When counseling your patients to quit smoking, you may also want to consider asking them about their past marijuana use. Results from a recent study suggest that there may be a correlation between cannabis and tobacco smoking.

There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, and mixed. Of these, OSA is by far the most common, and that’s what we’ll focus on in this article. OSA is caused by excessive relaxation of the throat during sleep, which in some people causes enough obstruction to impede the flow of air.

With substance use disorders (SUDs) that are comorbid with chronic insomnia, what would you say are some of the main treatment challenges?

You are evaluating a 16-year-old boy referred for mandated substance use treatment by his high school, where he was found drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis with a friend in the restroom.

Since they already often seem two steps ahead of us, with adolescents it can be really helpful to use direct routes. Be very specific in your questions. For example, don’t just ask, “Do you smoke?” Ask, “Are you using any nicotine products? What are you using in your vape?”

As medical and recreational marijuana become legalized in more states, more emphasis is being placed on treatment of those with cannabis use disorders. But with our clinics already at capacity, how can we find the most efficient way of providing therapy?

In this article, I’ll start by briefly outlining what the research tells us about the risks of substance use to the fetus. The more informed you are about these risks, the more persuasive and helpful you can be to patients. I’ll then move on to discussing how, as an OB/GYN, I approach the evaluation and treatment of these patients, emphasizing issues of interest to clinicians.

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.

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