Giving information on conditions (Y3)

Anaphylaxis

What is it: Severe allergic reaction (“A rapid, serious allergic reaction that can affect your breathing and blood pressure.”)
Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, swelling (lips/tongue), rash, dizziness
Cause: Foods, medications, stings
Diagnosis: Based on symptoms
Management: Immediate adrenaline injection, oxygen, hospital care
Monitoring: Observations in hospital
Important points:

• Carry EpiPen if at risk

• Use immediately if symptoms occur

  • Call 999 after using it

Pneumothorax

What is it: Collapsed lung (“Air has leaked into the space around your lung causing it to partially collapse.”)
Symptoms: Sudden chest pain, breathlessness
Cause: Spontaneous or injury
Diagnosis: Chest X-ray
Management: May resolve itself or need a procedure to remove air
Monitoring: Repeat scans
Important points:

• Return if worsening breathlessness

  • Avoid flying until resolved

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

What is it: Blood clot in lung (“A clot has travelled to your lungs and is affecting blood flow.”)
Symptoms: Breathlessness, chest pain, fast heart rate
Cause: Usually from leg clot (DVT)
Diagnosis: Scan (CTPA)
Management: Blood thinners
Monitoring: Follow-up + bloods
Important points:

• Take anticoagulants regularly

  • Seek help if bleeding or worsening breathlessness

Sepsis

What is it: Severe infection response (“Your body is having an extreme reaction to an infection.”)
Symptoms: Fever, confusion, fast breathing
Cause: Infection
Diagnosis: Blood tests + clinical
Management: Antibiotics + fluids urgently
Monitoring: Observations
Important points:

• Treated as an emergency

  • Early treatment improves outcomes

Cardiac Arrest

What is it: Heart stops (“The heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body.”)
Symptoms: Collapse, no breathing
Cause: Heart problems, arrhythmias
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: CPR + defibrillator
Monitoring: ICU
Important points:

• Immediate action saves life

  • Bystander CPR is critical

Asthma

What is it: Airway inflammation (“Your airways become inflamed and narrow, making it harder to breathe.”)
Symptoms: Wheeze, cough, breathlessness
Cause: Triggers (dust, exercise)
Diagnosis: Breathing tests
Management: Inhalers (reliever + preventer)
Monitoring: Peak flow
Important points:

• Use preventer daily even if well

• If using reliever often → seek review

  • Know when to seek urgent help

COPD

What is it: Long-term lung damage (“Your lungs are damaged, usually from smoking, making breathing harder.”)
Symptoms: Chronic cough, breathlessness
Cause: Smoking
Diagnosis: Spirometry
Management: Inhalers, smoking cessation
Monitoring: Lung function
Important points:

• Stopping smoking is most important

  • Vaccinations recommended

Pneumonia

What is it: Lung infection (“An infection causing inflammation in your lungs.”)
Symptoms: Fever, cough, breathlessness
Cause: Bacteria/virus
Diagnosis: Chest X-ray
Management: Antibiotics (if bacterial)
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Complete antibiotics

  • Seek help if worsening

TB

What is it: Long-term lung infection (“A bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.”)
Symptoms: Weight loss, night sweats, cough
Cause: TB bacteria
Diagnosis: Sputum tests
Management: Long course antibiotics
Monitoring: Blood tests
Important points:

• Take treatment for full duration

  • Can be infectious → precautions

Heart Failure

What is it: Heart not pumping effectively (“Your heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should.”)
Symptoms: Breathlessness, leg swelling
Cause: Previous heart damage
Diagnosis: Echo
Management: Medications, lifestyle
Monitoring: Weight, symptoms
Important points:

• Daily weights

• Limit salt/fluids

  • Seek help if swelling worsens

Stable Angina

What is it: Reduced blood flow to heart (“Your heart isn’t getting enough blood during exertion.”)
Symptoms: Chest pain on exertion
Cause: Narrowed arteries
Diagnosis: Clinical/tests
Management: GTN + meds
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Use GTN when pain occurs

