Symptoms Resources

Heart failure (HF) remains one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions and is predicted to rise substantially in the next decade. As many of these patients have other comorbidities, general practice nurses (GPNs) are in the ideal position to assess and identify any possible deterioration before it results in admission. Having a good understanding of HF, terminology and treatment will assist with this, and standardising care and reviews in line with current guidelines will improve care.

Tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia and laryngomalacia are conditions where there is a deficiency in the functioning of the cartilage in the airway walls, which causes them to be weaker or even absent in places. This leads to an exaggerated luminal narrowing within the affected airway during expiration. The malacia may be localised or generalised. There is limited literature and published research in this area. These three conditions are seen in both children and adults. However, because of the size of the airways in small children and the more marked clinical response to any narrowing of the airway, these malacias are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than when the conditions occur in adults. In the fully mature airway, the symptoms may be less obvious, leading to the conditions
being under-recognised and under-diagnosed in adults. It is also important to understand that in the adult population malacia may coexist with more common conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where breathlessness, cough, dyspnoea and other symptoms may be misattributed to these more common diseases.
This article raises awareness of these three malacia conditions.

The terms sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are used to cover a number of individual conditions that vary in their presentation, treatment, management and risk, and severity of complications. Statistics indicate that the prevalence of some diseases is rising, while others are falling. Yet, in spite of these findings, in 2017 there were 422,147 new diagnoses of STIs made in England alone (Public Health England [PHE], 2018). Current data shows that young people experience the highest diagnosis rates, thought to be likely due to more frequent rates of partner change among younger adults, with females more likely to be diagnosed than males (PHE, 2018). Early detection and treatment is key if complications and avoidance of spread are to be achieved. Given the incidence of some STIs, it is likely that general practice nurses (GPNs) and GPs will be approached by patients asking for help and advice. This article gives an overview of some of the more common STIs, with the aim of improving knowledge and confidence in this area of clinical practice.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United Kingdom (Cancer Research UK [CRUK], 2016). In 2013, there were 47,300 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. This amounts to 13% of all new cancers diagnosed in men. Furthermore, prostate cancer incidence has increased by 5% over the last ten years (CRUK, 2016). In 2014 there were 11,287 deaths due to prostate cancer, however 84% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive 10 years or more (CRUK, 2016). This paper gives an overview of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment and the role of general practice nurses (GPNs) in the care of men suspected of having prostate cancer and following treatment.