Following a trip abroad, up to 8% of travelers will present for medical attention1. Many of these complaints are mild, but some are life-threatening. A detailed travel history and history of the presenting illness are essential in identifying serious illnesses and preventing over-investigation of more common non-dangerous infectious complaints (i.e. URTI’s). An easy mnemonic to help you remember key aspects of the travel history is TRAVEL: T – Time of onset The timing of …
Medical Concept: Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve. It typically presents with loss of vision, dyschromatopsia (color vision impairment) and ocular pain.
Tiny Tip for Acute Visual Loss: CAN U GO STARE at HIM
Acute visual loss is distressing to patients of any age. A careful history and physical exam alone may help direct you to the diagnosis in most cases. However, when the cause isn’t immediately obvious, it is helpful to have an approach to go to for considering all of the possibilities. If you’re a Canadian EM resident studying for your Royal College exams, you might also want to have this available for quick recall. Mnemonic …