Healthcare is More than Just an Ideology: It’s a Collaboration
On June 13, South Africa’s National Assembly approved the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, signing this new law into effect in the face of strong expert objections. While many healthcare stakeholders desire to see the greatest number of people receive the best possible healthcare, there are many unanswered questions of how this bill will impact the healthcare space.
Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2023
The latest edition of Modern Medicine is now available for you to read. We have some great articles featured in this edition:
Also, a reminder that, not only do we have CPD questions available within the magazine itself, we also have an online CPD portal that allows you to score even more points by simply completing your test online.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease characterised by airway limitation and changes in airway structure. The aetiology of COPD is complex, but exposure to tobacco smoke and other inhaled lung oxidants are major risk factors. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches are used to manage COPD. This review focuses on the role of acetylcholine and other components of the pulmonary cholinergic system in the pathogenesis of COPD, and the inhaled pharmacological agents that target it. In addition to its role as a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine regulates diverse aspects of COPD pathogenesis including bronchoconstriction, airway remodelling, mucus secretion and inflammation. Inhaled antimuscarinic drugs are a key component of therapy for COPD, as monotherapy or in combination with inhaled β2 agonists or corticosteroids. We review the evidence supporting the use of current anticholinergic agents in COPD and preview novel drugs targeting the cholinergic system and agents from other classes in clinical development, such as phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting inflammatory mediators.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2023
Rosacea: A Thorny Problem with a Rosy Outlook
Rosacea is a common and often underdiagnosed chronic inflammatory centrofacial dermatosis, with a diverse clinical presentation, and includes symptoms of flushing, erythema, papules, pustules and, for some, skin thickening or ocular symptoms. Symptoms can have profound impacts on the social and psychological wellbeing of affected patients. Optimising management requires an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment to the presenting features of the individual patient.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2023
Don’t Jump the Gun in Diagnosing Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a commonly encountered laboratory finding in clinical practice, characterised by elevated levels of thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) in serum in the presence of normal serum levels of free thyroxine (FT4), as compared with population-based reference ranges for these values. Overt hypothyroidism, in contrast, is characterised by elevated TSH in combination with subnormal levels of FT4.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2023
Patient–Doctor Partnership Key for Lifelong Euthyroidism
Hypothyroidism, a reduction in thyroid hormone levels, is one of the most common diseases worldwide. The medication most used to treat hypothyroidism is levothyroxine, a compound that acts as a replacement for a person’s thyroid hormone.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2023
Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Progress toward personalised management
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of death among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly in low‑ and middle‑income countries. To effectively prevent the development of CVDs in T2DM, considerable effort has been made to explore novel preventive approaches, individualised glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk management (strict blood pressure and lipid control), together with recently developed glucose‑lowering agents and lipid‑lowering drugs. This is a shortened version of the original review.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2023
Grappling With High Triglycerides and Atherosclerotic Risk
Prevention and treatment of dyslipidaemias represent a fundamental part of cardiovascular disease prophylaxis. Consequently, the effective management of different types of lipid disorders, including hypertriglyceridaemia, should be a priority for healthcare practitioners and their patients.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2023
How to Manage Substance Use Disorder
The use of substances has been prevalent for many centuries. Many people across the world use substances for various cultural, religious and recreational reasons. These products are often said to be ‘natural’, owing to their predominantly plant-based nature.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2023
Complementary and Alternative Medicine – an Often Unspoken Topic
Because the newer methods of treatment are good, it does not follow that the old ones were bad: for if our honourable and worshipful ancestors had not recovered from their ailments, you and I would not be here today. —Confucius (c. 551–478 BCE)
Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2023
