Week 20 Flashcards
what is the common ailment scheme?
a free NHS service
patients can access for advice and treatment of 26 conditions through CAS
what does the common ailment scheme service involve?
patient registration with the pharmacy
private consultation with the pharmacist
advice on management and treatment where needed OR referal if needed
who can acces the common ailmemt scheme?
any patient who lives in wales or who is registered to a welsh GP is eligible to access the choose pharmacy service
what are the exclusions to the people that can access the common ailment scheme?
temporary residents whose usual address is not in wales
care home residents
what are the exclusions of the common ailment scheme for some conditions?
age
pregnancy
if they have had the condition multiple times
what are the 26 conditions that can be treated under the common ailment scheme?
- Acne
- Athletes Foot
- Backache (acute)
- Chickenpox
- Cold sores*
- Colic*
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
- Constipation
- Dermatitis (acute)
- Diarrhoea*
- Dry eyes
- Haemorrhoids
- Hayfever
- Head Lice
- Indigestion/reflux
- Ingrowing toenail*
- Intertrigo/ringworm
- Mouth Ulcers
- Nappy rash
- Oral thrush
- Scabies
- Sore throat/tonsillitis
- Teething
- Threadworm
- Vaginal thrush
- Verruca
* = advice only conditiond-no treatment available on NHS
what is choose pharmacy?
choose pharmacy is a confidential NHS electronic records system, which community pharmacists use to record details of NHS serices they provide to you
what are cold symptoms?
congestion
itchy/watery eyes
feeling tired
cough
runny/ stuffy nose
sore throat
headache
what are flu symptoms?
cough
runny/stuffy nose
sore throat
headache
fever
body aches
extreme fatigue
what is a cold?
mild, self-limiting, viral, upper repiratory tract infection
how is a cold transmitted?
either direct transmission or aerosol transmission
what are the most common complications of the common cold?
sinusitus
lower respiratory tract infections
acute otitis media
when do symptoms appear in the common cold?
onset of symptoms after infection is sudden, reaching a peak at day 2-3 then decreasing in intensity
when do symptoms tend to last in different people for a common cold?
adults and older children= a week, although can persist for up to 3 weeks
younger children= 10-14 days
smokers=infection is more prolonged
what is the flu?
acute respiratory illness caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (influenza viruses)
what are the most common complications from the flu?
acute bronchitis
pneumonia
exacerbations of asthma and chronic abstructive pulmonary disease
otitis media
sinusitis
when do flu symptoms begin to show?
around 2 days after exposure
uncomplicated influenza= coryza, nasal discharge, cough, fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, malaise (discomfort), myalgia(muscle aches), arthalgia, ocular symptoms and sore throat
compliated influenza= require hospital admission,involve the lower respiratory tract, central nervous system (CNS), or cause significant exacerbation of an underlying medical condition.
what are the at risk groups of flu?
those with respiratory, heart, kidney, liver or neurological disease, diabetes mellitus or those who are obese or immunosuppressed
>65 years
women who are pregnant
<6 months
what is the management of the flu?
drink adequate fluid
take paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve symptoms
rest
stay off work or school until the worst symptoms have resolved
for the flu, when should urgent admission to hospital be considered?
pneumonia
the person has a concomitant disease that may be affected by influenza
suspision of serious illnes
what is a cough?
it is a reflex to airway irritation
it is triggered by stimulation of airway cough receptors, either by irritants or by conditions that cause airway distortion
caused by a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
what are the different severities of the cough?
acute=<3 weeks
sub-acute= 3-8 weeks
chronic= >8 weeks
what are some of the causes of a cough?
acute bronchitis
pneumonia
acute exacerbations of asthma
environmental or occupational causes
foreign body aspiration
what is the management of cough?
Management of people with cough should be based on treating the underlying cause where it has been identified, or sequential trials of treatment to confirm or refute common causes. Offer self care (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and inflammation, if appropriate), and refer to smoking cessation if relevant.
when should a cough be refered to a respiratory physician?
arranged for people that do not respond to trials of treatment, if the diagnosis is uncertain or is systemically unwell
Emergency referral should be arranged for people with:
* Clinical features of foreign body aspiration.
what is croup?
common childhood disease
usually caused by a virus
what are the symptoms of croup?
sudden onset of a seal-like barking cough
accompanied by a strider
hoarse voice
respiratory distress
symptoms are typically worse at night
who does croup most commonly affect?
