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Cardiovascular & Digestive Pathologies Flashcards

Cardiovascular Pathologies

Anemia

  • Anemia is a blood disease characterized by a lack of oxygen and an overabundance of carbon dioxide in the blood.

  • There are many types of anemia, including iron-deficient anemia and sickle cell anemia.

  • Iron-deficient anemia is the most common type, affecting an estimated 3.5-4 million people in the United States.

Causes

  • Iron-deficient anemia: Primarily caused by insufficient iron intake, leading to less hemoglobin in erythrocytes, thereby reducing oxygen and carbon dioxide transport.

  • Sickle cell anemia: An inherited condition where erythrocytes have a sickle shape instead of a normal circular shape. This can cause them to get stuck in blood vessels, reducing blood flow to tissues.

Symptoms

  • Common symptoms include feeling sluggish, tired, increased heart rate, paleness, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

  • Sickle cell anemia can additionally cause infections (due to spleen damage), pain in the thorax and abdomen (crises), and stunted growth due to lack of nutrients.

Risk Factors

  • Inadequate iron or vitamin B-12 intake.

  • Pregnancy and folic acid deficiency in pregnant women.

  • Sickle cell anemia is primarily seen in African-Americans due to a genetic defect.

Treatments

  • Treatments vary by type but may include increasing iron intake, bone marrow transplants, or blood transfusions.

  • Pregnant women may need increased folic acid intake.

  • Sickle cell anemia treatment options are limited, with bone marrow transplant as the only potential cure. Otherwise, treatment focuses on minimizing crises using antibiotics and pain relievers.

Contraindications

  • Massage is indicated for clients with anemia as it helps increase circulation and oxygen intake.

Aneurysm

  • An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery.

  • Types of aneurysms include Aortic, Cerebral, and Ventricular.

Causes

  • Aneurysms result from a weakened arterial wall, often due to hypertension, causing the wall to bulge out.

  • Ventricular aneurysms are commonly caused by myocardial infarction, weakening the heart muscle.

  • The weakened wall makes the artery prone to rupture, which can severely cut off blood flow.

Symptoms

  • Unruptured aneurysms are typically asymptomatic.

  • Ruptured aneurysms can cause severe chest or back pain, low blood pressure, severe headache, tachycardia, and lightheadedness.

Risk Factors

  • Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, advanced age, and alcoholism.

Treatments

  • Aneurysms may be treated surgically before rupture.

  • Beta blockers are commonly used as medication before surgery.

Contraindications

  • Massage is indicated with a doctor's note.

  • Avoid massage that increases blood pressure, such as deep tissue.

Arrhythmia

  • Arrhythmia is a condition where the heart's natural rhythm is altered.

  • Common forms include Atrial Fibrillation, Bradycardia, and Tachycardia.

Causes

  • Atrial fibrillation: The atria contract irregularly, sending blood into the ventricles at uncoordinated times, caused by incorrect SA node electrical signals.

  • Bradycardia: Heart rate is too slow to deliver adequate oxygen to the body.

  • Tachycardia: Heart rate is too rapid, preventing ventricles from properly filling with blood.

Risk Factors

  • Older adults (over 60).

  • Heart diseases.

  • Myocardial infarction.

  • Diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

Symptoms

  • Dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, and fainting.

  • In severe cases, it may result in cardiac arrest.

Treatments

  • Treatments vary depending on the type of arrhythmia.

  • Pacemakers may be implanted to regulate heart rhythm.

  • Alternative methods like massage therapy and yoga may be used in some cases.

Contraindications

  • Untreated arrhythmia is an absolute contraindication for massage.

  • If a client has a pacemaker, massage may be performed, avoiding the site of the pacemaker.

Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis

  • Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of artery walls over time.

  • Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty plaque inside arteries. These conditions often occur together.

Causes

  • Factors include hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking.

  • The body's response to arterial damage increases artery thickness, causing hardening and potentially leading to increased plaque deposits.

  • This restricts blood flow, leading to conditions like angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.

Symptoms

  • Angina pectoris, shortness of breath, fatigue, and pain in areas with restricted arteries.

Treatments

  • Medications like beta-blockers, statins, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics.

  • Severe cases may require angioplasty, stent placement, surgical plaque removal, or bypass surgery.

Contraindications

  • Massage may be performed.

  • Lighter massage is required if medications thin the blood.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

  • DVT is a condition where blood clots (thrombi) form in deep veins, typically in the legs.

Causes

  • Injury to a vein, surgery, impaired mobility, and certain medications.

  • Immobility post-surgery can cause blood pooling, leading to clots.

Symptoms

  • Warm sensation, pain, and discoloration in the affected area, usually the lower limb.

Treatments

  • Medications to reduce the chance of developing DVT or to remove the blood clot.

  • Anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin.

