Medical Academic Clinical and CPD Content

50 ways to improve nutrition in the ICU

Between 40% and 60% of adult patients treated in intensive care units (ICU) are at high risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition increases the risk of mortality, while evidence shows that optimal nutritional support leads to better clinical outcomes.

Nutritional care for surgery patients

Malnutrition affects up to 50% of hospitalised patients and contributes to adverse health and economic outcomes, even though it often remains unrecognised or undertreated.

Natural supplements for clinical issues

Immunity is the balance between adequate defences to fight infection, disease and tumour cells, and having sufficient tolerance to avoid inflammation, allergy and autoimmune disease.

Pumping iron

Anaemia is the most common haematological disorder in both developed and developing countries, affecting an estimated 1.2 billion people. Africa and Asia are the most affected regions, accounting for more than 85% of the absolute anaemia burden.

Managing the risk of diabetes during Ramadan

Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink and oral medications from dawn to dusk. This practice is referred to as fasting, where only two meals are eaten daily, one before dawn and one after sunset.

The influence of metabolic factors on weight regain

While it is often assumed that patients who regain weight do so because of a lack of willpower, there are plenty of metabolic factors that compel the body to maintain weight and regain it once it has been lost.

CPD POINTS: 1

Folate: benefits beyond NTD prevention

The most well-known use of folic acid is its role in preventing neural tube defects (NTD) during pregnancy. But folate affects numerous bodily functions and is beneficial for much besides pregnancy.

CPD POINTS: 1

Strengthening bone health with magnesium and vitamin K

Osteoporosis is a common, aging-related disease, the prevalence of which has been increasing with the improvement of modern medicine and average life expectancy. Termed a “silent disease”, it often goes undetected until a patient suffers from a bone fracture.

Pumping iron

Dr Jarrad van Zuydam, a GP with a special interest in endurance sports medicine, recently discussed iron deficiency at an event held in Cape Town.

Treatment options for child and adolescent obesity

Childhood and teenage overweight and obesity are growing challenges in developing countries, with up to 13% of South African children believed to be overweight or obese.

CPD POINTS: 1

Synthetic folic acid, food folate and 5-MTHF are not the same thing

MEDICAL CHRONICLE DECEMBER 2018 CPD 1 of 3: The terms folic acid, folacin, folinic acid, pteroylglutamic acid and folate seem to be used interchangeably. However, they are not the same thing.

CoQ10 in diabetes and high cholesterol patients

MEDICAL CHRONICLE DECEMBER 2018 CPD 2 of 3: The demand for CoQ10 as a dietary supplement has dramatically increased in recent years due to its reported beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases and other conditions.

Medical Chronicle December CPDs

These are Medical Chronicle’s December CPDs. Click on the attached questionnaire to start the CPD quiz.

Should patients take supplements during chemo?

MEDICAL CHRONICLE NOVEMBER CPD 1 of 3: There is compelling evidence for the importance of supplementation during cancer treatment. Vitamin D, zinc and magnesium supplementation appears to be particularly beneficial.

Medical Chronicle November CPDs

Below are all of the CPDs produced for the November 2018 issue of Medical Chronicle. You need to read all 3, then complete a questionnaire for a combined total of 3 CPD points.

The effect of diabetes on vitamin B

MEDICAL CHRONICLE AUGUST CPD 3 of 4: The relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy has been clearly demonstrated in a number of studies.