July 1, 2017

Although behavioral interventions are the mainstay of treatment for insomnia, pharmacologic therapy may sometimes be necessary. Controlled-release melatonin and doxepin are recommended as first-line agents in older adults. The so-called z-drugs (zolpidem, eszopiclone, and…

Tools used to screen for developmental delay present several options for physicians and parents. Many of the available instruments offer easy integration into electronic health record systems, and those administered by a parent before an office visit can facilitate better…

Acute paronychia is inflammation of the nail folds caused by polymicrobial infections after the protective nail barrier has been breached. Treatment consists of warm soaks with or without Burow solution or acetic acid. Topical antibiotics should be used with or without topical…

CMS to Replace Social Security Numbers on Medicare Identification Cards | USDA Offers Grant Opportunities for Distance Learning, Telemedicine | Racial Segregation Linked to Higher SBP | CMS Accepting Applications for CPC+ Initiative

Health professionals can help patients lower their medication costs, whether they pay the whole charge or only part of it.

Price gouging will end only when the structural elements responsible for the unchecked costs of drugs are addressed in a systematic way.

The benefits are greater than the harm in using tenofovir for HIV prevention, but cost-effectiveness and personal preferences are critical.

There is moderate-quality evidence that whole-body acupuncture is effective for migraine prevention. Compared with usual care, acupuncture is more effective at reducing headache frequency by at least 50% (number needed to treat [NNT] = 4).

In women of reproductive age with chronic heavy menstrual bleeding, hysterectomy is the most effective treatment for controlling symptoms. Conservative surgery is more effective for controlling bleeding symptoms at one and two years than oral medications or the levonorgestrel…

The evidence is conflicting on whether gluten-free diets improve symptoms of IBS. Gluten-free diets may improve symptoms such as abdominal pain, stool consistency, and tiredness, and they can be recommended to patients with IBS.

A 15-year-old girl presented with an asymptomatic pigmented mole on the right scapula that developed a white halo.

The existing research base, with biases that typically make interventions look better, is unable to demonstrate that arthroscopy for meniscal injuries is any better than nonoperative approaches. Because this is a costly intervention and is being used more often, perhaps…

Children and adolescents are exposed to a variety of broadcast (e.g., television, movies) and interactive (e.g., social media, video games) media. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a policy statement on the use of media in children and adolescents five to 18…

Paronychia (pair-oh-NICK-ee-ah) is a common problem that affects the nail folds of the fingers and toes. There are two kinds of paronychia: acute and chronic. Acute paronychia happens quickly from an infection in the nail fold. Chronic paronychia is swelling that lasts longer…