Understanding Common Illnesses

Introduction to Common Illnesses

• Illness is any condition causing abnormal body or mind function, often with discomfort, symptoms, or disability.
• Illnesses vary in severity and duration, ranging from temporary to long-lasting:

Common Illnesses

• Conditions that frequently affect people:
  • Respiratory infections (e.g., cold, flu, pneumonia)
  • Gastrointestinal problems (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, food poisoning)
  • Infections (e.g., urinary tract infections, ear infections)
  • Chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
  • Mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety)
  • Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., arthritis, back pain)
  • Skin conditions (e.g., eczema, acne)

Acute Illness Characteristics

• Develops suddenly and lasts a short period.
• Typically severe but may resolve with or without treatment. Examples: Flu, food poisoning
  • Rapid onset
  • Short duration (days to weeks)
  • Intense symptoms

Chronic Illness Characteristics

• Long-term conditions persisting for months or years.
• Often controlled but not usually cured.
• Example: Diabetes, hypertension
  • Slow onset
  • Long duration (months to years)
  • Persistent or recurring symptoms
  • Often requires ongoing treatment/management

Pathophysiology of Illness

• The study of how diseases/illnesses affect normal body function.
• Each illness has a different mechanism that disrupts bodily systems.

Acute Illness Pathophysiology Examples

• Common Cold: Rhinovirus infects upper respiratory tract, causing inflammation and increased mucus, leading to congestion and sore throat.
• Acute Bronchitis: Infection causes inflammation in bronchial tubes, leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Chronic Illness Pathophysiology Examples

• Diabetes: The body is unable to produce or effectively use insulin, resulting in high blood sugar, which damages organs over time.
• Hypertension: Prolonged high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and organs, including the heart and kidneys.

Causative Agents of Illnesses

• Factors responsible for causing illnesses (biological, environmental, or genetic). Examples:
  • Bacteria (Salmonella causes food poisoning)
  • Viruses (influenza causes the flu)
  • Fungi (ringworm)
  • Parasites (malaria caused by Plasmodium)
  • Genetic factors (cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease)
  • Environmental factors (exposure to toxins/pollutants leads to respiratory conditions

Observable Signs of Illness

• Clinical indications noted by healthcare providers:
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Cough
  • Swelling
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Subjective Symptoms of Illness

• Experiences reported by patient:
  • Pain
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath

Non-Pharmacological Treatments

• Approaches to manage illness without medication:
  • Physical Therapy: For musculoskeletal pain, injury recovery, or mobility issues
  • Dietary Changes: For conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and digestive problems
  • Exercise: For managing chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity
  • Relaxation techniques: Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises for stress, anxiety, and chronic pain
  • Psychotherapy: For mental health conditions like depression and anxiety

Serious Illness Warning Signs

• Symptoms needing immediate medical attention:
  • Sudden chest pain (possible heart attack)
  • Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
  • Severe headache (possible stroke/brain hemorrhage)
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent high fever
  • Blood in vomit/stool
  • Unconsciousness/confusion

Common Illness Home Remedies

• Used with caution for mild illnesses and not as substitutes for professional care:
  • Cold/Flu: Warm fluids (tea with honey/lemon) and saltwater gargle.
  • Headache: Cold/warm compress and resting in a quiet, dark room.
  • Indigestion: Ginger/peppermint tea and avoiding heavy/spicy meals
  • Minor Cuts/Burns: Aloe vera gel for burns and clean cloth/antiseptic for minor cuts

Common Cold Definition

• Mild viral infection affecting the upper respiratory system (nose, throat, sinuses).
• Typically self-limiting, resolving without requiring medical treatment.
  • Medical Term: Acute viral rhinitis
  • Duration: 7-10 days, but symptoms can persist for up to two weeks

Common Cold Characteristics

• Characteristics that describe how common cold affects you:
• Mild to moderate severity: A relatively harmless illness compared to influenza
  • Self-limiting: Resolves on its own, with treatment focused on symptom relief
  • Highly contagious: Spreads through droplets (sneezing, coughing, talking) or contaminated surfaces
  • Recurrence: Can occur multiple times per year due to different viral strains

