August 1, 2012

Hypothyroidism affects approximately one in 300 persons in the United States. If untreated, it can contribute to hypertension, infertility, and cognitive impairment. A serum thyroid-stimulating hormone test is the best method of assessing thyroid function. Most patients with…

Although opioid prescribing for chronic nonterminal pain has increased in recent years, evidence for its long-term effectiveness is weak and its potential for harm is significant. Before prescribing opioids, physicians should perform a biopsychosocial evaluation and devise a…

Psychological distress is common in patients who are terminally ill. Physicians should distinguish uncomplicated grief reactions from more disabling psychiatric disorders, such as major depression. Although pharmacologic interventions are not warranted for uncomplicated grief…

AAFP, Others Fight for GME Residency Slots and Urge CMS to Refine Proposed Rule | Collaboration Provides Physicians Assistance with EHR System Selection | USPSTF Recommendation Spurs Decrease in Mammography Rates, Says the Mayo Clinic | Health Coaching Lowers Patients' Systolic…

Differentiating between grief and depression in a patient who is seriously ill is important because the management strategies for each condition are different. It can be difficult to distinguish between depression and grief because they have overlapping symptoms (i.e., sadness…

Compared with other types of analgesia or no analgesia, epidurals offered better pain relief, but were associated with a longer second stage of labor and increased risk of instrumental vaginal delivery, maternal fever, and oxytocin (Pitocin) administration. There were no…

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.

Understanding R.H.'s personal narrative has helped me provide better care. After learning the struggles R.H. and her family had been through, I began to see that her chronic medical conditions, especially her chronic pain, were greatly influenced by the social and emotional…

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

Bronchiolitis is a common and sometimes serious viral lower respiratory tract infection in young children.

Propranolol and primidone (Mysoline) are the most commonly used therapies for essential tremor, but these agents are ineffective for up to one-half of patients. In 2005, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) published recommendations for the use of other therapies for…

If you are very sick or are nearing the end of life, you may have some losses. You may lose your health, wealth, independence, or close relationships with your friends and family. All of these losses can be hard to cope with. It's normal to have feelings of grief from these…