Drug-Induced Movement Disorders

The purpose of this article is to present a general overview of the features of drug-induced movement disorders (DIMDs) comprised by Parkinsonism and extrapyramidal symptoms. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with patients presenting with these issues must have a broad understanding of the underlying disease process. This article will provide a brief introduction to the neuropathophysiology of DIMDs, a discussion of the associated symptomatology, the pharmacology implicated in causing DIMDs, and the medical management approaches currently in use.

Feeding Considerations in Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) often demonstrate feeding difficulties greater than those of age-matched preterm infants. Clinicians must understand the nature of the underlying disease process and the implications to swallow function. The speech-language pathologist plays an integral role in optimizing positive feeding experiences in this patient population.

Management of Pruritus

Pruritus, or itch, is a common sensation that causes a person to want to scratch. It is a complex process that commonly occurs with skin disorders such as xerotic eczema, atopic dermatitis and urticaria. It may also be related to an underlying disease process such as cholestasis or hyperthyroidism or simply be caused by dry skin, especially in the cold. Effective treatment of pruritus can prevent scratch-induced complications such as lichen simplex chronicus and impetigo. Therapy is often aimed at eliminating the underlying cause first, followed by the management of the itchy sensation.

Fetal-to-Neonatal Transition—What is Normal and What is Not?

These articles review the physiologic adaptations occurring during the transition from fetal to neonatal life and examine common red flags which may alert care providers to an infant experiencing delayed transition or an underlying disease process, congenital abnormality, or birth injury.

Slow-acting antirheumatic drugs

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is common and debilitating. It affects approximately 1% of adults in the UK, with a prevalence which increases with age; over the age of 60 years roughly 2% of men and 5% of women are affected.1 Early in the disease most patients will receive analgesics and NSAIDs, which relieve symptoms but do not affect the underlying disease process.2 Slow-acting antirheumatic drugs (SAARDs) – gold, penicillamine, hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine or sulphasalazine – have conventionally been used later.3 These drugs act slowly, improve symptoms and suppress clinical and serological markers of RA activity. Moreover they appear to slow progression of the disease, although whether they modify disease outcome in the long term is not clear. Many rheumatologists now advocate their earlier use in some patients. We review the place of SAARDs, including methotrexate and immunosuppressants, in the treatment of RA.

The psychopathology of echophenomena

SynopsisRepetition of other person's activities is, to some extent, part of normal human behaviour. However, in some circumstances it becomes pathological and symptomatic of an underlying disease process. The pathogenesis of this type of behaviour is very diverse. The circumstances in which echoing can be expected to occur are reviewed.