Insomnia in children is common yet underdiagnosed. An important role of the GP is to identify children’s sleep problems, commence early intervention and refer them to specialty services, if needed.
Menopause can cause various changes in the skin and hair beyond the expected effects of ageing; however, they often receive less attention than other symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats. These skin and hair symptoms should be considered in the decision about whether to initiate menopausal hormone therapy.
The stepped approach to adjusting asthma medications in children differs by age. GPs are encouraged to be aware of management guidelines in the Australian Asthma Handbook version 2.2, as well as key updates in the latest Global Initiative for Asthma strategy report published in 2024.
Natriuretic peptide testing is an important tool assisting clinicians in the diagnosis and exclusion of heart failure. One test per patient per year is now reimbursed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule for outpatients to help diagnose or exclude heart failure.
Inflammatory arthritis commonly causes ocular manifestations, which are often severe, vision-threatening and indicators of a serious underlying systemic disease. Early recognition and appropriate referral to an ophthalmologist are crucial for managing ocular involvement in patients with inflammatory arthritis.
Megan Ung, Sai Rupa Baskar, Thuy Phan, Genevieve L. McKew
GPs may encounter Strongyloides, Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), Ascaris and hookworm infections in Australian clinical settings. These nematodes primarily infect the gastrointestinal tract but may cause varied clinical symptoms on infection.
