Managing Minor Ailments in the Pharmacy Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the primary care training notes on minor ailments managed in pharmacy practice.

Bulk-forming laxatives

First-line laxatives (such as Ispaghula husk, Methylcellulose, and Sterculia) that retain fluid within the stool, increase faecal mass, and stimulate peristalsis, taking 2 to 3 days to exert their effect.

Faecal impaction

Severe, prolonged constipation characterized by hard stool blocked in the rectum, often accompanied by colicky abdominal pain and spurious diarrhoea.

Acute diarrhoea

The passage of 3 or more loose or liquid stools per day lasting less than 14 days.

Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT)

A treatment using oral electrolyte powders (e.g., Dioralyte) dissolved in water to replace fluid, salts, and glucose lost during diarrhoea.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits (alternating diarrhoea and constipation) commonly affecting adults aged 20–39 years.

Antispasmodic agents

Smooth muscle relaxants (such as mebeverine, alverine citrate, and peppermint oil) used in IBS to reduce intestinal spasm and abdominal pain.

Dyspepsia

A term describing a range of upper gastrointestinal symptoms including upper abdominal pain, heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, and nausea.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Medications (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole) that inhibit gastric acid secretion by blocking the hydrogen-potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system in parietal cells.

Alginates

Reflux suppressants that form a mechanical raft on top of stomach contents to prevent acid reflux and protect the oesophageal mucosa.

Orlistat (Alli 60mg)

An OTC lipase inhibitor indicated for weight loss in adults aged 18 and over with a $BMI ≥ 28\,kg/m^2$, which blocks the absorption of approximately 25% of dietary fat.

Haemorrhoids

Abnormally swollen vascular mucosal cushions in the anal canal causing symptoms such as perianal pain, itching, soreness, and bright red bleeding.

Common Cold

A mild, self-limiting viral upper respiratory tract infection presenting with sore throat, nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, and cough.

Topical decongestants

Intranasal sympathomimetic agents (e.g., xylometazoline, oxymetazoline) that cause nasal vasoconstriction; treatment should not exceed 7 days to avoid rebound congestion.

Productive cough

A chesty cough associated with the production and clearance of sputum from the respiratory tract.

Cough expectorants

Agents such as guaifenesin used in productive coughs to promote the expulsion of bronchial secretions and mucus.

Cough suppressants

Central or peripheral acting agents (e.g., dextromethorphan, codeine) used specifically to suppress dry, tickly, non-productive coughs.

FeverPAIN score

A clinical diagnostic score (Fever, Purulence, Attend ≤3 days, Severely inflamed tonsils, No cough or coryza) used to identify patients likely to benefit from antibiotics for a sore throat.

Allergic rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal airways caused by an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction to allergens such as pollen or dust mites, presenting with sneezing, rhinorrhoea, and itchy, watery eyes.

Insomnia

A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or unintentional early morning waking, resulting in daytime fatigue and cognitive impairment.

Rebound insomnia

A transient worsening of sleep disturbances following the abrupt withdrawal of hypnotic medications or sedating antidepressants.

Motion Sickness

Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by conflicting sensory signals sent to the brain from the eyes and inner ear vestibular system during travel.

Tension Headache

The most common primary headache type, characterized by a dull, bilateral ache often described as a tight band around the head.

Cluster Headache

An intense, severe unilateral headache localized around the eye or temple, occurring in recurring bouts over several weeks.

Medication-overuse headache

A chronic daily or frequent headache caused by the regular, excessive use of pain-relief medications or triptans for more than 15 days per month.

Migraine

A recurrent, moderate-to-severe unilateral pulsating headache lasting 4–72 hours, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or phonophobia.

Sumatriptan (50mg)

A selective 5-HT1 receptor agonist available OTC for the acute treatment of diagnosed migraine attacks in adults aged 18–65 years when simple analgesics are ineffective.

PRICE protocol

An acute self-management regimen for musculoskeletal sprains and strains during the first 48–72 hours consisting of Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Physical insecticide (Headlice)

Topical treatments such as Dimeticone 4% (Hedrin) that kill head lice by coating their surface and physically suffocating them rather than by chemical action.

Scabies

An intensely itchy skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, characterized by nocturnal itching and papules in skin folds, web spaces, and wrists.