  • Thrombolytics may be used in severe cases to destroy blood clots.

  • Compression socks can reduce swelling.

Contraindications

  • Typically a local contraindication; avoid the site of the thrombus.

  • Deeper massages are contraindicated due to anticoagulants and thrombolytics.

Heart Murmur

  • Heart murmur is a condition where blood flows backward in the heart.

  • There are two types: Innocent and Abnormal.

Causes

  • Commonly due to a bicuspid/mitral valve prolapse, causing backflow of blood.

  • Endocarditis or Rheumatic fever can damage heart valves, leading to murmurs.

Symptoms

  • Abnormal heart murmurs may present with cyanosis on the fingers, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fainting.

Treatments

  • Anticoagulants, hypertension treatment, or surgery to repair/replace a malfunctioning valve may be necessary.

Contraindications

  • Massage may be performed on a client with a heart murmur.

Hypertension

  • Hypertension is elevated blood pressure.

  • Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension is diagnosed at 140/90 mmHg.

Causes

  • May be idiopathic or caused by adrenal or thyroid dysfunction, dietary issues, kidney disease, alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, and older age.

Symptoms

  • Largely asymptomatic, with symptoms only in extreme cases.

Treatments

  • Lifestyle and dietary changes, such as reducing sodium intake and increasing exercise.

  • Medications like beta blockers, statins, and diuretics.

Contraindications

  • Generally not contraindicated for massage.

  • Avoid massage that increases blood pressure if not medically controlled.

  • Light massage is recommended to lower blood pressure.

Migraine Headaches

  • Migraines are headaches affecting the brain, often called "vascular headaches".

Causes

  • Triggers include tyramine, caffeine, stress, hormonal imbalance, or hereditary factors.

Symptoms

  • Nausea, fatigue, extreme pain, loss of sight, blurred vision, sensitivity to sound, and pain on one side of the head.

Treatments

  • Pain medication like aspirin or ibuprofen for mild migraines.

  • Triptans to constrict blood vessels.

  • Preventative drugs like beta blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antidepressants.

Contraindications

  • Generally not contraindicated for massage.

Myocardial Infarction

  • Myocardial Infarction, or heart attack, is a condition reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.

Causes

  • Atherosclerosis leading to plaque buildup in coronary arteries.

  • Hypertension, smoking, and obesity may contribute to atherosclerosis.

Symptoms

  • Preceding days may involve malaise, fatigue, and chest discomfort.

  • Acute stages include intense chest pain, pain in the neck and left arm, and increased heart rate.

Treatments

  • Coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, or stent placement.

  • Medications such as aspirin, beta blockers, and statins.

Contraindications

  • Absolute contraindication during a myocardial infarction.

  • After treatment, doctor's note is required.

  • Certain massages should be avoided due to strain on the heart.

Phlebitis

  • Phlebitis is inflammation of the veins, potentially forming blood clots.

Causes

  • Trauma to a vein, immobility, superficial phlebitis (IV catheters), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

  • Immobility causes blood pooling.

Symptoms

  • Superficial phlebitis: Tenderness, swelling, and a red line along the vein.

  • Deep vein thrombosis: Pain and swelling in the affected limb, potentially fever.

Treatments

  • Anticoagulants for deep vein thrombosis, ibuprofen, and antibiotics for superficial phlebitis.

  • Deep vein thrombosis requires immediate medical attention.

Contraindications

  • Local contraindication.

  • Lighter massage if blood-thinning medications are prescribed.

  • Avoid massaging the site to prevent embolism.

Raynaud's Syndrome

  • Raynaud's Syndrome constricts blood vessels in fingers and toes.

Causes

  • Primary contributors: Cold temperatures, stress, and smoking.

  • Secondary Raynaud's Syndrome: Associated with conditions like lupus or scleroderma.

Symptoms

  • Discoloration of skin, cold fingers/toes, numbness, and stinging pain upon warming.

Treatments

  • Exercise, stress reduction, not smoking, and avoiding cold temperatures.

  • Secondary Raynaud's Syndrome may require medications to regulated blood pressure and cholesterol.

Contraindications

  • Indicated for massage; avoid heat.

  • Increase room temperature to dilate blood vessels.

Varicose Veins

  • Varicose veins are abnormally swollen veins, commonly in the legs.

Causes

  • Inefficient valves causing blood to pool in veins.

  • Prolonged sitting or standing, age, and pregnancy.

Symptoms

  • Visual symptoms like discoloration of veins.

  • Pain, burning, itching, edema, and cramping in the legs.

Treatments

  • Self-care: Compression socks, exercise, diet, and leg elevation.

  • Sclerotherapy, laser therapy, or vein removal.

Contraindications

  • Local contraindication.

  • Avoid massaging swollen veins to prevent embolism.

Digestive Pathologies

Cholecystitis

  • Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder.

