TREATMENT—Evacuate the patient to a medical facility for evaluation.
Lymphadenitis and Lymphangitis
Lymphadenitis is the inflammation of a lymph node. Lymphangitis is the inflammation of a lymph vessel. The cause is bacterial infection arising from the site of an infected wound or an area of cellulitis.
SYMPTOMS—Throbbing pain, malaise, anorexia, sweating, chills, and fever are common. There may be a red streak running from the wound site toward the lymph nodes.
TREATMENT—General measures consist of rest and immobilization of the affected part. Moist heat and systemic antibiotic therapy are indicated.
Anemia
This is a condition in which red blood cells are deficient in volume in the circulating blood or in total hemoglobin content per unit of blood. It may be caused by excessive blood loss, deficient RBC production, RBC destruction, or iron deficiency.
SYMPTOMS—They include fatigue, dyspnea, palpation, waxy pallor, low hemoglobin, angina, and tachycardia.
TREATMENT—Rest, whole blood, supplemental iron, and replacement of dietary deficiencies are the recommended treatment measures.
Leukemia
It is a disorder of the blood forming tissue that is characterized by proliferation of abnormal white blood cells.
SYMPTOMS—Malaise, anorexia, fever, arthralgia, lymph node swelling, sternal tenderness, and excessive bleeding are common.
TREATMENT—Evacuate the patient to a medical facility.
PROBLEMS OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains are by far the most common ailments of the musculoskeletal system. As these are covered in the HM 3 & 2 Rate Training Manual, they will not be addressed here. However, common inflammatory conditions are often presented at sick call: the following are some of the more commonly encountered.
Costochondritis (Tietze’s Syndrome)
This is an inflammatory condition of the costal cartilages of unknown cause.
SYMPTOMS—It is characterized by pain, tenderness, and sometimes swelling of one or more of the costal cartilages. The pain is is accentuated by breathing, coughing, and movement. It may be mistaken for cardiovascular disease by the patient. Palpation may localize the pain to the point of inflammation.
TREATMENT—Administer analgesics for pain. In more severe episodes, it maybe necessary to inject the site of inflammation with a mixture of lidocaine and steroids. This condition is often persistent and may last for weeks.
Bursitis
This an acute or chronic inflammation of a bursa that may be the result of trauma, gout, infection, or rheumatoid arthritis.
SYMPTOMS—Pain, swelling, limitation of movement in the area involving the affected bursa are common. There may be effusion into the bursal sac.
TREATMENT—General measures consist of complete rest of the affected area until there is relief of acutes symptoms. Administer analgesics and encourage active movement as soon as the pain subsides. Heat and massaging may help. Hydrocortisone injections provide relief in most cases not caused by a specific infection. Tendinitis/Tenosynovitis Tendinitis is the inflammation of the flexor tendons or tendon-muscle attachments: tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the synovial
