Chapter 23 General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns

CHAPTER 23
General Medical Conditions and
Additional Health Concerns
OVERVIEW
When we think of problems confronting the athlete, we automatically think of
sports injuries. Yet illness and other health conditions can threaten an athlete's
physical well being. Many respiratory infections and viral diseases are highly
contagious and can spread from player to player thus disabling the entire team.
Other conditions that can affect the athlete are skin disorders, gastrointestinal tract
disorders, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, hypertension, anemia, and sexually
transmitted diseases.
Individuals working with female athletes should be aware of the unique problems
and concerns associated with this gender population. The conditions associated
with the onset or the absence of menses should be brought to the attention of a
health care provider. Though usually not serious, any variance from the norm should
be documented and referred to a physician to rule out a serious pathological
condition.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying Chapter 23, the student will be able to:

Describe the conditions associated with bacterial infections.

Describe the conditions associated with viral infections.
Describe the conditions associated with fungal infections.
Describe the respiratory tract illnesses common to athletes including sinusitis,
pharyngitis, influenza, tonsillitis, rhinitis, and bronchitis.
Differentiate between bronchial asthma and exercise-induced asthma.
Explain how to treat indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and food
poisoning.
Describe how problems with the diabetic athlete should be avoided.
Describe the dangers that hypertension presents to an athlete.
Describe the difference between iron-deficiency anemia and sickle cell anemia.
Explain what steps to take with an athlete who is having a grand mal seizure.
Identify contagious viral diseases that may be seen in athletes.
Contrast the different sexually transmitted diseases that athletes may have.
Explain the concerns of the female athlete in terms of menstruation,
osteoporosis, and reproduction.

KEY TERMINOLOGY

Amenorrhea - Absence or suppression of menstruation

Anaphylaxis An immediate transient allergic reaction resulting in swelling of
tissues and dilation of capillaries
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Chapter 23 General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns

Bronchitis - Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes in

the lungs
Diarrhea - Abnormal stool looseness or passage of a fluid, unformed stool and is
categorized as acute or chronic according to the type present
Dysmenorrhea - Painful menstruation
Dyspepsia - Indigestion
Epilepsy - A recurrent disorder of cerebral function characterized by sudden, brief
attacks of altered consciousness, motor activity, sensory phenomena, or
inappropriate behavior
Folliculitis Inflammatory reaction of the hair follicles usually around the face,
neck, or groin area
Furuncle (boil) A localized pus forming bacterial infection that originates in a hair
follicle
Gastroenteritis - Food poisoning
Hemoglobin - Oxygen carrying molecules in the blood
Hypertension - High blood pressure
Malaise - Discomfort and uneasiness caused by illness
Meningitis Inflammation of the meninges that surround the spinal cord and brain
that is caused by infection
Metered Dose Inhaler- A pressurized canister with measured doses of medication
inside used by individuals with asthma
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) A strain of staphylococcus
bacteria that is resistant to a variety of antibiotics including Methicillin.
Oligomenorrhea - A diminished flow during the menstrual period
Pharyngitis A sore throat usually the result of postnasal drip associated with a
cold or sinusitis
Rhinitis - Inflammation of the nasal mucous lining
Tinea (Ringworm) The most common fungal infection affecting the skin, nail, and
hair
Urticaria Sudden vascular reaction of the skin resulting in wheals or papules
and itching

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Discuss how common skin infections can be transmitted through athletic
participation and how transmission can be prevented.
2. Discuss the differences between asthma and exercise-induced asthma.
3. Discuss the relationship between HIV, hepatitis B, and sexually transmitted
diseases, and discuss ways to prevent disease transmission.
4. Discuss the effects of menstrual irregularities and osteoporosis in competitive
athletes, and explain the female athlete triad.
5. Explain the similarities and differences between insulin shock and diabetic coma.
6. What are the different types of anemia that may be present in athletes? How do
you manage them?
7. What is hypertension? How is it managed?