  • If pain at rest → seek urgent help

STEMI / NSTEMI

What is it: Heart attack (“A blockage in blood supply to part of your heart.”)
Symptoms: Chest pain, sweating
Cause: Clot in coronary artery
Diagnosis: ECG, troponin
Management: Urgent treatment (PCI)
Monitoring: Cardiac rehab
Important points:

• Call 999 for chest pain

  • Lifestyle changes essential

Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

What is it: Irregular heart rhythm (“Your heart beats irregularly and sometimes too fast.”)
Symptoms: Palpitations, fatigue
Cause: Age, heart disease
Diagnosis: ECG
Management: Rate control + anticoagulation
Monitoring: Stroke risk
Important points:

• Stroke prevention is key

  • Take anticoagulants regularly

Upper GI Bleed

What is it: Bleeding from stomach/oesophagus (“There is bleeding in your upper digestive system.”)
Symptoms: Vomiting blood, black stools
Cause: Ulcers, varices
Diagnosis: Endoscopy
Management: Stabilisation + treatment
Monitoring: Hb
Important points:

• Seek urgent help

  • Avoid NSAIDs

GORD

What is it: Acid reflux (“Stomach acid is coming back up into your oesophagus.”)
Symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation
Cause: Weak valve
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Lifestyle + PPIs
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Avoid trigger foods

  • Lose weight if needed

Peptic Ulcer Disease

What is it: Ulcer in stomach (“A sore in the lining of your stomach.”)
Symptoms: Epigastric pain
Cause: H. pylori, NSAIDs
Diagnosis: Endoscopy
Management: PPIs + antibiotics
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Avoid NSAIDs

  • Complete treatment

Sarcoidosis

What is it: Inflammatory condition (“A condition where small lumps of inflammation develop in organs, often the lungs.”)
Symptoms: Cough, breathlessness, fatigue
Cause: Unknown (immune-related)
Diagnosis: Imaging + biopsy
Management: Often none; steroids if severe
Monitoring: Lung function, imaging
Important points:

• Many cases resolve on their own

  • Report worsening breathing or vision changes

Fibrotic Lung Disease (ILD)

What is it: Lung scarring (“Scarring in the lungs making it harder to breathe.”)
Symptoms: Progressive breathlessness, dry cough
Cause: Idiopathic or secondary
Diagnosis: HRCT scan
Management: Antifibrotics, oxygen
Monitoring: Lung function
Important points:

• Condition can be progressive

  • Pulmonary rehab helpful

Asbestosis

What is it: Lung disease from asbestos (“Lung damage caused by past exposure to asbestos.”)
Symptoms: Breathlessness, cough
Cause: Occupational exposure
Diagnosis: Imaging + history
Management: Supportive
Monitoring: Lung function
Important points:

• Long latency (years later)

  • Increased cancer risk

Occupational Lung Disease

What is it: Lung damage from workplace exposure (“Lung problems caused by inhaling harmful substances at work.”)
Symptoms: Cough, breathlessness
Cause: Dusts, chemicals
Diagnosis: History + tests
Management: Avoid exposure
Monitoring: Lung function
Important points:

• Prevention is key

  • Use protective equipment

Pulmonary Hypertension

What is it: High lung blood pressure (“High pressure in the blood vessels of your lungs.”)
Symptoms: Breathlessness, fatigue
Cause: Heart/lung disease
Diagnosis: Echo, right heart cath
Management: Specialist meds
Monitoring: Functional status
Important points:

• Progressive condition

  • Early specialist referral

Aortic Valve Disease

What is it: Valve narrowing/leak (“The valve controlling blood leaving your heart isn’t working properly.”)
Symptoms: Chest pain, breathlessness, syncope
Cause: Degeneration, calcification
Diagnosis: Echocardiogram
Management: Monitoring or valve replacement
Monitoring: Regular echo
Important points:

