Treat or refer Flashcards
Abdominal aortic aneurism
Refer to GP as an emergency. Do not treat.
Acoustic neuroma
Refer to GP. Ok to treat.
Acute calcific tendonitis
Send to GP for imaging to confirm and possibly pain meds. Chiropractic may help. Condition goes away with time. Ice. Exercise muscles so they don’t weaken.
Acute cholecystitis/Cholelithiasis
Refer to GP. Don’t treat if symptomatic.
Acute liver failure
Emergency, call ambulance.
Acute pancreatitis
Emergency, call ambulance.
Acute pyelonephritis
Refer to GP.
Acute renal failure (ARF)
Emergency send to hospital.
Adrenal disorders - Addison’s disease (hypoadrenalism)
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed if later stage symptoms.
Adrenal disorders - Cushing’s syndrome (hypercortisolism)
Refer to GP. Ok to treat.
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD)
Stop drinking. Lifelong abstinence. Good nutrition. Refer to GP. OK to treat. Careful with herbal medicines
Anemia
Refer but ok to treat. Encourage to eat iron rich foods if deficient.
Anaphylaxis
Emergency, call ambulance.
Angina equivalent
Refer to GP for stress testing. OK to treat.
Anxiety
Refer to councilor. Ok to treat.
Aortic dissection (thoracic)
Emergency, call ambulance.
Appendicitis
Emergency, call ambulance.
Arachnoiditis
Emergency, call ambulance.
Arrhythmia
AF can cause stroke. Call ambulance if in AF. Otherwise refer to GP.
AS
Ok to treat.
Asthma
Lifestyles: Set goals and educate, avoid allergens and aggravating factors. Complimentary meds have had anecdotal success. Refer to GP, but ok to treat.
Atherosclerosis
Refer to GP but ok to treat
Autoimmune hepatitis
Refer to GP. 50% of symptomatic patients die within 5 years if not treated. 10% if treated. OK to treat.
Benign Positional Vertigo.
Perform the Epply maneuver to relieve symptoms.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Refer to GP to check for cancer. Don’t treat until cancer ruled out
Bornholm disease /epidemic myalgia/coxsackie viral infection)
Will clear up without treatment. Don’t treat while infectious
Brain stem or cerebellar tumour
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Brain tumour
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Bronchiectasis
Refer to GP. Regular chest physiotherapy. OK to treat.
Carcinoid bowel tumour/carcinoid syndrome
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Cervical facet syndrome
Ok to treat.
Cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Cervical stenosis/Cervical myelopathy
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Cervicogenic headache
Chiropractic can help this.
Cholelithiasis/chronic cholecystitis
Refer to GP. OK to treat.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)/ Glomerolunephritis
Refer to GP, especially if BP high or young. Lifestyle - stop smoking, healthy diet, weight and exercise. May need to control consumption of protein if severe, with balance to avoid malnutrition.
Chronic liver failure
Emergency, call ambulance.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Refer to GP. Ok to treat but check for osteoporosis. General aims: Improve breathlessness, Reduce frequency and severity of exacerbations, Improve health status. Lifestyle: Stop smoking. Pulmonary rehabilitation exercise groups - exercise, education and support. Flu and pneumococcal vaccination. Lose weight if obese. Improve nutrition. Address depression and social isolation. End of life care.
Chronic pancreatitis
Alcohol avoidance is crucial for alcohol related cases. Treatment for self neglect and malnutrition. Refer to GP.
Chronic pyelonephritis
Refer to GP. OK to treat.
Cirrhosis of the liver
Refer to doctor. Encourage healthy diet and no drinking. Careful with herbal medicines. OK to treat.
Cluster headache
Ok to treat
Coeliac disease
Responds well to gluten free diet. Dietary counseling. Correct deficiencies of Iron, folate, Ca, Vitamin D, with supplements. Monitor weight & nutrition. May refer to GP for further medication.
Colorectal cancer
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed. Good prognosis if caught early.
Compartment syndrome
Emergency, call ambulance.
Costochondritis
Apply heat to tender area to sooth. OK to treat but avoid ribs.
Cranial nerve lesion
Emergency if undiagnosed. Call ambulance.
Cystic fibrosis
Refer to GP. Regular chest physiotherapy. Good nutrition. Don’t treat until diagnosed due to possible osteoporosis.
Dehydration headache
Encourage patient to drink more. OK to treat.
Dementia
Refer to GP. Difficulty with informed consent
Diabetes mellitis
Refer to GP but ok to treat
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Emergency, call ambulance.
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH).
Chiropractic can help.
Dorsal column lesion.
Emergency if undiagnosed. Call ambulance.
