Issue 5, 2025

Modern Medicine is now available for you to read. We have some great articles featured in this edition:

  • Ethics (CPD) – Negotiating the Slippery Slope of Work Stress and Burnout
  • Pulmonology (CPD)– Allergic Rhinitis
  • Rheumatology (CPD)– Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Unmasking the Masquerader
  • Psychiatry (CPD) – The First Psychotic Episode: Navigating Early-Stage Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses
  • A RoundUp Section & many more….

Also, a reminder that, not only do we have CPD questions available within the magazine itself, we also have an online CPD portal that allows you to score even more points by simply completing your test online.

November 14, 2025 by Uncategorized 0

The First Psychotic Episode: Navigating Early-Stage Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses

The First Psychotic Episode Navigating Early-Stage Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses

Psychosis is a clinical syndrome which may signal the onset of a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, and impact a young person over their lifetime. Early recognition, compassionate engagement and timely referral are critical in shaping long-term outcomes and supporting recovery. Engagement of the young person presenting with psychosis may be difficult; however, a therapeutic alliance focusing on collaborative care can yield many long-term benefits. Early and consistent treatment with antipsychotic medication remains the cornerstone of recovery in psychotic disorders. The Mental Health Care Act may need to be applied in enforcing treatment if there are acute concerns for safety and a likelihood or actuality of disengagement from treatment. The patient’s regular GP can play a vital role in monitoring adverse effects, especially in the setting of cardiometabolic risk. Despite the stigma associated with schizophrenia, functional recovery is possible.

Modern Medicine – Issue 5, 2025

November 14, 2025 by Psychiatry 0

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Unmasking the Masquerader

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Unmasking the Masquerader

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem, autoimmune disease that is challenging to diagnose because of its heterogeneous clinical manifestations, often relies on clinical expertise and appropriate laboratory testing. SLE is rare, affecting less than 0.1% of the global population, but its prevalence has been underestimated in Africa. Treatment for SLE aims to control disease activity, reduce flares and prevent organ damage. It includes a combination of anti-inflammatory agents, immunosuppressants, immunomodulatory agents and nonpharmacological measures. Long-term follow-up and monitoring are essential to assess disease activity, manage symptoms and prevent damage accrual in patients with SLE, with awareness of cardiovascular risk management and addressing complications during pregnancy.

Modern Medicine – Issue 5, 2025

November 14, 2025 by Rheumatology 0

Dry Skin and the Benefits of Oats

Dry Skin and the Benefits of Oats

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and forms an immense interface between the host and its environment. Alterations in skin integrity can compromise its barrier function leading to dry, sensitive or inflamed skin with a significant impact on quality of life. Colloidal oatmeal has been shown to act as a buffer system that helps restore the normal pH of the skin, maintain the skin’s barrier integrity, prevent water loss and alleviate itch.

Modern Medicine – Issue 5, 2025

November 14, 2025 by Dermatology 0

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disorder that is strongly linked to asthma and conjunctivitis. Classic symptoms include nasal congestion, nasal itch, rhinorrhoea and sneezing. A thorough history, physical examination and assessment of allergen sensitisation are important for establishing the diagnosis of AR. Intranasal corticosteroids and second-generation antihistamines are the mainstay of treatment. Allergen immunotherapy is an effective immune-modulating treatment for use in addition to or as an alternative to pharmacologic therapy. This article provides an overview on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and appropriate management of AR. It has been modified from the original to reflect the South African setting.

Modern Medicine – Issue 5, 2025

November 14, 2025 by Allergies 0

The Role of Milk and Dairy Foods in Adolescent Health

The Role of Milk and Dairy Foods in Adolescent Health

Adolescence represents a critical window of opportunity for nutrition interventions, as this period is marked by rapid growth and development alongside the development of lifelong dietary patterns. Milk and dairy products offer a unique combination of bioavailable nutrients essential for adolescent health, including calcium, high-quality protein, and micronutrients that support bone development, muscle growth, cognitive function and immune health. Despite the proven benefits, dairy intake among South African adolescents remains low, contributing to inadequate calcium intake and increased risk for poor health outcomes. This review explores the role of milk and dairy foods in supporting healthy dietary patterns during adolescence, focusing on their nutritional composition, contribution to bone and muscle development, impact on weight regulation and body composition, and potential cognitive benefits. Practical recommendations are provided to promote adequate intake, with emphasis on dairy’s nutrient density and alignment with national dietary guidelines. Ensuring access to and regular consumption of milk and other dairy foods may help bridge nutrient gaps and support long-term health and well-being among adolescents in South Africa.

Modern Medicine – Issue 5, 2025

November 14, 2025 by Nutrition 0

Negotiating the Slippery Slope of Work Stress and Burnout

Negotiating the Slippery Slope of Work Stress and Burnout

Among healthcare professionals, levels of stress and burnout (an extreme response to stress) rank among the highest of all professions. Experiencing high stress levels for an extended period of time often culminates in emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and diminished professional efficacy, which are synonymous with burnout, anxiety and depression. The prevalence of stress among the general working population is approximately 18%, while a South African study noted that among doctors it is approximately 28% and as high as 84% among registrars.

Modern Medicine – Issue 5, 2025

November 14, 2025 by Ethics 0

Issue 4, 2025

Modern Medicine is now available for you to read. We have some great articles featured in this edition:

  • Ethics (CPD) – Finding the Balance between Truth and Hope in Critical Illness Discussions
  • Pulmonology (CPD)– Promoting Prevention and Targeting Remission of Asthma: A EUFOREA Consensus Statement on Raising the Bar in Asthma Care
  • Rheumatology (CPD)– Inflammatory Arthritis and Ocular Complications: An Overview
  • Urology (CPD) – Benign Prostatic Enlargement and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: An Update on Treatment
  • A RoundUp Section & many more….

Also, a reminder that, not only do we have CPD questions available within the magazine itself, we also have an online CPD portal that allows you to score even more points by simply completing your test online.

September 9, 2025 by Uncategorized

Benign Prostatic Enlargement and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: An Update on Treatment

Benign Prostatic Enlargement and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: An Update on Treatment

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common among older men and often linked with benign prostatic enlargement, but they may not always correlate with prostate size. GPs play an important role in conducting a detailed patient history, physical examination and appropriate investigations to rule out other causes of LUTS. LUTS are categorised into storage, voiding and postmicturition symptoms. These symptoms can significantly affect quality of life, leading to an increased healthcare burden. In recent years, the number of newer treatments for benign prostatic enlargement has increased dramatically. As a result, management of the condition requires a comprehensive, individualised approach and continual evaluation of treatment efficacy and patient preferences.

Modern Medicine – Issue 4, 2025

September 9, 2025 by Urology
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