Millions face a range of medical and surgical conditions affecting their health and well-being. From neck lumps and abdominal pain to breast disorders and bone diseases, early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential. This guide compiles high-traffic medical conditions with internal links to detailed resources on VHTC.org.
Head & Neck Disorders
- A neck lump may arise from infections, lymph nodes, or thyroid issues and should never be ignored.
- Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can be caused by neurological or esophageal problems.
- Haemoptysis refers to coughing up blood and may indicate TB, malignancy, or bronchitis.
Breast Disorders
- A breast lump could be benign (like fibroadenoma) or malignant (breast cancer).
- Breast pain (mastalgia) is often hormonal but may require investigation.
- Nipple discharge can indicate duct ectasia or underlying tumors.
- Benign breast disease often presents as non-cancerous lumps or cysts.
- Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and requires early detection for best outcomes.
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- Upper GI bleeding and lower GI bleeding may present as hematemesis or rectal bleeding, with causes ranging from ulcers to malignancies.
- Dyspepsia or indigestion can result from GERD, peptic ulcers, or H. pylori infection.
- Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is often caused by H. pylori or NSAIDs.
- GERD leads to acid reflux and heartburn, affecting lifestyle and sleep.
- Oesophageal carcinoma and gastric carcinoma are life-threatening cancers needing early endoscopy.
- Jaundice causes yellowing of skin/eyes and may reflect liver or biliary disease.
- Malabsorption presents with steatorrhea, weight loss, and vitamin deficiencies.
- Diarrhoea is caused by infections, IBD, or IBS and often requires stool tests.
- Altered bowel habits may include chronic constipation or irregular stools.
Abdominal Conditions
- Acute abdominal pain may suggest appendicitis, perforation, or biliary colic.
- Chronic abdominal pain is common in IBS, malignancy, or chronic pancreatitis.
Generalized or localized abdominal swelling may reflect ascites, tumors, or organomegaly.
Upper abdominal swelling often involves the liver, spleen, or pancreas.- Epigastric/umbilical swelling can be due to hernia or malignancy.
- Lower abdominal swelling may indicate bladder, uterus, or colon pathology.
- Acute appendicitis presents with right lower quadrant pain and needs urgent surgery.
- Diverticular disease may cause LLQ pain and rectal bleeding.
- Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Colorectal carcinoma may present as blood in stool or anemia.
Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Conditions
- Gallstone disease can cause biliary colic or cholecystitis.
- Diagnosis & surgery may involve ultrasound and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
- Pancreatitis presents with epigastric pain and elevated amylase.
- Pancreatic tumours can be exocrine (adenocarcinoma) or endocrine.
Genitourinary Conditions
- Dysuria is a common urinary symptom due to infections or stones.
- Urinary retention can result from BPH or neurological causes.
- Haematuria may be due to stones, infections, or cancers.
- Scrotal swellings include hydrocele, varicocele, and testicular torsion.
Vascular and Limb Conditions
- Groin swellings could indicate hernias, lymphadenopathy, or abscesses.
- Claudication is leg pain on walking due to arterial disease.
- Leg ulceration is often venous, arterial, or diabetic in origin.
- Acute warm painful leg may indicate DVT.
- Acute cold leg is a surgical emergency due to arterial occlusion.
Orthopaedic and Bone Disorders
- Fractures must be evaluated for complications like fat embolism or non-union.
- Congenital orthopaedic disorders include clubfoot and DDH.
- Metabolic bone diseases such as rickets and osteoporosis are treatable.
- Arthritis encompasses RA, OA, gout, and psoriatic arthritis.
- Musculoskeletal tumours can be benign (osteochondroma) or malignant (osteosarcoma).
Anaesthesia & Surgical Care
- General anaesthesia and regional anaesthesia are essential components of surgical care.
- Hypoxia may occur due to airway obstruction or respiratory depression.
- Stomas and surgical incisions need careful postoperative management.
Infections, Sepsis & Shock
- Surgical infections may be superficial or deep (SSIs).
- Postoperative infections like wound infections and pneumonia are common.
- Sepsis and SIRS involve systemic inflammatory responses.
- Shock can be hypovolaemic, septic, cardiogenic, or anaphylactic.
Endocrine Disorders
- Goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
- Thyroid malignancies can be papillary, follicular, or medullary.
- Parathyroid disease often leads to hypercalcemia.
