Common Diseases and Disorders of Body Systems

The Integumentary System

• Includes skin, nails, hair, sensory organs, sebaceous and sudoriferous glands.
• Functions: Protection, temperature regulation, sensation, and waste disposal.

Common Diseases and Disorders:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma:
  • Most common skin cancer, unlikely to metastasize.
  • Causes: Overexposure to the sun.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Pearly bump, red spot, fleshy bump, scarlike patch, itchy bump.
  • Treatment: Surgical removal and radiation.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma:
  • Affects middle layer of skin, high cure rate if treated early.
  • Causes: Overexposure to the sun, genetics, chemical pollution, radiation, arsenic.
  • Signs/Symptoms: New growth that ulcerates, skin lesion, reddened nodule, scaly patches.
  • Treatment: Surgical removal and radiation.
• Malignant Melanoma:
  • Most dangerous skin cancer, metastasizes.
  • Causes: Melanocytes not responding to normal cellular growth control.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Asymmetry, irregular border, color variation, diameter increase, elevation; bleeding, sensory changes.
  • Requires early diagnosis.
• Acne Vulgaris:
  • Caused by clogged pores (oil and dead skin cells).
  • Signs/Symptoms: Red and swollen blemishes, pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, cystic lesions.
  • Common in teens, can lead to scarring.
• Alopecia:
  • Baldness or hair loss.
  • Causes: Hereditary (androgenic alopecia), alopecia areata (patches).
  • Signs/Symptoms: Receding hairline, thinning hair, bald patches.
  • Treatment: Drugs available but may not work for everyone.
• Cellulitis:
  • Bacterial infection below the skin.
  • Causes: Infection of cut, abrasion, or ulcer; trauma, bacteremic spread.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Erythema, warmth, swelling, pain, fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes.
  • Treatment: Antibiotics.
• Contact Dermatitis:
  • Allergic skin reaction.
  • Causes: Poison ivy, nickel, lotions, detergents, chemicals.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Red, irritated skin; vesicles, rash, itching, pain, urticaria.
  • Treatment: Antihistamines, topical corticosteroids; systemic corticosteroids for severe cases.
• Decubitus Ulcer:
  • Pressure sore or bed sore due to constant pressure.
  • Causes: Decreased blood supply from prolonged pressure.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Skin tissue breakdown, graded by stages I-IV.
  • Treatment: Relieving pressure, debridement, wound protection.
• Eczema:
  • Atopic dermatitis from allergic reaction.
  • Causes: Heredity, allergy.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Scaling, itching, rash.
  • Treatment: Mild soaps, anti-itch lotions, topical corticosteroids; systemic corticosteroids and topical immunomodulators (TIMs) for severe episodes.
• Furuncles:
  • Boil or abscess of hair follicle.
  • Causes: Staphylococcus aureus infection.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Red to purple, pain, pus-filled center.
  • Treatment: Incision and drainage, antibiotics. Avoid squeezing.
• Folliculitis:
  • Infection or inflammation of hair follicles.
  • Causes: Blocked pores.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Reddened rash, pus-filled lesions around hair follicles, pimples that crust over, itching.
  • Treatment: Avoid irritation, clean with soap and water, antibiotic ointment.
• Herpes Simplex:
  • Two strains: HSV-1 (face, lips, mouth), HSV-2 (genital, STD).
  • Causes: Viral infection.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Mouth sores, genital sores, blisters, ulcers, fever, lymph node enlargement.
  • Treatment: Antiviral medications.
• Herpes Zoster:
  • Shingles caused by varicella zoster virus (chickenpox).
  • Signs/Symptoms: Pain, burning, rash with fluid-filled blisters, numbness.
  • Treatment: Oral antiviral medications, corticosteroids, analgesics.
• Impetigo:
  • Bacterial skin infection.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Oozing spots, blisters that crust over.
  • Treatment: Cleansing, antibiotic ointment; oral antibiotics for severe cases.
• Psoriasis:
  • Build-up of dead skin cells.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Redness, itching, thick dry scales.
  • Treatment: Topical medications, dandruff shampoos, cortisone, corticosteroids; severe cases require analgesics, sedation, intravenous fluids, retinoids, antibiotics.
• Rosacea:
  • Unknown cause, affects face.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Redness on face, visible blood vessels, bumps, watery eyes.
  • Treatment: Therapies and medications to reduce symptoms.
• Scabies:
  • Infection by human itch mite.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Zigzag blister marking, intense itching, red rash.
  • Treatment: Sulfur based lotion or cream, corticosteroids, antihistamines.
• Urticaria:
  • Hives from hypersensitivity.
  • Causes: Medications, environmental substances.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Pink, itchy, swollen patches; burning or stinging sensations, severe itching.
  • Treatment: Removing cause, antihistamine, epinephrine.
• Warts:
  • Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Signs/Symptoms: Grainy, fleshy, red, pink, or white lesions.
  • Treatment: Salicylic acid, cryotherapy, medications, surgery.

