Clin Med
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The expected quality of care for epilepsy has increased sharply in the last two decades, informed and directed by published guidance. Meeting these demands has become possible only by providing adequate numbers of consultants and nurses with the relevant expertise, alongside improvements in investigative facilities. The increasing choice of AEDs has been helpful in improving treatment options. Both primary and secondary care have an important role to play in easing diagnosis of new cases and highlighting cases where improvement in control are needed.
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First reported in 1898, post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) remains a significant clinical issue. Here, we present a brief case history and a summary of the current evidence for methods to reduce PDPH rates, along with the experience in our department of implementing these methods in clinical practice. The key points to note are that needle design, gauge and orientation, as well as stylet reinsertion, are factors known to affect the incidence of PDPH, and that there is no evidence to support the use of hydration and bed rest to reduce headache following dural puncture.
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This overview of systematic reviews (SRs) aims to evaluate critically the evidence regarding the adverse effects of herbal medicines (HMs). Five electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant SRs, with 50 SRs of 50 different HMs meeting our inclusion criteria. Most had only minor weaknesses in methods. ⋯ Moderately severe adverse effects were noted for 15 HMs: Pelargonium sidoides, Perna canaliculus, Aloe vera, Mentha piperita, Medicago sativa, Cimicifuga racemosa, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Serenoa repens, Taraxacum officinale, Camellia sinensis, Commifora mukul, Hoodia gordonii, Viscum album, Trifolium pratense and Stevia rebaudiana. Minor adverse effects were noted for 31 HMs: Thymus vulgaris, Lavandula angustifolia Miller, Boswellia serrata, Calendula officinalis, Harpagophytum procumbens, Panax ginseng, Vitex agnus-castus, Crataegus spp., Cinnamomum spp., Petasites hybridus, Agave americana, Hypericum perforatum, Echinacea spp., Silybum marianum, Capsicum spp., Genus phyllanthus, Ginkgo biloba, Valeriana officinalis, Hippocastanaceae, Melissa officinalis, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Cnicus benedictus, Salvia hispanica, Vaccinium myrtillus, Mentha spicata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Crocus sativus, Gymnema sylvestre, Morinda citrifolia and Curcuma longa. Most of the HMs evaluated in SRs were associated with only moderately severe or minor adverse effects.
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Because women are becoming pregnant at a later age, hypertension is more commonly encountered in pregnancy. In addition, with increasing numbers of young women living with renal transplants and kidney disease, it is important for physicians to be aware of the effects of pregnancy on these diseases. ⋯ A review of medication to avoid teratogenicity and optimise the disease prior to conception is the ideal. Pregnancy may be the first medical review for a young woman, who may present with a previously undiagnosed renal problem.