In this guest post from Prof. Fenyves, he discusses the idea of a risk tax. That means there could be downsides to giving a medical product that we only learn of down the road— and we should include this in our decision making today. I think all great physicians think about this, but we don’t discuss it enough. Prof Fenyves puts it into words nicely.
Everything in moderation. Antibiotics are wonderful when your child has an ear infection and is in real pain, but antibiotics every time a child gets an infection leads to them becoming ineffective. Over the counter allergy medicines are good for temporary relief from allergies, but when I quit taking any kind of such pills, I stopped getting sinus infections. I agree that doctors should use more caution when prescribing medicines because each person is different. What works for one person may not work for another. Nice post.
Nice post, Paul. I am a recently retired pediatric pulmonologist and could not agree with you more. In my area of expertise, my biggest pet peeves are the following"
- among pediatricians, the liberal prescription of antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays for children with mild recurrent viral respiratory infections. Instead of educating the worried parents about the normalcy of these illnesses, the prescription pad is whipped out.
- among pediatricians and adult physicians, the over-diagnosis of sinusitis as an excuse for antibiotics.
- among my fellow pulmonologists, the over-use of systemic corticosteroids in acute illnesses.
Education and reassurance are the pillars of managing viral illnesses with welcoming return calls or return visits if the natural history of the illness is violated.
Everything in moderation. Antibiotics are wonderful when your child has an ear infection and is in real pain, but antibiotics every time a child gets an infection leads to them becoming ineffective. Over the counter allergy medicines are good for temporary relief from allergies, but when I quit taking any kind of such pills, I stopped getting sinus infections. I agree that doctors should use more caution when prescribing medicines because each person is different. What works for one person may not work for another. Nice post.
Nice post, Paul. I am a recently retired pediatric pulmonologist and could not agree with you more. In my area of expertise, my biggest pet peeves are the following"
- among pediatricians, the liberal prescription of antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays for children with mild recurrent viral respiratory infections. Instead of educating the worried parents about the normalcy of these illnesses, the prescription pad is whipped out.
- among pediatricians and adult physicians, the over-diagnosis of sinusitis as an excuse for antibiotics.
- among my fellow pulmonologists, the over-use of systemic corticosteroids in acute illnesses.
Education and reassurance are the pillars of managing viral illnesses with welcoming return calls or return visits if the natural history of the illness is violated.