients
- consider mild topical corticosteroid
Refer to dermatology if diagnosis uncertain or eczema uncontrolled
Management: Moderate eczema
- consider trigger factors or infection
- emollients
- if inflamed skin = moderately potent topical corticosteroid (max 5 days)
Preventative
- maintenance regime of topical corticosteroids
Management: severe eczema
- emollients frequently
- skin inflamed = potent topical corticosteroid
- severe itch = one month non-sedating antihistamine
- if affects sleep = sedating anti-histamine
- causes psychological distress = short course of an oral corticosteroid
preventative
- topical corticosteroids intermittent treatment for flare ups
Management: infected eczema
1st: flucloxacillin
penicillin allergy = clarithromycin
Localised areas of infection = topical fusidic acid
New emollients and corticosteroids (discard old products incase infected)
If recurs = send swab for micro testing
Define: Atrophic vaginitis
Refers to dryness and atrophy of the vaginal mucosa due to a lack of oestrogen
- occurs in women entering menopause
What is the pathophysiology of atrophic vaginitis?
Epithelial lining of vagina and urinary tract responds to oestrogen becoming thicker, more elastic and producing secretions
- in menopause Oestrogen levels drops so mucosa becomes thinner, less elastic and more dry
Tissue more prone to inflammation and changes in vaginal PH
What are the symptoms of atrophic vaginitis?
- itching
- dryness
- dyspareunia
- bleeding sue to localised inflammation
can present with
- recurrent UTIs
- stress incontinence
- pelvic organ prolapse
What is seen on examination for atrophic vaginitis?
- pale mucosa
- thin skin
- reduced skin folds
- erythema and inflammation
- dryness
- sparse pubic hair
Management: Atrophic vaginitis?
- vaginal lubricants = fro dryness
- topical oestrogen
- estriol cream
- estriol pessaries
- estradiol tablets
- estradiol ring
(HRT SE = breast cancer, angina, venous thromboembolism)
Define: bacterial vaginosis
An overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina specifically anaerobic bacteria due to loss of lactobacilli (friendly bacteria)
What are the risk factors for bacterial vaginosis?
- multiple sexual partners
- excessive vaginal clearing
- recent antibiotics
- smoking
- copper coil
What are the symptoms for bacterial vaginosis?
- fishy smelling watery grey or white vaginal discharge
Investigations: bacterial vaginosis
- speculum examination = view typical discharge
- vaginal pH = swab + pH paper >4.5
- Charcoal vaginal swab for micro (clue cells = gardnerella vaginalis)
Management: bacterial vaginosis
Can resolve without treatment
- antibiotic = metronidazole
oral or vaginal gel - check for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
What should be avoided when taking metronidazole?
Alcohol
- cause ‘disulfirman-like reaction’ with nausea and vomiting, flushing and sometimes hock and angioedema
What are the complications of bacterial vaginosis?
- miscarriage
- preterm delivery
- premature rupture of membranes
- chorioamnionitis
- low birth weight
- postpartum endometritis
Define: Bell’s palsy
An acute unilateral facial nerve weakness or paralysis of rapid onset and unknown cause
What are the symptoms for Bell’s palsy?
- rapid onset <72hrs
- facial muscle weakness or paralysis = upper and lower face unilateral
- ear pain
- difficulty chewing, dry mouth and changes in taste
- poor to incomplete eye closure, dry eye, eye pain
- hyperacusis
- numbness or tingling of cheek/mouth
- speech articulation problems
Management: Bell’s palsy
Prednisolone within 72 hrs
- 50 mg for 10 days or 60mg for 5 days
What are the types of eyelid disorders?
- blepharitis
- Stye
- Chalazion
- Entropion
- Ectropion
- trichiasis
- periorbital cellulitis
- orbital cellulitis
What is Blepharitis? Cause and management?
- inflammation of the eyelid margins
- cause gritty, itchy, dry sensation in the eyes
- dysfunction of meibomian glands = secrete meibum
Management = warm compress and gentle cleaning
What is a Stye?
