Transcript document
Common
Symptoms/Complaints in
Family Medicine
Medicine and Skin
Dr Edmond CW Chan
Medicine
Dizziness
A 69 yo woman who has no children and her
husband has married again 2 years ago and he
has migrated to USA. She has 5 years history of
NIDDM and HT and now on Diamrion 80mg BD
and Natrilix 2.5mg om
She complained severe dizziness for few days.
Reviewed the has history, she has repeatedly
attended to A&E for dizziness in recent 2 years.
What questions will you ask?
Definitioin of dizziness
Vertigo
Posture:
Tinnitus: which ear?
Balance
Severity:
Associated symptoms: N, Vomiting, pallor, sweating chest
pain, palpitation, neurological symtoms
Drugs hx
psychosocial
Physical examination
Cardiovascular system:
BP: supine and erect(S:20;D:10)
both arms
Pulse: regular or irregular
heart murmur, carotid bruit
CNS:
muscle power and tone, gait
eyes movement, Nystagmus
cranial nerves V, VIII ( corneal reflex)
cerebellar signs
Features of cervical spondolysis
Otoscope:
ear wax
chronic otitis media
Hearing test: Rinne’s test and Weber’s test
Other systems to look for any primary tumor
( probably brain secondary)
Further investigations
CBP
Na, K, H’stix, glucose and HbA1c
Head tilt test: starting from sitting position to hyperextend
the neck when lying supine and turned the head to one side
Vertigo and nystagmus
adaptation
ECG
Caloric test
Others like X-ray, CT brain, MRI, autonomic functional
test etc if indicated
Differential diagnosis
Vertigo:
Benign positional vertigo
Vestibular neuronitis (without tinnitus or deafness)
Acute labyrinthitis (hearing loss)
Meniere’s syndrome (vertigo, tinnitus,
sensorineural deafness, recurrent episodes)
Acoustic neuroma
Brain stem migraine
Multiple sclerosis
Differential diagnosis
Pseudovertigo:
Drugs
Anaemia
Perimenopausal syndrome
Postural hypotension
Cardiac arrhythmias
Complete partial seizure
Brain secondary
Psychosocial
Vestibular neuronitis
Usually a viral infection of vestibular nerve
causing a prolonged attack of vertigo lasting for
several days
Can be severe enough for asking admission
Precedes with some URI symptoms (viral
infection)
Without tinnitus or hearing loss
Abrupt onset with nausea, vomiting, dizziness and
vertigo
May take 6 week or so to subside
Nystagmus present because of involving the
vestibular system
DDx: Acute labyrinthitis
Tx: Stemetil 1 tab tds or im if severe
beware of extra-pyramidal side effects
relieved by benadryl diphenhydramine
Meniere’s syndrome
Usually over diagnosed
30-50 aged group
Paroxysmal attacks of vertigo, tinnitus, nausea and
vomiting, sweating and pallor, sensorineural
deafness
Abrupt onset
Lasts 30 mins to several hours
Variable interval between attacks, recurrent
episodes
Nystagmus (usually opposite to the affect ear)
Treatment:
explanation and advice on stress management
Avoid coffee and smoking
Low salt diet
Drug: cyclizine 50mg tds
Betahistine (Serc 8-16mg tds)
Refer to ENT for persistent Meniere’s syndrome
for any surgical treatment such as operative
decompression of the saccus endolymphaticus or
labyrinthectimy
Benign positional vertigo
All age group
Recurs periodically for several days
Brief and subsides rapidly (changing position or
adaptation)
Not associated with nausea, vomiting or deafness
Treatment: explanation and reassurance
avoidance measures
Palpitation
A 46 yo woman, single, working as accounting
manager, chronic smoker with BMI >28 has
history of thyrotoxicosis 20 yrs ago and has been
put on Carbimazole but stopped for more than 5
yrs because of normal TFT. She has complained
occasional palpitation for recent few months.