Common Cold Pathophysiology

• Development of the disease process in the body:
• Infection: Viral infection affects the upper respiratory tract (rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, RSV)
  • Entry/Spread: Virus enters through nose/mouth via infected droplets or contaminated surfaces
• Inflammation: Immune system responds with white blood cells, leading to inflammation in mucous membranes
• Increased Mucus Production: The body produces more mucus to trap/flush out the virus, leading to runny nose/nasal congestion
• Resolution: The body eliminates the virus within 7-10 days in most cases

Common Cold Causative Agents

• Primary causative agents: viruses
• Rhinovirus: The most frequent cause (50% of cases)
• Coronavirus: Some can cause common cold, but others can lead to more severe respiratory infections
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause cold-like symptoms, especially in infants and the elderly
• Adenovirus: Known for respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms
• Parainfluenza virus: It can also contribute to cold symptoms

Common Cold Signs

• Observable by healthcare provider:
  • Runny/stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
  • Mild fever (more frequent in children)
  • Sore throat
  • Red/watery eyes
  • Mild cough (productive with mucus)
  • Swollen lymph nodes (neck area)

Common Cold Symptoms

• Experienced by patient:
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sneezing (irritation in nasal passages)
  • Cough (dry or productive)
  • Sore throat (scratchy/painful)
  • Fatigue (tiredness/lack of energy)
  • Headache (mild, sinus pressure)
  • Mild body aches (discomfort/muscle aches)
  • Post-nasal drip (mucus drips, causing irritation/coughing)

Non-Pharmacological Treatments - Common Cold

• Treatments focused on symptom relief/promoting recovery without medication:
  • Rest: Adequate rest helps the body fight the viral infection
  • Hydration: Fluids (water, herbal teas, broths) thin mucus and soothe sore throat
  • Warm Saltwater Gargle: Relieves sore throat symptoms
  • Humidification: Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air and relieves congestion
  • Steam Inhalation: Loosens mucus and alleviates nasal congestion
  • Elevate Head: Alleviates nasal congestion and improves breathing while sleeping

Common Cold Warning Signs that Require Medical Attention

• High fever (above 101°F / 38.3°C) suggests a bacterial infection or the flu
• Severe difficulty breathing could indicates pneumonia or bronchitis
• Persistent cough lasting more than 3 weeks indicates asthma, chronic bronchitis, or pneumonia
• Chest pain suggest complications such as pneumonia
• Severe headache with fever or neurological symptoms indicates a sinus infection or meningitis
• Worsening symptoms require a doctor’s consultation

Home Remedies - Common Cold

• Home remedies to alleviate symptoms and make the person feel more comfortable:
• Honey and Lemon Tea: Soothes throat, provides vitamin C, and helps with congestion
• Ginger Tea: Eases sore throat and reduces congestion due to known anti-inflammatory properties
• Chicken Soup: Clears nasal congestion, soothes throat, and provides hydration
• Saline Nasal Spray: Clears nasal passages and relieves congestion
• Peppermint Tea: Opens airways and has menthol which acts as a natural decongestant
• Steam: Inhaling steam loosen mucus and relieve nasal congestion

Influenza (Flu) Definition

• Contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, which primarily affects the upper respiratory system (nose, throat) and can sometimes lead to more severe complications involving the lungs
• Types of Influenza:
• Influenza A: Common type, responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks that affects humans and animals
• Influenza B: Primarily affects humans and causes seasonal flu outbreaks
• Influenza C: Milder form, not typically associated with epidemics
• Characteristics of Influenza:
  • Sudden onset of symptoms
• High contagiousness via droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks
• Symptoms range from mild to severe and may cause serious complications, especially in vulnerable groups and those with chronic health conditions

Flu Vaccine Action

• Annual vaccine protection from most common strains of Influenza Types:
  • Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (IIV): Contains killed virus and is given via injection.
  • Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV): Contains weakened live virus and is administered as a nasal spray for healthy individuals
• Mechanism
• Stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against specific strains of the influenza virus, providing immunity
• Recommendation: For everyone over six months of age, especially for high-risk individuals
• Effectiveness: Reduces risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death