Hordeolum external = infection of the glands of Zeis or glands of Moll.
Hordeoulum internum = infection of meibomian glands
Cause tender red lump along eyelid that may contain pus
What is the treatment for Stye’s?
Hot compress
Analgesia
Antibiotics if conjunctivitis or symptoms remain
What is an chalazion and treatment?
Meibomian gland becomes blocker and swells
- swelling in eyelid non tender
Treat: warm compress and gentle massage towards eyelashes to drain
What is entropion vs ectropion?
Entropion = Eyelid turn inward with the lashes pressed against the eye
- cause corneal damage and ulceration
Ectropion = eyelid turns outwards exposing inner aspect
- exposure keratopathy as eyeball exposed
What is the treatment for entropion and ectropion?
Entropion
- tape eyelid down + lubricate
- surgical
Ectropion
- lubricate drops
- significant cases = surgical
What is trichiasis?
Inward growth of eyelashes
- results in pain and can cause corneal damage and ulceration
Treat:
- remove affected eyelashes
- electrolysis or cryotherapy
- refer to ophthalmology if risk to sight
What is periorbital cellulitis?
AN eyelid and skin infection in front of the orbital septum
- hot, woollen, red skin around the eyelid and eye
Management: Periorbital cellulitis
- CT scan = Must differentiate from orbital cellulitis
- systemic antibiotics
What is orbital cellulitis?
An infection around the eyeball involving the tissues behind the orbital septum
- eye pain
- reduced eye movements
- vision changes
- abnormal pupil reactions
- proptosis
Management: orbital cellulitis
- Emergency admission
- IV antibiotics
- surgical drainage if abscess forms
Define: Benign paroxysmal postural vertigo
A disorder of the inner ear characterised by repeated episode of positional vertigo
Loose calcium carbonate debris in the semi-circular canals of the inner ear.
Movement of head causes movement of debris leading to vertigo
Management: postural vertigo BPPV
- most people recover over several weeks without treatment
- repositioning manoeuvre can alleviate symptoms
- advice not to drive
Define: benign prostatic hyperplasia
Hyperplasia of the stroll and epithelial cells of the prostate
What are the symptoms of BPH?
- hesitancy
- weak flow
- urgency
- frequency
- intermittency
- straining
- terminal driblling
- incomplete emptying
- nocturia
Investigations: BPH
- digital rectal exam = BPH feel smooth, symmetrical, soft
- abdominal exam = palpable bladder
- urianry frequency volume chart
- urine dipstick = infection, haematuria
- Prostate specific antigen = unreliable
What are reasons for a high PSA?
- prostate cancer
- BPH
- prostatitis
- UTI
- vigorous exercise
- recent ejaculation
Management: BPH
- alpha blockers e.g. tamsulosin
- relax smooth muscle - 5-alpha reductase inhibitors e.g. finasteride
- gradually reduce size of prostate - surgical
- TURP, TEVAP, open prostatectomy
Define breast abscess + mastitis
A collection of pus within an area of the breast usually caused by a bacterial infection
Mastitis = inflammation of breast tissue mainly due to breastfeeding or can be infection
What is the presentation of mastitis?
- nipple changes
- purulent nipple discharge
- localised pain
- tenderness
- warmth
- erythema
- hardening of the skin
- swelling
Management: Mastitis
lactational mastitis
- continue breastfeeding, breast massage, heat packs and warm showers
- analgesia
- antibiotics if infection suspected
Non-lactating
- analgesia
- antibiotics
- treatment of underlying cause e.g. eczema or candid infection
Management: breast abscess
- referral to surgical team
- antibiotics
- ultrasound
- drainage = needle aspiration or surgical incision ans drainage
- micro culture and sensitivities of the drained fluid
Define: bronchiolitis
Inflammation and infection in the bronchioles, the small airways of the lungs
Usually caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)