diseases

Deviated Septum (Trick: "DEVIATED" = Deflected/bent midline wall; vs. polyp/growth, it is specifically a crooked nasal septum)

The nasal septum bends to one side, resulting in a crooked nose and restricted airflow. Slide details: Repaired surgically by plastic surgeons by breaking and re-setting the bone.

Laryngitis (Trick: "LARYNX" + "ITIS" = Inflammation of the voice box; distinct from pharyngitis/bronchitis by hoarseness and loss of voice)

Inflammation of the larynx making the voice hoarse or causing complete loss of speech. Slide details: Caused by infection/illness, allergies, smoking, or medications; chronic cases are evaluated by an otolaryngologist.

Asthma (Trick: "ASTHMA" = Airway Spasms Tighten Heavy Mucus Airflow; reversible bronchospasm vs. permanent alveolar destruction in emphysema)

Chronic airway disease marked by inflammation, edema, and periodic bronchospasms (bronchiole constriction) triggered by pollen, pet dander, dust, smoke, exercise, cold air, or stress. Slide details: Involves immune cells (eosinophils/monocytes), lumen narrowing, excessive sticky mucus, wheezing, dyspnea, and chest tightness; treated with bronchodilators.

Pneumothorax (Trick: "PNEUMO" = Air + "THORAX" = Chest; air enters the pleural cavity causing lung collapse, unlike effusion which is fluid)

A collapsed or deflated lung caused by air leaking into the pleural space between the chest wall and lung, disrupting negative intrapleural pressure. Slide details: Triggers include atmospheric pressure changes (scuba diving, climbing) and underlying lung diseases (asthma, COPD, CF); large cases are treated with a chest tube.

Pleural Effusion (Trick: "EFFUSION" = Excess Fluid Flowing into cavity; fluid in the pleural space, unlike pneumothorax which is air)

Accumulation of excess fluid in the anatomical pleural space between the visceral and parietal pleura surrounding the lungs. Slide details: Compresses adjacent healthy lung tissue, visible as opacity/fluid levels on chest X-rays.

Respiratory Alkalosis (Trick: "ALK-ALOSIS" = pH Kicks AL-K high (>7.45) from blowing off acidic CO2 during hyperventilation)

Elevated blood pH (>7.45) caused by hyperventilation (excessive breathing rate/depth) blowing off excess CO2 (pCO2 < 35 mmHg). Slide details: Symptoms include hyperreflexia, muscle cramping, anxiety, numbness/tingling in extremities, tachycardia, and hypocalcemia; breathing into a paper bag helps restore CO2.

Hypoxia (Trick: "HYPO-OXIA" = Low Oxygen at the Tissue level; generalized cellular deficiency, whereas asphyxia is the choking/suffocation cause)

An overall lack of adequate oxygen supply reaching body tissues and vital organs (especially the brain). Slide details: Caused by cardiac arrest, head trauma, carbon monoxide poisoning, strangulation, suffocation, or severe airway obstruction.

Asphyxia (Trick: "A-SPHYXIA" = Absence of Pulse/Airway exchange; physical inability to breathe causing downstream hypoxia)

Severe deficiency of oxygen delivery arising directly from an inability to breathe normally. Slide details: Classic example is choking or external suffocation; directly produces generalized organ and tissue hypoxia.

Cystic Fibrosis (Trick: "CYSTIC FIBROSIS" = Clogs Fluids; autosomal recessive hereditary disorder producing thick, sticky, dehydrating mucus)

Hereditary autosomal recessive disorder (Ff x Ff = 25% child risk) causing abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs airways and pancreatic ducts. Slide details: Promotes recurrent bacterial respiratory infections, chronic airway obstruction, and impaired breathing.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Trick: "COPD" = Constantly Obstructed Pulmonary Duct; long-term airflow limitation driven by bronchitis and/or emphysema)

Progressive lung disease marked by chronic obstruction of airflow. Slide details: Manifests primarily through chronic bronchitis (airway inflammation/excess mucus) and/or emphysema (alveolar destruction); cigarette smoking is the leading cause.

