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BPJ 9 October 2007

Best Practice Journal

Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease is a common but often unrecognised disorder, affecting about 1 in 100 people. Symptoms of coeliac disease are often vague and non-specific and may or may not include gastrointestinal symptoms. A low gluten diet in adults and a zero gluten diet in children often result in complete remission. However, untreated coeliac disease may be associated with long term health problems. View Article

Constipation

Most cases of constipation in adults are mild and intermittent and respond to lifestyle changes such as increasing fibre in the diet, increased fluid intake and exercise. If a laxative is required the choice of agent is based on the cause of constipation, symptoms, patient preferences, potential side effects and time to effect. Constipation in children is also common and requires special considerations. View Article

Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance affects many adults and children. It is either genetically determined or experienced transiently as a result of a gastrointestinal illness. Initial treatment consists of avoiding or minimising foods containing lactose, followed by a gradual reintroduction after symptoms settle. Lactose intolerance should not be mistaken for an allergy to milk. View Article

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome affects approximately 1 in 10 people, mainly women between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Treatment is tailored to the predominant symptoms, coupled with explanation, reassurance and sensible advice about lifestyle, diet and stress. Psychological support is an integral part of the management.
+ short note on Rongoa Māori. View Article

Upfront: The manner of our Dying

Preventive health care aims to prevent premature deaths and delay the onset of the suffering caused by illness and disease (compression of morbidity). This is on the understanding that everyone is entitled to a normal life span and that anyone not achieving this has been cheated of the missing years. In essence the aim is to move the survival curve towards a rectangle. This article explores a new way of thinking in regards to the health care of our elderly View Article

Specialist prescribing restrictions removed for some topical eye treatments

Advice on the primary care role for initiating and monitoring topical eye treatments following the removal of some specialist prescribing restrictions. View Article

The Importance of Being Regular

Assessing the risk and benefit of alternative therapy for GI conditions View Article

qi4gp ensuring quality patient care

qi4gp (Quality Information for General Practice) is a ‘grass roots’ initiative with a vision to provide a new information environment which will make comprehensive patient information accessible to all practitioners View Article

Making Ethnicity Data Count

Knowing ethnicity allows us to have a more comprehensive and complete understanding of peoples' health experiences and is an important factor in providing appropriate and responsive healthcare. View Article

Dear Dave

Do timolol eye drops cause cold extremeties and tiredness?
Dave discusses the systemic absorption of drugs from eye drops and ways to avoid this. View Article

Correspondence: CoQ10; Betaloc CR

Letters received from our readers:
Could I have some CoQ10 please?
Betaloc CR change View Article