Condition Lookup

Pneumonia

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Symptoms:
cough; fever; chills; shortness of breath; chest pain; fatigue; sweating; nausea or vomiting

Root Cause:
Pneumonia is caused by infection (bacterial, viral, fungal) leading to inflammation in the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs, causing impaired oxygen exchange.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is confirmed through clinical evaluation, chest X-ray, blood tests, sputum culture, and sometimes a CT scan or pulse oximetry.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on the underlying cause (bacterial, viral, or fungal). Bacterial pneumonia typically requires antibiotics, while viral pneumonia is often managed with supportive care and antiviral medications in some cases.

Medications:
Common antibiotics like amoxicillin , azithromycin , or doxycycline for bacterial pneumonia; antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu ) for viral causes; antifungal medications like fluconazole may be used if fungal infection is identified. These are classified as antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals, respectively.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in older adults, with higher rates seen in those over 65. It is a common cause of hospitalization in geriatric patients.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age, weakened immune system, smoking, chronic respiratory conditions, recent viral infections (e.g., influenza), and residing in long-term care facilities.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With prompt treatment, the prognosis is generally good, although recovery can be slower in older adults. It may be fatal in severe cases or those with underlying health conditions.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, sepsis, lung abscesses, pleuritis, and long-term lung damage in severe or untreated cases.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Infectious Diseases

Sub-category: Common Infections

Symptoms:
frequent urination; burning sensation during urination; cloudy or foul-smelling urine; pelvic pain; low fever; incontinence; confusion or agitation in elderly

Root Cause:
UTIs are caused by the invasion of bacteria (typically E. coli) into the urinary tract, leading to inflammation and infection. In older adults, UTIs can present with more subtle or atypical symptoms, such as confusion.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is through urinalysis, urine culture, and sometimes imaging tests to check for complications like kidney stones or anatomical abnormalities.

Treatment:
UTIs are primarily treated with antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, or nitrofurantoin.

Medications:
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed, such as nitrofurantoin (a nitrofuran), ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone), or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (a combination antibiotic). These are classified as antibiotics.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
UTIs are very common in the elderly, with up to 25% of older women and 15% of older men experiencing them.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Female gender, catheter use, urinary retention, diabetes, weakened immune system, and anatomical abnormalities.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate antibiotic treatment, the prognosis is generally favorable, although recurrent UTIs are common in older adults.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pyelonephritis (kidney infection), sepsis, and chronic kidney disease in severe or untreated cases.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (e.g., Cellulitis)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Infectious Diseases

Sub-category: Common Infections

Symptoms:
redness; swelling; pain; warmth; fever; blisters; lymph node enlargement

Root Cause:
These infections are caused by bacteria (typically Streptococcus or Staphylococcus) entering broken skin or mucous membranes, causing localized inflammation and infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is usually clinical based on the appearance of the affected area, though blood cultures or a biopsy may be used in severe or non-responsive cases.

Treatment:
Treatment involves oral or intravenous antibiotics, such as cefalexin, clindamycin, or dicloxacillin, depending on the severity and suspected bacteria.

Medications:
Common antibiotics include clindamycin (a lincosamide), cefalexin (a cephalosporin), and dicloxacillin (a penicillin). These are classified as antibiotics.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Cellulitis and other skin and soft tissue infections are common, particularly in elderly individuals with comorbidities or skin integrity issues.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic conditions like diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, obesity, immunocompromised states, and poor circulation.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases improve with antibiotics, although severe infections can require surgical intervention. Recurrent infections may occur, especially if underlying conditions are not addressed.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Abscess formation, sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, and lymphangitis.