By Neil Cooper, M.D., MHA, MSc
After my ST elevation myocardial infarction in 2012 and emergent deployment of left anterior descending stents, the first book I read was Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn, M.D. After reading other sentinel scientific studies on nutrition and heart disease, I realized the answer to the question of what’s necessary, statins, percutaneous coronary ... Continue Reading
By Heather Phelps, DO
“One can of soda per day can result in 15 pounds of weight gain in one year,” I distinctly remember my attending saying when I was a pediatric resident. It was applicable then and even more so today as we struggle with a severe and worsening obesity problem among our nation’s children. We are all affected by obesity – either personally or professionally – so knowing a ... Continue Reading
By Ken Stewart, D.O.
The note read, “Everything went smoothly. ... We loved the teddy bear! Such a nice touch! We couldn’t be more pleased with our child’s surgery experience. Thank you!!” A simple teddy bear, provided by the perioperative staff, eased the child’s anxiety about the surgery, in turn easing her parent’s anxiety and natural instinct to defend. It’s now a matter of settled ... Continue Reading
By Jennifer Whaley, M.D.
“Mindfulness” seems to be everywhere in the news today. Books, videos, classes and websites are springing up to help us be more “mindful.” Everyone is talking about it, including your patients. But what is it? And how might it help you in your life and clinical practice? Most of the research into mindfulness has been a direct consequence of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work at the ... Continue Reading
By Ronald Leif Steenerson, M.D., and Gaye W. Cronin, OTD, OTR
PCS From The Neuro-Otology Experience Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) commonly involves the vestibular system, which is essential to normal movement and balance. The most persistent symptoms reported following PCS include vertigo deficits, neck spasms, exercise intolerances and memory problems.1 Vestibular symptoms of vertigo, imbalance and visual motion intolerances can last ... Continue Reading
By Erin Harlow-Parker, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
After 30 years working in child and adolescent behavioral health, I have seen amazing advances in behavioral healthcare. We have identified genetic links to some mental health diagnoses; we have developed medications to better treat mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia; we have more available platforms to talk about mental illness and substance ... Continue Reading
By Helen K. Kelley In recent years, immunotherapy – a range of cancer therapies that use the body’s own immune system to attack cancer cells – has gained ground as a weapon for fighting many different forms of the disease. We recently spoke with two Atlanta physicians about the promise and the reality of some immunotherapies. Targeted Therapies Block Growth and Spread of ... Continue Reading
By Stephen M. Anderson, M.D.
Regional anesthesia plays an important role in patient recovery. Opioid-sparing techniques show benefits including decreased length of stay (LOS), improved postoperative pulmonary function and decreased overall morbidity and mortality. This article will discuss indications for regional anesthesia for abdominal surgery, the techniques by which they are used, and the risks and ... Continue Reading
By Mark B. Wilkiemeyer, M.D., FACS Abdominal wall hernia, simply defined as a space or gap in the abdominal wall, is one of the most common complaints seen by the practicing general surgeon. Literature tends to focus on management of hernia once it is identified and classified, but this ignores the necessary diagnostic steps to correctly classify the location of the hernia. ... Continue Reading
By Kathryn Calhoun, M.D.
Chronic anovulation is a hallmark of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), so the vast majority of women with PCOS will require fertility treatment to conceive. In a young PCOS patient with no obvious barriers to conception (other than anovulation), it is reasonable to start ovulation induction medicines before evaluating her uterus/tubes or her partner's semen analysis. If the ... Continue Reading
By Jack Barrow, Vijay Agarwal, M.D., and Daniel L. Barrow, M.D. Over the past two decades, there has been increased awareness, interest, and scrutiny of traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially sports related concussion (SRC).1-4 Much of this recent interest has been fueled by reports in the lay press of the potential effects of repetitive head injury in high-profile athletes, ... Continue Reading
By Sarah McClellan, MPH, and Ceana Nezhat, M.D. Historically, pregnancy has been a time of joy and apprehension. During the Renaissance, women would write out their wills as soon as they became pregnant.2 History, in fact, is full of maternal death. Thomas Jefferson lost his wife following childbirth in 1782. Princess Charlotte of Wales, granddaughter of King George III and ... Continue Reading
By Iris Krishna, M.D., MPH One of the more commonly encountered medical complications in pregnancy is diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is characterized as pregestational or gestational diabetes. Pregestational diabetes is diagnosed prior to pregnancy and affects approximately 1 percent of pregnancies, while gestational diabetes is diagnosed during pregnancy ... Continue Reading
By Helen K. Kelley Genomic medicine, a discipline that involves using an individual’s genomic information as part of their clinical care, is true personalized medicine. Physicians and researchers in this field are working diligently to find new treatments that customize a patient’s medical care based on their unique genetic makeup. Rapid Advances in Genetic Disease ... Continue Reading
By Laura E Gilbertson, M.D., Milad Sharifpour, M.D., and Grant C Lynde, M.D. More than 75,000 pregnant patients undergo non-obstetric surgery in the United States each year. Fortunately, good preparation and planning can lead to good outcomes for both mother and child. Finding physicians and hospitals with experience in caring for parturients with comorbid conditions is ... Continue Reading
