Each individual who uses chronic opioids was at some point started for the first time on a prescription opioid. Often the problem was an episode of acute pain, such as a twisted ankle. Opioids may also have been newly started for a chronic pain problem, such as Continue reading
Category Archives: Medical Practice
Beware broken heart syndrome
Valentine’s Day looms on the near horizon. A day for chocolate, roses, and smarmy greeting cards. A time to express undying affection for those we love. But you already know where this is headed, don’t you? While people everywhere prepare to give voice to Continue reading
Healthy New Year’s resolutions for kids, and for some adults also
Though we’re already well into 2015, we just came across the following New Year tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They are certainly appropriate for year round use. Many of the tips are relevant even for people who have graduated from the Continue reading
Sensible drinking
On the first Monday of each month, my local newspaper publishes a list of local DUI convictions for the previous month (which of course, I scan carefully for people I may know). Along with the list is a guideline for avoiding a DUI: “if you weigh 150-169 pounds, Continue reading
Methadone – a complex tool for pain management
Methadone is a valuable tool for patients with chronic benign pain, but it is a medication with a complex pharmacology and potential dangers in prescribing. It is often used for patients who require a long acting pain medication when they have failed or have side Continue reading
Oh, my aching back
A few months ago, I had to undergo an L5-S1 spinal fusion. Before surgery I had a number of epidural injections to try to avoid the surgery and several studies to clearly identify the offending nerve root level. Like most patients, I said “yes” to my doctors’ suggestions Continue reading
All I want for Christmas is a closed reduction of my spiral radial fracture
Yes, just in time for the Christmas shopping season comes a study from the journal Clinical Pediatrics showing that pediatric toy-related injuries have jumped almost 40% since 1990. Notably, this study did not include the numerous parental injuries from Continue reading
A source is a source, of course, of course
Scientists at the University of Leeds investigated the hypothesis that forced air hand dryers, touted for their greenness, might spread bacteria due to aerosolization of contaminated particles. E.L.Best, et.al., recently published a study in the Journal of Hospital infection comparing the propensity of three common hand drying techniques Continue reading
Beware the drug sample trap
Drug samples are insidious. They may seem benign. They are just small quantities of a medication, dropped off in medical offices by drug company representatives, to be handed out to patients who may benefit from them. What could be more harmless than that?
Well, let’s start by defining the term “Trojan horse.” Continue reading
A long evening in the Emergency Department
It took me several days to recover from my recent long evening in the ED. I have a harder time staying up till 2:00 am on weekdays than I used to. My old body and brain do better on seven hours sleep than on four. The night started when my sister called at 6:30 pm, Continue reading