6months- 6 years
peak at 2 years old
what are the different severity of croup?
mild =seal-like barking cough, but no strider or sternal/intercostal recession at rest
moderate=seal-like barking cough with stridor and sternal reccesion at rest; no agitation or lethargy
severe=seal-like barking cough with stridor and sternal/intercostal recession associated with agitation or lethargy
what is the management of croup?
all children with mild, moderate or severe croup should receive a single dose of oral dexamethasone
if the child is too unwell to recieve medication, inhaled budesonide or intramuscular dexamethasone are possible alternatives
mild croupo can be managed at home
symptoms usually resolve within 48 hours
what is whooping cough?
a highly infectius disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis
it is spread by aerosol droplets
released during coughing, and disproportionately affects infants and yough infants
the incubation period is usually 7 days, and the person is infectious for 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms
what are the three phases of whooping cough?
➢The catarrhal phase lasts ~ a week and is characterised by the development of a dry, unproductive
cough.
➢The paroxysmal phase may last for a month or more and is characterised by coughing fits,
whooping, and post-tussive vomiting. The person may be relatively well between paroxysms.
➢The convalescent phase may last an additional 2 months or more, and is characterised by gradual
improvement in the frequency and severity of symptoms.
how is whooping cough managed?
- People who are seriously unwell should be admitted to hospital (a
low threshold is required for children aged 6 months or less). - An antibiotic (usually a macrolide, such as erythromycin or
clarithromycin) should be prescribed to all people with suspected or
confirmed whooping cough with onset of cough within the previous
21 days. - Advice should be given on rest, adequate fluid intake, and the use
of paracetamol or ibuprofen for symptomatic relief. - Children and healthcare workers should be advised to stay off
nursery, school, or work until 48 hours of appropriate antibiotic
treatment has been completed, or 21 days after onset of symptoms if
not treated. - Close contacts may require antibiotic prophylaxis.
what are the different classifications of mouth ulcers?
Aphthous, minor (about 80% of cases)
* Often in groups of up to five
* Small ulcers (<1cm)
* “uncomfortable”
* Heal within 10-14 days
Aphthous, major (about 10% of cases)
* Usually 1-3 ulcers
* Larger than 1cm
* Painful and may affect eating
* Can take weeks to heal
Herpetiform (about 10% of cases)
* Groups of 10-50 small ulcers
* Very painful
* Heal within 10-14 days
what are the different classifications of mouth ulcers?
Aphthous, minor (about 80% of cases)
* Often in groups of up to five
* Small ulcers (<1cm)
* “uncomfortable”
* Heal within 10-14 days
Aphthous, major (about 10% of cases)
* Usually 1-3 ulcers
* Larger than 1cm
* Painful and may affect eating
* Can take weeks to heal
Herpetiform (about 10% of cases)
* Groups of 10-50 small ulcers
* Very painful
* Heal within 10-14 days
what are the causes of mouth ulcers?
Usually unknown, but may sometimes be:
Iron deficiency anaemia
* Vegetarian/vegan diet often implicated
* Heavy menstrual loss
Hypersensitivity
* Preservatives in food (benzoic acid/benzoates)
* Foods (chocolate, tomatoes)
* Sodium lauryl sulfate
Psychological stress
what is the treatment of mouth ulcers?
Saline
* Half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water
* Rinse frequently until ulcers subside
* Any age
Antiseptic (chlorhexidine)
* Rinse (or spray) twice a day
* Not within 30 minutes of toothpaste
* Can cause temporary yellow staining of teeth
* Can be used OTC from age 12
Anti-inflammatory (benzydamine)
* Use every 1.5-3 hours
* Can be used OTC from age 6
Steroid (hydrocortisone)
* One tablet dissolved on ulcer four times a day
* Can be used OTC from age12
when should you refer a mouth ulcer?
Lasts longer than 3 weeks
Keeps coming back
Painless and persistent
Grows bigger than usual
At back of throat
Bleeds or gets red and painful
what is dyspepsia?
a complex of upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms typically present for 4 or more weeks
what are the symptoms of dyspepsia?
