Basicmedical Key

Kidney Swellings Kidney swellings are not uncommon. They may present silently or may be associated with haematuria, urinary tract infections and pyrexia. Causes Congenital • Polycystic kidney Acquired Infective • Perinephric abscess…

Leg Swellings Swelling of the lower limb may be unilateral or bilateral. Bilateral swellings are usually due to medical conditions such as cardiac, renal or hepatic failure. Unilateral swellings are…

Leg Pain This section deals with causes of pain arising from local lesions within the leg, or referred into the leg. Pain in the leg is a common complaint and…

Lip Lesions Lip lesions are common. They may be extremely painful and interfere with speech and feeding. They may be socially embarrassing for the patient. They may also prevent appropriate…

Vomiting 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…

Metabolic Acidosis Metabolic acidosis is caused by increased production of hydrogen ions from metabolic causes or from excessive bicarbonate loss (pH ↓, HCO3− ↓). Compensatory mechanisms are: ■ ↓ pCO2 by…

Urinary Retention 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…

Rectal Bleeding Rectal bleeding is a common symptom. The majority of patients with rectal bleeding have a simple condition such as haemorrhoids, but the symptoms should always be taken seriously…

Joint Disorders Disorders of joints are common problems. They may be acute, as in gout or rheumatic fever, or chronic, as in osteoarthritis. Some acute disorders go on to become…

Jaw Pain and Swellings Pain and/or swelling of the jaw results most commonly from dental conditions. In the upper jaw, pain may also result from infection of the paranasal sinuses….