SMARTer CARE Newsletters
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Opioid Use Disorders: Assessment and Treatment (Part 2)
The last e-weekly discussed the opioid epidemic. This article will discuss more about assessing for opioid use disorders and appropriate treatments. A person is diagnosed as having an opioid use disorder if he develops symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal to opioids as well as at least two other symptoms in the same year. Tolerance is […]
Opioid Use Disorders: The Current Epidemic (Part 1) 8/2/2018
The opioid epidemic has become a national emergency. Opioid related deaths have increased ~300% from 2001 to 2016. It is known that overdoses are a leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and the number has been increasing yearly from 2002 to present time. Drug overdoses cause more deaths than car accidents and […]
Children and Guns 7/26/2018
This is an important public health concern that warrants a discussion apart from political stance. Violence from firearms accounts for almost 4,000 deaths and over 15,000 injuries in children and adolescents yearly. The rate of firearm-related deaths in children in the United States is nearly 16 times greater than the rate in 25 other industrialized […]
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder-OCD 7/19/2018
It used to be thought that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was fairly rare, but it is more common than originally thought. The prevalence is between 2-3% worldwide and it affects males and females equally. Symptoms usually present between late childhood and early adulthood, with 75% of patients having symptoms before the age of 18. OCD can […]
Improving Detection of Postpartum Depression 7/12/2018
Postpartum depression (PPD) is fairly common, with a prevalence of 10-15%. PPD can occur anytime in the first year after delivery. The postpartum year is one of the highest risk periods for first-onset depression for women with approximately 50% of women who will have a depressive disorder in their lifetime experiencing their first episode of […]
Cannabis-Induced Psychosis and Long-term Implications 7/5/2018
As cannabis use increases, with easier access in the face of recent changes in legislation, there has been significant emerging evidence for cannabis-related risks. It is important for primary care providers to be aware of these, because the primary care office is can be a valuable opportunity for primary prevention frequently activity or may be […]
E-cigarettes and Vaping in Adolescents – Part II 6/28/2018
The use of e-cigarettes has increased dramatically in the last few years among teens. It is estimated that 4 million adolescents are using e-cigarettes and there was a 10-fold increase between 2011 and 2016. This is Part II of a 2 part series on e-cigarettes. There is concern that use of e-cigarettes by adolescents leads […]
E-Cigarettes and Vaping: Part 1 6/21/2018
The use of e-cigarettes has increased dramatically in the last few years, among adults and teens, so it is important for health care providers to have a basic knowledge to be better able to help patients make safe decisions about this habit. This is Part I of a 2 part series on e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes were […]
Treating Depression in Older Patients 6/14/2018
Previous eWeekly’s have discussed assessment of depression in older patients, and the intricate interplay between depression and cognitive impairment in older patients. This eWeekly addresses treatment of depression in older patients and how it might differ from treatment in younger adults. First it is important to identify and address any medical contributions to a person’s […]
Non-stimulant approach to ADHD symptoms
There are situations that come up in a primary care setting when a pediatric (and some adult patients) presents with symptoms that are compatible with a diagnosis for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but where there are concerns about prescribing a stimulant medication. These are some of the situations when this can occur: 1. The […]