Tag Archives: Family Doctor

Do you have trouble swallowing? Food getting stuck? What should you watch out for?

The medical term for difficulty swallowing is dysphagia. Dysphagia is a frequent occurrence and is often underreported. Esophageal dysphagia feels like food cannot pass from the esophagus to thestomach. There are a few conditions that cause this. ·        An esophageal … Continue reading

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Prediabetes. Is this diagnosis important? Helpful? Harmful?

Prediabetes.  Is this diagnosis important? Helpful? Harmful? Before 2004, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugars) was not considered significant.  The American Diabetes Association began in 2004 labeling elevated blood sugars of prediabetes to increase awareness and prompt physicians and patients to act.  … Continue reading

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Do you have green toenail discoloration?

Do you have green toenail discoloration? Green toenail discoloration is also called green nail syndrome.  This results from a pseudomonas infection.  Predisposing factors for green nail syndrome: Tinea infection of the nails (because it alters the nail plate making the … Continue reading

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Hepatitis C. What you should know?

How many have hepatitis C?  It’s estimated that there are 3.7 million in the US with hepatitis C.  The incidence of acute hepatitis C infection quadrupled (!) between 2010 and 2018.  Only 52% of those with chronic HCV know they … Continue reading

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Do you really need that pap? See the updated cervical cancer screening guidelines.

Updated cervical cancer screening guidelines.  Do you really need that pap? Why test for cervical cancer?  4000 patients still die annually from cervical cancer.  This is dramatically decreased compared to the 1950s, but racial and socioeconomic disparities continue to contribute … Continue reading

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Mobility devices. WHICH is best for WHOM?

Mobility devices are used by nearly 30% of adults 65 years and older when OUTside the home and 26% use them INside the home. These devices often help decrease the risk and the fear of falling in older adults. Assistive … Continue reading

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New test for inflammatory bowel disease!

New test for inflammatory bowel disease! Fecal calprotectin is a protein expressed by neutrophils (white blood cells).  The presence of fecal calprotectin is a sensitive indicator that the gastrointestinal tract is inflamed.  Conversely, the absence of fecal calprotectin is a … Continue reading

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Alcohol Withdrawal syndrome. Can this be managed as an outpatient?

Alcohol Withdrawal syndrome.  Can this be managed as an outpatient? Half of patients with alcohol use disorder who abruptly reduce or stop their alcohol intake develop signs or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Why does alcohol withdrawal syndrome occur?  The … Continue reading

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Do you have painful intercourse?

Dyspareunia is the medical word for persistent or recurrent pain with sexual intercourse.  This affects 10 to 20% of American women.  Dyspareunia can be deep or superficial.  Sexual pain can cause relationship distress, decreased quality of life, anxiety and depression.  … Continue reading

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How to manage arthritis?! New guidelines.

The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation have put out new practice guidelines on how to manage osteoarthritis (OA). Arthritis affects over 300 million people worldwide.  The most common joints affected are knees, hips, and hands. Treatment suggestions Nonpharmacologic: … Continue reading

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