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Stuck in the middle
As adolescents progress through their teenage years we bear witness to their emotional and cognitive development. Some sprout early and surprise us with their clarity of thought and insight. Others remain stuck in neutral for long stretches of time. This is one of the challenges of providing adolescent care.
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MDs, patients must adjust attitudes toward antibiotics
Educational campaigns alerting physicians and the public about the dangers of indiscriminant prescribing and use of antibiotics is beginning to raise awareness of the problem. This is a worldwide health issue. In many developing countries, prescriptions are not a requirement to purchase antibiotics. In the West, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock and fish…
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Doctors must factor in free will of the patient
A recent front-page story in the Citizen remarked how a Health Canada anti-tobacco campaign using Olympic skaters Elvis Stojko and Josée Chouinard did not have much influence on reducing or quitting cigarette use. Indeed, how effective are health promotion campaigns?
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Don't kill yourself trying to stay healthy
I first heard Dr. Dean Edell while driving with my family to St. Louis by tuning into his radio talk show. His no nonsense approach to medical claims and treatments were on the mark. Never condescending and always open to new ideas, he bases his opinions on solid research and evidence. He says that he…
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Billing reviews recall witch hunts
A recent column by Christina Spencer, John Robson’s radio commentary on CFRA and Citizen Editorial eloquently criticized the Quebec government’s abuse of legislative power over its physician population. In Quebec, all physicians who have worked in an emergency room in the previous four years will now be forced to work in them whether they wish…
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Ulcer treatment uses medicine and prevention
Last week’s column reviewed the principal causes of stomach and duodenal ulcers: the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS). What diagnostic tests are available to aid in the treatment and management of ulcers?
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Don't wait to deal with heartburn pain
A common complaint in the family practice setting is bloating and heartburn. Usually the patient suffers with this condition for several months with the hope that it will spontaneously resolve.
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The onus is on you to prevent illness when on vacation
Recent reports of three cruise ship outbreaks of viral diarrheal illness (gastroenteritis) bring into focus how easily infections spread. Each ship had hundreds of passengers who fell ill. Carnival’s cruise ship Fascination, Disney’s Magic and Holland America’s Amsterdam all underwent extensive decontamination procedures.
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Cervical cancer tests save women's lives
Medical research strives for the day when the diagnosis of cancer will no longer evoke fear. The goal to develop effective screening and treatment strategies to eradicate this disease continues to move forward. One of the ongoing success stories in this battle is the screening and early treatment of cervical cancer.
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