“Oh bummer, my last clinic patient has uncontrolled COPD.” This is exactly the words that I thought when I picked up Mr. P’s medical chart. (Yes, this was before electronic medical records during the first year of my Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship.) It was Christmas Eve at 6:30 pm — already two hours after the clinic … Read more
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Meet Lydia and Darlene. They are two sisters who had their mother, older brother, and three aunts all die with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Lydia, the older sister, also had advanced Alzheimer’s and almost never recognized her baby sister, Darlene. One evening about a month before dying, Lydia had a moment of clarity. For a brief … Read more
For non-smoking friends or family of smokers Want to lower the resistance you often get when telling your loved ones to stop smoking? Instead, try these three questions in a non-threatening and non-judgmental voice: • When is the last time you tried to quit smoking? • What are things that I currently do or say … Read more
Which of these do not exist? A. Anorexic Sumo wrestler B. Unicorn C. “Smoker’s Cough” D. Prince Charming E. All of the above Answer: E. Yes, all of the above. “Smoker’s cough” simply doesn’t exist. For Patients | Consult Your Doctor for Reason Behind the Cough • If your cough lasts for more than two … Read more
I was at the end of a very long, stressful, and exhausting overnight shift years ago. I was evaluating an 88-year-old woman with dementia. Her family brought her to the hospital due to her worsening confusion and poor appetite. After introducing myself, I asked her several questions to evaluate her thinking and overall health. Below … Read more
Hi, I am Sandra Adams, MD, MS, a Professor of Medicine in the Pulmonary/Critical Care Division of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas. But you can call me Sandra. I’m not hung up on the whole Doctor Adams thing. I believe that I earn respect by how I treat people … Read more