Previously she has experienced chest discomfort
but did not seek for any medical help.
What questions will you ask?
For discussion
Physical examination
General appearance:
Xanthoma/Xanthelasma/arcus senilis
BMI
Goitre
Anxiety/depressed
sweating, pallor
CVS:
BP
pulse: rate, volume and regularity
JVP
heart murmurs, mid-systolic click
carotid bruit
Any signs of thyrotoxicosis
Any signs of infection
Further investigation
For discussion
Differential diagnosis
Sinus tachycadia:
fever
anaemia
perimenopausal
Thyrotoxicosis
Phaeochromocytoma
Carcinoid syndrome
Porphyria
Anxiety/Depression (effort syndrome)
Drugs, tea, coffee, alcohol, cigarette smoking
Paroxysmal bradycardia:
Sick sinus syndrome
heart blocks
Paroxysmal tachycardia:
supraventricular (narrow QRS)—
Atrial ectopics
SVT
Atrial flutter
Atrial fibrillation
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Ventricular (wide QRS)—
Ventricular ectopics
Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular fibrillation
Note: It is important to look for the underlying cause
of each arrhythmia and the provoking factors
Supraventricular tachycardia:
Rate: 150-220/min
Sudden onset
Passing copious urine after an attack (ANP)
Predisposing factors: thyrotoxicosis, WPW
Treatment:
carotid sinus message (no carotid bruit)
valsalva maneuver
immersion face to water
drink a glass of ice water
Verapamil/Diltiazem (monitor BP)
DC cardioversion (haemodynamically unstable)
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Risk of sudden death
Congenital abnormality with bundle of Kent
Can present with SVT or AF
EPS and radiofrequency ablation of the abnormal
pathway
Atrial fibrillation
Common causes of AF:
IHD
Thyrotoxicosis
Valvular lesions like ASD, mitral valve disease
Alcohol-related heart disease
impaired ventricular function
Idiopathic
AF
Acute or chronic?
Sinus rhythm converted or ventricular rate control ?
Chemically converted or DC cardioversion?
Anticoagulant?
Risks: disease itself and the treatment
Chest Pain
A 40 yo man, chronic smoker and social drinker
who is working in the construction site. He has
history of epigastric pain with PPU and patch
repair done 5 years ago. Incidentally AXR found a
small radio-opaque asymptomatic gallstone. He
complained sudden onset of chest discomfort for
few hours during duty and then run to your clinic
for medical help.
DDX and immediate treatment?
What questions will you ask?
Site: retrosternal, epigastric, superficial
Onset: acute, progressive, crescendo, chronic
Quality: crushing, tight, heavy
Duration: Angina-few mins, Infaration >30mins
Radiation:
jaw, shoulders: angina/infarction
back: dissecting aneurysm/PPU/acute pancreatitis
dermatome: shingles
Aggravating factors:
supine– reflux oesopagitis
exercise, emotion, large meal, sexual intercourseangina
inspiration—acute pericarditis
Relieving factors:
rest, TNG —angina/oesophageal spasm
leaning forward– acute pericarditis
antacid, standing up, belching --GRED
Associated symptoms:
SOB, palpitation, headache, fatigue, sweating,
ankle swelling, nausea and profound vomiting
Risk factors:
smoking, alcohol, occupation, lifestyle, obesity
Family history: lipid, Marfan’s
Medication: TNG, Antacid, OCP
Life events and worries: cardiac neurosis
Physical examination
For discussion
General appearance:
P/E
CVS:
Chest:
Abd:
Others:
Further investigation
For discussion:
Differential diagnosis
Consider anatomically from the skin to deep inside and the referral pain
Skin infection or inflammation
Costochondritis/ Ribs fracture
IHD (Angina/MI)
Acute pericarditis
Dissecting thoracic aorta
Pneumothorax
Reflux oesophagitis/oesophageal spasm
Peptic ulcers
Gallstones diseases, pancreatits, shingles
Cardiac neurosis/Effort syndrome
Pectoris angina
Sudden onset of retrosternal chest pain radiating to
the jaw or left shoulder lasting 3-5mins only and
relieving by rest and TNG, aggravated by exertion.
