Condition Lookup

Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Sub-category: Blunt Trauma

Symptoms:
headache; confusion; dizziness; nausea; vomiting; temporary loss of consciousness; difficulty concentrating; memory problems; sleep disturbances; mood changes

Root Cause:
Disruption in normal brain function due to a direct blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head causing mechanical damage to brain tissue.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), neurological exam, imaging studies (CT scan or MRI).

Treatment:
Rest, symptom management, physical and cognitive rehabilitation, and monitoring for complications.

Medications:
Pain relievers (acetaminophen ), anti-nausea medications, and sometimes anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin ) or diuretics (e.g., mannitol ) to reduce intracranial pressure.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Millions of cases worldwide annually, with mild TBI (concussion) being the most common.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, falls, and assaults.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most mild TBIs resolve with proper care; severe TBIs may result in lasting neurological deficits or disability.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Post-concussion syndrome, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), seizures, and long-term cognitive or psychological impairments.

Fractures (e.g., Skull, Ribs, Limbs, Spine)

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Blunt Trauma

Symptoms:
pain at the injury site; swelling; bruising; deformity; difficulty moving affected limb or area

Root Cause:
Break or crack in a bone caused by direct trauma, repetitive stress, or pathological weakening.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.

Treatment:
Immobilization (casts, splints), surgical intervention (internal fixation or external fixation), and pain management.

Medications:
Pain relievers (NSAIDs like ibuprofen ), bone-strengthening agents (e.g., bisphosphonates in pathological fractures).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; occurs across all age groups, with higher incidence in older adults due to osteoporosis.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact injuries, falls, repetitive stress, bone diseases (e.g., osteoporosis).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies; simple fractures heal with proper treatment, but complex fractures may lead to long-term complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malunion, nonunion, infection, compartment syndrome, and nerve or vascular damage.

Contusions and Lacerations

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Soft Tissue Injuries

Symptoms:
pain; swelling; discoloration or bruising; open wound; bleeding

Root Cause:
Blunt or sharp trauma causing damage to the skin, underlying tissue, and blood vessels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, wound assessment, and imaging if deeper structures are suspected to be involved.

Treatment:
Cleaning and closing the wound (stitches, staples, or adhesive strips), bandaging, and monitoring for infection.

Medications:
Antibiotics (topical or systemic for infection prevention), tetanus prophylaxis if necessary, pain relievers (acetaminophen or NSAIDs).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common; affects people of all ages, often due to accidents or sports injuries.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Participation in contact sports, workplace hazards, and high-risk activities.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally excellent with proper wound care; healing time depends on severity.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, scarring, delayed healing, and damage to underlying structures.

Splenic Rupture

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Internal Organ Trauma

Symptoms:
left upper abdominal pain; shoulder pain; dizziness; fainting; low blood pressure; rapid heart rate

Root Cause:
Tearing or damage to the spleen due to blunt or penetrating trauma, leading to internal bleeding.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, ultrasound (FAST), CT scan, and laboratory tests to assess blood loss.

Treatment:
Monitoring for stable cases, surgical intervention (splenectomy or repair) for severe cases, and blood transfusions if needed.

Medications:
Pain management (opioids or acetaminophen ), prophylactic antibiotics post-splenectomy, and vaccinations (e.g., pneumococcal vaccine).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; most common in high-impact trauma cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Abdominal trauma, pre-existing splenic conditions (e.g., splenomegaly).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely intervention; loss of spleen increases risk of infections.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hemorrhagic shock, infection, and immune system compromise post-splenectomy.

Internal Bleeding

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Internal Organ Trauma

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; swelling; pallor; dizziness; fainting; rapid heartbeat; low blood pressure

Root Cause:
Damage to blood vessels or organs resulting in bleeding within the body, often due to trauma or rupture of blood vessels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging studies (ultrasound, CT scan), blood tests (hemoglobin/hematocrit), and clinical signs.

Treatment:
Stabilization, fluid resuscitation, blood transfusions, and surgical intervention to stop bleeding.