Chronic Bronchitis (Trick: "BRONCH-ITIS" = Bronchial tube Inflammation; airway mucus and cough vs. emphysema which is alveolar sac breakdown)

Inflammation of the main bronchial airways accompanied by irritated tissues and chronic, excessive mucus production. Slide details: Component of COPD; marked by damaged cilia, narrowed bronchial tubes, and persistent productive cough.

Emphysema (Trick: "EMPTY-SEMA" = Emptied alveolar walls into large floppy air spaces; damage to alveolar septa rather than large bronchi)

Destructive lung condition where alveolar membranes break down, forming large, inefficient air spaces with trapped carbon deposits. Slide details: Caused predominantly by smoking (inflammatory chemicals dissolve the alveolar septum), drastically reducing surface area for gas exchange.

Sleep Apnea (Trick: "A-PNEA" = Absence of Breath while sleeping; soft tissue collapse blocking airway during rest)

Repeated pauses or significant slowing of airflow and breathing during sleep. Slide details: Characterized by intermittent airway blockage (soft palate, tongue, uvula collapsing backward into the pharynx).

Pulmonary Embolism (Trick: "PULMONARY EMBOLUS" = Clot that Emigrated to the Lungs; moving clot lodged in pulmonary arterial bed)

A life-threatening condition where a blood clot (thrombus) breaks free, travels through systemic venous circulation, and lodges in the pulmonary arteries. Slide details: Blocks blood supply to lung tissue, inducing severe damage and sudden hypoxia.

Lung Cancer (Trick: "LUNG CANCER" = Malignant Cellular Overgrowth; uncontrolled tumor growth spreading beyond the lungs)

Malignant tumor arising from uncontrolled, abnormal cellular proliferation in lung tissue. Slide details: Typically asymptomatic in early stages; late symptoms include chronic cough, wheezing, dyspnea, and hemoptysis (bloody mucus); commonly metastasizes to lymph nodes, brain, liver, adrenal glands, and bone.

Acute Mountain Sickness / Altitude Sickness (Trick: "ALTITUDE" = Air Lacks Tension (low pressure/low pO2) at High Elevations)

Systemic disorder triggered by rapid ascent to high altitudes due to reduced atmospheric pressure and lower oxygen partial pressures. Slide details: Can cause neurological, muscular, and cardiac symptoms; can progress to high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), an abnormal fluid buildup in the alveoli.

Whooping Cough / Pertussis (Trick: "PERTUSSIS" = Persistent Paroxysmal cough with an inspiratory "whoop" gasp)

Highly contagious respiratory infection causing violent, uncontrollable coughing spasms and gasping for air ("whooping" sound). Slide details: Especially life-threatening for infants; incidence declined dramatically after vaccine rollout, though cases still periodically fluctuate.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (Trick: "TAKO-TSUBO" = Octopus trap shape of the ballooned left ventricle; "Broken Heart" after sudden severe stress)

Temporary, stress-induced cardiomyopathy also known as "Broken Heart Syndrome." Slide details: Severe emotional or physical stress triggers left ventricular apical ballooning, mimicking the appearance of a Japanese octopus pot (tako-tsubo) and causing acute heart-failure-like symptoms.

Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) (Trick: "PRO-LAPSE" = Popping Backwards into Atrium; causes a midsystolic click)

Condition where one or both leaflets/cusps of the mitral (bicuspid) valve bulge or collapse backward into the left atrium during ventricular systole. Slide details: Creates a characteristic clicking sound at the end of contraction; can lead to mitral regurgitation.

Heart Murmurs (Trick: "MURMUR" = Abnormal Turbulent Murmuring Sound; whooshing or swishing heard over heart)

An unusual, atypical sound heard during a heartbeat via auscultation, often described as a "whooshing" or "swishing" sound. Slide details: Results from turbulent blood flow; may indicate a damaged/leaking valve (e.g., prolapse, stenosis) or may be benign.

Mitral / Aortic Regurgitation (Trick: "REGURGITATION" = Reverse Gate; backward blood flow through an incompetent, leaky valve)

Backward leakage of blood across a valve due to incomplete closure during systole (mitral) or diastole (aortic). Slide details: Can develop from valve prolapse or stenosis; forces the heart to pump harder to compensate, gradually causing ventricular enlargement, muscle weakening, and heart failure.

Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Trick: "MYO-CARD-IAL INFARCTION" = Muscle Cardiac Cell Death via Coronary Ischemia; "heart attack")

Ischemic necrosis of heart muscle resulting from sudden obstruction of coronary artery blood flow (heart attack). Slide details: Diagnosed via ECG changes and blood biomarkers (troponin/enzymes); treated with bypass surgery (CABG) or stent angioplasty. Symptoms in men: sudden heavy crushing substernal chest pressure, radiation to neck/arm, dizziness, diaphoresis. Symptoms in women: angina, nocturnal breathlessness, crushing fatigue, dizziness/syncope, peripheral ankle edema, pallor, and nausea.

Atherosclerosis (Trick: "ATHERO" = Gruel/Fatty Porridge + "SCLEROSIS" = Hardening; lipid plaques within arterial walls)

Progressive arterial disease characterized by deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, and calcium forming atheromatous plaques inside vessel walls. Slide details: Restricts arterial blood flow; managed/treated via balloon angioplasty and stent placement to hold the vessel open.

Hypertension (Trick: "HYPER-TENSION" = High Vessel Tension; sustained BP elevation >130-140 systolic or >80-90 diastolic)

Chronically elevated systemic arterial blood pressure where the mechanical force exerted on vessel walls is excessively high. Slide details: Diagnosed using a sphygmomanometer; categorized into Prehypertension (120-139 / 80-89), Stage 1 (140-159 / 90-99), Stage 2 (160+ / 100+), and Crisis (>180 / >110 mmHg).

Aneurysm (Trick: "ANEURYSM" = Artery Near-rupture Balloon; localized abnormal arterial bulge)

A localized, blood-filled balloon-like dilation or bulge within a weakened blood vessel wall (commonly abdominal aorta or cerebral vessels). Slide details: High risk of rupture; a ruptured cerebral aneurysm leads to catastrophic hemorrhagic stroke.

Hemorrhagic Stroke (Trick: "HEMORRHAGIC" = Heavy Bleeding inside the skull from a burst vessel/aneurysm; vs. ischemic clot blockage)

A cerebrovascular event caused by the rupture or leakage of a blood vessel in the brain. Slide details: Deprives downstream neurons of oxygen and causes bleeding into cranial tissue; frequently triggered by ruptured cerebral aneurysms or chronic hypertension.

Ischemic Stroke (Trick: "ISCHEMIC" = Insufficient Supply; an embolus or thrombus plugs the cerebral pipe)

A cerebrovascular accident caused by an arterial obstruction (such as a thrombus, embolus, or atherosclerotic plaque) blocking blood supply to the brain. Slide details: Deprives brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients, producing rapid neurological deficit.

Aortic Valve Stenosis (Trick: "STENOSIS" = Squeezed/Stiff Narrowing of the valve orifice; restricts forward outflow)

Pathological narrowing and stiffening of the aortic valve or aorta. Slide details: Restricts blood flow leaving the left ventricle into systemic circulation; dramatically increases ventricular afterload and workload, leading to hypertrophy and failure.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) (Trick: "V-S-D" = Ventricle Septum Defect; lower interchamber "hole in the heart" allowing left-to-right shunting)

Congenital heart malformation characterized by a "hole in the heart" located in the interventricular septum dividing the right and left ventricles. Slide details: Causes abnormal shunting of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood between the chambers.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) (Trick: "A-S-D" = Atrium Septum Defect; upper interchamber "hole in the heart" vs. VSD in lower chambers)

Congenital defect characterized by an opening in the interatrial septum separating the right and left atria (e.g., patent foramen ovale failure to close). Slide details: Creates abnormal blood shunting between upper chambers; referred to colloquially as a "hole in the heart."

Varicose Veins (Trick: "VARICOSE" = Valve Arrest Retains Interstitial Congestion; faulty venous valves allow pooling)

Enlarged, twisted, superficial veins that develop when internal venous one-way valves fail or become incompetent. Slide details: Allows backward blood flow and blood pooling, particularly in lower extremities where gravity opposes return.