Drug related headache
OK to treat
DVT
Emergency, call ambulance.
Ectopic pregnancy
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Eczema
Refer to GP if affecting daily life. Moisturisers can help. Ok to treat.
Endometriosis
Refer to GP. OK to treat.
Facet syndrome (Lumbar)
Chiropractic can help.
Fibromyalgia
Refer to GP but ok to treat
Frozen shoulder/Adhesive capsulitis
Refer to GP but ok to treat
Gastric carcinoma
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed. Poor prognosis..
Gastritis
Refer to GP. OK to treat.
Gastrooesophageal reflux disease
Lifestyle: Weight loss. Avoidance of trigger foods. Elevation of bed head. Avoidance of late meals. Stop smoking. Refer to GP for further medication or investigation.
Gilberts syndrome
Refer to GP. Ok to treat. Harmless condition.
Graves’ disease - (overactive thyroid)
Refer to GP. Ok to treat.
Haemophillia
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Haemorrage - Cerebellar
Emergency, call ambulance.
Haemorrage - Intracerebral
Emergency, call ambulance.
Hemorrhage - Subarachnoid
Emergency, call ambulance.
Hemorrhage - Subdural and extradural
Emergency, call ambulance.
Haemorrhoids (Piles)
Prevent constipation and straining. Refer to GP if further investigation or treatment is needed.
Haemothorax
Emergency, call ambulance.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or other hypothyroidism
Refer to GP. Ok to treat.
Heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy) - acute
Emergency, call ambulance.
Heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy) - chronic
Refer to GP
Hepatic encephalopathy
Refer to GP
Hepatic tumour - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Refer to GP, but ok to treat.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) or Non-hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Horner’s syndrome
Refer to GP. OK to treat.
Hypertension
Refer to GP but also encourage lifestyle changes: obesity, alcohol, salt, exercise, eat more fruit and veg. Smoking. Eat less saturated fat. Eat oily fish.
Hyperventilation syndrome
Supportive counseling. Phychiatric or psychological treatment. Reassurance. Some doctors suggest deep breathing exercises. Ok to treat.
Hypothalamic/Pituitary - Acromegaly
Refer to GP. Ok to treat.
IBD - crohn’s disease
Refer, but can help with pain management
IBD - ulcerative colitis
Refer, but can help with pain management
Infectious mononucleosis
Refer to GP. Don’t treat while patient is infectious.
Infective endocarditis
Emergency send to hospital.
Infective/Septic arthritis
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Intercostal muscle injury/strain
Rest. Ok to treat.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Healthy diet. May need to exclude allergens. Chiropractic can help.
Labrinthitis
Refer if severe. Ok to treat.
Leukemia
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Mallory - Weiss syndrome
Refer to GP. May stop after 1 -2 days without treatment but rarely can be fatal.
Meniere’s disease
Refer but ok to treat.
Migraine
Ok to treat.
Mitelschmertz
Ok to treat
Mitral valve prolapse
Refer to GP for further tests.
Motor Neuron Disease
Refer but ok to treat.
MS
Refer to GP but can treat.
Multiple myeloma
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Muscle enzyme deficiency syndrome
Refer to GP but ok to treat
Muscle strain (limb)
Rest. Ok to treat.
Muscle strain (lumbar)
Rest. Ok to treat.
Myesthenia gravis
Refer but ok to treat.
Myocardial Infarction (MI) - Heart attack
Emergency, call ambulance.
Neurogenic claudication
Refer to GP but ok to treat.
Oesophageal tumour
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Oral cancer
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Oral candidiasis
Refer to GP, but ok to treat.
Oral ulcers
Refer to GP if recurrent or persistent.
Osteoarthritis
Refer to GP. Ok to treat but avoid inflamed area.
Osteomalacia/Rickets
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed and controlled. Encourage sunlight if lacking or vit D supplement.
Osteomyelitis
Refer to GP urgently.
Osteophitic Intercostal neuritis
Refer to GP but OK to treat
Osteoporosis
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed and risk areas known, then be gentle.
Ovarian cyst
Refer to GP, but not emergency. OK to treat.
Paget’s disease
Refer to GP but ok to treat
Pancreatic cancer (carcinoma)
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed. Poor prognosis..
Parasitic infection
Refer to GP. Don’t treat while infectious
Parietal lobe lesion
Emergency if undiagnosed. Call ambulance.
Parkinsons
Refer to GP but ok to treat.
Pelvic inflammatory disease possibly related to STD (Chlamydia, gonorrhoea)
Refer to GP or sexual health clinic if not already tested for STDs. OK to treat.
Peptic ulcer - gastric or duodenal
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Perforated ulcer
Emergency, call ambulance.