Medications:
Antifibrinolytics (e.g., tranexamic acid) in certain trauma cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in severe trauma cases and certain medical conditions (e.g., aortic aneurysm rupture).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact trauma, anticoagulant therapy, and coagulopathies.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the source and volume of bleeding; timely treatment is crucial.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hemorrhagic shock, organ failure, and death if untreated.

Stab wounds

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Penetrating Trauma

Symptoms:
bleeding; pain at the injury site; swelling; difficulty breathing (if affecting the chest); shock symptoms such as rapid heart rate and low blood pressure

Root Cause:
A penetrating injury caused by a sharp object that disrupts tissues, organs, or blood vessels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, imaging studies (X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound), blood tests, and assessment for internal organ damage.

Treatment:
Control bleeding, wound cleaning and suturing, surgical exploration or repair, antibiotics to prevent infection, and tetanus prophylaxis.

Medications:
Antibiotics such as cefazolin (a first-generation cephalosporin) to prevent infection and pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain management.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Incidence varies globally, often associated with interpersonal violence or accidental injuries.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-crime areas, involvement in violence, occupational hazards, and improper handling of sharp objects.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the severity and location of the injury; prompt treatment improves outcomes significantly.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, damage to internal organs or blood vessels, shock, and long-term disability.

Gunshot wounds

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Penetrating Trauma

Symptoms:
bleeding; severe pain; open wounds; difficulty breathing (if affecting the chest); neurological deficits (if affecting the nervous system); shock symptoms

Root Cause:
A penetrating injury caused by a projectile (bullet) that causes tissue destruction, organ damage, and possible vascular injury.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, imaging (X-ray, CT scan, MRI), wound trajectory assessment, and vascular studies.

Treatment:
Control bleeding (tourniquets or direct pressure), wound cleaning, surgical repair of organ or vascular damage, and antibiotic prophylaxis.

Medications:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics like piperacillin-tazobactam to prevent infection, analgesics such as morphine (an opioid pain reliever), and tetanus prophylaxis.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Incidence depends on gun violence rates, with higher rates in areas of armed conflict or high firearm availability.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Firearm accessibility, interpersonal violence, and occupational hazards for security personnel.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies with the injury’s location and extent; outcomes are improved with rapid medical intervention.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, organ failure, neurological damage, amputation, and psychological trauma.

Penetrating chest or abdominal injuries

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Penetrating Trauma

Symptoms:
bleeding; shortness of breath; chest or abdominal pain; visible wounds; abdominal distension; shock symptoms; absent or decreased breath sounds in pneumothorax

Root Cause:
Trauma causing a break in the chest or abdominal wall, leading to organ or vascular damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST), CT scans, chest X-rays, physical examination, and diagnostic peritoneal lavage.

Treatment:
Airway management, chest tube placement (for pneumothorax or hemothorax), surgical intervention for internal repair, blood transfusion, and infection prevention.

Medications:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone combined with metronidazole to cover gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria) and pain medications like ketorolac (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in motor vehicle accidents, violence, and industrial accidents.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Involvement in high-risk activities, accidents, and lack of protective equipment.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly variable; survival depends on the severity and timeliness of treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Internal bleeding, infection, organ failure, and chronic pain or dysfunction.

First-, Second-, and Third-Degree Burns

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Symptoms:
pain or discomfort; redness; blisters; charred or white skin; swelling; loss of sensation (in third-degree burns)

Root Cause:
Damage to the skin and underlying tissues caused by heat, radiation, or friction, with severity determined by depth of tissue injury.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation of burn depth, size (using the rule of nines or Lund-Browder chart), and presence of secondary complications such as infection.

Treatment:
Wound cooling (cool water for minor burns), topical antimicrobial creams, pain management, debridement of dead tissue, and skin grafting for severe burns. Hospitalization for IV fluids and monitoring in extensive burns.

Medications:
Medications may include topical antimicrobials like silver sulfadiazine (to prevent infection), pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen , and in severe cases, opioids for pain. Antibiotics are prescribed if infection occurs.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Burns account for over 180,000 deaths annually worldwide, with many more sustaining non-fatal injuries; prevalent in children and industrial workers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to open flames, scalding liquids, industrial accidents, lack of safety measures, and high-risk environments (kitchens, factories).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Minor burns heal within weeks; severe burns require long-term management, rehabilitation, and may lead to permanent scarring or disability.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infections, sepsis, dehydration, hypothermia, hypertrophic scars, contractures, and long-term psychological effects.

