Minor Ailments Flashcards
OSCE
Give 5 potential causes of mouth ulcers?
Stress Trauma Sensitivity to certain foods Menstrual cycle Smoking
What are the age parameters for mouth ulcers?
Most common aged 20-40
Refer any children under 10
How long do mouth ulcers normally last? When should you refer?
Last 10-14 days
Refer if they have not resolved after 2-3 weeks or if there is no improvement after 1 week of treatment
Give 5 disease states that may make mouth ulcers more common.
Coeliac disease Crohn's Reiter's syndrome Immunodeficiency B12 or iron deficient anaemia
Give 3 medicines that may make mouth ulcers more common.
NSAIDs
Nicorandil
Beta-blockers
What are the danger symptoms of mouth ulcers?
Bleeding gums One large ulcer (over 1 cm diameter) Irregular shape Weight loss/diarrhoea Genital ulcers
Give 3 treatment options for mouth ulcers.
Lidocaine- local anaesthetic to reduce pain Cetalkonium chloride (bonjela) to reduce pain Chlorhexidine mouthwash
What lifestyle advice could you give to someone with a mouth ulcer?
Oral hygiene
Regular dentist visits
Using a soft toothbrush
Avoid hard foods or foods that trigger ulcers
Give 3 potential causes of oral thrush?
Broad spectrum antibiotics
Immunosuppression
Inhaled steroids
What are the age parameters for oral thrush?
Most common in babies
Refer patients over 50 years
How long does oral thrush normally last? When should you refer?
Refer if over 3 weeks or infection is recurrent
If no improvement after one week of treatment
Give 2 disease states that may make oral thrush more common.
Immunosuppression
Diabetes
(Refer)
What are the danger symptoms of oral thrush?
Painless lesions
Lesions that cannot be wiped off
Recurrent infection
Give 2 treatment options for oral thrush.
Miconazole oral gel- not to be used with warfarin or in pregnancy
Chlorhexidine mouthwash
What lifestyle advice could you give to someone with oral thrush?
Use very soft toothbrush
Ensure good blood glucose control
Use spacer with inhaled steroids
Leave dentures out for at least 6 hours out of 24
Regularly sterilise/disinfect dentures, dummies, mouth toys
What are the differences between indigestion and heartburn?
Heartburn- burning sensation in centre of chest worsens when lying down
Indigestion- pain in stomach, bloated, full sensation
Give 7 potential causes of heartburn and indigestion?
Pregnancy Obesity Tight clothing Smoking Skipping meals Bending or lifting Certain food/drink
What are the age parameters for indigestion/heartburn?
Usually occurs in young adults
Refer over 45s suffering for the first time
How long does indigestion/heartburn normally last? When should you refer?
Refer if lasted over 2 weeks, or 1 week with treatment
What are the danger symptoms of heartburn/indigestion?
Chest pain accompanied by pain in arm or jaw Blood in stools Breathlessness Symptoms frequent Difficulty swallowing Unintentional weight loss
Give 4 treatment options for indigestion and heartburn.
Antacid, aluminium hydroxide
Rennies, calcium and magnesium carbonate- safe in pregnancy
Sodium alginate
Omeprazole
What lifestyle advice could you give to someone with indigestion or heartburn?
Eat small, regular meals Avoid eating late at night avoid trigger foods Eat sitting down Chew food properly Exercise regularly but not immediately before or after a meal
Give 3 potential causes of nausea and vomiting
Gastroenteritis
Pregnancy
Alcohol
What are the age parameters for nausea/vomiting?
Refer children under 2 and elderly due to dehydration risk