Conditions of the Integumentary System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cellulitis | Skin of the affected area is swollen, red, and hot to the touch. | Bacteria (typically Streptococcus or Staphylococcus) enters the skin through cuts or abrasions and causes infection of connective tissue with severe inflammation of the skin. | Physical exam Wound culture and blood tests can confirm bacterial etiology. | Resting the area, cutting away dead tissue if needed, antibiotics |
Dermatitis | Red, itchy rash that may include blisters or oily scales | Allergic reaction to a specific allergen leading to inflammation of a region of the skin | Physical examination | Moisturizers Steroid creams |
Eczema | Red, itchy skin Vesicular lesions (blisters) that may crust over | Believed to be caused by hereditary and environmental factors leading to inflammatory skin disease | Physical examination | Mild, fragrance-free soap and moisturizers, steroid creams, and antihistamines Goals of treatment are to heal the affected skin and mitigate recurrence. |
Skin cancer: basal cell | Waxy bump or skin sore that does not heal within two months and continues to grow over time | Damage to DNA of basal cells caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure from the sun and tanning beds | Physical examination and biopsy Early diagnosis is vital. | Surgical excision Liquid nitrogen freezing or curettage |
Skin cancer: melanoma | A skin mole with specific characteristics
Diameter: More than ¼ inch | Excessive exposure to UVB rays | Physical examination and biopsy Early diagnosis is vital. | Surgery and radiation |
Conditions of the Skeletal System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sprain | Painful swelling or bruising of a joint area with decreased mobility | The joint being pushed outside of its normal range of motion, leading to joint and ligament damage | Physical exam with imaging | RICE
|
Osteoporosis | Typically, there are no symptoms. Severe disease can lead to increased fractures and back pain. | Many factors including malnutrition, inadequate calcium intake/absorption, endocrine disorders, immobilization and lack of exercise, and aging can lead to bone loss, making bone weaker and more prone to fracture. | Measuring bone mineral density using a DEXA scan | Medications can slow bone loss and reduce the risk of fracture. |
Osteoarthritis | Pain with movement in a specific joint Stiffness in joint following periods of inactivity Lack of flexibility | Degeneration (breakdown) of articular cartilage and changes in the synovial membrane | History, physical examination, and imaging | Physical therapy, exercise, and steroid injections can help relieve symptoms. Joint replacement may be needed if severe enough. |
Rheumatoid arthritis | Systemic joint disorder typically starting with pain and decreased mobility in the smaller joints, such as fingers, before progressing to larger joints, such as knees and hips | Autoimmune disorder leading to changes in the connective tissues of the body, especially the joints *This may also be considered a disorder of the lymphatic/immune system. | Physical examination, blood tests, and imaging | Physical therapy for mobility Medication to manage inflammation and pain |
Gout | Red, hot, swollen joint Most common in the big toe | Excessive accumulation of uric acid in a joint, forming needle-like crystals in the joint | Aspiration of the joint to obtain and identify the crystals at a microscopic level | Anti-inflammatory medications and dietary adjustments |
Diseases of the Muscular System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Muscular dystrophy | Chronic and progressive muscle weakness leading to eventual paralysis of muscle groups | Inherited or spontaneous genetic mutation in one of the genes involved with protecting muscle fibers from damage | Patient history, physical exam, muscle enzyme tests, electromyography, muscle biopsy, and genetic testing | Physical therapy, ambulatory devices, and medications to alleviate symptoms |
Myopathy | Muscle weakness, cramps, stiffness, spasms, and tetany | Can result from many different disease processes | Based on symptoms Focus is on understanding the underlying cause. | Treatment is dependent on the underlying cause. Physical therapy, medication therapy, support bracing, surgery, and massage all may help. |
Myalgia | Muscle pain (broad term) | Several causes
| Based on symptoms Focus is on understanding the underlying cause. | Treatment is dependent on the underlying cause. Targeted symptomatic treatment includes massage, heat or cold therapy, and medication for pain and muscle relaxants. |
Repetitive stress disorder (RSD) | Pain, tingling, numbness, swelling. Redness, loss of flexibility and muscle weakness | Repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression and sustained uncomfortable positions can cause RSD. | Physical examination, patient history, and imaging | Early treatment: Anti-inflammatory medications, rest, splinting, and massage Severe disease treatment: Surgery |