Smoke Inhalation Injuries

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Respiratory Injuries

Symptoms:
coughing; difficulty breathing; hoarseness; soot in the nostrils or throat; wheezing; burns in the mouth or throat; altered mental state due to hypoxia

Root Cause:
Damage to the respiratory tract from inhaling hot gases, toxic fumes, or particulate matter during a fire.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, visible signs of inhalation, chest X-rays, bronchoscopy, arterial blood gases (ABG), and carboxyhemoglobin levels.

Treatment:
Immediate airway stabilization, oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, suctioning secretions, and mechanical ventilation in severe cases. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Medications:
Bronchodilators such as albuterol (to relieve bronchospasm) and corticosteroids like methylprednisolone (to reduce inflammation). Antibiotics if infection is suspected.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
A common cause of injury in fire-related incidents; smoke inhalation contributes to up to 60% of fire-related deaths.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to enclosed fires, chemical plants, or industrial fires, and lack of proper safety equipment.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the severity; mild cases recover with supportive care, while severe cases with complications (e.g., ARDS) have higher mortality.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and long-term pulmonary dysfunction.

Electrical Burns

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Electrical Injuries

Symptoms:
burns at entry and exit points; muscle pain; numbness or tingling; arrhythmias; seizures; loss of consciousness

Root Cause:
Damage to tissues caused by electrical current passing through the body, generating heat and causing burns or other internal injuries.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical assessment of visible burns, ECG for arrhythmias, imaging (CT or MRI) for internal injuries, and blood tests to assess rhabdomyolysis.

Treatment:
Immediate removal from the electrical source, resuscitation if needed, wound care, hydration to prevent kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis, and monitoring for cardiac issues.

Medications:
Pain management with acetaminophen or ibuprofen , muscle relaxants for spasms, and antibiotics if wounds become infected.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Electrical injuries are relatively rare, accounting for about 1,000 fatalities annually in the U.S., with thousands more injured.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Occupational hazards (e.g., electricians), contact with live wires or lightning strikes, and unsafe handling of electrical devices.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Outcomes depend on the voltage and duration of contact; low-voltage injuries often heal well, while high-voltage injuries can be fatal or disabling.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Arrhythmias, nerve damage, compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, and multi-organ failure in severe cases.

Chemical Burns

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Chemical Injuries

Symptoms:
pain at the contact site; redness; blisters; vision loss if in the eyes; difficulty breathing if inhaled; necrosis of affected tissues

Root Cause:
Damage to tissues caused by exposure to corrosive substances such as acids, alkalis, or other chemicals.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Evaluation of history, clinical examination, pH testing of affected areas, and imaging for deeper tissue damage.

Treatment:
Immediate irrigation with water (unless contraindicated), removal of contaminated clothing, neutralizing agents (if appropriate), and specialized wound care. Hospitalization for severe burns.

Medications:
Pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen ), antibiotics for secondary infections, and topical agents like silver sulfadiazine for wound care.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Chemical burns are a leading cause of workplace injuries, with thousands of cases reported annually worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Industrial or household chemical exposure, inadequate protective equipment, and improper handling of chemicals.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies by chemical and exposure duration; mild burns heal quickly, while severe burns may lead to scarring, functional loss, or systemic toxicity.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, scarring, systemic absorption leading to organ damage, and permanent disability.

Dislocations (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee)

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Orthopedic Injuries

Symptoms:
severe pain; visible deformity; limited or no movement; swelling; bruising; numbness or tingling in the affected area

Root Cause:
The joint is forced out of its normal position, often due to trauma or extreme force.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-ray, MRI (if soft tissue injury is suspected).

Treatment:
Joint reduction (manual repositioning), immobilization (e.g., sling), physical therapy to restore function, surgical repair for recurrent dislocations or associated injuries.