• Report chest pain or fainting urgently

Mitral Valve Disease

What is it: Valve dysfunction (“The valve between heart chambers isn’t working properly.”)
Symptoms: Breathlessness, fatigue
Cause: Degenerative, rheumatic
Diagnosis: Echo
Management: Monitoring or surgery
Monitoring: Echo
Important points:

• Can lead to AF

Infective Endocarditis

What is it: Infection of heart lining (“An infection affecting the inside of your heart.”)
Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, murmur
Cause: Bacteria in bloodstream
Diagnosis: Blood cultures + echo
Management: IV antibiotics
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Seek help for persistent fever

  • Good dental hygiene important

Unstable Angina

What is it: Reduced heart blood flow at rest (“Chest pain that happens even at rest and can signal a heart attack.”)
Symptoms: Chest pain at rest
Cause: Coronary artery narrowing
Diagnosis: Clinical + ECG
Management: Urgent hospital treatment
Monitoring: Cardiac markers
Important points:

• Treat as emergency

Aortic Dissection

What is it: Tear in aorta (“A tear in the main blood vessel from your heart.”)
Symptoms: Sudden severe chest/back pain
Cause: Hypertension
Diagnosis: CT scan
Management: Emergency surgery/medical
Monitoring: ICU
Important points:

• Life-threatening emergency

Pericarditis

What is it: Inflammation around heart (“Inflammation of the lining around your heart.”)
Symptoms: Sharp chest pain, worse lying flat
Cause: Viral common
Diagnosis: ECG
Management: NSAIDs
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Pain improves sitting forward

SVT

What is it: Fast heart rhythm (“Your heart suddenly beats very fast.”)
Symptoms: Palpitations, dizziness
Cause: Electrical pathway issue
Diagnosis: ECG
Management: Vagal manoeuvres, meds
Monitoring: ECG
Important points:

• Try bearing down/coughing

1st Degree Heart Block

What is it: Delayed conduction (“A slight delay in electrical signals in your heart.”)
Symptoms: Usually none
Cause: Normal variant or drugs
Diagnosis: ECG
Management: None usually
Monitoring: ECG
Important points:

• Usually harmless

Complete Heart Block

What is it: No signal conduction (“Signals between parts of your heart are blocked.”)
Symptoms: Dizziness, collapse
Cause: Degeneration, MI
Diagnosis: ECG
Management: Pacemaker
Monitoring: ECG
Important points:

• Can be life-threatening

Acute Cholangitis

What is it: Bile duct infection (“An infection in the tubes draining bile from your liver.”)
Symptoms: Fever, jaundice, pain
Cause: Gallstones
Diagnosis: Bloods + imaging
Management: Antibiotics + drainage
Monitoring: LFTs
Important points:

• Medical emergency

Acute Pancreatitis

What is it: Pancreas inflammation (“Inflammation of the pancreas causing severe pain.”)
Symptoms: Severe epigastric pain
Cause: Gallstones, alcohol
Diagnosis: Bloods (amylase)
Management: Fluids, pain relief
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Avoid alcohol

Cholecystitis

What is it: Gallbladder inflammation (“Inflammation of your gallbladder.”)
Symptoms: RUQ pain, fever
Cause: Gallstones
Diagnosis: Ultrasound
Management: Antibiotics, surgery
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Surgery often needed

Biliary Colic

What is it: Gallstone pain (“Pain from gallstones blocking bile flow.”)
Symptoms: Episodic RUQ pain
Cause: Gallstones
Diagnosis: Ultrasound
Management: Pain relief ± surgery
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Triggered by fatty foods

Hiatus Hernia

What is it: Stomach moves upward (“Part of your stomach moves into your chest.”)
Symptoms: Reflux
Cause: Weak diaphragm
Diagnosis: Endoscopy
Management: Lifestyle + PPIs
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Eat smaller meals

Gastric Cancer

What is it: Stomach cancer (“Cancer affecting the stomach.”)
Symptoms: Weight loss, dysphagia
Cause: H. pylori, smoking
Diagnosis: Endoscopy
Management: Surgery ± chemo
Monitoring: Oncology follow-up
Important points:

