Minor Ailments COPY Flashcards
OSCE
Give 5 potential causes of mouth ulcers
- Stress
- Trauma
- Sensitivity to certain foods (“Have you noticed the ulcers appearing after eating certain food?”)
- GI diseases (Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease flare up)
- 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 1-2 weeks
Refer if they have not resolved after 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 eliminations for mouth ulcers?
- Duration >3 weeks
- ADRs (NSAIDs)
- Failed treatment
- Ulcers bigger than 1cm (10p coin)
- More than 5 ulcers
- Painless ulcer
- Recurrent ulcer
- Unexplained weight loss
Give 3 treatment options for mouth ulcers.
Reduce inflammation and pain
Mouthwash:
- Difflam (Benzyldamine) mouthwash
Oral gels: - Lidocaine (Anbesol/Iglu) - Cetalkonium chloride (bonjela) - Apply using clean fingers
Children:
- Bonjela junior gel or soothing teething gel
- Difflam spray (6+)
Counselling:
- Ask if have had it before (establish current knowledge)
- Ask opinion of which they would prefer
What lifestyle advice could you give to someone with a mouth ulcer?
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Drink cool drinks with a straw
- Avoid eating hard foods e.g. toast and crisps
- Avoid very hot or acidic drinks such as cola and fruit juice
- Reduce stress (try exercise)
- Limit smoking until ulcers have disappeared
- Regular dentist visits
Give 3 potential causes of oral thrush?
Broad spectrum antibiotics
Immunosuppression (HIV, deficiency)
Inhaled steroids
What are the presenting symptoms of oral thrush?
- White/Cream patches that can be wiped off
- Bleed when wiped off
- Discomfort but not painful
- Cracks inside the mouth
- Unpleasant taste/Loss of taste
Resolves in less than 3 weeks
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
What are the danger eliminations for oral thrush?
Diabetes Recurrent infection Failed meds Painless lesions (cuts or sores should not be present) Duration > 3 weeks
Give 2 treatment options for oral thrush.
Miconazole oral gel 2% (Daktarin)
- Can be used in children over 4 months
- Not to be used with warfarin or in pregnancy
Pregnancy:
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash
- May cause brown staining of teeth which can be minimised by brushing teeth before applying it and rinsing mouth after
What lifestyle advice could you give to someone with oral thrush?
- Use a soft toothbrush
- If asthmatic – rinse mouth after using inhaler or talk to GP about using a spacer device
- Limit/stop smoking
- Ensure good blood glucose control
- Regular check-ups with dentist
- Remove dentures overnight and clean them
- 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 Not chewing properly Smoking Skipping meals Bending or lifting Certain food/drink
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?
- Persistent symptoms (>5 days)
- ADRs (NSAIDs)
- Pain worsens on effort
- Pain is severe
- Regurgitation
- Children
- Blood in vomit or stools (“Have you seen anything like coffee grounds/pink or read streaks in your vomit?”“Are your stools black or tar-like?”)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unintentional weight loss
- Failed treatment
- First time sufferers who are >45 years
Give 4 treatment options for indigestion and heartburn.
Antacids (neutralise stomach acid - fast relief but short acting):
- Aluminium hydroxide (asilone
- Calcium and magnesium carbonate (Rennies): safe in pregnancy
- Sodium alginate (Gaviscon) reduce acid reflux
- Zanprol tablets (Omeprazole) reduce acid secretion
What lifestyle advice could you give to someone with indigestion or heartburn?
- Eat small, regular meals
- Avoid eating late at night
- Avoid trigger foods (spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, fatty food)
- Eat sitting down
- Chew food properly
- Exercise regularly but not immediately before or after a meal
- Cut down smoking
- Alleviate position in bed using pillows
Give 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
How long does nausea and vomiting normally last? When should you refer?
Refer adults with symptoms over 2 days, may give them rehydration therapy in the meantime
Give 3 medicines that may make nausea and vomiting more common.
NSAIDs
Chemotherapy
Antibiotics
Reduce symptoms by taking with food