OTC 2 Flashcards
(29 cards)
ear wax
- is normal and needed to protect ear canal
- build up —> deafness / pain
- hearing aids/cotton buds prevent normal extrusion of wax
- more common in older people
what is otitis externa?
inflammation of ear canal due to superficial infection, allergy/irritation
what are the symptoms of otitis externa?
- itch
- dullness of hearing
- discharge
- pain
can = recurring
advise patients to avoid irritants + keep ear canal dry
otitis media symptoms
inflammation of middle ear
- severe ear pain may = preceded by upper respiratory tract symptoms
- children - inexplicable crying, irritability/frequent tugging at ear
what are the systemic symptoms of ear wax?
- fever
- nausea and vomiting
….% of middle ear infections resolve in 3 days with no treatment
80
what are the possible long term consequences of recurrent acute otitis media?
- scarring of eardrum
- otorrhoea (discharge from ear)
- chronic/permanent hear loss
what are the red flag symptoms of otitis media?
- symptoms >3 days
- foreign body in ear
- dizziness
- ringing in ear
what happens when otex (urea hydrogen peroxide) comes into contact with water?
oxygen = liberated
what are the different types of headache?
- tension
- migraine
- sinusitis
tension headache
- most common
- bilateral, dull ache with pressing/tightening sensation across forehead and/or base of skull
migraine
- pulsating / throbbing headache
- may be present with aura (visual disturbances, sensory, motor / language alterations)
- typically unilateral
- other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia
- trigger factors: light, foods (alcohol, cheese, citrus fruits), extreme weathers, long distance travel, loud noise, missing meals, strenuous altered sleep pattern
sinusitis
- inc mucus prod leads to higher pressure in sinuses
- pain = unilateral behind and around eye = typically worse on bending forwards and sensitive to touch
when is routine referral needed for headaches?
- suffered by children under 12
- suffered by woman who = pregnant/breastfeeding
- migraine lasting longer than 24 hours / unresponsive to treatment
what are the red flag symptoms of a headache?
- sudden onset
- different / more sever than previous headache
- recent trauma, neck stiffness, vomiting, altered level of consciousness, focal neurological, blackouts
- severe and associated with fever / rash
aphthous ulcers
- most common mouth ulcers
- 5-8mm diameter
- heal in 10-14 days
- painful, shallow, rounded and clearly define lesions
what are the causes of aphthous ulcers?
- local trauma (physical + chemical)
- stress
- hormone imbalance
- stopping smoking
an ulcer lasting more than … weeks needs referral
3
what are the differential diagnoses of mouth ulcers?
- if lesions are on hands, feet —> could = hand, foot and mouth disease
- chicken pox - trunk + face
- heavy smoker/drinker
what are the red flag symptoms for mouth ulcers?
- symptoms longer than 3 weeks
- ulcers in clusters of more than 5-10
- not associated with other drugs
- weight loss
when does teething start?
as early as 3 months + continue to 3 years old
6-9 months
what are the symptoms of teething?
- discomfort + pain
- disturbed sleep
- swollen gums
- hot cheeks
- excessive salivation
- nappy rash
- increased tendency to chew objects
what are the red flags for teething?
- high fever
- gums excessively swollen
- bleeding gums
what is colic?
severe pain in abdomen caused by wind / obstruction in intestines
