Managing Opioid-induced Constipation
The key to managing opioid-induced constipation is early recognition of the problem.
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Lady Gaga Tests Borderline Positive for Lupus
Lady Gaga announced that she recently tested borderline positive for lupus. Dr. Pullen talks about lupus tests, false positives, and diagnostic uncertainty.
Generic ARBs: Effectiveness Does Not Always Equal Success
As more angiotensin receptor blockers come off patent, it will be interesting to see how manufacturers, payers, and physicians react.
PSVT Ablation - A Sweet Addition to Our Treatment Options
PSVT ablation is effective in about 90% of cases where an aberrant connection is located, and is as invasive as a routine cardiac catheterization.
Home Glucose Testing in Type 2 Diabetics
Home glucose monitoring in non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes has not been shown to improve blood sugar control or prevent complications of diabetes.
USPSTF Meeting Canceled: Coincidence or Ominous Precedent?
The abruptly cancelled USPSTF meeting was going to have a vote on the controversial subject of PSA testing for men age 50-75.
Tympanocentesis for Treatment of Acute Otitis Media
A simple procedure can be used in patients with acute otitis media that provides immediate pain relief and often avoids the need to use antibiotics.
Plavix to Follow Lipitor as a Generic Blockbuster
Plavix will soon follow Lipitor and go off patent, opening the door for a generic alternative for cardiovascular disease and stroke patients.
CCHIT will Certify EHRs for the ONC
Though CCHIT will continue to certify EHRs for the ONC, they won't be the only organization doing so.
Good Samaritan Laws
Dr. Pullen examines the laws that exist in 48 states that prevent individuals from being persecuted for stopping to help at the scene of an accident.
How Would Modern Medicine Have Helped Our Early Patriots?
Many of the famous early Americans like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington either died of old age or of an illness that, even today, could have caused their deaths, according to Dr. Pullen.
Testosterone Deficiency
The condition in which the function of the testes to produce testosterone is failing is fairly common, but often poorly understood, according to Dr. Pullen.
Can't Find It in There, Doc?
This recent comment from a patient during an exam led Dr. Pullen to reflect on the many things that physicians do during an office visit that may seem odd to patients.
Time as a Diagnostic Tool
The timing of the onset of a patient's symptoms can serve as a critical piece of the puzzle when trying to determine a diagnosis.
Talking to Each Other
Technological innovations have lessened the amount of time that physicians spend talking with each other and increased the frustration related to trying to find a better way to share medical information.
Hallux Rigidus
The condition in which the great toe has very limited motion first came to Dr. Pullen's attention when his son, who was playing baseball at the time, was having pain in his foot when he tried to push off of it or play for an extended period of time.
How Can We Encourage Medical Students to Choose Primary Care?
Dr. Pullen proposes a "radical solution" - pay specialists less.
Hemicrania Continuum
The uncommon condition seems to be midway between a cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia, according to Dr. Pullen.
Exam Room Favorites
Using the Internet during patient visits can be a very useful tool, according to Dr. Pullen. Here, he describes some of his favorite websites to use while seeing patients.
Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Available for 2009
Dr. Pullen examines the results of the recent CDC survey.
What Would You Do if it Was Your Mother, Doctor Pullen?
Dr. Pullen's latest blog entry discusses this frequently asked office question, how it can have several different meanings, and how the answer may change, depending on what the question is really asking.
Do Vets and Dogs Have it Right on Euthanasia?
Codification of the Death with Dignity Act and putting his dog to sleep has Dr. Pullen reflecting on euthanasia, the practice in veterinary medicine, and the pros and cons of the possibility of the practice for humans.
Is there a Physician on the Plane?
Dr. Pullen's recent cross-country trip prompted him to reflect on an earlier flight in which he was needed to provide care for a fellow passenger.
Epididymitis: It's a Real Pain in the B….
According to Dr. Pullen, although this is a very common problem, many male patients who have never suffered from epididymitis come in concerned about testicular cancer.
Sleep Apnea: Current Issues in Medicine
Managing obstructive sleep apnea introduces a number of issues for the physician, including which patients need to be referred for further testing, how everything will be paid for, and more.
Diabetes Management - It's Not Just about Blood Sugars
Preventing complications from diabetes requires more than just good blood sugar control; it also requires patients to control their cholesterol and blood pressure.