Shin splint | Pain and swelling in the lower leg | Repeated stress of the tibia and connective tissues | Physical examination and patient history | RICE Surgery if severe enough |
Diseases of the Cardiovascular System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Anemia | Fatigue, dizziness, cold extremities, headache, irregular heartbeat | Most common cause is blood loss. Dysfunction in the creation of hemoglobin Excessive destruction of red blood cells | Blood test | Depends on cause Blood loss can be treated with a blood transfusion. Other causes may be treated through increase of iron or vitamin K. |
Atherosclerosis | Chest pain, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), peripheral artery disease, and kidney disfunction | Hardening of the arteries due to fatty deposits causing narrowing of vessels potentially due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and other diseases | Physical examination, medical history, blood tests, doppler ultrasound, EKG, stress test, angiogram, CT or MRI | Healthy diet, increased exercise, medications (cholesterol medication, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, blood thinners, diuretics, calcium channel blockers), angioplasty, stents, endarterectomy, or bypass surgery |
Congestive heart failure (CHF) | Fatigue, peripheral edema, shortness of breath | The heart’s decreased ability to pump adequately due to coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, or heart defects | Medical history, physical examination, blood tests, EKG, echocardiogram, and chest x-ray | Varies depending on the type and severity Can include weight loss, controlling blood pressure, ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers |
Hemophilia | Excessive bleeding, frequent bruising | An absence of clotting factors in the blood as the result of a genetic defect | Family history, physical examination, and blood tests | Replacement therapy to slowly infuse clotting factors into a vein |
Hypertension | Higher than normal blood pressure, headaches, irregular heart rhythms, vision changes, or chest pain | Genetics, smoking, obesity, stress, too much salt intake | Consistently high blood pressure over two or three office visits over the course of one to four weeks | Medications, weight management, healthy diet, and stress reduction |
Myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack) | Acute chest pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and profuse sweating | Cardiac muscle becomes ischemic and dies, typically due to occlusion of the cardiac muscle because of atherosclerosis of the coronary artery. | EKG and blood tests | Fibrinolytic agents, diagnostic angiogram, stenting, and bypass surgery if severe enough |
Diseases of the Urinary System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Acute renal failure | Decreased urine output, fluid retention, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, and nausea | Direct damage to the kidneys or other causes leading to a sudden change where the kidneys can no longer filter blood effectively, leading to dangerous levels of toxic waste in the body | Observation of urine output, blood tests, urinalysis, and other imaging | Correcting the underlying cause, medications, and hemodialysis in the setting of severe disease |
Chronic renal failure | Early stages: No symptoms Later stages: High blood pressure, feeling generally ill and fatigued | Chronic and progressive disease in which the kidneys cannot adequately filter blood due to many potential factors including diabetes, high blood pressure and glomerulonephritis | Blood test | Controlling blood pressure is the primary treatment to slow chronic renal failure. If it progresses far enough, hemodialysis will be needed. |
Renal calculi (kidney stones) | Severe episodes of back and side pain, pain with urination Dark or foul-smelling urine, nausea, frequent urination, fever, chills | Hard crystalline deposits forming in the urine due to abnormally high levels of certain substances in the body | Blood tests, urine tests, and imaging | Drinking water, pain relievers, and shock wave therapy in the form of lithotripsy to help break down and flush out the stones through urination |
Urinary incontinence | Leakage of urine | Loss of bladder control leading to leakage of urine, sometimes triggered by coughing, lifting, or sneezing | Urinalysis, medical history, physical examination | Kegel exercises to strengthen muscles that control the bladder Surgery (bladder sling) |
Urinary tract infection (UTI) | Persistent urge to urinate, burning with urination, strong smelling cloudy urine, pelvic or flank pain | Infection in the urinary system most commonly caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Urinalysis, urine cultures, and imaging | Antibiotics |
Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Appendicitis | Pain in the lower, right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, fever | Inflammation in the appendix due to blockage of the opening to the appendix, leading to rapidly multiplying bacteria in the appendix | Patient history, blood and urine tests, imaging | Surgical removal of the appendix |
