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Geriatric Depression

Back Pain Management

Rituals in Death and Dying: Modern Medical Technologies Enter the Fray

Teaser: 

Michael Gordon, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Medical Program Director, Palliative Care, Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Abstract

In the absence of immortality, the human species has over the millennia developed rites and rituals to help in the passing of life to honor the person who is dying or has died or in some way demonstrate their "courage" and perseverance as well as duty even in the face of almost certain death. The centuries old traditions of the gathering of loved ones, the chanting of prayers, the ritual religious blessings are in the process of being replaced by the "miracles" of modern medical technology.

Key Words: Cross-cultural death, death, dying, rituals.

Related Terms: Dementia, Cross-cultural death, death, dying, rituals

A Pain in the Neck

Image Description
Teaser: 

Dr. Hamilton Hall, MD, FRCSC,1 Greg McIntosh, MSc,2 Dr. Julia Alleyne, BHSc(PT), MD, CCFP, Dip. Sport Med MScCH,3 Dr. Pierre Côté, DC, PhD,4

1Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto. Medical Director, CBI Health Group, Executive Director of the Canadian Spine Society, Toronto, ON.
2Masters in Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. Director of Clinical Research for CBI Health Group and research consultant to the Canadian Spine Society.
3Family Physician practising Sport and Exercise Medicine, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network. Appointed at the University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Associate Clinical Professor.
4Canada Research Chair in Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation; Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT); Director, UOIT-CMCC Centre for the Study of Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Neck pain is common and disabling. Associated with poor posture, sedentary work and stress it is long lasting and recurrent. Most neck pain is mechanical from the structural elements within the cervical spine and can be referred to a number of remote locations. Radicular arm dominant pain is infrequent. Neck pain is diagnosed on history and confirmed with the physical examination. Routine imaging is inappropriate and the Canadian C-spine rules are recommended. Management focuses on education, range of movement exercises with associated postural improvement and strengthening exercises; neck braces should not be used.
Key Words: cervical spine, neck pain, Canadian C-spine rules, range of movement, exercise.

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim MAINPRO-M2 Credits for this unaccredited educational program.

www.cfpc.ca/Mainpro_M2

You can take quizzes without subscribing; however, your results will not be stored. Subscribers will have access to their quiz results for future reference.

Pre-test CME Quiz Post-test CME Quiz
Most neck pain is benign mechanical pain and serious pathology is uncommon.
Neck pain is longer lasting and more disabling than generally recognized.
Referred neck pain can be felt on top the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, along the jaw, in the front of the chest and as a headache.
Nerve root involvement is unusual but when it occurs typically affects C5, C6 or C7.
Routine imaging is unproductive.
Management is based on education, range of movement exercises and strengthening.
A careful history to locate the site of the dominant symptoms and a physical examination to assess posture and rule out radiculopathy will identify common mechanical neck pain.
The need for an x-ray should be based on the Canadian C spine rules.
Improving mechanical neck pain starts with educating the patient about the favourable prognosis and increasing the range of neck movement: a cervical collar is contraindicated.
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Related Terms: Back Health, cervical spine, neck pain, Canadian C-spine rules, range of movement, exercise

A Lump on the Foot

A Lump on the Foot

Teaser: 

Francesca Cheung, MD CCFP,1 Jeffrey Law and Lindsey Chow, 2

1Family physician with a focused practice designation in dermatology. She received the Diploma in Practical Dermatology from the Department of Dermatology at Cardiff University in Wales, UK. She is practising at the Lynde Institute for Dermatology in Markham, Ontario and works closely with Dr. Charles Lynde, MD FRCPC, an experienced dermatologist. In addition to providing direct patient care, she acts as a sub-investigator in multiple clinical studies involving psoriasis, onychomycosis, and acne.
2Third year medical students from the University of Western Ontario.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative tumour that requires infection by Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). It most commonly affects elderly men of Mediterranean/Eastern European backgrounds and HIV-infected patients. KS presents clinically as lesions on the skin, but may also arise in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and lymph nodes. There is no definitive cure for KS; therapeutic goals are to decrease the size of the lesions, prevent progression and improve function. Management depends on the type of KS, extent of disease and overall health of the patient. Observation is acceptable if the patient is asymptomatic; HAART is often sufficient to control lesions in HIV-infected patients. Cryotherapy and local excision can be used to treat solitary symptomatic lesions. Radiation therapy can be used for advanced and extended KS and in those patients for whom surgery is contraindicated. Intra-lesional injection of interferon alpha-2a or chemotherapeutic agents like vincristine have been reported to be effective in treating nodular KS lesions, but may be associated with inflammation and discomfort. Systemic chemotherapy such as pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is indicated when KS is widespread or rapidly progressive. The prognosis for KS is generally great with most patients dying from unrelated causes.
Key Words: Kaposi's Sarcoma, HHV-8, HIV/ AIDS.

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim MAINPRO-M2 Credits for this unaccredited educational program.

www.cfpc.ca/Mainpro_M2

You can take quizzes without subscribing; however, your results will not be stored. Subscribers will have access to their quiz results for future reference.

Pre-test CME Quiz Post-test CME Quiz

Kaposi’s sarcoma is a common tumour affecting HIV-infected patients. Classic Kaposi’s sarcoma most commonly affects elderly men of Mediteranean/Eastern European background.
Environmental and genetic factors are believed to predispose patients to Kaposi’s sarcoma. KS requires the infection of HHV-8. Chronic immune-suppression contributes to KS development.
KS presents with red/purple macules, plaques and nodules on the skin. Lesions may also arise in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Lesions affecting lymph nodes cause lymphedema. Consider KS in an HIV-infected patient who presents with erythematous and/or violaceous nodules or plaques.
Management of KS depends on the type of KS, extent and location of lesions and overall health of the individual. Observation is sufficient for asymptomatic patients. For patients with EKS, HAART is recommended and may be the only therapy needed.
Local control of KS lesions can be achieved through cryotherapy, local excision, intra-lesional injection of chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy.
Distant spread of KS can be controlled through systemic chemotherapy.
To have access to full article that these tools were developed for, please subscribe. The cost to subscribe is $80 USD per year and you will gain full access to all the premium content on www.healthplexus.net, an educational portal, that hosts 1000s of clinical reviews, case studies, educational visual aids and more as well as within the mobile app.
Related Terms: Dermatology, Kaposi’s sarcoma, HHV-8, HIV/AIDS