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Non-Febrile Seizures (Epilepsy)

This section will mainly focus on Paediatric Epilepsy (NOT FEBRILE SEIZURES) Children and Adults can have seizures because of metabolic disturbances, trauma or being in a febrile state. This does mean they have epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition characterised by the tendency for recurrent seizures. Presents when at least 2 unprovoked seizures occur >24 hours apart. Overview…

Carotid Artery Disease

Overview Carotid artery disease refers to atherosclerotic narrowing of the carotid artery lumen. It is associated with approximately 10-15% of all ischaemic strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a principal cause of long-term disability in much of the industrialised world. The degree of internal carotid artery stenosis is the most important…

Diverticular Disease

Overview Diverticula of the colon consist of outpouchings of mucous membrane through the muscle wall of the bowel. In the colon, diverticula are found most commonly in the sigmoid and descending colon, and become increasingly rare in passing from the left to the right side of the colon. They are unusual before the age of 40…

Liver Cirrhosis

Overview Cirrhosis is the advanced stage of chronic liver injury characterised by widespread fibrosis, regenerative nodules and distortion of normal hepatic architecture. This causes two major consequences: Portal hypertension Reduced hepatic function Cirrhosis may remain asymptomatic for years before progressing from a compensated to a decompensated stage. Compensated cirrhosis: cirrhosis without major clinical complications. Decompensated…

Angina Pectoris

Overview Angina Pectoris refers to the pain caused by myocardial ischaemia. Myocardial Ischaemia is usually caused by stenosis within the vessel decreasing blood flow to the muscle, but it can be caused by tachycardia, anaemia, aortic stenosis, left ventricular hypertophy and many other disease. Angina "latin choking". Angina Pectoris:  Pain caused by myocardial ischaemia (not myocardial…

Aortic Regurgitation (incompetence)

Overview Aortic regurgitation (AR) is backward flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole because the aortic valve does not close completely. AR may result from disease of the valve leaflets, dilatation of the aortic root or both. Chronic AR causes progressive left-ventricular volume overload and dilatation, whereas acute severe AR…

Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome (Exercise-induced Compartment Syndrome)

Overview Chronic compartment syndrome (also known as chronic exertional compartment syndrome or exercise induced compartment syndrome) is an exertional condition in which repetitive activity causes transiently elevated pressure within a closed myofascial compartment, leading to ischemic pain, tightness, and sometimes neurologic symptoms that predictably begin with exercise and abate with rest. It most often affects…

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