May 1, 2013

Patients with acute diverticulitis may present with left lower quadrant pain, tenderness, abdominal distention, and fever. Initial laboratory studies include a complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, urinalysis, and measurement of C-reactive protein. Hospitalization should…

Diagnosis of psoriasis is based on clinical findings, and biopsy is rarely necessary. Topical therapies are useful for treating mild to moderate psoriasis. Systemic therapies, with or without phototherapy, are indicated for more severe psoriasis. Biologic therapies can be…

Treatment of urge and stress incontinence begins with behavioral therapy, such as pelvic floor muscle exercises. Other management options for urge incontinence include posterior tibial nerve stimulation, anticholinergic agents, beta-adrenergic agonists, or onabotulinumtoxinA…

Medicare Physician Payment Rate, GME Programs Affected by Budget Cuts | State Medicaid Programs Drive PCMH Initiatives Forward, Provide Lessons for Payers | Panel Indicates Need for Medical Schools to Change Approach to Physician Training | Budget Requests for Physician…

Obesity is increasingly common among pregnant women, and it can cause significant risk to mother and fetus. Family physicians who provide prenatal care should also be familiar with recommendations for the management of obesity in pregnancy.

According to the authors of this Cochrane review, reducing or modifying a patient's dietary fat intake did not lower the rates of either total or cardiovascular-related mortality when compared with usual or control diets. Reducing the intake of total or saturated fats decreased…

In this underpowered study, nursing education to encourage increased use of bed alarms did not lead to fewer falls in hospitalized patients.

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

The American Urological Association (AUA) has released a guideline to direct physicians and patients during the diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up of asymptomatic microhematuria in adults. Microhematuria is defined as the presence of three or more red blood cells per high…

Diverticulosis (di-ver-tik-u-LO-sis) is when you have pouches in the colon that bulge out. These pouches are called diverticula (di-ver-TIK-u-lah). They are caused by pressure in the colon that weakens the bowel wall. Not eating enough fiber, not exercising enough, and taking…

Psoriasis (sore-EYE-uh-sis) is a skin problem that causes a rash with thick, scaly patches. It can also cause problems in the joints and changes in the nails. Psoriasis can run in families. It can start after an illness or injury to the skin. The cause of psoriasis is not known…