Dizziness and Vertigo History History Guides Author – Dr James Mackintosh Editor – Dr James Mackintosh Last updated 30/08/2024 Table of Contents Introduction Dizziness and vertigo are common presenting complaints in general practice and the emergency department. Dizziness is a term often used to describe a variety of symptoms including vertigo, pre-syncope, unsteadiness and light-headedness. …
Facial Weakness History History Guides Author – Bharneedharan Surendaran Editor – Dr Karthikeyan Sivaganesh Last updated 27/08/24 Table of Contents Introduction Facial paralysis is the total weakness of facial muscles due to dysfunction of the facial nerve (CNVII). The pattern of weakness depends on where the upper motor neuron (UMN) or lower motor neuron (LMN) …
Change in Behaviour History History Guides Author – Dr Karthikeyan Sivaganesh Editor – Dr James Mackintosh Last updated 25/07/24 Table of Contents Introduction Change in a person’s behaviour or personality can be categorised as Organic (i.e. underlying biological disease) or Non-Organic such as personality disorders, bipolar disorder, depression stress, etc. Organic causes can be further …
Difficulty Swallowing History Guides Author – Bharneedharan Surendaran Editor – Dr James Mackintosh Last updated 25/07/24 Table of Contents Introduction Difficulty Swallowing can be categorised into three sub groups as described by patients: Dysphagia; Odynophagia; Globus. The definition of dysphagia is difficulty in swallowing. However dysphagia can be further broken down in having difficulty swallowing solids …
Peripheral Oedema and Ankle Swelling History History Guides Author – Dr Ramya Sriskandarajah Editor – Dr James Mackintosh Last updated 09/07/2024 Table of Contents Introduction Swollen ankles are a common presenting complaint. They occur when excess fluid leaks from the intravascular space into surrounding tissues – the so-called third space, resulting in swelling in the …
Anosmia History History Guides Author – Karthikeyan Sivaganesh Editor – Dr James Mackintosh Last updated 08/07/24 Introduction Anosmia is the inability to detect smell and often causes a change in taste perception, hence patients present with both. The olfactory nerve (CN1) supplies smell sensation which enters the nasal canal through the cribriform plate (part of …
Abnormal Involuntary Movement History History Guides Author – Karthikeyan Sivaganesh Editor – Dr James Mackintosh Last updated 22/05/24 Introduction Abnormal involuntary movement disorders also called dyskinesias can be categorised as hyperkinetic or hypokinetic although there is often an overlap. Parkinsonism is the main type of hypokinetic disorder while hyperkinetic disorders include tremor, dystonia, chorea, tics …
Melena History History Guides Author – Dr Tachakrit Tachatirakul Editor – Dr Tachakrit Tachatirakul Last updated 06/05/24 Table of Contents Introduction Melaena is one of the findings which may be a complaint to see a GP or ED. Alternatively it could also be one of the signs found in secondary care as an incidental finding …
Limb Weakness History History Guides Author – Dr Karthikeyan Sivaganesh Editor – Dr James Mackintosh Last updated 05/05/24 Table of Contents Introduction Limb weakness can be categorised as functional, such as conversion syndrome, or pathological, due to muscle weakness, which can be primary, such as myositis, myopathy muscular dystrophy, or secondary, due to neuronal death, …
Febrile Child History History Guides Author – Dr James Mackintosh Editor – Dr James Mackintosh Last updated 17/02/24 Table of Contents Introduction Fever is one of the most common presenting complaints in children. The causes range from benign and common to rare and life changing. Fever is defined as a temperature of 38 degrees centigrade …