Pathophysiology of Influenza

• Virus enters through the nose/mouth by inhaling infected droplets or touching contaminated surfaces
• Viral Replication: Virus attaches to respiratory tract cells and replicates, causing cell damage and triggering immune response
• Inflammatory Response: Immune system releases chemicals (cytokines) to fight the virus, resulting in inflammation, fever, body aches, and fatigue -Spread of Infection: leads to more severe implications such as pneumonia and life-threatening complications

Causative Agents

• Caused by influenza viruses (Orthomyxoviridae family)
• Type A infects both humans and animals and causes epidemics.
• Type B infects humans and causes significant seasonal outbreaks. -Type C rarely causes severe human illness
• Tranmission:Spread through:
  • Aerosol droplets via coughs, sneezes etc
  • Contact transmission- touching contaminated surfaces then touching face

Incubation/Symptoms

• Incubation: Flu symptoms appear 1-4 days post-exposure Signs (Observable professional):
• Fever: High-grade between 100°F (37.8°C) to 104°F (40°C)
• Rapid Heart Rate: Body responds to fever and infection with tachycardia
• Cough- Inflammation of the respiratory tract leads to a dry or productive cough
• Runny or Stuffy Nose: Nasal congestion from inflammation
• Red or Watery Eyes: Inflammation resulting from viral infection
• Swollen Lymph Nodes: Located in the neck and under the jaw
• Symptoms (Patient experienced):
  • Sore Throat- Often accompanies flu and can be painful
  • Extreme Fatigue: Can last for weeks after Flu
  • Body Aches- Muscle and joint pain caused by inflammatory response
  • Chills- Body tries to regulate temp due to fever
  • Headache- Moderate to severe caused by viral inflammation
  • Loss of Appetite: Reduced desire to eat from general malaise/fever

Non-Pharmacological Treatment

• Focuses on symptom relief and aids body without medication
• Rest: Aids recovery in immune response Stay hydrated: Prevents dehydration and thins mucus easing condition
• Warm Saltwater Gargle: Soothes sore throat Steam Inhalation: Helps loosen mucus and alleviate nasal congestion Humidifiers: Aids respitory symptoms like congestion
• Cool Compress: Reduces fever and helps discomfort Chicken Soup: For hydration and to clear congestion

Warnings of Severe Flu

• Difficult breathing- indicates pneumonia/respiratory distress
• Chest Pain- sign of pneumonia or heart inflimation
• Persistent high fever- may hint a secondary bacterial infection
• Extreme Fatigue when fatigue doesn't improve could indicate complications
• Mental State change could signal severe complication
• Severe headache with vomiting suggests some inflammation/infetion
• Dizzyness- may be from severe complications
• Should serious symptoms occur- seek medical attention

Cataracts Definition

• Clouding if lens leading to vision loss, especially in older adults
• Eye has transparent lens that allows focus to the retina
  • If lens becomes clouded it can blur vision and uncorrected, lead to blindness
  • develops slowly overtime and can affect one or both eyes

Characteristics

• Hazy cloudy visions- clouding of lens that affects retina focus
• Light Sensitivity from bright lights
• Double Visions- may experience such, or in a Halo
• Poor Night Visions
• Faded Colors
• Gradual onset

Pathophysiology of Cataracts

• Lens is obstructed Lens Opacity: Clouding of the transparent lens due to proteins in the lens clumping together, obstructing light to the retina. Oxitative Damage: Free radicals damage the proteins in the lens of the eye Age: Proteins in eyes deteriorate over time Genetic Factors: Inherited Down's causes young age cataracts formation
• other factors: Damage etc

Risk Factors & Causative agents

• Aging (most common, protein deterioration )
• Smoking
• UV Radiation
• Trauma
• Medicatons
• Family history

Symptoms and signs (diagnostics)

• Cloudy or Hazy lens
• Red eyes
• Changes to pupil

Experienced Symptoms

• Blurry Visions
• Hard to see in dim or hard light
• Light Sensitivity
• Hard to see well
• Faded colors
• Changing glasses script

Treatments non-pharm

• Non=pharm treatment for eye quality -Contacts or Glasses
• Lights to help see better
• Sunglasses
• Magnifying loupe