Celiac disease | Anemia, diarrhea, gas, bloating, weight loss, fatigue | Immune response triggered by gluten leading to damage of the small intestine and an inability to absorb nutrients | Physical examination, medical history, blood tests, antibody tests, and endoscopy with biopsy | Avoid gluten in any form |
Colorectal cancer | E early stages: No symptoms Later stages: Symptoms are nonspecific but can include fatigue, irregular bowel movements, blood in feces, cramps, bloating, and weight loss. | Cancer of the colon Risk factors are a high-fat diet, family history, and inflammatory bowel disease. | Colonoscopy or barium enema | Early stages: Surgical removal of cancer cells Advanced stages: Chemotherapy |
Diverticulosis | Asymptomatic unless inflamed When inflamed it is termed diverticulitis: pain in lower left abdomen, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. | Pouchlike herniations through the muscular wall of the colon caused by high pressure inside the colon pressing against weak areas of the colon wall | Typically discovered through colonoscopy | When inflamed, antibiotics are used for treatment. |
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | Heartburn, nausea after eating, difficulty swallowing | Lower esophageal sphincter muscle disfunction leading to stomach contents leaking back up the esophagus | Upper endoscopy, tests to measure amount of acid in the esophagus | Lifestyle/dietary changes, antacids Surgery (severe cases) |
Diseases of the Respiratory System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Acute respiratory distress (ARDS) | Shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and rapid breathing (following an injury) | Fluid buildup in the alveoli blocks oxygen from passing into the bloodstream following an acute injury, typically in those who are already critically ill or have had previous traumatic injuries. | Arterial blood gas analysis, chest x-ray | Oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and antibiotics |
Asthma | Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing | Airway inflammation causes lining of air passages to swell and tighten, leading to a reduction in the amount of air that can pass into and out of the lungs. | Pulmonary function tests | Medications, both inhaled and taken orally |
Bronchitis | Shortness of breath, fever, chills, fatigue, coughing, and production of mucus | Acute: Caused by viral illnesses such as colds and flu Chronic: Caused by smoking | Physical examination in which the lungs are listened to via stethoscope, chest x-ray, pulmonary function tests | Acute: Typically resolves without intervention. Chronic: Respiratory therapy |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Chest tightness, productive cough, wheezing, shortness of breath with activity | Disease in which airflow into and out of the lungs is blocked, usually due to a combination of bronchitis and emphysema Primary cause is smoking. | Patient history, pulmonary function tests, chest x-ray, and CT scan | Smoking cessation, medication, and oxygen therapy |
Rhinitis | Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watering eyes, pressure in ears | Irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose, along with excessive production of mucus Allergic rhinitis is triggered by allergens in the air. | Physical exam Allergists can help determine the cause of allergic rhinitis. | Antihistamines and corticosteroids |
Diseases of the Nervous System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alzheimer’s disease | Memory loss, impaired judgement or language, inability to perform activities of daily living, inability to reason, paranoia, and agitation | Most common form of progressive dementia caused by progressive destruction on brain cells | No definitive diagnostic testing available Diagnosis relies on medical history, physical exam, cognitive testing, brain scans, and lab tests. | No available treatment to cure the disease Focus of care is on symptom management while ensuring the patient is comfortable, safe, and otherwise physically healthy. |
Cerebral concussion | Distorted vision, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, inability to concentrate | Caused by traumatic injury to the brain | Physical and neurological exam | Observation and rest for seven to ten days. |
Sciatica | Pain radiating from lumbar spine to the buttocks and down the back of the leg Pain can be a dull ache or sharp, burning sensation. | Occurs from compression of the sciatic nerve, typically due to a herniated disc, bone spur, or tumor | Medical testing of muscle strength and reflexes Imaging | Muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, corticosteroids |
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA; stroke) | Symptoms vary depending on the area of the brain impact, but general symptoms are associated with the acronym FAST.