Risk factors found
P/E unremarkable
ECG: no change at rest
Further investigation like TMT and echo
TNG and risk factors modification
Myocardial infaraction
Sudden onset of restrosternal chest pain at rest
lasting more than 15 mins associated with distress
and not relieved by TNG
Beware the painless presentation in DM
ECG: ST elevation, T wave inverted and
pathological Q-wave
Elevated CE: CK, AST, LDH
CK-MB, Troponin I/T
Echo: EF, akinesia, valvular lesions
Medical treatment:
Streptokinase
Symptoms control: Morphine, nitrates
Aspirin
Beta-blockers
Risk factors modifications
? Primary PTCA
CABG
Cardiac rehabilitation
Common skin problem in FM
Diagnosis in dermatology mainly based on
Clinical history
Morphology
Distribution
Further investigation
Dermatology terms
Macule: skin colour change without elevation
Papule: palpable elevation <5mm
Nodule: palpable mass >5mm
Plaque: palpable plateau-like elevation >2cm
Vesicle: small blister <5mm of clear fluid within
or below the epidermis
Bulla: larger vesicle >5mm
Pustule: visible collection of free pus in a blister
Wheal: an area of dermal odema
Crust: dried serum and exudate
Excoriations: lesions caused by scratching that
results in loss of the epidermis
Erosion: superficial break in the epidermis not
extending into the dermis
Ulcer: extending into the dermis
Lichenification: chronic thickening of the skin
with increased skin markings
Eczema/Dermatitis
3 hallmarks:
1) pruritus
2) ill defined border of the lesions
3) epidermal elements:
Acute, subacute– papules, vesicles, weeping
Chronic– lichenification, xerosis, scaling
Endogenous vs exogenous
Atopic eczema
Chronic, relapsing, pruritic disorder
10% population, Strong genetic predisposition:
Associated with asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis
Elevated serum IgE in 80%
Infantile type:
1-6 months
Itchy scaly weeping lesions over the face, trunk,
extensor of elbows and knees
Remit between 2-5 yo (50 % by 5 yo)
Actopic eczema:
Childhood type :
Lichenification at antecubital, popliteal fossa, nape
of neck
around adolescence (80% by 10 yo)
Adult type:
Poor prognosis
Bad prognostic factors: strong family hx, onset
after 2yo, social & maternal deprivation, discoid
type, extensor area, associated with ichthyosis
Treatment:
General:
Explanation and reasuurance
Avoid soap or detergents
Avoid irritating woolen clothing
Avoid sudden temperature & humidity change
Removal of common allergens (house dust mite)
Emollients: (use adequately and frequently)
Aqueous cream, emulsifying ointment
Urea cream (also as humectant)
Topical steroids:
Avoid potent one
Oral antihistamines: piriton, clarityn
Topical /systemic antibiotics: aureomycin, fucidin,
bactroban, cloxacillin, macrolides, quinolones
Tar onitment or bath
Tinea
Common superficial fungal infection
Incidence high in summer
Individual susceptibility
Chronic itchy erythematous scaly lesions with
active margin
Cause agents: trichophyton, microsporum,
epidermatphyton
Diagnosis: clinical picture, skin scarping, Wood’s
lamp (tinea capitis)
Tinea capitis: scalp
Tinea pedis: feet, toe web
Tinea manuum: hand
Tinea unguium: nail
Tinea crutis: groin
Tinea corporis: trunk
Tinea faciale: face
Treatment:
Topical: Imidazole, Allylamine, Whitfield
onitment, tolnaftate
Systemic:
Griseofulvin
Imidazole (ketoconazole, miconazole)
Triazole (itraconazole, fluconazole)
Allylamine (terbinafine)
Usually use for longer term and beware the LFT