Download A Day in Nicaragua

ADayinNicaragua
Sayhellotoyourfirstpatient,hernameisMaria.
Afterintroducingyourselftothepatient,youshouldstarttryingtofigureoutwhytheyareseeking
medicalcare.Thisisasampleconversationtogetyouguysready.
“HelloMaria,canyoutelluswhattheproblemis?”
“Ihavebeenhavingstomachpains,andI’mconstantlyrelievinggas”
“Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?”
“Threemonths”
“Now,doesyourpaincomeandgo,orisitconstant?”
“Thepainisprettyconstant,andI’vebeenhavingconstantdiarrhea”
“Canyoupointwithyourfingerwhereithurts,exactly?”
*Pointstomiddlestomachregion
“Doesthepainradiateordoesitstayinoneregion?”
“Thepainstaysinoneregionofmystomach”
“Istherebloodinyourstool?”
“Yes”
“Whatdoesyourdietconsistof?”
“Normalfood,mealsthatI’vebeencookingandeatingforyears”
“Andhowaboutyourappetite?”
“Idon’tfeelhungrylikebefore,Ijustdon’thavemuchofanappetite”
“Doyoualsohavefeverswithchills?”
“Yes”
Conclusion:
WecanassumethatMariahasColitis.LookingatthesymptomsthatMariahas,wecanconcludethatthis
couldbecolitis.Colitisistheinflammationofthelargeintestinesandcanonlybetreatedwithsurgery.
However,youcanprescribeMariamedicationssuchasacetaminophen,ibuprofen,diclofenactohelprelieve
thepain.Onceyouhavedecided,youshouldcallthedoctorovertoconfirmthediagnosisandwriteyour
prescription.
Gastritis: inflammation of stomach mucosa that protects the stomach from being digested by its own acids
- Symptoms: Burning pain in stomach or abdomen, bloating, nausea, worse at night, no bowel
movements
- Caused by: acidic foods and beverages, greasy and spicy foods, smoking, bacterial infection
- Treatment: Antacids (tums), change of lifestyle by drinking more water
- Medication: Omeprazole/ Ranitidine
Colitis: inflammation of the large intestine
- Symptoms: abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, lack of appetite, urge for bowel movement, fever
with chills and fatigue
- Caused by: bacterial/viral infections, massive decrease in blood supply to bowel
- Treatments: surgery, or anti-inflammatory (acetaminophen/ibuprofen/diclofenac)
Esophagitis: acid reflux of stomach acid into esophagus
- Symptoms: burning in chest, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, coughing, wheezing, asthma, and
hoarseness in throat
- Caused by: faulty gastric sphincter, irritant like roundworms
- Treatment: antibiotic (Omeprazole or Ranitidine) , Antacids (tums)
- Medication: Ranitidine/Omeprazole/Tums
Pterygium: outgrowth of conjunctivitis (eyes)
- Symptoms: irritation, redness, dryness, of eyes and headaches
- Caused by: airborne irritant and UV exposure
- Treatment: surgically remove or preventative measures like sunglasses
Cataracts: clouding of the lens of the eyes
- Symptoms: blurred or cloudy vision, nearsightedness, and blindness in severe cases
- Caused by: overexposure to UV light, aging, hypertension, eye trauma
- Treatment: surgically remove lens and replace with artificial, preventative measures like sunglasses
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): infection of the urinary tract, specifically the bladder
- Symptoms: painful and frequent urination, incompleteness of emptying bladder, bloody or cloudy urine,
lack of, or minimal fevers
- Caused by: bacteria entering tract via the urethra, linked to pregnancy in women, common in sexually
active patients, especially women, poor hygiene
- Treatment: antibiotics and prevention such as drinking lots of water, urinate following intercourse
- Medication: Clotrimazole
Vaginitis (Bacterial): inflammation of the vagina
- Symptoms: white-grayish colored discharge, foul odor (fish-like), burning and discomfort when urinating
- Caused by: inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina, disturbance of natural balance of vaginal
bacteria
- Treatment: Antibiotics (Metronidazole + Nistatina Ovulo), BOTH PARTNERS SHOULD BE TREATED
and prevention like having safe sex.
- Medication: Metronidazole + Nistatina Ovulo