• Early symptoms can be vague

Peritonitis

What is it: Abdominal lining infection (“Infection inside your abdomen.”)
Symptoms: Severe pain, rigid abdomen
Cause: Perforation
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Surgery + antibiotics
Monitoring: ICU
Important points:

• Surgical emergency

Pancreatic Cancer

What is it: Pancreatic tumour (“Cancer affecting the pancreas.”)
Symptoms: Weight loss, jaundice
Cause: Smoking, age
Diagnosis: Imaging
Management: Surgery/chemo
Monitoring: Oncology
Important points:

• Often diagnosed late

AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm)

What is it: Enlarged artery (“A swelling in the main artery in your abdomen.”)
Symptoms: Often none
Cause: Age, smoking
Diagnosis: Ultrasound
Management: Monitor or surgery
Monitoring: Size
Important points:

• Rupture = emergency

Appendicitis

What is it: Appendix inflammation (“Inflammation of a small pouch in your abdomen.”)
Symptoms: RIF pain, fever
Cause: Blockage
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Surgery
Monitoring: Post-op
Important points:

• Seek help early

Coeliac Disease

What is it: Gluten intolerance (“Your body reacts to gluten causing gut damage.”)
Symptoms: Diarrhoea, weight loss
Cause: Autoimmune
Diagnosis: Bloods + biopsy
Management: Gluten-free diet
Monitoring: Antibodies
Important points:

• Lifelong diet change

IBS

What is it: Functional bowel disorder (“A condition affecting how your gut works.”)
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, bloating
Cause: Unknown
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Diet, lifestyle
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• No structural damage

IBD

What is it: Chronic gut inflammation (“Long-term inflammation in your digestive system.”)
Symptoms: Diarrhoea, bleeding
Cause: Autoimmune
Diagnosis: Endoscopy
Management: Immunosuppressants
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Flare-ups occur

Hernia

What is it: Tissue protrusion (“An organ pushing through a weak spot in muscle.”)
Symptoms: Lump, discomfort
Cause: Weakness
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Surgery if needed
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Seek help if painful/irreducible

Addison’s Disease

What is it: Low cortisol (“Your body doesn’t produce enough steroid hormones.”)
Symptoms: Fatigue, weight loss
Cause: Autoimmune
Diagnosis: Blood tests
Management: Steroids
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Sick day rules critical

Cushing’s Disease

What is it: Excess cortisol (“Too much steroid hormone in your body.”)
Symptoms: Weight gain, moon face
Cause: Pituitary tumour
Diagnosis: Hormone tests
Management: Surgery
Monitoring: Hormones
Important points:

• Long-term complications

Diabetes Insipidus

What is it: Water balance disorder (“Your body struggles to control water, causing excessive urination.”)
Symptoms: Polyuria, thirst
Cause: ADH problem
Diagnosis: Water deprivation test
Management: Desmopressin
Monitoring: Sodium
Important points:

• Risk of dehydration

Hyperparathyroidism

What is it: High calcium (“Your body produces too much calcium-regulating hormone.”)
Symptoms: Stones, bones, groans
Cause: Parathyroid adenoma
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Surgery
Monitoring: Calcium
Important points:

• Often incidental

Hypoparathyroidism

What is it: Low calcium (“Low calcium due to hormone deficiency.”)
Symptoms: Tingling, cramps
Cause: Post-surgery
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Calcium + vitamin D
Monitoring: Calcium
Important points:

• Can cause seizures

AKI

What is it: Sudden kidney injury (“Your kidneys suddenly aren’t working properly.”)
Symptoms: Reduced urine
Cause: Dehydration, drugs
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Treat cause
Monitoring: U&Es
Important points:

• Often reversible

CKD

What is it: Long-term kidney damage (“Your kidneys gradually lose function over time.”)
Symptoms: Often none early
Cause: Diabetes, HTN
Diagnosis: eGFR
Management: Control risk factors
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Slows progression