Cardiac Arrhythmia (Trick: "A-RHYTHM-IA" = Absence of regular Rhythm; electrical conduction disturbance)

An irregular, too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia) heartbeat caused by abnormal electrical conduction impulses in the heart. Slide details: Can be fatal; life-threatening arrhythmias (like ventricular fibrillation) are treated using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to shock and reset the heart's rhythm.

Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding / Haemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (Trick: "VKDB" = Vitamin K Deficit Bleeding; neonatal lack of vitamin K prevents liver synthesis of clotting factors)

A neonatal coagulopathy caused by insufficient stores and poor initial synthesis of vitamin K, which is required for clotting factor production. Slide details: Can cause spontaneous, catastrophic internal hemorrhage; routinely prevented by administering an intramuscular vitamin K injection immediately at birth.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning (Trick: "CO" = Competitive Occupier; binds hemoglobin with 200x greater affinity than O2)

Toxic condition where odorless carbon monoxide binds tightly to heme iron in hemoglobin (forming carboxyhemoglobin), displacing oxygen. Slide details: Known as the "silent killer" because victims often die unknowingly in their sleep from furnace or heater failure; occurs most frequently during winter.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia (Trick: "IRON-DEFICIENT" = Low Fe means low heme synthesis; most frequent microcytic anemia)

The most common form of anemia, caused by insufficient dietary intake, absorption, or loss of iron needed for hemoglobin synthesis. Slide details: Results in fatigue, pale skin, and low RBC oxygen carrying capacity; treated with oral iron supplements.

Aplastic Anemia (Trick: "A-PLASTIC" = A (without) Plasticity/Production; bone marrow factory shut down)

Severe form of anemia characterized by the bone marrow failing to produce adequate red blood cells (often affects all formed elements). Slide details: Arises from bone marrow stem cell destruction due to toxins, radiation, autoimmune attack, or genetic factors.

Pernicious Anemia (Trick: "PERNICIOUS" = Potential Peril from Lack of B12; missing intrinsic factor impairs B12-dependent RBC DNA synthesis)

Anemia caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor from the stomach lining (or severe dietary deficiency). Slide details: Impairs normal erythrocyte DNA synthesis during erythropoiesis, leading to abnormally large, fragile red blood cells.

Hemorrhagic Anemia (Trick: "HEMORRHAGIC" = Heavy Hemorrhage; acute drop in RBC count from severe trauma or blood vessel rupture)

Anemia caused by rapid, extreme loss of circulating blood volume. Slide details: Results from acute traumatic injury, ruptured vessels, severe internal bleeding, or major surgical hemorrhage.

Sickle Cell Anemia (Trick: "SICKLE" = Crescent Blade-shaped RBCs; HbS gene mutation causing capillary occlusion)

Codominant genetic hemoglobinopathy caused by an abnormal HBB beta-globin gene (genotype aa = disease, Aa = sickle cell trait/carrier). Slide details: Causes RBCs to deform into rigid sickle/crescent shapes under low oxygen; features pain crises, lethargy, lifelong anemia, stroke, and organ failure. Parents who are carriers (Aa x Aa) have a 25% (1/4) chance of having a child with the disorder.

Leukemia (Trick: "LEUK" = White + "EMIA" = Blood condition; uncontrolled cancerous white blood cells crowding out red cells)

Cancer of the blood-forming tissues and bone marrow characterized by excessive overproduction of abnormal, immature white blood cells (leukocytes). Slide details: Neoplastic WBCs crowd out erythrocytes and platelets; treated with bone marrow transplants, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Infectious Mononucleosis (Trick: "MONO" = Kissing disease caused by EBV showing Mono-lymphocyte spike)

Viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), colloquially termed "the kissing disease." Slide details: Characterized by an abnormal surge of atypical mononuclear lymphocytes in circulation, fatigue, fever, and pharyngitis; highly prevalent in youth.

Septicemia / Sepsis (Trick: "SEPTICEMIA" = Systemic Sepsis in the bloodstream; can progress to gangrene and autoamputation)

A life-threatening, whole-body systemic inflammatory response triggered by severe microbial infection circulating in the bloodstream. Slide details: Medical emergency treated with aggressive IV antibiotics; severe ischemia and tissue necrosis can lead to gangrene (degradation of living body tissue) and autoamputation.