Causes

  • Most commonly, it's caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct.

Symptoms

  • Severe abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant, nausea, vomiting, fever, and pain in the right shoulder/back.

Treatments

  • Hospital stay, antibiotics, pain medication, and fasting.

  • Gallbladder removal is often required.

Contraindications

  • Absolute contraindication in the acute stage.

Crohn's Disease

  • Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease.

Risk Factors

  • Younger people, East European Jewish descent, family history, and smoking.

Symptoms

  • Diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, fever, and bloody stool.

Treatments

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressors, antibiotics, and pain relievers.

  • Surgery may be required to remove damaged parts of the digestive tract.

  • Dietary changes may be beneficial.

Contraindications

  • Avoid massage in the acute stage.

  • Massage is indicated in the post-acute stage.

Diverticulitis

  • Diverticulitis is a condition affecting the large intestine where pouches become inflamed and/or infected.

Causes

  • Ulcerations or open sores may result in infection and peritonitis.

Symptoms

  • Fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the lower left abdomen, and constipation.

Treatments

  • Pain medication, antibiotics, and surgery to remove the damaged part of the large intestine.

Contraindications

  • Absolute contraindication to massage.

Diverticulosis

  • Diverticulosis involves pouches forming in the walls of the large intestine.

Causes

  • Contractions may weaken the large intestine if it doesn't contain enough fecal matter because of a low fiber diet.

Symptoms

  • Typically asymptomatic but may include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, or fever.

Treatments

  • Increasing fiber and fluid intake.

Contraindications

  • Not contraindicated, but avoid massage of the lower back and abdomen if pain is present.

Gastritis

  • Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.

Causes

  • Infection by H. pylori, alcohol use, anti-inflammatory drugs, vomiting, and stress.

Symptoms

  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen, and bloating.

Treatments

  • Dietary changes, antacids, and antibiotics.

Contraindications

  • Massage depends on the cause and severity; avoid if it causes nausea and vomiting.

Gastroenteritis

  • Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and small intestine.

Causes

  • Viral or bacterial infection.

Symptoms

  • Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and body chills.

Treatments

  • Prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medications for nausea and vomiting.

Contraindications

  • Absolute contraindication to massage due to contagiousness.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

  • GERD involves stomach acid or food flowing back into the esophagus.

Causes

  • The lower gastroesophageal sphincter relaxing when it should be tightened.

Symptoms

  • Burning in the chest, chest pain, dry cough, sour taste in the mouth, and sore throat.

Treatments

  • Over-the-counter antacids.

  • H-2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors.

Contraindications

  • Massage is indicated unless chest pain is present.

  • A semi-reclined position may help.

Hepatitis

  • Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver.

Causes

  • Viral infection or toxic substances.

  • Types include Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, each with varying modes of transmission and severity.

Symptoms

  • Nausea, fatigue, mild fever, loss of appetite, abdominal tenderness, and jaundice.

Treatments

  • Vary depending on severity.

  • Immunizations for Hepatitis B, and medications to reduce symptoms.

Contraindications

  • Absolute contraindication in the acute stage.

  • Massage is indicated in the post-acute stage.

Hernia

  • A hernia is a rupture allowing an organ to protrude.

Causes

  • Weakness or straining of tissue.

Symptoms

  • Vary depending on type; include swelling in the abdomen or groin, heartburn, and pain in the upper abdomen.

Treatments

  • Dietary changes, weight loss, medication, or surgery to repair.

Contraindications

  • Local contraindication.

Pancreatitis

  • Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.

Causes

  • Enzymes become active in the pancreas before entering the digestive tract or bloodstream.

  • Gallstones, alcoholism, pancreatic cancer, infection, and cystic fibrosis.

Symptoms

  • Fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen, abdominal tenderness, and pain radiating to the back, and weight loss.

Treatments

  • Pain medication, fasting, gallbladder or gallstone removal, and treatment for alcohol dependency.

Contraindications

  • Absolute contraindication in the acute stage.

  • Massage may be performed in the post-acute stage of chronic pancreatitis.

Pharyngitis

  • Pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx, or the throat (sore throat).

Causes

  • Viral or bacterial infection.

Symptoms

  • Pain in the throat, fever, enlarged tonsils and lymph nodes in the neck, and excessive mucus.

Treatments

  • Antiviral or antibiotic medications.

Contraindications

  • Absolute contraindication to massage during the acute stage.

  • Massage may be performed after the condition has cleared.

Strep Throat

  • Strep throat is a bacterial infection, that causes a sore throat.

Causes

  • Infection of the streptococcal bacteria, which is contagious.

Symptoms

  • Red spots on the roof of the mouth, white patches on the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, pain upon swallowing, and fever.

Treatments

  • Antibiotics and acetaminophen.

Contraindications

  • Absolute contraindication until the condition has cleared.