Severity varies from patient to patient (most: mild + intermittent)
Upper abdominal pain or discomfort
Burning sensation starting in stomach, passing upwards to behind the breastbone
Gastric acid reflux
Nausea or vomiting
what are the common causes of dyspepsia?
*Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
*Peptic ulcer disease (gastric or duodenal ulcers)
*Functional dyspepsia
* Epigastric Pain Syndrome
* Post-prandial distress syndrome (fullness and early satiety)
*Barrett’s oesophagus
* A premalignant condition
*Upper GI malignancy
what are the causes of gastric-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)?
- Transient relaxation of lower oesophageal sphincter
- Increased intra-gastric pressure
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Impaired oesophageal clearance of acid
what are some of the risk factors of GORD?
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Fatty foods
- Being overweight
- Stress
- Medicines (calcium channel blockers, nitrates, NSAIDs)
- Tight clothing
- Pregnancy
what is peptic ulcer disease?
ulcers may be present in stomach or duodenum
what are the causes of peptic ulcer disease?
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- Medication, mainly NSAIDs (others can cause them)
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (rare condition causing high acid secretion)
how can peptic ulcer disease be managed?
Can only confirm ulcers with endoscopy
* H. pylori infection managed with eradication therapy (2 antibiotics and a PPI)
* Therefore wouldn’t be managed OTC
* However, patients frequently present asking for symptomatic relief
what is the management of dyspepsia?
*Most patients have mild or intermittent symptoms which may be
managed through non-pharmacological means and OTC treatments
*Lose weight if overweight
*Eating small, frequent meals rather than large meals
*Eat several hours before bedtime
*Cut down on tea/coffee/cola/alcohol
*Avoid triggers, e.g. rich/spicy/fatty foods
*If symptoms worse when lying down, raise head of bed (do not prop
up head with pillows)
*Avoid tight waistbands and belts, or tight clothing
*Stop smoking
Options
*Non-pharmacological
*Antacids
*Alginates
*H2 receptor antagonists
*Proton pump inhibitors
what are antacids?
compiunds that neutralise stomach acid
what are alginates?
from a raft on top of stomach contents, creating a physical barrier to prevent reflux
what are H2 receptor antagonists?
block H2 receptors in stomack to prevent acid production
what are proton pump inhibitors?
PPIs block proton pumps in stomach wall to prevent gastric acid production
when should you refer dyspepsia?
frequently attending for dyspepdia remedies (sign of gastric cancer)
Red flag signs:
*55 years or over, especially with new onset
*Dyspepsia hasn’t responded to treatment
*Features including bleeding, dysphagia, recurrent vomiting or
unintentional weight loss
what types of people do you need to be aware of when consulting about nausea and vomiting?
*Age: very young and old most at risk of dehydration
*Pregnancy: n&v common, consider in women of childbearing
potential
*Duration: adults >2 days cause for concern, young children (<2
years) any duration
what are some of the associated symptoms of nausea and vomiting?
- diarrhoea – may be gastroenteritis, question about food intake, could be rotavirus in children
- blood in vomit – differentiate fresh blood from that of gastric/duodenal origin
- faecal smell – GI tract obstruction
how can nausea and vommiting be managed?
most established vomiting will require referral
opioids
NSAIDs
antibiotics
oestrogens
steroids
digoxin
lithium
what is constipation?
bowel movement less than three times a week
difficult to pass stools
hard, dehydrated stools
who is more affected by constipation?
women and older people
what are the symptoms of comstipation?
- abdominal discomfort
- cramping
- bloating
- nausea
- straining
what are some of the red flag symptoms of constipation?
- unexplained weight loss
- rectal bleeding
- family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease
- signs of obstruction
- co-existing diarrhoea
- long-term laxative use
- failed OTC > 1 week
what medication can cause constipation?
- Opioid analgesics
- Antacids – aluminium
- Antimuscarinics (anticholinergics)
- Anti-epileptics
- Anti-depressants
- Anti-histamines
- Anti-psychotics
- Parkinson’s medication
- Calcium-channel blockers
- Calcium supplements
- Diuretics
- Iron
- Laxatives (!)
what non-pharmacological treatment are there for constipation?
increase fibre intake
increase fluid intake
increase excercise
what are pharmacological treatments for constipation?
bulk-forming
osmotic
stimulant
faecal softer