I hope
you are all surviving the winter and even getting a chance to enjoy
it. Here are a few tidbits or reminders you may find useful.
Speaking of winter, the worst of the
storms may be over but the ice season is really just starting. I
suggest, especially to the elderly, that when walking on icy ground
it’s very useful to hold one’s arms out for balance. It really does
help to maintain balance and prevent falls. (My son suggested this
to me one very black icy day — he though of it since that’s what he was
being taught to do when learning to skate.)
Sometimes it’s difficult to get
people to tolerate even the most benign medication. I have found it
useful to suggest that the person “fool their body into tolerating
the medicine.” I suggest that they break the pill in quarters and
start off by just wetting their finger and dabbing up a small crumb.
The next dose, dab up a couple of crumbs and build up to the desired
dose. This requires patience and a lot of encouragement, but
I’ve seen it work when nothing else would.
Dr. Ian Landells, dermatologist
It can be hard to tell if an infant
has generalized seborrhea or eczema. If the diaper area is spared it
is likely to be eczema.
On the topic of sensitive skin,
turns out that the Dove unscented we’ve all been recommending isn’t
unscented after all! Dove for sensitive skin may be a better choice.
And, still on dermatology, remember
to tell patients using a topical retinoic acid derivative to apply
to dry skin for less irritation.
Dr. Percy Crocker, family
physician
We
haven’t found a cure for the cold stethoscope yet and kids can find
even a simple chest examination unpleasant. One trick is to “check
your belly button first.” Then as you move the stethoscope to and
around the chest, indicate that you are “checking to see if you have
any other belly buttons.” Most kids enjoy this and it’s a useful
distraction.
Dr. Ann Colbourne, cardiologist
In a patient with no concomitant
disease, we accept blood pressure above 140/90 to be undesirable.
The 2003 Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) recommends
use of home monitoring and that the acceptable level at home is
135/85.
Don’t forget to send in those tips!
Next issue it WILL be spring!
Dr. Susan King is
president of the NLMA and is a family physician in St.
John’s. |
