Here at Partnership HealthPlan, we are constantly searching for new, better, and easier ways for people to improve their health. Thus, it was with great relish that we read a recent study in the NEJM on the health benefits of eating nuts. Continue reading
The Art of War/Medicine
Recently updated guidelines for treatment of high cholesterol levels have just been released by the American College of Cardiology – American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. They represent a change Continue reading
Follow-up on topical NSAIDs
The following comments are from Bill Hunter, MD, Medical Director of Open Door Community Health Centers, based in Arcata with clinic sites in many Northern California communities:
I was confused by your recent blog post on topical NSAIDs Continue reading
Children coughing in the night
A landmark study from turn-of-the-century England documented that a teaspoon dose of sucrose could improve medication administration and palatability (Poppins M, et.al, 1910, referenced at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Spoonful_of_Sugar). But what if Continue reading
Topical NSAIDs in the treatment of osteoarthritis pain
Osteoarthritis pain is one of the more frustrating problems we primary care clinicians have to manage. It is a ubiquitous problem. It is a bothersome complaint. And treatment options are not great. NSAID’s can provide some relief, but Continue reading
The paradox of opioid-induced hyperalgesia
Something has clearly gone awry with our efforts to manage chronic non-cancer pain. Emergency departments in the U.S. are facing an epidemic of opioid overdoses. Deaths from opioid overdoses now exceed those from Continue reading
Diagnosis of ADHD in children and adolescents
Clinicians should take a cautious approach when considering use of the first medical device approved by the FDA to help diagnose ADHD in children.
The FDA recently approved an EEG-based technology for Continue reading
More information on antibiotics for bronchitis
The evidence against using antibiotics to treat acute bronchitis continues to mount. Most recently, a study published in the October 4, 2013, BMJ looked at outcomes among patients treated with Augmentin, ibuprofen, or placebo. Not surprisingly, Continue reading
Mr. Moon, Mr. Moon, you’re up too soon
As a father of four and grandfather of four I recall feeling a bit guilty when announcing bedtime and signaling an end to the evening’s activities. Actually, my wife more often led the command, with me as her trusty sidekick. We both felt Continue reading
PSA testing and inverse bell-shaped curves
Human behavior fascinates me. And physician human behavior fascinates me even more. What motivates us to treat specific diagnoses in specific patients the way we do? How do we decide what medicines to prescribe? What kinds Continue reading