Vomiting is the forceful ejection of gastric contents through the mouth. It occurs when the vomiting centre in the medulla oblongata is stimulated. This may be due to direct stimulation of the centre (central vomiting) or via afferent fibres (reflex…
Voice disorders can be caused by a number of conditions. Change in the quality of the voice ranges from mild hoarseness to aphonia. It is important to exclude laryngeal carcinoma, which is easily treated in the early stages but has…
Patients who present with visual disturbance are often very distressed, with their quality of life affected, including their ability to drive. Below is a list of common conditions that may give rise to visual problems, grouped according to symptoms. Causes…
Vaginal discharge can occur at any age but is usually a symptom of reproductive years. Causes ● Candidiasis ● Bacterial vaginosis ● Trichomonas vaginosis ( Fig. 60 ) ● Cervicitis, e.g. gonorrhoea, Chlamydia , herpes ● Excessive normal secretions ●…
Retention of urine may be acute, chronic or acute-on-chronic. Patients with acute retention present as surgical emergencies. Acute retention is the sudden inability to pass urine, with the presence of painful bladder. Chronic retention is the presence of an enlarged,…
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine from the bladder. This has profound implications for patients quality of life including at times and places which are inconvenient, inappropriate and socially embarrassing. Stress incontinence is loss of urine during coughing…
Any inflammatory condition within the urethra may cause a discharge. It is important to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases so that appropriate treatment is given, not only to the patient but also to sexual contacts via contract tracing. Causes ● Prostatitis…
A tremor is an involuntary rhythmic oscillation of a body part and usually refers to the movements around the small joints of the hands. Causes Resting tremor ● Parkinsonian tremor Action tremor ● Idiopathic ● Benign essential tremor ● Physiological…
Tongue disorders are extremely common, ranging from minor furring of the tongue to extensive inflammation and even malignancy. Tongue disorders can also be a manifestation of systemic disease. Causes Furring ● Gastrointestinal disease ● Dehydration ● Smokers ● Antibiotics Colour…
Lesions of the toes are extremely common. They are caused by a variety of conditions ranging from simple ingrowing toenails to severe pain and ulceration caused by ischaemia. Deformities of the toes are also exceptionally common, particularly in the elderly.…