A recent report from the BMJ investigated whether adding a TENS unit to usual primary care – advice, exercises, NSAIDS – improved the 6-week outcome of pain intensity. (Cortisone injections were discouraged for purposes of Continue reading
Type 2 diabetes and antipsychotic drug use in children
A recently published article in JAMA Psychiatry shows a 3-fold increased risk for type 2 diabetes in children treated with antipsychotic medications.
This was a retrospective cohort study involving Tennessee Medicaid Continue reading
If you see it, can you really believe it?
We clinicians do our best to practice evidence-based medicine. We seek objective evidence to diagnose disease and monitor treatment. Symptoms and complaints are subjective. They may suggest a disease is present or Continue reading
Worsening low back pain treatment
Yes, the title on this post is correct. I’m here today to talk about the worsening treatment of low back pain, not worsening pain. A number of organizations have published evidence-based guidelines on appropriate management of low back pain, including Continue reading
End-of-life discussions before the end of life
Partnership HealthPlan is a strong advocate for having end-of-life wishes discussed well before the end of life arrives. By doing so, it is more likely that patients’ own individual desires will be followed. It also can reduce the stress on Continue reading
How to respond when an older women has a fracture
Osteoporosis is a significant problem in older people, especially women. Osteoporosis is a major risk factor for hip fractures, and hip fractures are quite problematic. Almost half of those who suffer a hip fracture never regain their prior level of Continue reading
Brand name vs generic medications
We at PHC are big supporters of generic medications. They work as well as brand name drugs and cost less. Generic medications save society money and lower health care costs.
Let me also say Continue reading
To spank or not to spank, that is the question
Regular readers of this blog will have encountered periodic posts on how adverse childhood experiences can lead to health problems later in life. A recently published study in Pediatrics weighs in on this issue with evidence that Continue reading
Statins vary in side effect profile
Statins as a drug class are generally safe and widely used to treat hyperlipidemia. They have proven effective in lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients at risk.
There are also some concerns about Continue reading
Be cautious when ordering CT scans in children
CT scans are truly miracles of modern medicine. They enable us to more efficiently and effectively work up complex problems. By letting us look deep into the human body and see things not well seen with regular x-rays, ultrasound, or even MRIs, they Continue reading