Author: Chris Schwerdt
Chris Schwerdt, PharmD is a clinical pharmacist with over two decades of experience in long-term care, pharmacy operations, and regulatory consulting. He has led closed-door pharmacy businesses and serves on Pharmacy & Therapeutics committees for both industry and government programs. His work focuses on medication policy development, formulary strategy, and optimizing patient care through drug utilization review. Chris is affiliated with ASCP, ASHP, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Published Articles
General Illness Information Medical Term: SEIZURES, FEBRILE Common Name: Seizures, febrile, febrile fits. Description: Seizure occurring with fever in infancy or childhood without evidence of other underlying cause. It is triggered by rapid rise in temperature in infants and children. Febrile convulsions typically occur with rising temperature followed by altered consciousness and uncontrolled muscle spasms. They can occur in up to 4% of children between ages of 6 months to…
General Illness Information Common Name: Ringworm infection of nails Medical Term: Onychomycosis, tinea unguium. Description: A fungus infection of the toenails or fingernails in which nails become pliable, brittle, opaque, white and thickened. It affects all ages, but most common in older adolescents and adults. Causes: Infection with the Trichophyton fungus. Fingernail infection occurs usually if the nail has been injured or the nail is affected by another skin disease…
General Illness Information Common Name: Dermatitis, Seborrheic Medical Term: None Specified Description: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common , chronic skin condition presenting as dry whitish scales or greasy scales. Can involve the scalp, eyebrows, forehead, face, trunk, or skin folds. It is not considered contagious. Dandruff and cradle cap are both forms of seborrheic dermatitis. Causes: Mechanism of disease unknown. Recently discovered to be probably caused by a fungus Malassezia…
General Illness Information Medical Term: PSORIASIS Common Name: None Specified Description: Psoriasis is a recurrent skin condition which is characterized by macules and patches (flat areas of altered coloration), as well as papules and plaques (elevated areas of skin). It is recognizable by silvery scaling bumps and various sized plaques. There are many different forms of psoriasis, including: Plaque psoriasis; Guttate psoriasis; Erythrodermic psoriasis; Pustular psoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis; Psoriasis is…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Parkinson’s disease Common Name: None Specified Description: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive movement disorder which affects 1% of the population over the age of 65 years. This is a neurological disorder which becomes apparent as cells in a certain part of the brain (the basal ganglia), are lost. The disease is characterized by a tremor which is present at rest, increased muscle tone…
General Illness Information Common Name: Otitis Media Medical Term: Otitis media Description: An infection (viral or bacterial) of the lining of the middle ear. It is common in children and is usually secondary to an upper respiratory infection. Causes: Viral or bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract, usually spreading to the middle ear via the eustachian tube. The causative micro-organism varies according to which ones are epidemic in any…
General Illness Information Common Name: Otitis Externa, Swimmer’s ear Medical Term: Otitis Externa. Description: Inflammation or infection of the external ear canal that extends from the eardrum to the outside. Causes: Bacterial or fungal infection of the delicate skin lining of the ear canal. Injury to the ear canal. Prevention: Avoid preventable risk factors. Signs & Symptoms Discharge of pus from the ear. Ear pain that worsens when the earlobe…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Nasal septum, deviated. CommonName: Deviated nasal septum. Description: Abnormality of the septum of the nose, resulting in partial or almost complete obstruction of the affected side. Causes: The septum of the nose is composed of bone in the back, and cartilage in the front. Any injury or malformation of these structures can cause a deviated nasal septum. Prevention: Protection from nasal injury, especially with contact…
General Illness Information Common Name: Osteoarthritis Medical Term: (Degenerative Arthritis) Description: Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown and eventual loss of joint cartilage. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a cushion between the bones of the joint. It is the commonest of all the different types of arthritis and affects over 15 million people in the United States. Before age 45, osteoarthritis occurs more…
General Illness Information Common Name: Nephrotic Syndrome. Medical Term: None Specified Description: Nephrotic syndrome is a syndrome ( a collection of symptoms) caused by many diseases that affect the kidneys . This results in severe protein loss in the urine, decreased blood levels of protein ( especially albumin), retention of excess salt and water in the body, causing swelling of extremities, face and abdomen. It can occur at any age, but…
