September 15, 2012

It is important to distinguish true transient ischemic attacks from mimicking conditions so that early intervention can be initiated. Transient ischemic attacks are more likely with sudden onset, focal neurologic deficit, or speech disturbance. Urgent evaluation includes…

Treatment after transient ischemic attack, which is aimed at preventing a subsequent episode or stroke, includes risk factor modification and medical therapy. Recommended medical therapies are antiplatelet agents, statins, and carotid artery intervention for advanced stenosis.

Pediculosis is diagnosed by identifying at least one live louse on visual inspection, whereas scabies is diagnosed by identifying mites, eggs, or fecal pellets. Pharmacologic options for eradicating head lice include topical lotions and shampoos. Wet combing also has been shown…

Many patients consider faith to be an important part of their lives, and would like to talk about spirituality with their physician. Conducting a spiritual assessment can help physicians understand patients' beliefs and traditions in relation to their physical health. Spiritual…

CDC Update: Highest Number of West Nile Virus Cases Reported Since 1999 | Influenza A Variant (H3N2v) Is Mild, with Little Human-to-Human Spread | AAMC Indicates that Medical Students' Education Debt Level Is Holding Steady | CDC Reports Lower Cigarette Use Is Offset by…

The American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP), and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) recently published updated recommendations for the early detection of cervical cancer. The guidelines are based on a…

Many guidelines are dominated by recommendations from experts and are not based on sound clinical studies. The development of clinical practice guidelines needs to be transparent and devoid of commercial, financial, and political influences. Physicians should also be wary of…

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for cervical cancer in women 21 to 65 years of age with cytology (Papanicolaou [Pap] smear) every three years or, for women 30 to 65 years of age who want to lengthen the screening interval, screening with a…

Case study: J.K., a 45-year-old woman, presents to your office for a routine well-woman examination. She has been married for 20 years, and there is nothing remarkable in her medical history, including no previous abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears.

What are the effects of drug treatments for stabilization (maintenance), withdrawal, and relapse prevention in persons with opioid dependence?

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

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has released its annual update of guidelines for cancer screening, with recommendations covering cancers of the breast, cervix, colon and rectum, and prostate. For each cancer site, the guidelines address the affected population, associated…

In hemodynamically stable patients without acute chest pain, the evaluation and treatment of atrial fibrillation should not change based on symptoms alone.

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A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, happens when a blood vessel called an artery becomes blocked. This causes less blood to get to your brain. It is sometimes called a mini stroke.

Lice are small insects that live on the skin. They are often connected to hair on the scalp or in the pubic area. When you have lice, it is called pediculosis. Scabies is a condition caused by mites, which are tiny, insect-like animals that dig under the skin. Both conditions…