A Revolution in CT is Coming – MM1609
GE Healthcare’s Sustainable Healthcare Solutions programme is designed to address the unique challenges faced by healthcare systems in rural Africa. The Revolution ACT scanner is an affordable, compact and user-friendly full body scanner ideal for low resource settings.
Modern Medicine – September 2016
The August edition of Modern Medicine is live and available for you to read through.
With spring upon us, we at Modern Medicine take the opportunity to cover the topic of allergies; in particular, hay fever. We have a really great article on the subject in the latest edition and I strongly recommend that you give it a read.
With a number of other articles on ethics, pain, rheumatology, the use of essential phospholipids, and more, our August edition is a great one
We encourage all of our readers to complete the CPD questionnaire for this edition, this can be done on the answer-form included in the magazine, or on our website CPD system.
Modern Medicine, the journal that’s with you wherever you go.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon: Time to Take it Seriously – MM1608
The prognosis for people with Raynaud’s phenomenon depends on its severity and whether there is associated underlying medical illness, most commonly an autoimmune disease.
Modern Medicine – August 2016
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants for Muscular Pain – MM1608
Skeletal muscle relaxants are a heterogeneous group of medications commonly used to treat two different types of underlying conditions: spasticity from upper motor neuron syndromes and muscular pain or spasms from peripheral musculoskeletal conditions.
Drugs in the muscular pain or spasm group have traditionally been called “centrally acting” muscle relaxants and are used primarily to treat chronic back pain and painful fibromyalgic conditions.
Treatment goals include managing muscle pain and improving functional status so the patient can return to work or resume previous activities.
Modern Medicine – August 2016
Osteoarthritis Factors Associated with Pain and Implications for Therapy – MM1608
Osteoarthritis is an umbrella term for several processes that lead to pain and cartilage loss. X-rays give limited information and only provide marginal assistance at tailoring therapy for the individual. MRI has great potential in this regard but targeted trials have been few to date. Bone marrow lesions and cartilage defects have independent associations with pain in people with osteoarthritis. Obesity and weak muscles are also independently associated with pain in osteoarthritis; therefore, weight loss, strengthening and aerobic exercises help improve symptoms. Pain in osteoarthritis is modified by central factors such as depression, catastrophisation, self-efficacy and a positive attitude. Targeting subchondral bone has the most potential to modify osteoarthritis given the failure of most therapies aimed at cartilage.
Modern Medicine – August 2016
Sodium Phosphate, a More Acceptable Bowel Cleanser – MM1608
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. In 2012 the crude incidence of colorectalcancer in Sub-Saharan Africa for both sexes was found to be 4.04 per 100 000 population (4.38 for men and 3.69 for women).
Currently, colonoscopy has been identified as a highly recommended method for cancer surveillance and diagnosis of the large intestine, owing to its cost-effectiveness and exclusive function that allows direct observation and biopsy synchronously. As is well recognized, an adequate bowel cleansing is essential for colon mucosa assessment during the examination procedure, while an incomplete preparation prolongs the procedure time and increases the likelihood of missing lesions with cancerous potential. Accordingly, bowel preparation evaluation is proposed as a crucial quality indicator of colonoscopy.
Modern Medicine – August 2016
Supplementation with highly purified extracts of essential phospholipids (EPLs) has been clinically shown to protect and improve liver function. EPLs have long been known to be effective in treating alcoholic liver disease but there is now growing awareness of the liver regeneration benefits in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In South Africa there is a high prevalence of diseases such as HIV, TB and Hepatitis B, all of which can affect the liver. There is also a rising epidemic of diabetes and obesity that is increasing the incidence of NAFLD. This review discusses for the first time the benefits of EPLs specifically within the South African context.
Modern Medicine – August 2016
Hay Fever: an Underdiagnosed and Chronic Disease – MM1608
The prevalence of allergic rhinitis, hay fever, has increased more than 10-fold in the past century all over the world. Allergic rhinitis is a significant chronic disease that affects the younger, usually healthier people. Allergic rhinitis significantly affects quality of life, impairs work performance and affects cognitive functioning. Inhaled airborne grass and tree pollens are the major causes of hay fever. Hay fever severely affects people during plants’ flowering seasons in the region they live. Effective therapies are available, including antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids. Immunotherapy is also effective treatment for the more severely affected patients.
Modern Medicine – August 2016
Identifying the Impaired Doctor – MM1608
Doctors sometimes need to be reminded that they are human and susceptible to human frailties such as illness and dependence on illicit substances. For many doctors, physical or mental problems or the use of alcohol or illicit substances may cause brief interruptions in their day-today responsibilities that may resolve quickly with minimal intervention. Occasionally, these conditions may be more severe and interfere with a person’s ability to function as a doctor. Impairment is a legal concept used to define a situation in which a doctor’s physical or mental health potentially interferes with his or her skills and ability to safely care for patients.
Modern Medicine – August 2016
Easier and More Affordable CT Imaging – MM1608
Many people across the globe have little or no access to affordable healthcare due to high costs and lack of trained technicians and health specialists, especially where the need is greatest. With high operating costs for big but important machinery like CT scanners, limited space, limited access to technology and limited resources – the odds are against Africa when it comes to making access to healthcare facilities for all an achievable goal.
Modern Medicine – August 2016