Threadworm

An intestinal parasite (Enterobius vermicularis) appearing as small white worms that cause intense perianal itching, particularly at night.

Mebendazole (100mg)

An anthelmintic medication administered as a single 100 mg dose to treat threadworm infections in all household members.

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail plate, bed, or matrix leading to nail discolouration, thickening, brittleness, and distortion.

Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer

A topical antifungal lacquer applied once weekly for up to two mild distal/lateral fungal nail infections in adults aged 18 and over.

Tinea pedis

A superficial dermatophyte fungal infection of the foot (athlete's foot) causing itchy, red, scaling, or macerated skin in the toe web spaces.

Tinea corporis

A dermatophyte fungal infection of the body (ringworm) characterized by an itchy, circular red lesion with a clear central area and an advancing raised edge.

Intertrigo

An inflammatory skin fold rash (sweat rash) caused by heat, moisture, and friction, frequently complicated by secondary fungal infection.

Cold Sores

A localized Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) infection causing vesicular crops on or around the lips that rupture and crust over.

Acne Vulgaris

A chronic inflammatory skin condition involving pilosebaceous units, characterized by non-inflammatory comedones (blackheads/whiteheads) and inflammatory papules/pustules.

Atopic eczema

A chronic, itchy, inflammatory skin condition characterized by episodic flare-ups of dry, red, and cracked skin.

Chronic plaque psoriasis

An autoimmune inflammatory skin disorder presenting as well-demarcated, erythematous plaques covered with silvery-white scales, commonly on extensor surfaces.

Dandruff

A uninflamed or mildly inflammatory form of seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp associated with Malassezia yeast overgrowth, causing flaking and mild itching.

Verruca

A human papillomavirus (HPV) infection on the plantar surface of the foot, often presenting with central dark dots (thrombosed capillaries) and pain on pressure.

Koplik's spots

Small red spots with blue-white centres on the buccal mucosa that act as a pathognomonic prodromal sign of measles.

Strawberry tongue

A swollen, bright red, bumpy tongue symptom classically associated with scarlet fever.

Infantile Colic

A functional gastrointestinal disorder in infants under 5 months old defined by excessive crying for at least 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks.

Cradle Cap

Infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis presenting in the first few weeks of life with greasy, yellow scales or crusts on the scalp.

Nappy Rash

An acute irritant contact dermatitis in the diaper area caused by prolonged skin contact with urine and faeces.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder, commonly caused by Escherichia coli infection, presenting with stinging on urination, urgency, and frequency.

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

A superficial fungal infection of the vulva/vagina presenting with intense itching, soreness, and thick, white, cottage-cheese-like, non-odorous discharge.

Ulipristal acetate (ellaOne)

An emergency contraceptive pill (30 mg single dose) taken within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected intercourse that works by delaying or inhibiting ovulation.

Levonorgestrel (Levonelle)

An emergency contraceptive pill (1500 mcg single dose) licensed in females aged 16 and over, taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected intercourse.

Primary dysmenorrhoea

Painful lower abdominal menstrual cramping occurring in young women in the absence of any identifiable underlying pelvic pathology.

Vaginal Atrophy

Thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal mucosa caused by postmenopausal oestrogen deficiency.

Erectile Dysfunction

The persistent inability to attain or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.

Sildenafil (Viagra Connect 50mg)

A phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor available OTC for adult men aged 18+ to treat erectile dysfunction when taken 1 hour before sexual activity.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Dry eye disease caused by a reduction in tear quantity or quality, leading to ocular surface irritation, grittiness, and transient blurred vision.

Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops

A broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic formulation licensed OTC for acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children aged 2 years and above.

Acute Otitis Externa

Inflammation and superficial infection of the external auditory canal skin lasting less than 6 weeks, characterized by ear pain, itching, discharge, and tragal tenderness.

Aphthous ulcers

Painful, non-contagious oral mucosal ulcers presenting as round or oval lesions with a white/yellow base and an erythematous border.

Oral Thrush

Pseudomembranous oral candidiasis caused by Candida albicans, characterized by white, wipeable curd-like plaques on the oral mucosa.

Gingivitis

Reversible inflammation of the gums characterized by red, swollen tissue that bleeds easily during toothbrushing or flossing.

Xerostomia

Dryness of the mouth caused by reduced or absent salivary flow, increasing the risk of dental caries and oral thrush.