By Kiesha Fraser Doh
How physicians can partner with the community to prevent pediatric firearm injuries. In 2021, there were 436 emergency department visits for unintentional shootings involving children and teens in Georgia1. In 2022 thus far, 24 children gained access to a gun and unintentionally shot themselves or someone else.2 The youngest child was two years old when she shot and killed ... Continue Reading
Approximately 2.1% of men and women in the United State will be diagnosed with melanoma in their lifetime, with about 4% of cases metastatic at diagnosis.1 Approximately 40%-60% of metastatic melanomas have a BRAF mutation2, and this, along with checkpoint inhibitor therapy, have dramatically changed the survival rates of metastatic melanoma. Choice of therapy depends on ... Continue Reading
Cutaneous melanoma is a disease in which neoplastic (cancer) cells form in the melanocytic cells, arising in the epidermis of our largest organ, the skin. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 99,780 new melanomas will be diagnosed in 2022 (57,180 in men and 42,600 in women).1,2 While the rates of melanoma have been increasing over the last few decades, this has ... Continue Reading
The correct diagnosis is crucial. If we don’t get the right diagnosis, we can’t treat and cure our patients. However, getting to that correct diagnosis can be devilishly difficult. It is a constant struggle for us doctors and requires knowledge, patience, experience, persistence, the help of colleagues, and sometimes, a sixth sense (I call it the spidey-sense). To add to ... Continue Reading
By Laura Doerr, MD, MS, FAAP, and Anna B. Turner, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, CEDS-S
Atlanta is lucky to have many options for the care of adolescents and children with eating disorders. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite has a multidisciplinary team providing medical stabilization for the sickest eating disorder patients. In 2013 staff at Children’s and local affiliated providers developed a clinical algorithm for the emergency room and for ... Continue Reading
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and increased fracture risk.1 In the United States alone, osteoporosis is responsible for over 2 million fractures per year.1 Previous fracture affords the highest risk of future fracture, yet many patients with fragility fractures are not diagnosed as having osteoporosis because of their bone density ... Continue Reading
Are autoimmune rheumatic patients more susceptible to COVID infection? Autoimmune patients are considered at high risk for infections due to their abnormal immune system and due to the immunomodulatory treatments used. Evidence suggests that patients with rheumatic disease have a slightly higher risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 compared with the general population relative ... Continue Reading
Emerging therapies in sports medicine. Orthobiologics is the field of medicine that harnesses the use of a patient’s own capacity to heal an injury. This innate capacity of healing comes from cells of one’s own body to repair and restore good health to damaged tissues. The field of orthobiologics has been in existence for several decades but has become more developed in ... Continue Reading
Tips and tricks from the pros. When thinking about how to remain active in our mid-30s, 40s or 50s, choosing the right activities is key to balancing health and injury. At this life stage, we are usually past our peak athletic years but still enjoy working out or playing a few rec sports leagues – we have become “weekend warriors.” Unfortunately, as we get older, ... Continue Reading
Keeping kids safe and in the game Youth sports participation is at an all-time high in the United States. From Little League baseball to club soccer, kids are spending more and more time in organized sports. The athletes and their parents invest thousands of hours and dollars in competition, improving skills and hopefully having some fun. There are multiple health and ... Continue Reading
Considerations for return-to-play On March 11, 2020, just prior to the tip-off for the Utah Jazz versus Oklahoma City Thunder game, the National Basketball Association season was abruptly halted in dramatic fashion after it was disclosed one player had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In subsequent and rapid fashion, other iconic American sporting events were canceled and ... Continue Reading
By Earl Stewart Jr., MD
In May of this year, the results of a new population-based analysis performed by research at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC) were released showing that from 2004 to 2018, there has been an increased incidence of metastatic prostate cancer in men of all ages, especially in men ages 75 and older. For years, we’ve been encouraged in ... Continue Reading
By Lauren Abern, MD, and Jake Cook
Transgender is a term used to describe people whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. (See Figure 1.) The estimated number of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals ranges between 0.1% and 2% of the population.1 Most studies on TGD people assessed those seeking care or were referred for care at gender-affirming healthcare centers2, yet the ... Continue Reading
By Georgia Forrest, MD, Saira Adeel, MD and Elizabeth Hill, MD
American Diabetes Association 2022 Standards of Care update. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) published the annual update to its Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes in January 2022. This article will discuss key changes and updates to the Standards of Care as it pertains to adults with type 2 diabetes. We will provide information on: New screening ... Continue Reading
By Alicia Shelly, MD
CASE: Patient A.J. is a 45-year-old female who comes in for an annual physical. She has a history of Class 2 obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. You noticed that she gained 20 pounds since her last visit six months ago. She has no complaints. You would like to discuss her weight gain. What is the next step? Ask her if it is okay to discuss her weight. Ask Ask ... Continue Reading