Nephrotic Syndrome

What is it: Protein loss in urine (“Your kidneys leak protein into your urine.”)
Symptoms: Swelling
Cause: Glomerular disease
Diagnosis: Urine test
Management: Steroids
Monitoring: Protein levels
Important points:

• Infection risk

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (APKD)

What is it: Genetic kidney cysts (“A genetic condition causing cysts in your kidneys.”)
Symptoms: Pain, hypertension
Cause: Genetic
Diagnosis: Imaging
Management: Supportive
Monitoring: Kidney function
Important points:

• Family screening

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

What is it: Breathing stops during sleep (“Your airway repeatedly closes while you sleep.”)
Symptoms: Snoring, daytime sleepiness
Cause: Airway obstruction
Diagnosis: Sleep study
Management: CPAP, weight loss
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Avoid driving if sleepy

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

What is it: Bowel cancer (“A cancer affecting the large bowel or rectum.”)
Symptoms: Change in bowel habit, blood in stool, weight loss
Cause: Age, genetics, diet
Diagnosis: Colonoscopy
Management: Surgery ± chemo
Monitoring: Follow-up scans
Important points:

• Seek help for persistent bowel changes

Diverticular Disease

What is it: Pouches in bowel (“Small bulges in the bowel wall that can become inflamed.”)
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, altered bowel habit
Cause: Age, low fibre
Diagnosis: Imaging
Management: Diet ± antibiotics
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Increase fibre intake

Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia

What is it: Reduced bowel blood flow (“A sudden loss of blood supply to the bowel.”)
Symptoms: Severe pain out of proportion
Cause: Embolus, thrombosis
Diagnosis: CT scan
Management: Emergency surgery
Monitoring: ICU
Important points:

• Life-threatening emergency

Anal Fissure

What is it: Tear in anal lining (“A small tear causing pain when passing stool.”)
Symptoms: Pain, bleeding
Cause: Constipation
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Stool softeners, topical treatment
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Keep stools soft

Haemorrhoids

What is it: Swollen veins (“Swollen blood vessels around the anus.”)
Symptoms: Bleeding, discomfort
Cause: Straining
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Diet, creams
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Increase fibre and fluids

Perianal Abscess

What is it: Infection near anus (“A painful collection of pus near the anus.”)
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, fever
Cause: Infection
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Drainage
Monitoring: Healing
Important points:

• Needs urgent treatment

Alcoholic Hepatitis

What is it: Liver inflammation (“Inflammation of the liver caused by alcohol.”)
Symptoms: Jaundice, fatigue
Cause: Alcohol misuse
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Stop alcohol, supportive
Monitoring: LFTs
Important points:

• Stopping alcohol is essential

Liver Failure

What is it: Liver not working (“Your liver can no longer perform its normal functions.”)
Symptoms: Jaundice, confusion
Cause: Cirrhosis, toxins
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Supportive ± transplant
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Can be life-threatening

Hepatitis A

What is it: Viral liver infection (“A short-term viral infection of the liver.”)
Symptoms: Jaundice, fatigue
Cause: Contaminated food/water
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Supportive
Monitoring: Recovery
Important points:

• Good hygiene prevents spread

Hepatitis B

What is it: Viral liver infection (“A virus that affects the liver and can become long-term.”)
Symptoms: Often asymptomatic
Cause: Blood/body fluids
Diagnosis: Blood tests
Management: Antivirals if chronic
Monitoring: Liver function
Important points:

• Vaccination available

Cirrhosis

What is it: Liver scarring (“Long-term scarring of the liver.”)
Symptoms: Jaundice, ascites
Cause: Alcohol, hepatitis
Diagnosis: Imaging/bloods
Management: Treat cause
Monitoring: Complications
Important points:

• Avoid alcohol completely

Haemochromatosis

What is it: Iron overload (“Too much iron builds up in your body.”)
Symptoms: Fatigue, joint pain
Cause: Genetic
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Venesection
Monitoring: Iron levels
Important points:

• Family screening

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy

What is it: Brain condition (“A brain problem caused by lack of vitamin B1.”)
Symptoms: Confusion, eye problems, unsteadiness
Cause: Alcohol misuse
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: IV thiamine
Monitoring: Neurology
Important points:

• Medical emergency

Oesophageal Cancer

What is it: Food pipe cancer (“Cancer affecting the tube connecting your mouth to stomach.”)
Symptoms: Difficulty swallowing
Cause: Smoking, alcohol
Diagnosis: Endoscopy
Management: Surgery/chemo
Monitoring: Oncology
Important points:

• Progressive swallowing difficulty

BPH

What is it: Enlarged prostate (“A non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.”)
Symptoms: Urinary frequency, weak stream
Cause: Age
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Medications
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Common with ageing

Bladder Cancer

What is it: Bladder tumour (“Cancer affecting the bladder.”)
Symptoms: Painless haematuria
Cause: Smoking
Diagnosis: Cystoscopy
Management: Surgery
Monitoring: Follow-up
Important points:

• Any blood in urine needs checking

Epididymitis

What is it: Testicular inflammation (“Inflammation of the tube at the back of the testicle.”)
Symptoms: Pain, swelling
Cause: Infection
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Antibiotics
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Different from torsion

Testicular Torsion

What is it: Twisted testicle (“The testicle twists cutting off blood supply.”)
Symptoms: Sudden severe pain
Cause: Torsion
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Emergency surgery
Monitoring: Post-op
Important points:

• Time critical emergency

UTI

What is it: Urine infection (“An infection in your urinary tract.”)
Symptoms: Dysuria, frequency
Cause: Bacteria
Diagnosis: Urine dip
Management: Antibiotics
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Drink fluids

Urinary Tract Calculi

What is it: Kidney stones (“Hard stones forming in your urinary system.”)
Symptoms: Severe flank pain
Cause: Crystals
Diagnosis: CT scan
Management: Pain relief
Monitoring: Imaging
Important points:

• Stay hydrated

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

What is it: Low iron (“Not enough iron to make healthy red blood cells.”)
Symptoms: Fatigue, pallor
Cause: Blood loss
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Iron
Monitoring: Hb
Important points:

• Investigate cause

B12 Deficiency

What is it: Vitamin deficiency (“Low vitamin B12 affecting blood and nerves.”)
Symptoms: Fatigue, neuropathy
Cause: Malabsorption
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: B12 injections
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Can cause nerve damage

Polycythaemia

What is it: High red cells (“Too many red blood cells.”)
Symptoms: Headache, itching
Cause: Primary/secondary
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Venesection
Monitoring: Hb
Important points:

• Clot risk

Sickle Cell Disease

What is it: Abnormal red cells (“Red blood cells become sickle-shaped and block blood flow.”)
Symptoms: Pain crises
Cause: Genetic
Diagnosis: Bloods
Management: Pain relief
Monitoring: Complications
Important points:

• Avoid triggers

Leukaemia / Lymphoma / Myeloma (Grouped OSCE style)

What is it: Blood cancers (“Cancers affecting blood cells or lymph system.”)
Symptoms: Fatigue, infections, weight loss
Diagnosis: Bloods, biopsy
Management: Chemo
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Seek help for persistent symptoms

DVT

What is it: Clot in leg (“A blood clot in a deep vein.”)
Symptoms: Swelling, pain
Cause: Immobility
Diagnosis: Ultrasound
Management: Anticoagulation
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Risk of PE

Acute Limb Ischaemia

What is it: Sudden loss of blood (“Blood supply to a limb is suddenly blocked.”)
Symptoms: Pain, pale, pulseless
Management: Emergency surgery
Important points:

• Time critical

Peripheral Vascular Disease

What is it: Narrowed arteries (“Reduced blood flow to limbs.”)
Symptoms: Claudication
Management: Lifestyle + meds
Important points:

• Stop smoking

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

What is it: Bleeding around brain (“Bleeding into the space around your brain.”)
Symptoms: Sudden “worst ever” headache, vomiting
Cause: Ruptured aneurysm
Diagnosis: CT scan
Management: Emergency neurosurgical care
Monitoring: ICU
Important points:

