Assisted Birth Shortens a ProlongedSecond Stage of Labour

Assisted Birth Shortens a Prolonged Second Stage of Labour

Operative vaginal delivery is used to expedite vaginal delivery for either maternal or foetal indication. Indications for operative delivery include maternal exhaustion, a non-reassuring foetal heart rate tracing, a prolonged second stage of labour or a need to shorten the second stage of labour. There has been a progressive shift away from the use of forceps in favour of the vacuum extractor as the instrument of choice.

Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024

February 28, 2024 by Obstetrics

Thyroiditis – Differentiating the Cause

Thyroiditis – Differentiating the Cause

Thyroiditis encompasses diverse diagnoses characterised by inflammation of the thyroid and is classified as painful or painless thyroiditis. They have varied causes and can be challenging to differentiate. Common features include the classic triphasic pattern of thyroid dysfunction of the thyrotoxic phase, followed by hypothyroidism secondary to depleted stores; and then a return to euthyroid state from recovery. General management of symptoms includes anti-inflammatories for pain (if present), beta blockers for the thyrotoxic phase and levothyroxine in cases of hypothyroidism.

Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024

February 28, 2024 by Endocrinology

Fever in the Returned Child Traveller:Assessing for Imported Causes

Fever in the Returned Child Traveller: Assessing for Imported Causes

Determining the cause of fever in a child returning from international travel can be challenging. The clinical features of many imported infections are nonspecific, making them hard to distinguish from common childhood febrile illnesses coincidentally acquired during or soon after travel. Malaria, dengue and enteric fever are the most common imported infections in child travellers and can be life-threatening if the diagnosis is delayed or missed. Judicious assessment, starting with a detailed travel history, is key to guiding appropriate investigations. Imported disease may require a notification to a public health unit and should be managed in consultation with an infectious diseases specialist.

Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024

February 28, 2024 by Paediatrics

Is Aging a Disease or a Lifestyle Issue?

Is Aging a Disease or a Lifestyle Issue?

Although most still seem to consider aging not to be a disease, others have started to question this position. Some have argued that aging should be considered a disease, a syndrome or a ‘disease complex’. While many aging researchers have openly declared that the universality of the aging process means it is not a disease, aging fits the given medical definition of a disease. But just because it fits the definition, that definition may not be the most helpful to us.

Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2024

February 28, 2024 by Ethics

Issue 6, 2023

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

  • Ethics (CPD) – Intellectual humility in medicine
  • Gastroentorolgy (CPD)– Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Rehabilitation – Psychosis in the Drug Rehabilitation Context
  • 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.

December 6, 2023 by Uncategorized

Insomnia is an Often Under-diagnosedand Under-treated Condition

Insomnia is an Often Under-diagnosed and Under-treated Condition

Insomnia disorder is a distinct chronic condition characterised by reports of difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, which is present even when the patient has adequate opportunity and an appropriate environment in which to sleep, and has a significant impact on next day functioning. Insomnia is under-recognised and undertreated, resulting in a significant healthcare burden (increased morbidity and mortality) and poorer quality of life for those who experience it.

Modern Medicine – Issue 6 2023

December 6, 2023 by Insomnia

Good Bowel Preparation Helps Adenoma Detection

Good Bowel Preparation Helps Adenoma Detection

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer in South Africa, and the sixth most lethal. Approximately 25% of patients will have synchronous metastatic disease at the time of their primary CRC diagnosis. Five-year overall survival rates for CRC are 93.2% for stage I, 72.2 – 84.7% for stage II, 52.3 – 83.4% for stage III and 8.1% for stage IV.1 Early adenoma detection is possible with colonoscopy, which is dependent on adequate bowel preparation.

Modern Medicine – Issue 6 2023

December 6, 2023 by Gastroenterology

Inflammatory Bowel Disease:Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The recognition of alarm symptoms, raised levels of inflammatory markers or an elevated faecal calprotectin level should prompt referral to a gastroenterologist for appropriate assessment and treatment. New treatment targets and improved therapies are available. Patients with IBD are often under- or inappropriately treated. Anxiety and depression are common in patients with IBD and should be addressed as a part of multidisciplinary and individualised management.

Modern Medicine – Issue 6 2023

December 6, 2023 by Gastroenterology

Fenofibrate + Statin Found to ReduceDiabetic Retinopathy Progression

Fenofibrate + Statin Found to Reduce Diabetic Retinopathy Progression

Diabetic retinopathy is a significant cause of vision impairment and is predicted to become an increasingly large global public health problem. Diabetic retinopathy often affects those of working age and can have significant health, social and economic implications. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-a) agonist, has been suggested as an adjunctive therapeutic option for diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes and existent diabetic retinopathy.

Modern Medicine – Issue 6 2023

December 6, 2023 by Cardiology

Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: Advances in Management

Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: Advances in Management

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and a major burden on healthcare resources. Targeting modifiable risk factors and use of guideline-directed medical therapies in at-risk individuals is a crucial first step in the prevention of HF progression. All eligible patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction should be treated with the ‘big four’ pharmacological drug classes – angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors, beta blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors – which have proven benefit in reducing cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalisation.

Modern Medicine – Issue 6 2023

December 6, 2023 by Cardiology
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