CHAPTER 4 Amenorrhea Amenorrhea is a lack of menstruation that can be the result of primary or secondary causes. Primary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menarche by 16…

CHAPTER 14 Earache Otalgia, or ear pain, is generally caused by an inflammatory process. In children, inflammation most commonly occurs in the middle ear. Adults more often have an earache…

CHAPTER 10 Cough Cough is one of the most common symptoms for which patients seek health care. Cough occurs when inspiration is followed by an explosive expiration. Coughing promotes clearance…

CHAPTER 22 Nasal symptoms and sinus congestion Concern about symptoms of the “common cold” accounts for a significant proportion of primary care visits by both children and adults, especially in…

CHAPTER 15 Fatigue Fatigue, also called asthenia, is a constitutional symptom that can be the result of normal physiological consequences of exertion or a symptom of illness. It is a…

CHAPTER 7 Chest pain The first task in the evaluation of a patient with chest pain is to determine whether the pain is a life-threatening condition, such as ischemic heart…

CHAPTER 17 Genitourinary problems in males Urinary tract problems in males represent a range of conditions from infections, inflammation, and urine outlet obstruction to congenital malformation, trauma, or neoplasm. Any…

CHAPTER 26 Rectal pain, itching, and bleeding Anorectal problems can cause significant discomfort and anxiety. Because patients are often embarrassed by pain or problems in the anal area, they may…

CHAPTER 30 Syncope Syncope is the transient loss of consciousness and postural tone that results from a sudden decrease in cerebral perfusion. It is distinct from a coma, seizures, shock,…

CHAPTER 27 Red eye The term red eye is used to denote a cardinal sign of ocular inflammation. The anatomical location in and around the eye and the probable cause…