Understanding

the
Common Findings
in our
Annual Physical Examination
Scoliosis
Scoliosis and symptoms
 Scoliosis is a curving of the spine.
 Symptoms:
 If one shoulder appears to be higher
than the other, or the pelvis appears to
be tilted.
 Backache or low-back pain
 Fatigue
 Spine curves abnormally to the side
(laterally)
 There may be fatigue in the spine
after prolonged sitting or standing.
Scoliosis diagnostic tests
 Diagnostic tests include:
 Scoliometer screening (a device
measures the curvature of the
spine)
 Spine x-rays (taken from the front
and the side)
 MRI (if there are any neurologic
changes noted on the exam or if
there is something unusual in the
x-ray).
Scoliosis treatment
 Most cases of adolescent idiopathic
scoliosis (less than 20 degrees) require
no treatment, but should be checked
often, about every 6 months.
 As curves get worse (above 25 to 30
degrees in a child who is still growing),
bracing is usually recommended to help
slow the progression of the curve. There
are many different kinds of braces used.
 Boston Brace, Wilmington Brace,
Milwaukee Brace, and Charleston
Brace
 A back brace does not reverse the
curve. Instead, it uses pressure to help
straighten the spine. The brace can be
adjusted with growth.
Scoliosis treatment
 The choice of when to have surgery will
vary. After the bones of the skeleton stop
growing, the curve should not get much
worse.
 Curves of 40 degrees or greater usually
require surgery.
 Surgery involves correcting the curve
(although not all the way) and fusing the
bones in the curve together. The bones are
held in place with one or two metal rods held
down with hooks and screws until the bone
heals together. A brace may be required to
stabilize the spine after surgery.
 Physical therapists and orthotists
(orthopedic appliance specialists) can help
explain the treatments and make sure the
brace fits comfortably.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis and its symptoms
 Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused
by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
 The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they
can also damage other parts of the body.
 TB spreads through the air when a person with
TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or
talks.
 Symptoms of TB in the lungs may include
 A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
 Weight loss
 Coughing up blood or mucus
 Weakness or fatigue
 Fever and chills
 Night sweats
Tuberculosis tests and diagnosis
 Skin test
 Mantoux test
 Blood test
 Chest X-ray.
 show white spots in your lungs where
your immune system has walled off TB
bacteria.
 In others, it may reveal a nodule or
cavities in your lungs caused by active
TB.
 CT Scan
Tuberculosis treatment
 Treating active TB disease
 isoniazid,
 rifampin (Rifadin),
 ethambutol
(Myambutol) and
 pyrazinamide.
 Multivitamins
Difference from pneumonia and
bronchitis
 Bronchitis means that the tubes that carry air to the lungs are
inflamed and irritated.
 Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. Often a person gets acute
bronchitis after having an upper respiratory tract infection such as a
cold or the flu.
 Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make you very sick.
You may cough, run a fever, and have a hard time breathing.
 It often clears up in 2 to 3 weeks.
 It usually starts when you breathe the germs into your lungs. You may
be more likely to get the disease after having a cold or the flu. These
illnesses make it hard for your lungs to fight infection, so it is easier to
get pneumonia.
 Having a long-term, or chronic, disease like asthma, heart disease,
cancer, or diabetes also makes you more likely to get pneumonia.
Urinary Tract
Infection
Urinary Tract Infection
and its symptoms
 A urinary tract infection (UTI) is
a bacterial infection that affects
any part of the urinary tract.
 The main causitive agent is
Escherichia coli.
 Symptoms include:
 frequent feeling and/or need to
urinate,
 pain during urination,
 and cloudy urine.
Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis and
Treatment
 Diagnosis:
 Urinalysis
 Urine Culture

 Treatment:
 Antibiotics
 Vitamin C
What is Fasting
Blood Sugar?
FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar)
FBS STATUS HEALTH IMPACT

Less than 100 Normal Healthy level

milligrams per deciliter
(mg/dL)
Between 100 and 125 Pre-diabetes or Increased risk of
mg/dL borderline diabetes cardiovascular disease
and future diabetes
126 mg/dL or higher, Diabetes Risk of damage to the
measured on two eyes, kidneys, blood
different days vessels, heart and nerves
as well as cognitive
decline and dementia
FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar)
 Hypoglycemia
 Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is most common in people with
diabetes
 It’s not as common in people who don't have diabetes, but it can
happen. It could be caused by:
 Medicines such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (used to treat
depression), quinine sulfate (used to treat malaria), and aspirin.
 Drinking too much alcohol.
 Diseases that affect the pancreas, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, or
other organs.
 Metabolism problems that run in families.
 Problems caused by stomach surgery.
FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar)
 The symptoms of hypoglycemia can be different depending on
how low your blood sugar level drops.
 Mild hypoglycemia can make you feel hungry or like you want to
vomit. You could also feel jittery or nervous. Your heart may beat
fast. You may sweat. Or your skin might turn cold and clammy.
 Moderate hypoglycemia often makes people feel short-tempered,
nervous, afraid, or confused. Your vision may blur. You could also
feel unsteady or have trouble walking.
 Severe hypoglycemia can cause you to pass out. You could have
seizures. It could even cause a coma or death.
 How is it treated?
 If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, you need to eat or drink
something with sugar in it. For example, you could eat raisins,
graham crackers, or candy. You could also drink skim milk, regular
(not diet) soda, or fruit juice.