Tag Archives: Family Doctor

Wound care 101–cub scout badge time

I assisted at my son’s Cub Scout meeting and helped dispel some wound care myths.  Lots of questions need answers. . . here is how I address wounds. Allergies? to latex, antibiotics or anesthetics (the medicine to numb a wound)?    I don’t want to … Continue reading →

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Menopause

I went to a ‘Menopause The Musical’  a few years ago: utterly hysterical. It may only be funny onstage. I have seen two patients this week in their 40s who have all the symptoms. . . including a little denial. … Continue reading →

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When should women have their first pap?

Common question. New guidelines. Let me share. . .ACOG (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology)  released a position statement delaying pap screening in adolescents. A pap is now suggested at age 21 unless the patient has HIV or a weak immune system … Continue reading →

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ADHD

Will ADHD stimulant medication cause kids to be short?  I was asked this by a neighbor. Hmmmmm. . . .good question. ADHD affects 1 to 6% of the general population. It can cause pervasive cognitive, academic, emotional and social problems. Patients have a … Continue reading →

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Roll up your sleeves or smell the. . . .flu vaccine!

Who should get the influenza vaccine? Everyone older than 6 months. It is especially important that high risk individuals get the flu vaccine Who is “high risk?” Pregnant women Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years … Continue reading →

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Blood pressure, a “high score” is not good.

I wish high blood pressure caused pain.  Not much pain, just enough to compel patients to seek help and to be compliant with medication. Diagnosis: For children BP is checked on a chart by gender, age and height.  Childhood obesity is rampant, so I … Continue reading →

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Depression

Depression is so insidious and pervasive.  When I see a patient for the first time I ask about their medical history: lung and heart problems, seizures, kidney disease AND anxiety and depression. It is that common. . . and that … Continue reading →

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Is the (pharmaceutical) grass greener?

Is newer or more expensive better? I do not necessarily think so.  While in training I was given the advice to not be the first physician prescribing a drug, nor the last.  There is some wisdom in that.  Our society … Continue reading →

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Vaginal bleeding. . . not routine dinner conversation. . .

I am asked routinely how to help decrease vaginal bleeding.   Every woman bleeds a different amount.  It is only concerning when it becomes a social problem or when the amount changes significantly.    When a teen starts to have a … Continue reading →

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Pelvic pain in women

I care for a lot of women.  Many present with pelvic pain.  This is a challenging diagnosis because symptoms and signs are vague and hard to tease out.  I was taught to always rule out the urgent life-threatening conditions first. Ectopic … Continue reading →

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