Cough, smoking and lung cancer
Cough is one of the most common symptoms to present in general practice. It may be the presenting symptom of many serious disorders, but also of a vast range of…
Other common skin problems
Spotty skin will affect most teenagers at some point, and usually improves into their twenties. Spots occur on the face, neck, chest or back and can have a significant effect…
Childhood rashes
b. Candida nappy rash. Bright red, well-demarcated rash. The rash occurs in skin folds and there may be satellite lesions. Look for oral thrush. Treatment: topical antifungal creams. c. Seborrhoeic nappy rash….
Cough and wheeze
URTICroupPneumoniaPertussisChronic Post-bronchiolitis or pertussisAspiration of feedGastro-oesophageal refluxRecurrent AsthmaCystic fibrosisBronchiectasis Acute Croup, 6 months to 6 yearsEpiglottitis, 1–6 yearsBacterial tracheitisFB, toddlerAcute allergic reactionChronic Usually congenital causes (e.g. laryngomalacia) Respiratory tract infectionBronchiolitis,…
The red eye
‘Red eye’ is one of the most common reasons for consulting a GP. Patients often present acutely and may be apprehensive, fearing visual loss. Fortunately, many of the causes are…
The acute abdomen
Acute Abdominal Pain Most patients with abdominal pain do not have acute pathology, let alone a need for urgent surgery, but it’s vital to spot the ones who do. Primary…
Neck and upper limb
Neck Pain One of the most common symptoms in general practice, this is often degenerative (cervical spondylosis), but there are other causes. History ‘Have you had an accident lately?’ Trauma…