Pericarditis (or myocarditis)
Refer to GP, but not emergency.
Peripheral arterial disease
Refer to GP, but ok to treat.
Piriformis syndrome
OK to treat.
Pituitary tumour (Benign adenoma)
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Pleurisy
Refer to GP. Don’t treat while infectious
Pneumonia
Emergency send to hospital.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Refer to GP, but not emergency.
Polymyalgia rheumatica
OK to treat.
Post herpetic neuralgia
Refer to GP but ok to treat.
Postural syndrome
Chiropractic can help. Encourage improved posture.
Primary bone tumour
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Primary dysmenorrhoea
Ok to treat. Chiropractic may help.
Primary Lung Tumours
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed. Poor prognosis. Treat anxiety and depression.
Prolapsed intervertebral disc with radiculopathy (lumbar)
Refer to GP. OK to treat.
Prostate cancer
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Pulmonary embolism
Emergency, call ambulance.
RA
Refer to GP. Don’t treat area in flare up.
Raised ICP
Emergency if due to trauma. Otherwise refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Referred visceral pain - Colon
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Referred visceral pain - Gall bladder
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Referred visceral pain - Heart (Angina, MI)
Emergency if MI. Refer to GP.
Referred visceral pain - Kidneys
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Referred visceral pain - Liver or gall bladder
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Referred visceral pain - Lung or diaphragm
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Referred visceral pain - Small intestine or ovaries
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Referred visceral pain - Stomach
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Referred visceral pain - Urinary bladder
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Renal adenocarcinoma
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Rheumatic heart disease - acute rheumatic fever.
Emergency, send to GP.
Reynauds phenomenon/disease - primary
Refer but ok to treat
Reynauds phenomenon/disease - secondary
Refer
Rib fracture
Send to A & E. Don’t treat.
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Emergency, call ambulance.
Ruptured appendix/ Peritonitis
Emergency, call ambulance.
Ruptured ovarian cyst
Refer to GP. Not normally an emergency unless bleeding is very heavy.
Sacroiliac syndrome
Ok to treat. Chiropractic may help.
Sarcoidosis
Refer to GP. OK to treat. Spontaneous remission is possible
Scheuermanns disease
Refer to GP but ok to treat
Slipped rib
Ok to treat.
Spinal tumour (Mets)
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Spinal tumour (Primary)
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Spontaneous pneumothorax
Emergency, call ambulance.
Stable angina
Contact GP before chiropractic treatment. If not diagnosed send to A & E. Lifestyle advice - exercise stop smoking, lose weight.
Stress fracture
Refer to GP. Don’t treat affected area.
Temporal Arteritis
Refer to GP.
Tension headache
Chiropractic can help as can massage. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can relieve pain. Good posture can help to prevent.
Testicular tumour
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Thoracic aortic aneurism
Refer to GP.
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Chiropractic - clavicle and 1st rib alignment. Massage. Stretches. May refer - depending on cause.
Thyroid tumour
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Tietze’s syndrome
Should clear up without treatment. OK to treat but avoid ribs.
Trigeminal neuralgia
Refer to GP. Can treat if not too uncomfortabe, avoiding face.
Tuberculosis - milary
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
Tuberculosis - primary
Refer to GP urgently. Don’t treat while infectious
Unstable angina
Emergency, may be MI.
Urinary calculi (renal colic) /Nephrolithiasis (Kidney stones)/Obstructive nephropathy.
Refer to GP. Probably too painful to treat.
Urinary tract infection (Lower UTI)
Normally passes within a few days. For recurrent cases: Drink 2L fluid per day. Completely empty bladder. Good personal hygiene. Empty bladder before sex. Cranberry juice. OK to treat.
Urinary tract infection (Upper UTI)
Refer to GP
Urothelial tumour (Bladder, ureteral, urethral or Kidney tumour)
Refer to GP. Don’t treat until diagnosed.
URTI - cold, pharyngitis, acute bronchitis
No treatment needed. Don’t treat while infectious.
URTI - Influenza
No treatment needed. Don’t treat while infectious.
URTI’s - Sinusitis
No treatment needed. Refer to GP if > 7 to 10 days. Don’t treat if could be infectious.
Vascular claudication
Refer to GP.
Venous hypertension
Refer to GP
Viral hepatits
Refer to GP. Don’t treat while patient is infectious.
Whiplash
Emergency if fracture or instability. Otherwise :NSAIDS. Ice. Heat. Neck strengthening exercises - scapular and deep flexor muscles. Stay active & early return to normal activity. Physical therapy including chiropractic & exercises to improve function & ROM. Address psychosocial issues & trauma distress.
Wilson’s disease
Can treat once diagnosed.