Conditions

The ibuprofen COVID-19 paradox

Conditions
November 21, 2020

With the surge of information surrounding COVID-19 released in the news this year, an interesting concern arose regarding ibuprofen’s use in patients with COVID-19. In March of 2020, French authorities were the first to investigate anecdotal reports of severe COVID-19 infection in patients who had taken ibuprofen.

The initial concern involved the ACE-2 receptor. The theoretical concern was that NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen might …

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The pedestal that’s killing doctors

Conditions
November 15, 2020

Doctors are often called “heroes” – a surprisingly uncomfortable label. Physicians are already tired of being held to a higher standard than the average person; raising the pedestal is problematic. While doctors are compassionate individuals who care about bettering lives and curing illnesses, we are also human. At the end of a standard workday, we would like to live normal lives. Unfortunately, the hours are longer, and we are never …

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Orthopedic surgery enters the modern age on a chance observation

Conditions
November 8, 2020

For thousands of years, bonesetters and doctors could not accurately diagnosis broken bones or differentiate such injuries from joint dislocations and torn ligaments. That changed with a chance discovery almost exactly 125 years ago. Subsequently, perhaps with equal parts of chagrin and enlightenment, doctors began using the new discovery to discount their previous assumptions and accurately diagnose skeletal diseases.

In his darkened laboratory on November 8, 1895, …

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Female physician suicides: a silent pandemic

Conditions
November 7, 2020

“Aunty blew her brains out a few weeks ago!”

Words I shall never forget.

For weeks, she had been in my thoughts. But I never called her. I didn’t because of all the myriad reasons we often give ourselves for not checking up on each other.

In my case, they sounded like this; “I am 7 months pregnant, and it has been a difficult pregnancy.” “I am in an abusive marriage.” “My pediatric …

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Understanding critical care in the ICU: then and now

Conditions
October 31, 2020

Late one evening, an ICU physician calls a family to say Dad’s breathing rate had slowed to such an extent that he did not believe Dad would survive the night without life support. This seasoned doctor added that he had never seen patients come back from this condition on their own.  Although Dad had do not resuscitate orders and his children had agreed with his wishes to forego extraordinary measures …

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Doctors for truth: Fighting for trust in an era of misinformation

Conditions
October 26, 2020

I read on social media that sea moss gel is supposed to cure coronavirus.  Do I still need to wear a mask?

It’s hard to imagine physicians being deceptive to patients about matters of life and death. Yet, the politicization of health care coverage, COVID-19, disparities in health outcomes, and women’s health rights has severely fractured the relationship between health officials and the American public. Prior to the pandemic, …

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What are the limitations of COVID-19 testing?

Conditions
October 15, 2020

COVID-19, first identified in December 2019 and declared a global pandemic in March 2020, has taken a toll on everyone around the world. After months of varying levels of lockdown and quarantine, people are developing pandemic fatigue, and craving human contact and normalcy again. This, coupled with the reopening of the nation, businesses reopening, and schools back in session, many people are relying on COVID-19 testing to say they are …

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Put nutrition counseling in primary care

Conditions
October 8, 2020

The United Nations designated 2016 to 2025 the “Decade of Action on Nutrition” in recognition of the growing importance of food and diet as it relates to all aspects of human health. We’re almost halfway through, and we’re not making the progress we need to.

A comprehensive study of scientific evidence for global diet goals and sustainability, the EAT-Lancet Commission Summary Report, stated, “Read more…

Doctors are killing themselves, and who is taking notice? 

Conditions
October 7, 2020

I am a psychiatrist. My field has been marred with human rights violations and treatments that though well-meaning, did not yield the results that were intended. I have always been at the watch and helm of speaking out when I see gaps and places where my colleagues and I are called to do better. I have been treating patients for over 15 years now. I have remained silent …

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The role of physician assistants during the pandemic

Conditions
October 5, 2020

As the world battles COVID-19, summer has turned to autumn, and a new chill is in the air. With this change, even in a pandemic, comes the flu season. As a physician assistant (PA), one concern for my patients’ health is the possibility that many will forgo routine health checks or other preventative care because they are avoiding medical settings. When it comes to flu vaccinations, I am especially concerned.