Thrombocytopenia (Trick: "THROMBO-CYTO-PENIA" = Low Platelet Cell Count; "penia" = poverty/deficiency)

Condition characterized by abnormally low numbers of circulating thrombocytes (platelets). Slide details: Results in impaired hemostasis, prolonged bleeding, easy bruising, petechiae, and subcutaneous hematomas from microvascular trauma.

Hemophilia (Trick: "HEMO-PHILIA" = Bleeding Lover; X-linked recessive failure of blood clotting)

X-linked recessive genetic bleeding disorder (males XhY are affected; females XhXh affected, XHXh carriers) causing failure of blood to clot properly. Slide details: Caused by missing clotting factors (Factor VIII or IX); treated with infusions of clotting factor concentrates and replacement blood products.

Neonatal Jaundice (Trick: "JAUNDICE" = Yellow skin from immature liver failing to conjugate Bilirubin)

Yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclera in newborns caused by high circulating levels of bilirubin. Slide details: Arises because the neonatal liver is not fully mature enough to conjugate and clear bilirubin breakdown products; treated using specialized phototherapy ("bili lights").

Hemochromatosis (Trick: "HEMO-CHROMATOSIS" = Heavy Iron Chrome Coloring tissues; bronze diabetes from toxic iron accumulation)

Systemic iron overload disorder where the body cannot excrete excess iron, accumulating toxic levels in tissues (can be hereditary or secondary to repeated RBC transfusions). Slide details: Causes bronze skin discoloration, liver disease/cirrhosis, heart failure/arrhythmias, diabetes ("bronze diabetes"), joint arthralgias, and fatigue; treated via iron chelation therapy (chelate = Greek "claw").

Beta Thalassemia (Trick: "BETA-THAL" = Broken Beta globin chains reduce hemoglobin production)

Hereditary blood disorder caused by mutations in the HBB gene providing instructions for making beta-globin, a core subunit of hemoglobin. Slide details: Impairs beta-globin synthesis, leading to inadequate functional hemoglobin, microcytic hypochromic anemia, and chronic fatigue.

Pneumonia (Trick: "PNEUMO-INFLAME" = Alveolar sacs fill with inflammatory fluid/pus; lung parenchyma infection vs. bronchitis airway infection)

An infection of the lungs that inflames air sacs (alveoli) in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or purulent material[cite: 74]. Listed on the slides as a bacterial or viral respiratory infection[cite: 74]; causes cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.

Tuberculosis (TB) (Trick: "TUBERCLE-OSIS" = Mycobacterium creates granulomas/tubercles in lungs; can cause collapsed lung)

A serious infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs[cite: 74]. Slide details: Listed under bacterial/viral respiratory infections[cite: 74] and noted as an underlying lung disease that increases the risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung)[cite: 42].

Influenza (Trick: "FLU" = Fast, Loud, Unwell; systemic acute viral respiratory illness vs. local rhinovirus cold)

An acute, highly contagious viral respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses[cite: 74]. Slide details: Listed on the slides as a key viral respiratory infection[cite: 74]; typically presents with sudden high fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, and dry cough.

Rhinovirus (Trick: "RHINO" = Nose; predominant virus causing upper respiratory tract "runny nose" / common cold)

The primary viral agent responsible for the common cold, predominantly infecting the upper respiratory tract (nasal passage and pharynx)[cite: 74]. Slide details: Explicitly classified under bacterial and viral respiratory infections[cite: 74]; leads to nasal congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and sore throat.

Gangrene (Trick: "GANG-RENE" = Green/dead decaying tissue; degradation of body tissue from lost blood supply or severe infection)

Degradation or death of body tissue caused by a critically insufficient blood supply or severe bacterial infection[cite: 209]. Slide details: Derives from the Latin and Greek terms 'gangraena' (degradation of living body tissue)[cite: 209]; associated with severe septicemia[cite: 209] and can lead to autoamputation[cite: 209].