| Caused by a decrease in blood supply to the brain or a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain | Neurologic examination, CT or MRI scan, Doppler ultrasound or arteriography | Immediate treatment involves restoring blood to the brain or reducing pressure on the brain (depending on the cause). Long-term treatment focuses on rehabilitation for quality of life. |
Shingles | Blisters and pain on the skin in a bandlike pattern that follows the path of the affected nerves | Caused by the varicella zoster virus (also causes chicken pox) The virus can lie dormant for years following an infection of chicken pox, then reappear as shingles. | History, location of pain, and pattern of rash | Antiviral medications increase rate of healing. Pain relievers for symptom management |
Diseases of the Endocrine System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cushing syndrome | Excessive fat deposits in the subscapular area and face | Most often caused by overuse of oral corticosteroid medications Can also be caused by hypersecretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex | Indications of high blood pressure, loss of muscle mass, glucose intolerance, and weight gain | Medications used to lower levels of glucocorticoids |
Type 1 diabetes mellitus | Excessive thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, poorly healing wounds, numbness in hands and feet | Chronic condition caused by lack of insulin production This is a genetic, autoimmune condition that often develops in childhood and is commonly known as juvenile diabetes. *This may also be considered a disorder of the lymphatic/immune system. | Blood tests to evaluate glucose metabolism | Monitoring blood sugar levels, insulin therapy, eating a healthy diet, and managing weight |
Type 2 diabetes mellitus | Excessive thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, poorly healing wounds, numbness in hands and feet | Chronic condition caused by insulin resistance, due to a mix of genetics, obesity, and lifestyle choices Typically begins in adulthood but is being seen more often in adolescents | Blood tests to evaluate glucose metabolism | Monitoring blood sugar levels, eating a healthy diet, and managing weight Medications to lower blood sugar, such as metformin Insulin will be prescribed if the disease is uncontrolled or progresses. |
Hyperthyroidism | Sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, increased appetite, anxiety, tremor, sweating, frequent bowel movements, enlarged thyroid gland | Overproduction of the thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland | Physical examination, blood tests, radioactive iodine uptake test, and thyroid scans | Antithyroid medications, oral radioactive iodine |
Hypothyroidism | Increasing tiredness, dry skin, constipation, and weight gain | Underproduction of the thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland | Blood test measuring thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroxine | Use of synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine |
Graves’ disease | Significant enlargement of the thyroid gland, increased heartbeat, muscle weakness, disturbed sleep, tremor, weight loss, anxiety, irritability, and bulging of the eyes | Caused by malfunction in the body’s immune system that disrupts normal thyroid regulation, resulting in hyperthyroidism | Typically diagnosed by symptoms Thyroid hormone tests may also be used. | Radioactive iodine therapy, antithyroid medications, beta blockers, and surgery |
Diseases of the Reproductive System
Disease | Signs and Symptoms | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidiasis | vagin*l itching, burning with urination, white vagin*l discharge Often called a “yeast infection” | Overgrowth of the fungal micro-organism Candida albicans | Testing of vagin*l discharge | Over-the-counter or prescription medications |
Ectopic pregnancy | Abdominal or pelvic pain with light bleeding Severe pain and bleeding are symptoms of emergent condition. | Zygote implantation in an area other than the uterine wall, most commonly in the uterine tubes | Physical examination, blood tests, and ultrasound | Termination of the pregnancy, as it is not viable and can rupture the uterine tube if allowed to develop far enough, which would require surgery |
Endometriosis | Pelvic pain with menstruation, pain with intercourse, pain with bowel movements and urination, infertility | Occurs when pieces of endometrial tissue grow outside of the uterine lining, typically on the ovaries, intestines, or pelvic wall | Pelvic examination, ultrasound, and laparoscopy | Pain medication, hormone therapy, or laparoscopic surgery |
Genital herpes | Pain, itching, and sores in the genital area Flu-like symptoms upon initial infection | Caused by the herpes simplex virus spread through sexual contact | Visual examination of sores, testing of sample from the sores | Incurable Medications, typically antivirals, can prevent or shorten outbreaks |
Inguinal hernia | Bulging in the groin area accompanied by an aching sensation, pain with lifting, coughing, or movement, weakness, or pressure in the groin | A portion of the intestines protrudes thought a weak point of the abdominal wall. | Physical examination | If no symptoms, treatment is not indicated. Surgery to repair the hernia if symptoms present |
C | U | Some cases are unknown, others m | Felt when conducting a physical examination | Only treatment choice is surgery and recommended after six months of age |
Testicular torsion | When tissues surrounding the testicl* are not well attached, causing the testes to twist around the spermatic chord cutting off blood flow to the testicl* causing severe pain | Some causes are unknown. Some patients are born with no tissue holding the testes to the scrotum. | Found when conducting a physical examination | The spermatic cord needs to be untwisted to restore blood supply. Patients need to see a urologist, and surgery is necessary to correct. |
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) | Enlargement of the prostate Common later in life Can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, urinary tract infections, or kidney problems | Causes are unknown but are believed to be linked to hormonal changes | Digital rectal examination, urine test, or prostate specific antigen test | Transurethral resection of the prostate |