Medications:
Pain relief with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen ), muscle relaxants (e.g., diazepam ), and local anesthetics during reduction procedures.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, especially in contact sports and high-impact accidents; shoulder dislocations are the most frequent type.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Contact sports, falls, accidents, hypermobility syndromes, previous dislocations.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt treatment; risk of recurrent dislocations increases without adequate rehabilitation.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Nerve damage, blood vessel injury, chronic instability, arthritis, or avascular necrosis (in hip dislocations).

Ligament tears (e.g., ACL, PCL)

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Orthopedic Injuries

Symptoms:
sudden pain; popping sound at the time of injury; joint instability; swelling; restricted range of motion; difficulty bearing weight

Root Cause:
The ligament is stretched or torn due to sudden force, twisting, or impact.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination (e.g., Lachman test), MRI for detailed imaging, X-rays to rule out fractures.

Treatment:
Initial RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), bracing, physical therapy, surgical reconstruction in severe cases or for active individuals.

Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , diclofenac ) for pain and inflammation control.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, particularly in athletes; ACL injuries are more frequent in females due to anatomical and hormonal factors.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sports requiring sudden stops or pivots (e.g., soccer, basketball), inadequate conditioning, improper footwear.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment; surgical reconstruction often restores full function in athletes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic instability, osteoarthritis, re-injury, reduced athletic performance.

Tendon injuries (e.g., Achilles rupture)

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Soft Tissue Injuries

Symptoms:
sudden sharp pain in the back of the lower leg; difficulty walking; swelling near the heel; visible gap in the tendon; weakness in pushing off during walking or running

Root Cause:
Complete or partial tear of the tendon due to excessive stress, sudden force, or degeneration.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination (e.g., Thompson test), MRI, or ultrasound to confirm the extent of the injury.

Treatment:
Conservative management with casting or bracing, surgical repair in active individuals, followed by physical therapy.

Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , celecoxib ) to control pain and inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
More common in males aged 30–50; frequently occurs in recreational athletes.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sports involving jumping or sudden acceleration, poor conditioning, use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, steroid injections.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with proper treatment; surgery has a lower risk of re-rupture compared to conservative methods.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Re-rupture, stiffness, chronic weakness, deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Deep Lacerations

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Soft Tissue Injuries

Symptoms:
severe bleeding; visible separation of skin and underlying tissue; pain at the injury site; swelling; impaired function of the affected area

Root Cause:
Damage to skin, muscles, blood vessels, and potentially nerves or tendons, often caused by sharp objects or trauma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual examination, assessment of depth and extent of the wound, evaluation for nerve, vessel, or tendon injury.

Treatment:
Wound cleaning, suturing or surgical repair, pressure application to control bleeding, and wound dressing.

Medications:
Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin-clavulanate) to prevent infection; tetanus prophylaxis; local anesthesia for wound repair; analgesics for pain relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in trauma cases, accounting for a significant portion of emergency department visits.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Handling sharp tools or machinery, accidental falls, workplace or sports injuries.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with timely and appropriate wound care; delayed treatment increases risk of infection or poor wound healing.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, scarring, nerve or tendon damage, chronic pain, impaired function of the affected area.

Severe Contusions

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Trauma and Injuries

Sub-category: Soft Tissue Injuries

Symptoms:
pain and tenderness at the site; swelling; skin discoloration (bruising); stiffness; reduced range of motion in affected area; lump or hematoma formation

Root Cause:
Blunt trauma causes capillary damage, leading to bleeding under the skin and within muscles. Severe cases may involve deep tissue or bone bruising.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination of the injury, palpation, assessment of range of motion, and imaging (X-ray or MRI) if underlying fractures or hematomas are suspected.

Treatment:
Rest, ice application, compression, elevation (RICE therapy); physical therapy for severe or persistent cases; surgical intervention for hematoma evacuation in rare cases.

Medications:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for pain and inflammation; acetaminophen as an alternative for pain management.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in sports injuries, falls, and minor traumas; severe contusions are less frequent but occur in high-impact injuries.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Contact sports, motor vehicle accidents, falls, direct trauma, anticoagulant therapy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Usually good with conservative treatment; extensive injuries may require longer recovery periods or physical therapy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hematoma formation, compartment syndrome in severe cases, calcification of injured tissue (myositis ossificans), chronic pain.