Basicmedical Key

Faecal Incontinence Faecal incontinence implies loss of voluntary control of passage of faeces from the anus. Faecal soiling of the clothes occurs, which is socially embarrassing for the patient. Any…

Dizziness Spatial disorientation may be expressed by the patient as dizziness, vertigo or feeling ‘light-headed’. True vertigo is not experienced as a sensation of movement but as tilting or sloping…

Deafness Deafness is loss of hearing and may be divided into ‘conductive’ and ‘sensorineural’ to facilitate interpretation of clinical examination. Causes Conductive Deafness Congenital • Atresia of the meatus Acquired • Obstruction…

Cyanosis Cyanosis is the abnormal blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes resulting from the presence of 5 g/dL or more of reduced haemoglobin in the blood. It is not…

Convulsions A convulsion is a series of involuntary violent contractions of voluntary muscles. Causes Neurological • Epilepsy • Febrile convulsions Traumatic • Head injuries Metabolic • Hypoxia • Glucose • Electrolyte abnormalities, e.g. calcium, sodium • Uraemia…

Constipation Constipation is a common complaint that results from decreased frequency of abnormally firm motions for a particular patient. It must be related to the patient’s normal bowel habit. Acute…

Confusion Confusion is a behavioural state of reduced mental clarity, coherence, comprehension and reasoning. The causes may be organic or psychiatric (the reader is referred to a textbook of psychiatry…