Two articles published this past year have shone a light on the management of osteoarthritis and meniscal tears of the knee.
One, by Sihvonen R et.al. in the NEJM, examined 146 patient who were diagnosed Continue reading
Doctor, what diet should I try?
Several years ago, Gary Taubes published an article in the New York Times (“What if It’s All Been a Big Fat Lie”) in which he accused the American medical establishment of being “the cause of the rampaging epidemic of obesity in America.” Ouch. Continue reading
As RSV season looms, to prophylax or not prophylax, that is the question
As we head into fall and the eventual winter cold season, our littlest patients may once again be exposed to the RSV virus. Many practitioners, including myself, have noted a decrease in bronchiolitis admissions and even severity the last few years. However, this Continue reading
Severe childhood stress and changes in gene expression
Young children are fragile. Evidence is mounting that health in adulthood can be influenced by the environment in which a child grows up. We have offered posts on this subject previously Continue reading
Do not try this approach in your practice
Here at the PHC Primary Care blog, we try to provide useful tips which can be applied to everyday practice. The following tidbit is for interest only. We strongly advise you not to try this modality in your practice. At least not yet. Continue reading
California’s Proposition 46
Proposition 46 will be on the California ballot this November. Prop 46 contains three provisions: (1) drug testing of physicians, (2) mandatory use of CURES before prescribing scheduled drugs, and (3) the measure’s primary intent, which is to increase the cap on the “pain and suffering” component of malpractice suits. The first two provisions poll well Continue reading
The thaumaturgy of caffeine powder
Human beings are endlessly creative. Their quest for innovation is ceaseless. Inquisitive minds toil endlessly in garages and basements to invent the next big thing. Fortune and fame may be around the corner for the tinkerer who develops an ingenious product. Continue reading
Another perspective on childhood vaccines
I’m writing to follow-up on a recent blog post on the subject of childhood vaccines (https://phcprimarycare.org/?p=978). Perhaps I have a different perspective as a practicing pediatrician who works on the front lines of this immunization “controversy.” I recently Continue reading
Epidural steroids for back pain
Treating chronic low back pain is frustrating. Often, first-line treatments like NSAIDs, physical therapy, hot packs, cold packs or, occasionally, muscle relaxers do not seem to work very well. At least, many of our patients voice frustration with the lack of efficacy of these treatments and want “something more” done to Continue reading
Convincing parents to vaccinate their kids
Regular readers of this blog might feel we have an obsession about increasing vaccination rates. Guilty as charged.
Regular readers of this blog also need little or no convincing on this issue. For many Continue reading