The Musculoskeletal System

• Includes bones and muscles.
• Functions: Shape and support, protection, mineral storage, hemopoiesis, heat production, posture, balance, movement.

Common Diseases and Disorders:

• Scoliosis:
  • Abnormal spinal curvature.
  • Causes: Birth abnormalities, improper posture, uneven weight bearing.
  • Signs/Symptoms: C or S shaped spine.
  • Treatment: Orthopedic braces, surgery.
• Lordosis:
  • Swayback, exaggerated lumbar curvature.
  • Causes: Birth abnormalities, improper posture, uneven weight bearing.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Protruding abdomen or buttocks.
• Kyphosis:
  • Humpback, exaggerated thoracic curvature.
  • Causes: Congenital defect, disease, compression fracture, faulty posture, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, osteoporosis.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Fatigue, back pain, tender spine, shortness of breath.
• Osteoarthritis:
  • Inflammation of a joint, most common type of arthritis.
  • Causes: Joint injury, autoimmune disorders, wear and tear, age.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness, warmth, redness, decreased mobility, fluid in joints.
  • Treatment: Modification of activities, low-impact exercise, NSAIDs, heat and cold, joint protection, surgery.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis:
  • Autoimmune disorder causing joint deformity.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Joint deformity, cartilage and bone growth, inflammation, swelling, morning stiffness, fatigue, loss of appetite.
  • Treatment: Pain relief, rest, balanced diet, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, surgery.
• Bursitis:
  • Inflammation of bursa in joint.
  • Causes: Overuse, trauma.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Joint pain, limited mobility, swelling, tenderness.
  • Treatment: Rest, pain medication, steroid injections, aspiration of fluid, antibiotics.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
  • Inflammation of carpal tunnel at wrist.
  • Causes: Overuse, poor body mechanics.
  • Signs/Symptoms: Pain, numbness, hand weakness.
  • Treatment: Wrist splints, hot and cold compresses, proper ergonomics, NSAIDs, surgery.
• Fractures:
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• Osteoporosis:
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• Gout:
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• Osteomalacia:
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• Rickets:
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• Fibromyalgia:
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• Ganglion Cyst:
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• Lyme Disease:
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• Muscular Dystrophy:
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• Myasthenia Gravis:
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• Shin Splints:
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• Strain:
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• Sprain:
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• Tendonitis:
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• Tetanus:
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The Cardiovascular System

• Functions: Shape and support, protection, mineral storage, hemopoiesis, heat production, posture, balance, movement.

Common Diseases and Disorders:

• Anemia:
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• Aneurysm:
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• Arrhythmia:
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• Arteriosclerosis:
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• Atherosclerosis:
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• Cardiac Tamponade:
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• Cardiogenic Shock:
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• Cardiomyopathy:
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• Carditis:
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• Cerebrovascular Accident:
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• Congestive Heart Failure:
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• Cor Pulmonale:
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• Coronary Artery Disease:
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• Myocardial Infarction:
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• Hemophilia:
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• Hypertension:
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• Hypotension:
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• Leukemia:
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• Thrombophlebitis:
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• Transfusion Incompatibility Reaction:
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• Valvular Heart Disease:
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• Varicose Veins:
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The Immune System

Common Diseases and Disorders:

• Allergies:
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• Cancer:
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• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
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The Respiratory System

Common Diseases and Disorders:

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The Digestive System

Common Diseases and Disorders:

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The Urinary System

Common Diseases and Disorders:

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The Reproductive System

Common Diseases and Disorders:

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The Nervous System

Common Diseases and Disorders:

• Alzheimer’s Disease:
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• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis:
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• Bell’s Palsy:
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• Disk Disorders:
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• Encephalitis:
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• Epilepsy and Seizures:
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• Huntington’s Chorea:
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• Hydrocephalus:
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• Meningitis:
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• Multiple Sclerosis:
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• Neuralgia:
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• Parkinson’s Disease:
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• Sciatica:
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• Spina Bifida:
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• Stroke:
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• Transient Ischemic Attack:
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• Concussion:
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The Endocrine System

Common Diseases and Disorders:

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The Eye

Common Diseases and Disorders:

• Blepharitis:
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• Conjunctivitis:
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• Hordeolums:
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• Cataracts:
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• Retinal Disorders:
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• Macular Degeneration:
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• Nyctalopia:
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• Amblyopia:
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• Corneal Abrasion:
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• Diplopia:
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• Glaucoma:
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• Nystagmus(Nystaxis):
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• Retinopathy:
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• Photophobia:
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The Ear

Common Diseases and Disorders:

• Ruptured Tympanic Membrane:
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• Impacted Cerumen:
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• Otitis Media:
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• Otosclerosis:
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• Tinnitus:
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• Meniere’s Disease:
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• Presbycusis:
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