CLASS ACTIVITIES
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Chapter 23 General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns

1. Invite a local medical professional to speak about the variety of common

illnesses that can occur and the importance of recognizing them and seeking
proper medical attention.
2. Have students pair up and role play as athletes with a medical problem. The
student must present the signs and symptoms of particular conditions and have
the other students identify the probable illness or syndrome and the most
common method of transmission.
3. Invite a speaker from the local health department to talk about sexually
transmitted diseases.
4. Have the students get into groups and choose one of the medical conditions in
the chapter. Have each group of students gather information on the chosen
medical condition and give a report to the other groups.

WORKSHEET ANSWERS
Matching
1.
2.
3.
4.

c
l
a
i

5.
6.
7.
8.

f
g
h
j

9. p
10. d
11. o
12. r

13.
14.
15.
16.

n
m
e
q

17. k
18. b

Short Answer
19.When the spleen is not enlarged or painful, the athlete is without fever, liver
function tests are normal and the sore throat and any other complications have
been resolved
20.Follow a proper diet including more red meat or dark chicken, avoiding coffee or
tea, ingesting vitamin C sources, and taking an iron supplement
21.Attributed to a filterable virus which produces an infection in the upper
respiratory tract
22.Antibiotics and nasal vasoconstrictors
23.Topical antifungal agents
24.Itching of the throat, eyes, nose, and mouth, watering of the eyes, sneezing, and
a clear, watery nasal discharge
25.Eating cereals, fruits, vegetables, and fats that stimulate bowel movements
26.Results from infectious organisms (bacteria) that enter the body in either food or
drink. Foods become contaminated by improper food refrigeration or from an
infected food handler.
27.A chronic hereditary anemia in which the red blood cells have an abnormal sickle
shape, have less potential for transporting oxygen and are more fragile than
normal cells. The African American population has the greatest incidence.
28.The normal range for blood pressure is less than 120 systolic and less than 80
diastolic. Prehypertension blood pressure is 120-139 systolic and 80-89
Diastolic, Stage I hypertension blood pressure is 140-159 systolic, and 90-99
diastolic, Stage II hypertension blood pressure is 160 or higher for systolic, and
100 or higher for diastolic.
Listing
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Chapter 23 General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns

29.Be emotionally composed.

30.If possible, cushion the athletes fall.
31.Keep the athlete away from injury-producing objects.
32.Loosen restricting clothing.
33.Do not try to force anything between the athletes teeth.
34.Allow the athlete to awaken normally after the seizure.
35-36.Students should choose two of the following:
Lack of abdominal muscle tone
Insufficient moisture in the feces
Lack of sufficient roughage in the diet
Poor bowel habits
Nervousness and anxiety
Overuse of laxatives and enemas
37-38.Students should choose two of the following:
Physical debilitation from overwork or lack of sleep
Chronic inflammation from a local infection
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa from an allergy
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa from breathing foreign substances such as
dust
Sensitivity to stress
39.Chlamydia
40.Trichomoniasis
41.Gonorrhea
42.Syphilis
Essay
43-48.The female athletic triad is a combination of three medical disorders including
disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis, a bone disease marked by
softening and decreased density. Disordered eating can include any
combination of anorexia, bulimia and/or excessive exercise. It can lead to
malnutrition which leads to chronic fatigue, compromise of the immune
system, and often depression. Amenorrhea is the absence of the menstrual
cycle for more than 6 months. A decrease in estrogen levels interferes with
the activity of bone producing cells which can eventually lead to stress
fractures. Osteoporosis includes not only bone loss but also new bone
formation. Fractures can occur in the hip, spine, foot, and other sites.
Returning to normal exercise and eating patterns can reverse the effects of
the triad.
49-54.Insulin shock: Too little blood sugar resulting in hypoglycemia and shock.
Characterized by physical weakness, moist and pale skin, drooping eyelids,
and normal or shallow respirations.
Care: Give the athlete some form of sugar, either a lump of sugar, candy or
orange juice.
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Chapter 23 General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns

Diabetic coma: Labored breathing or gasping for air, fruity-smelling breath

(caused by acetone), nausea, vomiting, extreme thirst, dry mucous lining of
the mouth, flushed skin, mental confusion or unconsciousness followed by
coma.
Care: Only way to correct the insulin-blood sugar imbalance is to inject
insulin. May need emergency care if insulin injection does not reverse the
condition.
55-59.Keep the athlete relaxed and reassured. Use prescribed medication via an
inhaler, drink water, place in a semi-reclined position to make breathing
easier, perform controlled breathing, removal of athlete from what might be
triggering the attack. If breathing difficulty persists, the athlete should be
taken to an emergency care facility.
60- 63.
A metered dose inhaler should be used 15 minutes before exercise as
this will delay symptoms by 2-4 hours. The athlete should place his/her lips
on or near the inhalers mouthpiece to inhale the mist. The Canister should
be squeezed at the same time the athlete inhales. If an athlete has difficulty
inhaling the mist, a spacer can be used to allow more time to inhale slowly.
64- 66. Primary or essential hypertension accounts for 90% of all cases and has no
disease associated with it. Secondary hypertension is related to a specific
underlying cause, such as kidney disorder, overactive adrenal glands,
hormone producing tumor, narrowing of the aorta, pregnancy and
medications (oral contraceptives, cold remedies)

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Chapter 23 General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns

NAME ______________________________
SECTION__________

CHAPTER 23 WORKSHEET
General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns
MATCHING: Match the condition with the correct response.
_____ 1. Amenorrhea
_____ 2. Anaphylaxis
_____ 3. Anemia
_____ 4. Asthma
_____ 5. Diabetes
_____ 6. Dyspepsia
_____ 7. Dysmenorrhea
_____ 8. Epilepsy
_____ 9. Folliculitis
_____10. Gastroenteritis
_____11. Meningitis
_____12. MRSA
_____13. Mononucleosis
_____14. Pharyngitis
_____15. Sinusitis
_____16. Tinea cruris
_____17. Tinea pedis
_____18. Urticaria

a. Results from a low level of hemoglobin and

red blood cells.
b. Sudden vascular reaction of the skin
resulting in wheals
c. Absence of menstruation
d. Food poisoning
e. Inflammation of the nasal sinuses
f. Hereditary or developmental disease
involving an imbalance between blood
sugar and insulin
g. Indigestion
h. Painful menstruation
i. Spasm of the bronchial smooth muscles,
edema and inflammation of the mucous
lining
j. Convulsive disorder
k. Fungal infection of the foot
l. An immediate transient allergic reaction
m. A sore throat
n. A viral disease that can enlarge the spleen
o. Inflammation of the membranes that
surround the spinal cord and brain
secondary to an infection
p. Inflammatory reaction of the hair follicle
q. Fungal infection of the groin area
r. A type of staph infection resistant to
antibiotics

SHORT ANSWER: Answer the following questions with a brief response.

19.Under what conditions can an athlete with mono return to participation?
20.How is iron deficiency managed?
21.What is the cause of the common cold?
22.What is the care for sinusitis?
23.What is the overall care for fungal infections?
24.What are the early symptoms of rhinitis?
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Chapter 23 General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns

25.How should constipation be relieved?

26.What is the cause of food poisoning?
27.Describe sickle-cell anemia. What population has the largest incidence?
28.What is the normal range for blood pressure, and what is the blood pressure
readings for prehypertension, Stage I hypertension and Stage II hypertension.
LISTING: List the steps that should be taken when caring for an athlete that is
having a seizure.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
List two causes of constipation.
35.
36.
List two of the characteristics found in an individual that is susceptible for catching
a cold.
37.
38.
List the four STDs that are treated with antibiotics.
39.
40.
41.
42.

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Chapter 23 General Medical Conditions and Additional Health Concerns

ESSAY:
43-48.Discuss the Female Athletic Triad.

49-54.Describe the symptoms for insulin shock and diabetic coma. Discuss the
treatment for both conditions.

55-59.Describe the management for an acute asthma attack.

60.63.Explain how to use a metered dose inhaler properly.

64-66. Describe the difference between primary and secondary hypertension.

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