Few Etiology Mnemonics

YELLOW NAILS

• N: Non pitting Lymphedema
• A: Autoimmune disorders (thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis)
• I: Infections (Pneumonia, AIDS)
• L: Lung disorders (pleural effusions and bronchiectasis)
• S: Serious: Malignancy (mycosis fungoides, laryngeal carcinoma, bronchial carcinoma, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, gallbladder cancer, NH Lymphoma)

DIASTEMA causes (see Terry Thomas “sign”)

• D: Developmental cyst orofacial line
• I: Inherited (genetic)
• A: Anterior traumatic bite
• S: Superior labial frenum
• T: Tumor (odontomas occurring in the maxillary midline)
• E: Excessive teeth (supernumerary)
• M: Migration -pathologic migration of the teeth
• A: Arch size discrepancy

ANGIOEDEMA causes

• A: ACE inhibitor, ARBs
• N: Nuts (peanuts allergy)
• G: Gleich syndrome (angioedema episodic + hypereosinophilia,  ­IgM, no end organ involvement or cardiac damage); Gland associated (hypothyroidism)
• I: Insect bites (bees), idiopathic
• O: Other: SLE, Lymphomas
• E: Esterase inhibitor C1 deficiency, Everolimus
• D: Drugs: NSAIDs (Brufen)
• E: Egg & shellfish allergy
• M: Morphine, codeine, Milk containing Penicillin
• A: Aspirin

SPLINTER HEMORRHAGES

• S: Septic emboli, Sunitinib & Sorafenib (TKI, Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors)
• P: Psoriasis, & Psittacosis; Proximal & multiple in women look for systemic disease.
• L: Lichen planus
• I: Infections: Infective endocarditis & Meningococcus; Disseminated histoplasmosis
• N: Neoplasia, Nitrofurantoin
• T: Trauma, Terbinafine, Tetracyclines
• E: Erythematosus (SLE, APS)
• R: Rheumatic [Behcet’s, Raynaud’s, Cutaneous Vasculitis] & Renal disease (hemodialysis & post-transplant)

PALMAR ERYTHEMA

• E: Endocrine [Diabetes Mellitus 4%]
• R: RA [Rheumatoid Arthritis 60%]
• Y: Infections [HBC, HCV]
• T: Thyroid [TSH low – hyperthyroidism] Topiramate & salbutamol (w/normal liver functions]
• H: Hepatic disease [Cirrhosis 23%, Wilson’s disease, Hemochromatosis] Hand Foot Syndrome (following chemotherapy – lots of drugs]; Hereditary
• E: Exposure to smoking, & COPD
• M: Mum – Pregnancy 30%
• A: Atopic dermatitis, Amiodarone (with Gemfibrozil & Cholestyramine with liver abnormalities); Attention: breast cancer – primary & metastatic.

HYPERSALIVATION

• H: Hg (Mercury) poisoning
• Y: hYpoglossal palsy
• P: Pellagra (B3 – niacin deficiency); Pregnancy; Parkinson’s disease; Pyridostigmine & Pilocarpine; Pancreatitis
• E: Epiglottitis
• R: Rabies; Risperdal
• S: Serotonin syndrome
• A: Arsenic & Thallium poisoning
• L: Liver disease
• I: IM Clozapine (nocturnal drooling)
• V: VII facial bilateral nerve palsy
• A: ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, MSA Multiple System Atrophy (Parkinson’s); Myasthenia Gravis
• T: Tonsillitis
• I: Infection (oral)
• O: Organophosphates
• N: Neurologic (bulbar palsy); Nicotine

FARTINGS

• F: Fizzy drinks & Foods (Hard to digest), Fructose intolerance
• A: Aerophagia; Alcohol (muscle relaxant)
• R: Related to Asanas (Yoga positions) & Respiration: Snoring (OSA Obstructive Sleep Apnea); Regular farting Reduces bloating (keep doing it 5-15 xs/day)
• T: Tolerance to milk decreased  (Lactose intolerance)
• I: IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• N: Neoplasia (colon obstruction; NSAIDs & others (Statins, Varenicline – Champix)
• G: Giardiasis
• S: Sorbitol & Xylitol