• Medical emergency

• Call 999 for sudden severe headache

Meningitis

What is it: Brain lining infection (“An infection of the protective layers around your brain.”)
Symptoms: Fever, neck stiffness, confusion
Cause: Bacterial/viral
Diagnosis: LP
Management: Urgent antibiotics
Monitoring: Observations
Important points:

• Medical emergency

• Seek urgent help for rash, confusion, or neck stiffness

Epilepsy

What is it: Seizure disorder (“A condition that causes repeated seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.”)
Symptoms: Seizures, loss of awareness, jerking movements
Cause: Idiopathic or secondary (tumour, trauma)
Diagnosis: Clinical + EEG
Management: Anti-epileptic drugs
Monitoring: Seizure frequency, drug levels
Important points:

• Driving restrictions apply

• Take medication regularly

  • Seek help if seizures increase or change

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

What is it: Raised brain pressure (“Increased pressure around the brain without a clear cause.”)
Symptoms: Headache, visual disturbance
Cause: Often linked to obesity
Diagnosis: LP (raised pressure)
Management: Weight loss, acetazolamide
Monitoring: Vision checks
Important points:

• Risk of permanent vision loss

• Urgent review if vision worsens

Tension Headache

What is it: Common headache (“A mild to moderate headache often linked to stress.”)
Symptoms: Band-like head pain
Cause: Stress, muscle tension
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Simple analgesia, lifestyle
Monitoring: Symptoms
Important points:

• Not dangerous

  • Manage stress and triggers

Vasovagal Syncope

What is it: Fainting episode (“A temporary loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood pressure.”)
Symptoms: Dizziness, fainting
Cause: Triggers (pain, standing)
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Reassurance, avoid triggers
Monitoring: Episodes
Important points:

• Usually benign

  • Sit/lie down if warning symptoms

Migraine

What is it: Neurological headache (“A type of headache often with throbbing pain and sensitivity to light.”)
Symptoms: Headache, nausea, aura
Cause: Triggers (stress, hormones)
Diagnosis: Clinical
Management: Analgesia, triptans
Monitoring: Frequency
Important points:

• Identify and avoid triggers

  • Seek help if pattern changes

DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)

What is it: Diabetic emergency (“A serious complication where high blood sugar leads to acid build-up in the body.”)
Symptoms: Vomiting, abdominal pain, deep breathing
Cause: Infection, missed insulin
Diagnosis: Blood glucose + ketones
Management: IV fluids, insulin
Monitoring: Bloods, ketones
Important points:

• Medical emergency

  • Never stop insulin when unwell (seek advice)

Thyrotoxicosis / Hyperthyroidism

What is it: Overactive thyroid (“Your thyroid is producing too much hormone, speeding up your body.”)
Symptoms: Weight loss, palpitations, tremor
Cause: Graves’, nodules
Diagnosis: Blood tests
Management: Anti-thyroid meds
Monitoring: Thyroid function tests
Important points:

• Seek help for palpitations or worsening symptoms

Hypothyroidism

What is it: Underactive thyroid (“Your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormone.”)
Symptoms: Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance
Cause: Autoimmune
Diagnosis: Blood tests
Management: Levothyroxine
Monitoring: TSH
Important points:

• Lifelong treatment

  • Takes weeks to improve

Hypoglycaemia

What is it: Low blood sugar (“Your blood sugar has dropped too low.”)
Symptoms: Sweating, confusion, shaking
Cause: Insulin, missed meals
Diagnosis: Blood glucose
Management: Fast-acting sugar
Monitoring: Glucose
Important points:

• Treat immediately

  • Carry glucose if at risk

HHS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State)

What is it: Severe high blood sugar (“Very high blood sugar causing severe dehydration.”)
Symptoms: Confusion, dehydration
Cause: Infection, poor control
Diagnosis: Blood glucose
Management: Fluids, insulin
Monitoring: Bloods
Important points:

• Medical emergency

• More common in older patients