October 1, 2011

Acute uncomplicated cystitis is diagnosed with history, physical examination, and urinalysis. Classic symptoms include dysuria, frequent voiding, and urgency. Treatment with antimicrobial agents should be based on effectiveness, risk of adverse effects, resistance rates, and…

There are many reasons for patients' family members to be there during an office visit, and their presence is often beneficial to the care of the patient. However, physicians need to be aware of potential challenges, such as maintaining patient confidentiality and safety.

Although most heart murmurs in children are not pathologic, they may be the only manifestation of serious heart disease. A targeted history and cardiovascular examination should be performed to elicit any red flag signs or symptoms. Echocardiography is recommended for…

Bariatric surgery results in greater weight loss and greater reductions in obesity-related comorbidities than traditional weight loss therapy. A clinical rule can help identify patients with increased mortality risk from bariatric surgery. Complications and adverse effects vary…

Interventions that involve pharmacists to review, simplify, and monitor medication use significantly improve adherence in patients with multiple medical conditions.

Interventions that involve pharmacists to review, simplify, and monitor medication use significantly improve adherence in patients with multiple medical conditions.

IOM Report Finds Few Causal Relationships Between Vaccines and Adverse Events | CDC Survey Shows Little Improvement in HPV Vaccination Rates in Adolescents | HHS Proposes Rules to Expand Patients' Rights to Access Health Information | CMS Extends Deadline for Hardship…

In recent years, recognition of over-the-counter (OTC) medication abuse by patients—especially teenagers and young adults—has increased.1 Abuse is defined as the use of a drug to experience psychoactive effects instead of for its medical indication. OTC medications are easily…

The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

Trials to date have found that statins reduce all-cause mortality, composite cardiovascular outcomes, and revascularization. However, most trials included large numbers of persons with known CVD. Clear evidence of the effectiveness of statins to prevent a first cardiovascular…

Compared with placebo, varenicline more than doubles the chances of successful long-term smoking abstinence. In head-to-head trials, varenicline appears to be at least as effective as nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion (Zyban). The most common adverse effect is nausea…

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its annual guideline on vaccination against influenza. This year's guideline contains few significant changes from the 2010–2011 recommendations. It includes…

Letter

Cystitis (sis-TIE-tis) is an infection in your bladder that is caused by bacteria. If you have a bladder infection, you may feel pain when you urinate or have an unusually strong need to urinate. You may also urinate more often and have pain in your lower stomach.

It can be helpful to have you there. You can help during and after the visit by:

Weight loss surgery (also called bariatric surgery) includes several different procedures designed to make the stomach smaller. The two most common procedures are gastric banding and Roux-en-Y (ROO-en-Y) bypass. The goal of these surgeries is for you to feel satisfied with less…