In …

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President Trump received dexamethasone and had 2 episodes of low oxygen saturation levels

Conditions
October 4, 2020

President Trump was administered dexamethasone therapy for COVID-19 treatment, and had two episodes of low oxygen saturation levels that required supplemental oxygen, said doctors at Walter Reed Medical Center at a press conference on Sunday.

“In response to transient low oxygen levels, we did initiate dexamethasone therapy [and] our plan is to continue that for the time being,” …

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The Trump health update that raises more questions

Conditions
October 3, 2020

A brief press conference at Walter Reed Medical Center on Saturday sought to provide answers, but may only have raised more questions about President Trump’s clinical status since his COVID-19 diagnosis.

The main point of contention between White House physician Sean Conley, DO, and reporters was if the president ever received supplemental oxygen. Conley said the president’s last oxygen …

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Infertility as a physician: the gift of perspective

Conditions
October 3, 2020

As physicians, we know all too well how life can change in an instant.  How tomorrow is never promised.  This knowledge can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it is also a gift.

Because we know how precious life is.

I am a physician—but I am also a patient.  An infertility patient, for whom each passing year can feel like a lost opportunity.

Because my eggs don’t have the perspective. They don’t see the privilege. …

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From a dermatologist: How to beat “maskne,” dry hands, and other safety-related skin problems

Conditions
September 26, 2020

You are doing all the right things: washing your hands frequently, wearing a mask when out in public, getting the requisite sunlight needed to reduce stress and maintain your health. And the reward you’re getting for all your diligence?

Dry skin, damaged nails, acne, and sunburns.

As we continue to live with the threat of COVID-19, more people find themselves wrestling with skin issues they never anticipated. Fortunately, there are easy and …

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Why that wound won’t heal

Conditions
September 26, 2020

Despite the advances in modern health care, chronic wounds remain highly problematic.  For the critically ill and those with mobility issues, missing just one routine repositioning could send them down a protracted path of intensive wound care therapies.  Even our ambulatory patients develop non-healing ulcers from neuropathy and microvascular disease.  For purposes of this discussion, the question of how the wound formed isn’t nearly as important as why it persists …

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Food safety and the neglect of the unpeeled potato

Conditions
September 16, 2020

Judging from the shortage of canning jars and lids in grocery stores recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred fresh interest in home canning (a potentially dangerous practice that has declined since its peak in 1943); and because the public expects doctors to know everything about health, it may be educational for physicians to consider the tragic case of the unpeeled potato.

I recently read a Facebook post in a …

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Medical student suicide is the trend that must end

Conditions
September 5, 2020

Last November, our medical school’s community faced a devastating loss, as second-year student R took her own life. As she was rushed to our hospital’s emergency room, some of R’s classmates, as well as her physician mentor, were on rotation and bared witness to her getting rolled in. Understandably, the loss of R cut deeply. While not often discussed, medical student suicide has been no stranger to medical schools both …

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Now is the time for postpartum home visits

Conditions
September 4, 2020

I ring the doorbell, waiting patiently outside.  I hear a weak “coming” and some shuffling.  Who greets me is a mother in her robe, hunched over at the waist, supporting her protruding postpartum belly.  Her hair is disheveled.  Her mask is revealing exhausted eyes with attempted mascara to look a “little freshened up,” she confesses a little later.

“My husband is just getting the baby; please come in.”

I …

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2 tales of physician assistant burnout

Conditions
September 3, 2020

For the first 12 years as a physician assistant, I thought provider burnout only happened to wusses, those better suited to working in health insurance or doctoring at a summer camp.  Sure, I felt overwhelmed at times, but I planned to soldier on in clinical practice, happily serving my patients until retirement.

That was before.   Before dreading Sunday nights, feeling heaviness in my gut, a tightness in my neck, and bouts …

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