Tag Archives: family physician

Have you been told you have high blood pressure?

Have you been told you have high blood pressure?  If so, you are not alone.  Hypertension affects 1/3 of Americans.  High blood pressure is considered a “modifiable risk factor” for cardiovascular disease, stroke kidney failure and death.  Modifiable means that … Continue reading

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When is a sore throat something worse?

When is a sore throat something worse?  A peritonsillar abscess is a deep infection of the head and neck.  THIS is the something worse I am talking about.  The diagnosis is made by clinical presentation and examination by your physician. … Continue reading

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Interesting facts about laceration closure (stitches)…

Laceration-closure interesting facts… Non-infected wounds (caused by clean objects) can be stitched up to 18 hours after the injury. Head wounds can be st itched up to 24 hours after the injury. Using potable (drinking) water instead of sterile saline … Continue reading

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Do you really need a pelvic exam during your next well visit?

Maybe not.   The American Academy of Family Physicians released an update April 25, 2017 stating that when screening non-pregnant  women without any gynecological or abdominal symptoms, no pelvic exam needs to be done.   Actually, in the age of quantifying research into … Continue reading

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Prostate cancer screening guidelines updated

Are you concerned about prostate cancer?  The USPSTF (The United States Preventive Services Task Force) has updated their recommendation on screening for prostate cancer. Men aged 55 to 69 years should talk to their physician about the potential benefits and … Continue reading

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Are you a woman with fibroids?

  Are you a woman with fibroids?  What are they?  Why do you have them?  What can you do about them? Fibroids are a common benign neoplasm.  They are more common in older women and African American women.  In fact, … Continue reading

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RSV bronchiolitis. Diagnosis and treatment

RSV bronchiolitis.  I’ve seen lots of bronchiolitis in the hospital recently. Diagnosis and treatment.  Does your infant or young child have a hacking cough?  It may be respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Most patients present with two to four days … Continue reading

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What can the elderly do to decrease their number of falls?

What can the elderly do to decrease their number of falls? Lots of things!  Lifestyle modifications are best: structured exercise programs and home safety interventions (like get rid of throw rugs and electrical cords across walkways).  Multifactorial assessment and inv=tervention … Continue reading

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Family medicine question and answers 2

What is the most effective duration of nicotine replacement?  (This study was conducted only in patients also receiving extensive telephone counseling on tobacco cessation.)  8 weeks.  Beyond 2 months, continued nicotine replacement did not help with stopping-smoking rates. What helps … Continue reading

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Medical school knowledge…

Most of the medical school information that I learned 25 years ago is now known to be false.  I recently read a quote that medical “tradition is no longer the bedrock of (good)  practice.”  Oh, that is so true. We physicians … Continue reading

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