One of the first dictums that is taught in clinical medicine is that appendicitis is the great imitator. While there is a classic presentation for an acute appendicitis, far too often it can be subtle and take on the appearance of something entirely different. That is why clinicians must have a very high index […]
Read More →It was a busy Sunday afternoon and my weekend on call was coming to an end. With winter officially here pediatric illnesses had picked up in both the office and the hospital. There were the typical viral upper respiratory tract infections, flare-ups of asthma, ear infections and gastrointestinal infections. It is a predictably busy […]
Read More →Nikki’s mother brought her to the office because of a number of issues that had been going on for awhile. Her mom states that Nikki has an endless abundance of energy…that is, until a couple of weeks ago. The young lady is 12 years old and usually an active sixth grader—a real “go-getter” according […]
Read More →Teenagers are notorious in dismissing serious illnesses or incapacitating health issues that would affect their normal life. A point in fact was 17-year-old Charlie who was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Upon being informed of his illness Charlie soon grew angry, refusing to take the medication. This attitude was followed by denial. And of […]
Read More →Recently a grandmother accompanied her daughter and grandchild in to see me. She was positive that the problem her five-year-old Susie was enduring was a case of worms. The child had been waking up in the middle of the night, thrashing and crying. She was difficult to calm down. And this had been going […]
Read More →