This article discusses the validity of face pain scales as a way to assess pain in children. It also examines the use of paracetamol and ibuprofen as first-line treatment for paediatric pain.
Despite the coordinated efforts of antibiotic awareness campaigns, it feels like we still have the same conversation with many patients every year when they are in the pharmacy looking for OTC cold and flu products: - “I’m coming down with a cold, so I need to see the Dr for antibiotics” or “I’m coughing up green phlegm – so that means I need to get antibiotics”. Every year, pharmacists play an important role, reminding patients that colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics won’t help them feel better, or get over their cold faster. Similarly, the green (or yellow) phlegm doesn’t automatically mean they need antibiotics. The colour is from their white blood cells (neutrophils) responding to the cold virus. It actually means their immune system is working to fight off the virus – rather than bacteria taking over.
Modern-day malnutrition - the result of poor dietary habits marked by high intakes of excess sugar and processed foods - is depleting our bodies of essential micronutrients. Among these micronutrients, zinc and magnesium support key functions in the brain, such as neurotransmitter synthesis and preservation, and are thought to play a significant role in an individual's mental health status. What can we learn from the data on zinc and magnesium supplementation?
What is the role of calcium and vitamin D in maintaining bone and muscle health as we age, and what is the latest evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of calcium/vitamin D supplementation?
The primary goal of this study was to explore physical activity (PA) levels, hypoglycemia fear scores and hypoglycemia episodes according to insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring methods in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 28 children and 33 adolescents with T1D, and their PA was assessed. Hypoglycemia episodes, fear of hypoglycemia scores, insulin therapy (pump vs. injection) and blood glucose monitoring (continuous blood glucose monitors [CGMs] vs. blood glucose meters) methods are reported in the present work. There were no significant differences in the number of hypoglycemic episodes, child hypoglycemia fear survey behavior or total scores, or any components of the PA profile between youth using injections and those using a pump. However, these variables differed significantly when compared according to blood glucose monitoring method (CGMs vs. blood glucose meters): 41.2 vs. 81.8, p<0.01; 1.03 ± 0.05 vs. 2.6 ± 0.63, p<0.01; 1.09 ± 0.43 vs. 2.94 ± 0.22, p<0.01; and 222 ± 18 vs. 49 ± 11, p<0.01 (for total time in vigorous PA in minutes per week), respectively. CGM use correlated significantly with VPA levels (β=0.6; p=0.04). Higher VPA levels were associated with higher child hypoglycemia fear survey behavior scores (β=0.52; p=0.04). The latter correlates negatively with the number of episodes of hypoglycemia in the past 12 months in all category groups. The type of insulin injection was not associated with more activity in youth with T1D. In contrast, CGM use may be associated with increased vigorous PA among T1D youth. Those with higher hypoglycemia fear survey behavior scores engaged in more VPA and had fewer hypoglycemia episodes. Although CGM use ensures continuous monitoring of glycemia during exercise, increasing hypoglycemia avoidance behavior is still a necessary part of exercise management strategies in active youth with T1D.
Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical assistance, but remains one of the most poorly managed and misunderstood areas of healthcare.
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer and melanoma in the world. Many people think skin cancers are only found in older people who spend a lot of time in the sun. However, it is imperative to remember that much younger people, and who never spend time in the sun can also develop sun cancers.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and it is estimated that over 17,000 women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, of which 3,087 will succumb to the cancer. These numbers are expected to increase in 2018. While it is rare, men can also get breast cancer too (<1% of all breast cancers).
The statistics are sobering - Australia is one of the fattest nations in the developed world. Australian adults are becoming increasingly overweight and obese, and so are our children. Being overweight and obese can contribute a significant burden of disease as it negatively impacts upon health outcomes of many chronic conditions. The upside is that moderate weight loss e.g. 5-10% of body weight can have considerable benefits for managing conditions such as dyslipidaemia, diabetes, hypertension. A more significant degree of weight loss can even resolve some conditions such as sleep apnoea.
What are the causes and management options for sexual dysfunction, and what is the most appropriate approach when counselling patients with sexual health issues?
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the Western world. This article examines the role of magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids in the management of cardiovascular risk factors.
What if we told you the antibiotics your patients threw in the garbage bin last week are killing off all the bacteria in the environment? Don’t care? Not your problem? Well, congratulations. You have just contributed directly to the global antimicrobial resistance problem. Why? Because these antibiotics have killed off the “good” bacteria in the environment as well as the “bad”, and aided the transference of antimicrobial resistance genes in the bacterial gene pool. Welcome to a post-antimicrobial future—we aren’t quite there yet, but don’t worry, we are getting there. That bacterial cough you have today?—it could kill you tomorrow. So, what can you as a pharmacist do about it?
This audio presentation looks at issues about breastfeeding and lactation, with a focus on patient care.
