August 15, 2013

Patients with sleep disorders can be categorized as those who cannot sleep, those who will not sleep, those with excessive daytime sleepiness, and those with increased movements during sleep. Some sleep disorders can be diagnosed with history alone, although polysomnography may…

Vision screening in children is an ongoing process, with different components that should occur at each well-child visit. It begins with a vision history, followed by eye examination, including measurement of visual acuity. The purpose of vision screening is to detect treatable…

Persons with parathyroid disorders most commonly present with abnormalities of serum calcium. Evaluation includes a history and physical examination, and measurement of serum calcium, creatinine, magnesium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels. The treatment for…

Example of a sleep log to assess sleep behaviors over a period of time.

Proposed 2014 Medicare Fee Schedule Could Increase Payments for Primary Care | Compensation for Family Physicians on the Rise | CMS Tracks Effects of EHRs on U.S. Health Care | Studies Examine How to Improve Shared Decision-Making for PSA Screening | New Mobile App Helps…

Many patients underestimate the degree of impairment caused by benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines increase the risk of addiction, withdrawal, cognitive decline, motor vehicle crashes, and hip fracture. The risk of overdose is particularly great when combined with sedative drugs…

Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) are often proposed as solutions to the looming shortage of primary care physicians. However, a large and growing number of PAs and NPs now work outside of primary care, which suggests that innovative policy solutions to…

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

The available evidence does not support the routine use of vilazodone in the treatment of depression. It is significantly more expensive than generic alternatives and is no more effective for moderate to severe depression than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or…

What are the potential benefits and adverse effects associated with treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschool-aged children (younger than six years)?

This practice bulletin from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reviews diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment options for women with osteoporosis.

Complete decongestive physiotherapy (i.e., a noninvasive protocol consisting of skin care, lymph drainage massage, exercises, and compression bandaging1) effectively improves edema, rates of infection, and quality of life in patients with lower-extremity lymphedema.