4.3 Signs and Symptoms of Problems |
| Each person has his own response to an illness. For children,
crying, whimpering, fussing and restlessness usually mean something
is wrong. Symptoms are usually less evident in elderly persons,
who may not feel pain or other symptoms as acutely as those younger.
It is, therefore, important for the caregiver to carefully observe
and question the older person about how he feels. This should be
done whenever personal care is given so that changes can be noted. |
Signs and symptoms that may indicate problems and call for professional
attention:
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Skeletal and Muscular Systems: swelling ligaments and
limbs around joints; grimacing as the person moves; slow movements;
bruising of the skin, or whiteness, shiny, red or hot areas
over a swollen joint; loss of strength, sensitivity to touch.
-
Skin: color change; swelling; texture change; clamminess
or moist to the touch; dry, oily, white, scaly patches; markings
such as moles, scars or warts; temperature changes; sores, wounds,
lumps; odor; hair condition - oily, dry, brittle, infestations
and loss; scalp - scaly, dandruff, red.
-
Circulatory Systems: swelling of ankles and feet; blue
or white color of the nailbeds, lips, feet, or hands; swelling
or hard knots in the lymph nodes of the neck, groin or in the
armpit; changes in the pulse rate - faster, slower, irregular,
weak or strong.
-
Respiratory System: sudden change in respiratory rate;
breathing - difficult, shallow, or noisy; cough; sputum - white,
yellow, odor, thick or liquid; nose - stopped up, bleeding,
dry, draining; throat - sore, red or white spots, swollen tonsils,
difficulty in swallowing.
-
Digestive System: mouth and tongue - red, swollen, spotted,
bad breath; diseased or bleeding gums; lined or coated tongue;
cracks at the comer of the mouth. Stomach - bloated, nausea
or vomiting; refusal to eat or poor appetite; excessive thirst.
Intestines - bloated. cramping. Rectum - diarrhea; black, clay-colored
or bloodtinged stool; pain when moving bowels.
-
Nervous System: shaking of limbs or the body, eyes -
sensitive to light; dull, bright, teary, bloodshot, yellowish,
moist or glassy; ears - discharge; person pulling at his ear
(as with pain); slowness in reacting; cannot awaken the person
easily after a head injury.
-
Urinary System: urine yellow, rustcolored, red, with
sediment; frequent urination; difficult to start stream; small
or large amount of urine with an urgent feeling to urinate;
dribbling; incomplete bladder drainage.
-
Reproductive System: vaginal discharge - green, yellow
or white color; cheesy consistency; watery, odor. Breasts -
lump or thickening; nipple discharge; swelling; change in contour.
Penis - yellow or white discharge. Testicles - lumps or swelling.
-
Endocrine System: signs will be reflected in other systems,
such as increased amount of fluid intake, frequent urination,
dry skin and mood changes.
-
Behavior: Overall personality does not change with age.
However, the following behavior or mood changes should be noted
if not a part of a person's normal personality: overly critical,
irritable, withdrawn, demanding, abusive, crying, aggressive,
listless, hostile, anxious, sullen, depressed.
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