Kidney Problems
- Nephrotic Syndrome:
- Lots of protein in pee (more than 3.5 grams a day).
- Low protein in blood.
- Swelling, especially around the eyes.
- High fats in blood.
- Higher chance of blood clots.
- Can be caused by some infections or diseases.
- One type is called Minimal Change Disease, where the kidney looks normal but has problems.
- Another type is Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.
- Membranous Nephropathy is another type, where the kidney tissue looks “spiky.”
- Kidney problems can also happen with long-term diabetes, causing Kimmelstiel nodules.
- Nephritic Syndrome:
- Less protein in pee (less than 3.5 grams a day).
- High blood pressure.
- Peeing less.
- Blood in pee (dark urine).
- Can happen 2-3 weeks after a sore throat infection.
- Vasculitis: Swelling of blood vessels that can hurt kidneys and lungs.
- Wegener’s: Affects kidneys, lungs, and sinuses.
- Microscopic Polyangiitis: Affects kidneys and lungs.
- Churg-Strauss Syndrome: Affects kidneys, lungs, and causes asthma.
- Anti-GBM Disease (Goodpasture Syndrome):
- Antibodies attack kidneys and lungs.
- Causes blood in pee and coughing up blood.
- Treated with plasma exchange.
- Alport Syndrome: Inherited problem with collagen, leading to kidney disease, hearing loss, and eye problems.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD):
- Many cysts (fluid-filled sacs) in the kidneys.
- AR PKD: Starts in childhood, rare, often serious.
- AD PKD: Starts in adulthood, common, usually not as serious.
- Can cause high blood pressure and cysts in the liver.
- Can be linked to brain aneurysms.
- Hydronephrosis: Swelling of the kidney because pee can’t get out.
- Can be caused by blockage in the bladder or an enlarged prostate.
- Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA): Kidney has trouble balancing acids in the body.
- RTA Type 1: Urine pH is high. Can cause kidney stones and soft bones.
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Kidneys suddenly stop working well (GFR changes in less than 3 months).
- Chronic Kidney Failure: Kidneys stop working well for a long time (GFR changes for more than 3 months).
- Causes: High blood pressure, swelling.
- Can cause heart problems (uremic pericarditis) and bone problems.
- Can cause low red blood cells (anemia).
- Treated with medicines, or dialysis, or a kidney transplant.
Other Important Stuff
- Acid-Base Balance (ABGs):
- Tells if your blood is too acidic or too basic.
- Normal pH is 7.35-7.45.
- Electrolyte Imbalance (Potassium and Calcium):
- High Potassium: Can make heart waves look tall.
- Low Potassium: Can cause a special “U” wave on heart tests.
- High Calcium: Can make heart beats shorter.
- Low Calcium: Can make heart beats longer.
- Diuretics (Water Pills): Make you pee more.
- Some can cause hearing problems.
- Some can keep calcium in the body.
- Some can cause male breast growth.
Head Injuries
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): A way to check how awake and responsive someone is after a head injury.
- Eyes: How they open their eyes (4 = open on their own, 1 = no response).
- Verbal: How they talk (5 = normal, 1 = no sound).
- Motor: How they move (6 = obeys commands, 1 = no movement).
- Epidural Hematoma: Blood clot on top of the brain’s covering.
- Often from a specific blood vessel (MMA).
- Person might seem fine at first, then get worse.
- Looks like a round shape on a scan.
- Subdural Hematoma: Blood clot under the brain’s covering.
- From small veins.
- Looks like a curved shape on a scan.
- Can be linked to drinking alcohol.
- Treated with a medicine called Nimoodipine.
Neck Lumps
- Lymphadenitis: Swollen lymph nodes, often from infection.
- Dermoid Cyst: A lump you are born with, usually in the middle or upper part of the neck.
- Needs surgery to remove.
- Sebaceous Cyst: A lump filled with pus or other oily stuff.
- Lipoma: A fatty lump.
- Can be painful.
- Can be linked to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (a thyroid problem).
- Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: A lump in the middle of the neck that moves when you stick out your tongue.
- Ectopic Thyroid: Thyroid tissue in the wrong place, like under the tongue.
- Thyroid Cancer:
- Papillary CA: Most common type (70-80%).
- Can be caused by radiation as a child.
- Spreads through lymph nodes.
- Good outcome.
- Follicular CA:
- Common in people aged 40-60.
- Spreads through blood.
- Good outcome if found early.
- Medullary CA:
- Has a special marker called Calcitonin.
- Can cause muscle spasms.
- Anaplastic CA:
- Very serious, poor outcome.
- Rare, usually in people over 60.
- Papillary CA: Most common type (70-80%).
- Thyroid Scan: If a lump doesn’t absorb much radioactive iodine (less than 20% after 24 hours), it might be cancer and needs a biopsy.
- Thyroid Surgery Problems:
- Hematoma: Blood swelling that can make it hard to breathe.
- Hoarseness: Rough voice from nerve damage.
- Parathyroid removed: Can cause problems with calcium.
Breast Lumps
- Location: Often in the upper, outer part of the breast.
- Risk Factors: Older age, family history (BRCA1, BRCA2 genes), lots of estrogen, drinking alcohol.
- Alarming Signs: Breasts look different, fluid from breast, new lump, dimpled skin.
- Types of Lumps/Issues:
- Fibroadenoma: Common in young women (15-35 years old).
- Soft, not painful, can move around.
- Not cancer.
- Found with ultrasound.
- Phyllodes Tumor: A lump with a “leaf-like” shape.
- Mastitis: Breast discharge, fever, chills.
- Abscess: A pocket of pus.
- Paget Disease: Affects the nipple.
- Fat Necrosis: Breast tissue dies after an injury.
- Invasive Ductal CA: A type of breast cancer.
- Fibroadenoma: Common in young women (15-35 years old).
- Gynecomastia: Enlarged male breast tissue.
- Can be caused by liver problems, Klinefelter syndrome, testicular tumors, or some medicines.