Issue 3, 2024

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

  • Ethics (CPD) – The Hidden Culture of Medicine
  • Pulmonology – Soothing Cough Relief
  • Pulmonology (CPD)– Community Acquired Pneumonia: GP care after the pandemic
  • Ophthalmology (CPD) – Allergic Conjuctivitis : Subtypes and management strategies
  • 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.

Soothing Cough Relief

Soothing Cough Relief

Cough due to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) or cough without a preceding infection is one of the most frequent complaints encountered by family physicians and paediatric providers. Cough, more than other symptoms, is extremely disruptive. In the absence of effective antiviral treatment for URTI, many parents try to find products that will relieve a cough until the illness resolves.1 Medicinal plants have been used for centuries, including for the treatment of coughs.

Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2024

Community-acquired Pneumonia:GP Care after the Pandemic

Community-acquired Pneumonia:GP Care after the Pandemic

Community-acquired pneumonia is common and most patients can be managed in the community. Amoxicillin remains the empirical antibiotic of choice to treat patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Pulse oximetry is noninvasive and readily available and should be used in initial patient assessment to help determine disease severity. An episode of pneumonia presents an opportunity to modify the patient’s risk factors, including smoking, high alcohol intake and poor dental hygiene. If a chest x-ray shows abnormalities, it should be repeated at six weeks to confirm resolution.

Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2024

Allergic Conjunctivitis: Subtypes and Management Strategies

Allergic Conjunctivitis: Subtypes and Management Strategies

Allergic conjunctivitis is a common chronic disease, particularly in childhood, and often presents in general practice as a recurrent red eye. Allergic conjunctivitis is underdiagnosed and suboptimal treatment can result in potentially hazardous consequences to vision. Treatment of allergic eye disease involves a stepwise approach of minimisation strategies, nonpharmacological interventions and pharmacological treatments. Topical mast-cell stabilisers are the mainstay of treatment in managing ocular allergy; however, there are new management strategies to consider in refractory cases. There is no role for corticosteroids in treating patients with seasonal or perennial allergic conjunctivitis. The use of corticosteroids in other forms of allergic disease should always be under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, due to the potential of adverse effects.

Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2024

Chronic Kidney Disease: Doing Simple Things Wellfor Those Most at Risk

Chronic Kidney Disease:Doing Simple Things Well for Those Most at Risk

The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide. A holistic approach to management that includes nonpharmacological and pharmacological strategies to manage risk factors, as well as advocating for patients, particularly those most at risk, can significantly slow the progression of CKD. Input from multidisciplinary team members, including a nephrologist, CKD nurse and allied health professionals, can further reduce the progression of CKD, delay kidney failure and avoid CKD-related mortality. Risk factors for developing CKD, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease, should be managed aggressively with pharmacotherapy. The four pillars of medical management for patients with CKD are renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, sodiumglucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.

Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2024

The Incongruence of the Hidden Culture of Medicine

The Incongruence of the Hidden Culture of Medicine

The past decade has been a time of great change for Western doctors. Many doctors feel that the care delivery system has become a barrier to providing high-quality care rather than facilitating it. Although doctor distress and some of the contributing factors are now widely recognised, much of the distress doctors are experiencing is related to insidious issues affecting the cultures of the profession,healthcare organisations and the healthcare delivery system. This is a shortened version of the original article.

Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2024

Issue 2, 2024

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

  • Ethics (CPD) – Power Relations In Medicine
  • Rehabilitation – Helping substance users achieve their full potential
  • Pulmonology (CPD)– GINA 2023 Report
  • Cardiology – “Time is Brain'” in Acute Ischaemic Stroke
  • 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.

The GINA 2023 Report: What’s new in asthma management?

The GINA 2023 Report: What’s new in asthma management?

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) publishes a global strategy for asthma prevention and management that is updated every year based on a review of new evidence. Key changes in the GINA 2023 strategy report, published in May 2023, include treatment strategies for adults and adolescents to reduce the risk of severe exacerbations and minimise adverse effects, the writing of an asthma action plan for patients on different treatment regimens, and how to reduce the environmental impact of asthma and its treatment.

Modern Medicine – Issue 2 2024

We Need To Talk about Piles

We Need To Talk about Piles

Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, is a common yet often overlooked condition that affects a significant portion of the South African population, with 1 in 2 individuals experiencing it at some point in their lives. Despite its prevalence, the stigma surrounding piles persists, leading to reluctance in seeking treatment and unnecessary suffering.

Modern Medicine – Issue 2 2024

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