Pos-surgey care

• Can be common to get

• Surgerically remove clouds

• Replace it with artificial lens (OL)

• Eye Protections( patients advised to take an eye shield

• Use medicatons- help infammation

• Attend the follpw up appointments

• Avoid water after

Expected Oucomes

• May take weeks to heal
• Vision improves quickly after surgey

Warnings of complications

Red vision Increased redness

Home care

• Stop somoking
• Regualr eye exams
• Eat Healthy Wear glasses

Epilepsy- Defintion

• Characterized by recurrent seziures
• Abnormal electoral brain activity
  • It is a sudden state within disturbance
• Can affect variety of brain in a mild condition
• diagnosed after unprovoked seziure
• Can be caused by high fever, head trauma'
• Can occur at all ages
• High level among older adults

Types of Seziures

Recurrents are characteristics Chornic conditions- takes management over time

• Can affect sensory, consioucnness
• Unpredictability- hard to do things Impact on mental and physical health

Phsyiology

• Abnormal activity in brain as neurons disrupt electrical singals

Casualties and Triggers

• No one cause Causes:Genetic, brain damage, traumas infections
• Brain malformentations can cause epilespy

Comon Triggers

• Lack of Sleep
• Alcohol
• Light Flashes

Managing Epislisy

Fever decrease Hormornal- moniter menstuation

Signs and Sympoms

• Partial and Focal seziures

Focals

• Simple: Affects small part og brain
• twitching strange sentations
• Person stays couscious
• Complex: may cause loss of awarness

Generalized tonic

• Loss of Consiouncness- and intense muscle contractions

absence Seziure

• Blank starring with lip smacking

Atonic Seziure

• cause collapse

myoclonic

• quick involantary movements

Signs in general

loss consicountness Jerking mvements Shallow breath

Sympoms -PRe Event

• Visual distrobances may occur

Odd - Senatioms

• diziness
• Tingling

treatments and lifestyle

• Regualr Sleep
• Stress reduef
• Diet
• Behavioural Therapy
• Biofeedbakc Therapy

Methods

• Keep a seiure diairy to help treatments
• mindfuleness
• Stay active always

Diarrhea Defintion

Loose and watery more than three times

• symptom of underlying conditions and self-limiting

Types= Acute last for days and weeks

• Chronic persits- long condition such as ibs etc Occurs due to imbalance in the gi tract that absorbs water through the gi tract

GI Tract

Secretipn the GI tract secrets liquid which affects absorption in water can cause it Decrease - Absorptop losses ability to do it A- ltered - causes IBS as water does not absorb enough

Agents

Giarda or virus

Causes

• Bacteria. Virus etc

Sign and symptoms for Dehydration and pain

• Watery movement abodimlanl pain
• nausea and fatigure

Non-Pharm treatment

• ORT
• Iv- if not effective

Dietry

BRAT diet apple

• No dairyy

Warnings and Signs/Homecare

Inabiluity to stay hydrated needs medical attention

• severe pain
• blood in stool needs medical attention
• if symptoms happen use dehydration

###Constipation

Difficult bowel movement

• not more than 3 times a week
• Pain during bowl movemtn

Short term vs long term

Lifestyle changes Health and anatomical issue

Characcteristcs

Hard bowls Small movement bloating incompletness

Key Mechianisms

Gi tact absorbs too much water

Agents and Treatments

Lack of fibre Low exercise IBS or dieabets

Treatments

Enemas to force and clean colon

Precautions do not overuse

Warning sings with constpiations

Blood in rectum may need to call medical attendtion

• Enema

heartburn defintion

• burining sencation from acid reflex and GERD

Signs

• Burning sensation Worsens when lyning down-

Digestion defition

• Pain and dicsofort in belly Key Featurs:
• Pain
• Bloating
• can encompass digestitve issues

Characrteristics

• Regurgitions- acid backup
• Pain throught that can be misteakesn for heat
• Difficult swallowing

Indiogestios

Upper abdominal pain

• burping
• Nasuiea of vomit

Phsyciology

• stomach acis backups

Casualtis

• stomach overloads
• LES- weal=k sphincter
• Overprotuction of acid

Home care

• Smaller meals frequent Avoid Triggers stay hydrated