By Lance L. Stein, M.D.
One field within the specialty of gastroenterology that has witnessed rapid changes over the last two decades is hepatology. Over the past 20 years, there have been significant advances to the understanding of many liver diseases and rapid evolution of therapies. These advancements have been recognized by the gastroenterology societies and the American Board of Internal ... Continue Reading
By Justine Henao, MD
“It’s cool” “Everyone is doing it” “It smells real good” “My friends say it tastes good and that it’s not bad for you” “All the cool kids do it” “It’s a prerequisite to be popular” “I love sweet flavors like gummy bear” “Mango is the best” “It’s just vapor” “I would like to try it because it smells really good, but I haven’t yet because we have been researching all its ... Continue Reading
By Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC
In the United States, an average of 10 percent of people of reproductive age have experienced infertility challenges, regardless of gender.1 Infertility is “a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse” according to the World Health Organization.2 In 2018, the ... Continue Reading
By Shireen Haque, MD, MPH, and Annie Cowan, MD
Anesthesiologists in and around Atlanta respond to the opioid epidemic. Sitting across from me in our office at the WellStar East Cobb Surgery Center, patient Ryan Coker shares the story of his son Roger. Ryan and I first met in October 2018 when he came to our center for outpatient surgery. On that day, as he quietly requested a narcotic-free surgery, I sensed the untold ... Continue Reading
By Yujia Shentu, MS and Justine W. Welsh, MD
In 2017, 1,043 Georgians died from opioid-related overdoses.1 People are now more likely to die from an opioid overdose than a car accident.2 This increase in overdose deaths has largely been driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl powder, pressed into prescription opioid street pills or mixed with other drug supplies (e.g., heroin, cocaine). To combat the opioid crisis, ... Continue Reading
By Randy F. Rizor, MD
Consider the following scenarios: A 65-year-old woman with osteoporotic compression fractures is prescribed acetaminophen with codeine, 30 mg. She has filled two prescriptions for 30 tablets in the last 6 months and is requesting a refill. The PDMP report is consistent with your medical records. Prior to refilling the prescription you order a urine drug test. The results were ... Continue Reading
By Helen K. Kelley
Clinical depression and anxiety are on the rise among adolescents ages 12-17, as well as instances of self-harm. Here, we offer some insight into the importance of recognizing the signs of depression and anxiety in teens, which are often different from those of adults, as well as some of the differences in diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosing Anxiety and Depression in ... Continue Reading
By Pavan K. Ananth, M.D., MPH, and Ceana H. Nezhat, M.D.
Endometriosis affects one in eight women and can have devastating effects. It impacts all age groups with varying consequences and is not restricted to the reproductive tract. Severe endometriosis can cause bowel obstruction or perforation, ureteral stricture, renal failure and hemothorax, not to mention debilitating pain. Despite these serious, and sometimes ... Continue Reading
By Helen K. Kelley
Atlanta-area physicians are at the forefront of groundbreaking cancer treatments that draw patients from all over the country. Cutting-edge Therapies for Brain Tumors in Children When Dr. Tobey MacDonald was recruited by Dr. Bill Woods to join the Pediatric Brain Cancer Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2009, he was astounded by the fact that no such program had ... Continue Reading
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
